Rainer on Leadership

Thom Rainer
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Rainer on Leadership

Rainer on Leadership is your online home for leadership lessons for the local church. This twice-weekly podcast provides practical training on important issues for church leaders and pastors. For more information, visit ChurchAnswers.com.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    NEW Surprising Insights from the Unchurched (Releasing New Research)

    https://youtu.be/Fz1JBtVYL7M Almost 25 years ago, we completed a research project that yielded the book “Surprising Insights from the Unchurched.” The study was a breakthrough in many ways, shattering long-held myths about how the unchurched felt about the church. What about now? Do the unchurched today have feelings similar to those of a generation ago? Thom and Sam reveal their new research. The unchurched and churched believe local churches are generally good for their communities, with almost 6 out of 10 unchurched people agreeing or strongly agreeing. The unchurched believe churches are still relevant but not trustworthy. A significant surprise emerged in the data: Non-attendees view the church as more relevant today than churchgoers! But the issue of trust was a different story. Attendees generally trust their churches (81%) and pastors (76%), while trust levels were lower among non-attendees with churches (30%) and pastors (35%). The unchurched are open to friendships through church but are intimidated to visit because they don’t feel welcome. Over half of non-attendees believe the church would be a good place to make new friends, but they are intimidated to visit a church alone. The unchurched don’t attend mainly because of indifference and not because of busyness or antagonism. Churched people care more about worship style, programming, and denominational preferences than the unchurched. But the top reason churched people attend a particular church is because someone invited them. The church and unchurched alike attend a particular church primarily because someone invited them. Resources: * California Baptist University * Upward Sports * “Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link) * FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights * Church Answers Central The Everything Church Resource Directory * The Hope Initiative * Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Episode Sponsors: Are you preparing the leaders in your church for the future? Are you considering pursuing YOUR degree? Let California Baptist University help you live your purpose and achieve your goals! CBU offers a full breadth of courses through its online degree programs. Whether you’re looking to start your degree, finish your degree, or prepare others, CBU’s degree programs provide a flexible, online learning environment for everyone. Classes start every eight weeks; begin any time. An online degree can: * Help you gain a better understanding of your life’s purpose; * Symbolize competence and integrity in your career; and * Provide you with the skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others. Your team may benefit from a degree in business, leadership, finance, communications or Christian studies. There are dozens of online CBU programs available to you! Are you looking for a degree to prepare your team for active leadership roles in the church or your organization? Consider the online Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministries,...

    22 min

  2. 29 OCT

    What You’re Missing by Not Reading a Chronological Bible: An Interview with Iva May

    https://youtu.be/hZKlKGBJnSA Thom and Sam are delighted to welcome Iva May to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. Iva is the founder and director of Chronological Bible Teaching where she directs its day-to-day operations. Her 20 years working in creating the story concept of the Bible as a discipleship tool was integral in creating “The One Year Chronological Study Bible” as well as other Bible literacy resources used to teach and disciple people all over the world. Here are some questions they will discuss: Why do you feel it’s important for people to read the Bible in community and not just study it individually? What is the value of reading the Bible chronologically? Why use a One Year format and why the New Living Translation? How is this Bible different from other daily reading Bibles? How do you see churches using it with their congregations? What are some suggestions for how to encourage a congregation to read together? Resources: * “The One Year Chronological Study Bible” * Tyndale House Publishers * Chronological Bible Teaching * Upward Sports * Church Answers Central The Everything Church Resource Directory * The Hope Initiative * Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Episode Sponsors: Information about the Bible "The One Year Chronological Study Bible" arranges the Scripture in the order of its historical events, enabling you to read the story of the Bible from beginning to end in 365 days. Divided into 14 historical eras – from creation to the story of Israel to the Resurrection and the new Earth – the Bible’s magnificent narrative unfolds with greater clarity and power as you engage with each day’s reading. With study notes and devotional questions each day, you’ll see the unfurling of God’s work among his people. Even better, you’ll also see your place in God’s grand story. Key features include: 365 daily readings in chronological order Daily introductions Daily discovery questions for personal reflection and application Easy-to-follow 14-era format with era overviews Articles on biblical themes The clear and accurate New Living Translation Offering the One Year format in historical order and enhanced by in-depth notes, "The One Year Chronological Study Bible" is perfect for both daily devotions and deep engagement with the Word of God. Let this Bible help you get to know God’s story in a whole new way!   Who is Upward Sports? * Upward Sports is the World’s largest Christian youth sports organization, dedicated to partnering with local churches to use sports outreach to reach the community. * Upward Sports offers basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, and soccer as a league offering.

    22 min

  3. 22 OCT

    Election Day Special: Shepherding a Politically Polarized Church

    https://youtu.be/vr6_1HCgwak The election season is probably not the primary catalyst for negativity in your church, but it can exacerbate the negativity already present. Pastors can feed the negativity by not acting with diplomacy and grace. Thom and Sam discuss these issues and what pastors can do to shepherd their congregations when tensions are high. * Politics is not necessarily the problem. It’s the negativity that surrounds politics that can be harmful to the church. * As a pastor, you must work to heal the negativity rather than fueling it. * Listen first. Talk little. Most people are at least tuning into the basics of where candidates stand. Ignoring or avoiding political conversations is negligent. You don’t have to say much. You don’t have to respond. Just be willing to listen. And learn. * Guide your church in corporate prayer for our nation. There is no need to avoid the election season as if it is not happening. Everyone is feeling the bombardment of ads, news reports, and opinions. You should address what people are experiencing. Call your church to pray. * Encourage on social media rather than debating. We’ve never heard a church member say, “I wish my pastor would debate more people on social media.” Resources: * Upward Sports * “Life Application Study Bible” * “Life Application Study Bible” For All Times * Tyndale House Publishers * Know Your Community Politics * Church Answers Central The Everything Church Resource Directory * The Hope Initiative * Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Episode Sponsors: Who is Upward Sports? * Upward Sports is the World’s largest Christian youth sports organization, dedicated to partnering with local churches to use sports outreach to reach the community. * Upward Sports offers basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, and soccer as a league offering. * When partnering with Upward Sports, your church can reach the community, attract young families, and share the Gospel. * Upward Sports will customize your sports outreach strategy to support your church budget and community needs. We know one size does not fit all. * Are you looking to engage new families, bless your community, or mobilize your congregation to serve? Consider adding sports ministry in 2025. If you have a gym, field space, or even access to a facility consider Upward Sports. * Now is the time to consider using sports as your 2025 outreach ministry! Schedule a call to learn more about launching a first-class, organized, intentional league in the new year! * Visit https://www.upward.org/ChurchAnswers/   a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/081D5AA0-DD8E-41CC-8161-BB7D782E110D?

    27 min

  4. 18 OCT

    The Burge Report: Higher Education Leads to More Church Attendance

    https://youtu.be/EyNcaRAAN5I The data may surprise you. Multiple studies confirm there is a positive correlation between higher education and church attendance. In other words, the more education you receive, the greater the likelihood you attend regularly in a church. Thom and Sam interview Ryan Burge to get the details about this phenomenon in American religion. The positive correlation applies to all generations, including younger ones. A sharp rise in church attendance among men exists with those who have post-graduate degrees. For women, the more significant jump is between two- and four-year degrees. Among people without a high school diploma, about 16% attend weekly. Among those with a graduate degree, it’s 29% of men and 26% of women. These findings are contrary to popular belief. Why? What might churches do with this knowledge? Resources: Tithe.ly 2023 State of Church Giving * “Let's Have a Talk About Education and Religious Attendance” by Ryan Burge “Highly Educated Men Are More Likely to be in Church Than Highly Educated Women” by Ryan Burge * “Religion Has Become a Luxury Good” by Ryan Burge * “Dropping Out of Everything” by Ryan Burge * Ryan Burge * The Everything Church Resource Directory * The Hope Initiative * Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Episode Sponsors: Tithely provides churches around the world with software tools to help them and their ministries thrive. Nearly 40,000 churches use Tithely for online and text giving, managing their people’s information, volunteer management, child check in, church apps and websites, and communicating through email and text messaging. Made up of a team of ministry-minded people, Tithely’s heart is to see the local church empowered with the tools to fulfill their mission. You can sign up for free at Tithely.com - yes that's right, it's free! Tithely's giving platform comes with no monthly fees and no contracts. Get started taking donations in just 5 minutes at Tithely.com. Also, right now Tithely is offering a free report called “2023 State of Church Giving Report.” You can access that report free by clicking on the link in the show notes.

    27 min

  5. 15 OCT

    How Churches Became the Go-To Spot for Halloween

    https://youtu.be/EZDiyfx_C1Y When Gen Xers and Millennials were children, many churches shunned trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. Families were told Halloween events were evil and to be avoided. Around the same time, some churches started offering alternative events for neighborhood families. Today, churches have become the place to be on Halloween in many communities. Thom and Sam examine what happened and reminisce about their childhood. Judgment Houses paved the way in the 1970s and 1980s. Trunk or Treat: Where else can you find loads of candy with limited effort? Parents became uncomfortable with their children wandering alone on Halloween night. Many church Fall Festivals are simply more fun than going door-to-door. Should you do something on Halloween night or not? Resources: * “Life Application Study Bible” * “Life Application Study Bible” For All Times * Tyndale House Publishers * Upward Sports * “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt (affiliate link) * Brown Church Development Group * Church Growth Services: Get your free campaign capacity analysis! * Church Answers Central The Everything Church Resource Directory * The Hope Initiative * Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Episode Sponsors:         From Knowing to Living: Life Transformation with the Life Application Study Bible Experience profound transformation as you encounter God through the pages of the Life Application Study Bible. Bible engagement is not just about knowing Scripture; it’s about living it out! The Life Application Study Bible deepens your connection with God and inspires a transformed life through a growing relationship with Christ. Crafted by dedicated scholars and pastors, the Life Application Study Bible is filled with thousands of study resources that increase understanding so you can experience Scripture’s life-changing power. For readers from nine to ninety and beyond, the Life Application Study Bible is designed to help you find true heart transformation. The Life Application Study Bible moves beyond knowing the Bible to living it out. With over 10,000 notes and resources, this Bible allows you to take a deep dive into history, culture, and Christian beliefs. Yet, it doesn’t end there—it guides you to apply these insights to your daily life, transforming understanding into truth lived out. Visit a href="https://www.

    23 min

  6. 8 OCT

    What Will Happen in Churches When All the Baby Boomers Are Gone?

    https://youtu.be/-VuPtP4kn-o A time is coming when the Baby Boomer generation will no longer be present in churches. Our research writer, Ryan Burge, calls it the “Silver Tsunami.”  Thom and Sam talk about what church leaders should expect when this generational shift occurs. The average age of a churchgoer is around 60 years old. The time is coming sooner rather than later. Among weekly church attendees, Boomers account for 36% of the people present, Gen X is 24%, and Millennials are only 19%. Without drastic changes now, almost every church will be smaller. Many megachurches will struggle more than smaller churches to replace Boomers. Volunteerism will drop precipitously. Church staff positions will become harder to fill. Neighborhood churches and mid-size churches are best positioned for this demographic reality. Resources: * “Life Application Study Bible” * “Life Application Study Bible” For All Times * Tyndale House Publishers * Upward Sports * “The Coming Silver Tsunami: A Volunteer Crisis in Aging Congregations” by Ryan Burge * Graphs About Religion * “Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link) * “The Church Revitalization Checklist: A Hopeful and Practical Guide for Leading Your Congregation to a Brighter Tomorrow” by Sam Rainer (affiliate link) * My Church Staff - Coming soon! * Church Answers Central The Everything Church Resource Directory * The Hope Initiative * Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Episode Sponsors:         From Knowing to Living: Life Transformation with the Life Application Study Bible Experience profound transformation as you encounter God through the pages of the Life Application Study Bible. Bible engagement is not just about knowing Scripture; it’s about living it out! The Life Application Study Bible deepens your connection with God and inspires a transformed life through a growing relationship with Christ. Crafted by dedicated scholars and pastors, the Life Application Study Bible is filled with thousands of study resources that increase understanding so you can experience Scripture’s life-changing power. For readers from nine to ninety and beyond, the Life Application Study Bible is designed to help you find true...

    26 min

  7. 1 OCT

    Do NOT Make These Five Financial Mistakes in Your Church

    https://youtu.be/CF6wivQrP4s These five financial mistakes are common in churches of every size. Thom and Sam discuss five “don'ts” of church finance. Correcting these mistakes often yields immediate and measurable results in the financial health of the congregation. Not providing multiple giving options. Not having a plan for deferred maintenance. Not having ample cash reserves. Not doing zero-based budgeting. Not making the ask of top donors. Resources: * Upward Sports * “Life Application Study Bible” * “Life Application Study Bible” For All Times * Tyndale House Publishers * “Where Have All the Church Members Gone?” by Thom S. Rainer (affiliate link) * Church Answers Platinum Membership * Church Answers Central The Everything Church Resource Directory * The Hope Initiative * Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Episode Sponsors: Who is Upward Sports? * Upward Sports is the World’s largest Christian youth sports organization, dedicated to partnering with local churches to use sports outreach to reach the community. * Upward Sports offers basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, and soccer as a league offering. * When partnering with Upward Sports, your church can reach the community, attract young families, and share the Gospel. * Upward Sports will customize your sports outreach strategy to support your church budget and community needs. We know one size does not fit all. * Are you looking to engage new families, bless your community, or mobilize your congregation to serve? Consider adding sports ministry in 2025. If you have a gym, field space, or even access to a facility consider Upward Sports. * Now is the time to consider using sports as your 2025 outreach ministry! Schedule a call to learn more about launching a first-class, organized, intentional league in the new year! * Visit https://www.upward.org/ChurchAnswers/   From Knowing to Living: Life Transformation with the Life Application Study Bible Experience profound transformation as you encounter God through the pages of the Life Application Study Bible. Bible engagement is not just about knowing Scripture; it’s about living it out! The Life Application Study Bible deepens your connection with God and inspires a transformed life through a growing relationship with Christ. Crafted by dedicated scholars and pastors,

    27 min

  8. 24 SEPT

    The Nuts and Bolts of Starting a New Church Site

    https://youtu.be/uIKhWQ-ouNY The multisite church movement continues to grow. Today, more small churches start new sites than larger churches. Thom Rainer talks with Jess Rainer about the very practical steps of starting a new site. Jess has started three churches himself. Resources: * Upward Sports * California Baptist University * “How to Launch a New Church Site: Ten Questions Every Leader (and Church Member) Must Answer” by Jess Rainer (affiliate link) * Craft Book Publishing * Brown Church Development Group * Get your FREE eBook, Deferred Maintenance * Church Answers Central The Everything Church Resource Directory * The Hope Initiative * Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector Episode Sponsors: Who is Upward Sports? Upward Sports is the World’s largest Christian youth sports organization, dedicated to partnering with local churches to use sports outreach to reach the community. Upward Sports offers basketball, cheerleading, soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, and soccer as a league offering. When partnering with Upward Sports, your church can reach the community, attract young families, and share the Gospel. Upward Sports will customize your sports outreach strategy to support your church budget and community needs. We know one size does not fit all. Now is the time to consider using sports as your 2025 outreach ministry! Schedule a call to learn more about launching a first-class, organized, intentional league in the new year! Visit https://www.upward.org/ChurchAnswers/   Does your church staff have the skills they need to ensure the church succeeds? Have you thought about who can step into leadership? Do you have staff who would benefit from furthering their education? California Baptist University has options for you and your staff! CBU offers more than three dozen undergraduate and graduate degrees online – which can be completed from anywhere in the world. One of these programs is Organizational Leadership. This program helps develop the managerial skills necessary to lead effectively and broaden professional horizons. This online program is designed with the working professional in mind. It will equip you with sought-after leadership skills that are essential to the success of you and your staff. Classes for the Organizational Leadership bachelor’s degree include the topics of exercising influence, complex problem solving, teamwork, decision making and conflict management. You’ll learn to excel and manage in the workplace while integrating ethical principles and integrity to strengthen the foundation of your organization. Professors bring practical, applicable working knowledge into the classroom, while incorporating biblical principles of leadership. Classes start every eight weeks, so students can start any time. * Visit a href="https://calbaptist.

    27 min
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Hosts & Guests

About

Rainer on Leadership is your online home for leadership lessons for the local church. This twice-weekly podcast provides practical training on important issues for church leaders and pastors. For more information, visit ChurchAnswers.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Thom Rainer
  • Years Active
    2013 - 2024
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Rainer on Leadership

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