Rainer on Leadership

We hear more and more about attendance frequency becoming a pain point for many churches. After over a decade of having this conversation, Thom and Sam discuss the one key reason many churches are still fighting attendance declines.

Highlights:

Revisiting the Concept of Attendance Frequency

* The Priority/Expectations Factor

* The Weekend Worker Demographic

* The Focus on Us Instead of Them

* Groups, groups, groups

Other highlights:

For the church to exist it must gather.

One of three people in the U.S. workforce is unable to attend a Sunday morning service due to a work conflict.

The gig and entrepreneurial economy are having an impact on church attendance.

Personal preferences always kill priorities. 

Group involvement can have a huge impact on church frequency.

* I Am a Church Member

* I Will - Nine Traits of the Outwardly Focused Christian

* Gen Z Webinar

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Vanderbloemen has 12 Vanderbloemen Differences that allow them to serve their clients better than anyone else. One of those is Theology Matters. Vanderbloemen's staff has more seminary and theological experience than any other search firm with 250+ collective years of church leadership experience.

To learn more about all 12 of Vanderbloemen's Differences, visit VanderDifference.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

Thom and Sam spend today’s episode discussing seven fiercely defended traditions in the church, why these particular traditions are so sensitive to many, and how you can help leaders be agents of positive change within your congregations.

Highlights:

Worship Style

* Role of pastor

* Worship Time

* Specific rooms in the church facility

* Order of Worship

* One site only

* Business and committee structure of the church

Other highlights:

What is the biblical role of the pastor?

What is the "hired man" mentality?

How do the expectations of the pastor create tension?

The changing of service times disrupts people's lives more than you would think.

Even small changes in the order of worship can create tension because people feel the change. 

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Putting an End to Worship Wars by Elmer Towns

* Autopsy of a Deceased Church

* Gen Z Webinar - Seven Critical Ways Gen Z Will Shape the Church in 2020

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you're listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.

For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

What in the world is a Berry Bucket? If you don’t think this is a relevant topic for your church join Thom and Sam as they discuss the Berry Bucket and how it is often the source of church conflict.

Highlights:

Understanding the Concept of the Berry Bucket

Why Years Two and Three Are the Most Common Berry Bucket Conflict Years

The Communication Issues with the Berry Bucket

Surviving the Berry Bucket

Other highlights:

How is the Berry Bucket created?

How are existing church members threatened by the Berry Bucket?

Conflict with the Berry Bucket can depend upon what type of new church member is acquired.

It will benefit the leader to over communicate the wins and advantages of the Berry Bucket.

A pastor can change the pace of change with tenure.

A church may be declining in growth and still experience the difficult challenges of the Berry Bucket.

Resources:

* 2020 Revitalize Network Convention

* Books by Carl F. George

* Church Answers

* Cyber Week Deals/a>

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Vanderbloemen has 12 Vanderbloemen Differences that allow them to serve their clients better than anyone else. One of those is Theology Matters. Vanderbloemen's staff has more seminary and theological experience than any other search firm with 250+ collective years of church leadership experience.

To learn more about all 12 of Vanderbloemen's Differences, visit VanderDifference.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

Wouldn’t you like to know what the future holds for your church? Special guest Dave Travis from Generis joins Thom and Sam as they jump in their time machine and discuss issues and trends church leaders must know for 2020.

Highlights:

What are some demographic issues facing churches in 2020?

* Does church attendance matter?

* What is meant by "more compact facilities"?

* What is the future of smaller churches?

* What is the trend in video-based churches versus live preaching?

Other highlights:

What can church leaders learn from the long-story of demographics?

Where will millennials and future generations live and how does it impact church growth?

What tools can be used to engage church members beyond Sunday?

What is the new dream for church growth and facility usage?

The 4 story process explained.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* What's Next 2020

* Generis

* Cyber Week Deal

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you're listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.

For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

In today’s episode, Thom and Sam discuss an incredibly common topic and major pain point for many churches: change and why resistance to change exists.

Highlights:

The hunger for stability in a rapidly changing culture.

Church members confusing desires with doctrine.

The issues surrounding slow pace of change in most churches.

The large gap between leadership pace and congregational pace.

Other highlights:

Sometimes church members confuse desire with doctrine.

There is nothing wrong with traditions, but traditions are not doctrine.

The more inward the church, the more resistant that church will be to change.

The more outward the church, the more receptive the church will be to change.

A pastor can change the pace of change with tenure.

How we bring people into the church will influence the pace of change.

Resources:

* 48hr Black Friday Sale

* Obstacles in the Established Church: How Leaders Overcome Them

* EST Podcast

* Church Answers

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Vanderbloemen has 12 Vanderbloemen Differences that allow them to serve their clients better than anyone else. One of those is Theology Matters. Vanderbloemen's staff has more seminary and theological experience than any other search firm with 250+ collective years of church leadership experience.

To learn more about all 12 of Vanderbloemen's Differences, visit VanderDifference.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

Today Thom and Sam discuss the purpose of the local church as a key instrument of the Great Commission. Discipleship is the primary tool the church uses to fulfill the Great Commission. The conversation today covers the importance of making disciples and characteristics of discipleship.

The difference between decisions and disciples

The biblical path of the early Church

Accountability is difficult outside of the local church

Fighting perceptions about the local church

Other highlights:

In the Great Commission, the decision to follow Christ is the decision to be a disciple.

The instrument God uses to make disciples is the local church.

If you become a member of the local church, then you are expressing a willingness to be held accountable. 

The church doesn’t exist for itself, but as a representative of the gospel in the community.

Resources:

* Effective Rural Church Coaching

* Evangelism in the 21st Century: The Critical Issues

* Evangelism in the Early Church

* EST Podcast

* Revitalize & Replant Podcast

* Revitalization Hero Story

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Vanderbloemen has 12 Vanderbloemen Differences that allow them to serve their clients better than anyone else. One of those is Theology Matters. Vanderbloemen's staff has more seminary and theological experience than any other search firm with 250+ collective years of church leadership experience.

To learn more about all 12 of Vanderbloemen's Differences, visit VanderDifference.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

Are you following a long-term pastor? Did a long-tenured pastor return to your church as a member? Thom and Sam discuss five considerations when following a long-tenured pastor. This is a great episode about leading well and honoring those who have come before you.

Honor your predecessor. No disparaging comments.

For a season, let your predecessor know about major changes.

Consider taking your predecessor up on any offer to stay away for a while.

If appropriate, ask your predecessor to preach on occasion.

Be respectful of any family members of your predecessor in the church.

Other highlights:

Starting with negativity is a self-fulfilling prophecy, especially in the church.

The longer the tenure of a pastor the more ingrained in the community they become. 

The best way to get support from a predecessor is to keep in regular communication. 

The good leaders will step away from a ministry if only for a season, to allow the new leader to establish themselves.

Resources:

* SEBTS MA Church Revitalization

* Effective Rural Church Coaching

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Vanderbloemen has 12 Vanderbloemen Differences that allow them to serve their clients better than anyone else. One of those is Theology Matters. Vanderbloemen's staff has more seminary and theological experience than any other search firm with 250+ collective years of church leadership experience.

To learn more about all 12 of Vanderbloemen's Differences, visit VanderDifference.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

Church practices change with cultural norms. The norm in the church used to be everyone gathering at one time in one place. Today, Thom and Sam discuss changing church practices and five ways to address an oversized sanctuary. 

5 Ways to Address the Oversized Sanctuary:

Understand the "why" behind the trends.

* Use curtains or ropes.

* Close off the balcony.

* Remodel the facility.

* Focus on a larger fellowship area.

Other highlights:

A common renovation in churches today include expanding the lobby or common space and reducing the main worship center.

The average size of a new worship center is getting smaller.

Large worship centers were built because church practice required one service each morning. Today churches hold multiple services requiring less space for Sunday worship.

Culturally the fellowship time is now happening before and after the worship service. An open lobby space could revolutionize your church culture.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast

* Effective Rural Churches Webinar

* EST.Church Podcast

* Church Answers

* Cosco & Associates

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you're listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.

For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

Many churches are in the midst of their annual budgeting. Thom and Sam discuss five ways your church budget might be broken. Included in this episode are topics like processes, facility costs, personnel costs, and resourcing outward-focused ministry.

* The budgeting process is old and stale.

The church has not seriously examined its facility costs.

The church has not seriously examined its personnel costs.

Expenditures are almost all inwardly-focused.

There is little thought given to Jerusalem. (Acts 1:8)

Other highlights:

Zero based budgeting forces your church to re-think every expenditure.

The longer you defer church maintenance costs the more expensive they may become.

Making personnel changes in a church doesn’t always mean deleting positions. Personnel changes could mean changing job descriptions.

Senior Pastor’s can’t ask staff members to be outwardly focused if they don’t resource them to be outwardly focused.

Resources:

* Cool Solutions Group

* Belay Solutions

* 2020 Micro Consultations

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Vanderbloemen has 12 Vanderbloemen Differences that allow them to serve their clients better than anyone else. One of those is Theology Matters. Vanderbloemen's staff has more seminary and theological experience than any other search firm with 250+ collective years of church leadership experience.

To learn more about all 12 of Vanderbloemen's Differences, visit VanderDifference.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

From church idols to church busyness, Thom and Sam discuss the major reasons why your church might be stuck. Sometimes the reason a church is stuck is that there is a fear of change, other times because of a bully. Listen in as Thom and Sam talk about the issues and potential solutions.

Reasons a church might be stuck:

* There is an idolatry of the past.

* Critics and bullies are holding the church hostage.

* The pastor has been burned in the past and fears leading change.

* The church likes evangelism in theory only.

* The church has become activity driven.

Other highlights:

The goal of fostering a church is to help them return to a state of independence. 

Trust that breaks down will eventually be detrimental to any relationship.

Fostering is local churches helping local churches. 

God gave you a specific address for a specific reason. Loving your neighbor applies to people and churches.

If leadership is not aligned, then you should not move forward. 

Resources mentioned in today's podcast

* 2020 Micro Consultations

* Simple Church

* Zero-Based Church Scheduling Blog

* Zero-Based Church Scheduling Podcast

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you're listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.

For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.