Rainer on Leadership Thom Rainer

https://youtu.be/VCQasIkc5wg



At some point in ministry, most church leaders will face the reality of one or more toxic church members. Thom and Sam examine this challenge and offer tough but challenging steps to deal with this problem.



Remember the power of prayer.





Develop allies.





Practice Matthew 18.





Confront the toxic member again with a specific plan.





Help the church to heal.



 

Resources:



Church Growth Services





Belay





The One Year Chronological Study Bible





Tyndale House Publishers





Church Answers University - Register before August 1, 2022, and enroll for only $75!



 

Episode Sponsors:





BELAY - Accomplish More. Juggle Less.



Virtual Assistants. Bookkeepers. Web Specialists. Social Media Managers.



Everything you need to transform your work.



Visit https://go.belaysolutions.com/raineronleadership



 







Studies show that nothing catalyzes spiritual growth like spending time in the Word. 





This Bible was created to bring together five useful tools:  









One Year format - 365 daily readings

Chronological order

The 14 eras framework

Study notes and helps

and the NLT translation









All in one affordable package (list price $29.99 hardcover, $24.99 softcover). 





Releases September 2022!  Already available for pre-order wherever books are sold.

https://youtu.be/QeSgeMoobSE



It’s unreasonable to expect everyone to agree with everything you say. In fact, if you’re doing your job well as a pastor, taking firm stances and having a clear vision, then you will likely have dissent. In most cases, this dissent is not an omen of malevolence, but rather a sign of trust. Thom and Sam discuss why it's not a bad thing that everyone doesn't always agree with you. 



Over a long tenure, you won't even agree with yourself.





Apathetic compliance can create a dangerous echo chamber.





Unheard dissent can become explosive.





You're not perfect and need the accountability.



 

Resources:



"Why I Don’t Expect Everyone in My Church to Agree with Everything I Say" by Sam Rainer





Belay





New Believer’s Bible





Video - New Believer’s Bible





Tyndale House Publishers





Church Answers University





Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin





Collaborate with ministry leaders around the world! Join us at Church Answers Gold!



 

Episode Sponsors:





BELAY - Accomplish More. Juggle Less.



Virtual Assistants. Bookkeepers. Web Specialists. Social Media Managers.



Everything you need to transform your work.



Visit https://go.belaysolutions.com/raineronleadership



 







The New Believer’s Bible is uniquely designed to help new Christians read, study, and understand the Bible.





It includes features that help Christians develop and deepen their faith, while providing a foundation for their new life in Christ.





At the heart of this Bible is the trusted and easy to understand New Living Translation.





Combine that with notes and resources that answer the “Where do I go from here?” question and you have a Bible that is perfect for helping new believers, people returning to the faith, and even seasoned believers to take that next step in their faith through God’s Word.





Click here to learn more!

https://youtu.be/DWSR4trSeQM



The Bible tells us to remember the prisoners as if we were in prison with them (Heb. 13:3), and the first request of persecuted Christians is that we PRAY for them. In today's episode, Thom and Sam talk to Todd Nettleton, Chief of Media Relations and Message Integration for the Voice of the Martyrs–USA about a wonderful tool to help Christians answer the first request of our persecuted family by helping us to pray specifically and knowledgeably for them.



Can you tell us a little bit about The Voice of the Martyrs…what the organization does, and how the ministry started?





Why should Christians be praying for brothers and sisters who are enduring persecution for their faith?





What is the significance of a Bible for a believer living in a hostile or restricted nation?





Can you share the story of one of the persecuted Christians you’ve met?



 



Todd Nettleton is the Chief of Media Relations and Message Integration for the Voice of the Martyrs–USA and host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio. He serves as a voice for persecuted Christians, inspiring Christians with the faithfulness of Christ’s followers in 70+ nations where they face persecution for wearing His name. During more than 20 years serving at VOM, Todd has traveled the world and conducted face-to-face interviews with hundreds of Christians who’ve endured persecution in more than 30 nations. He is the host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio and author of When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians (Moody 2021). A graduate of Bartlesville Wesleyan College (now Oklahoma Wesleyan University) Todd has done postgraduate study at the University of Oklahoma. 



 

Resources:



New Believer’s Bible





Video - New Believer’s Bible





The Voice of the Martyrs





Pray Today app for iOS





VOMRadio





VOM Church Leadership Network





When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians by Todd Nettleton





Belay





Church Answers University





Collaborate with ministry leaders around the world! Join us at Church Answers Gold!



 

Episode Sponsors:





The New Believer’s Bible is uniquely designed to help new Christians read, study, and understand the Bible.





It includes features that help Christians develop and deepen their faith, while providing a foundation for their new life in Christ.





At the heart of this Bible is the trusted and easy to understand New Living Translation.





Combine that with notes and resources that answer the “Where do I go from here?” question and you have a Bible that is perfect for helping new believers,

https://youtu.be/yW0CAuXn1Wg



I have yet to see a church drift towards greater health. The current of apathy always pulls away. But what causes this drift? What are some early warning signs of an unraveling in a congregation? Thom and Sam discuss some key indicators often preceding a decline in church health. 



People in the church, especially leaders, talk more about themselves than Jesus.





God's mission is no longer a central feature of worship services.





Less of the operating budget is dedicated to outwardly focused ministry and mission.





New believers are perceived as disturbing the peace of the body.





More resources are dedicated to older generations than younger generations.





Few care about the persecuted church.





Hospitality is not emphasized and receives little attention.



 

Resources:



Tyndale House Publishers





DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible





Brown Church Development Group





Belay





Envelope3





Persecution.com - Voice of the Martyrs





The Church Revitalization Checklist by Sam Rainer





I Am a Christian: Discovering What It Means to Follow Jesus Together with Fellow Believers by Thom S. Rainer





Collaborate with ministry leaders around the world! Join us at Church Answers Gold!



 

Episode Sponsors:





DaysSpring and Tyndale have partnered together to bring you this encouraging Bible in the NLT translation.





The DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible amplifies twelve indisputable truths about who you are in Christ such as you are known, you are blessed, and you have a reason for hope.





These truths equip you to recognize and embrace your treasured place in God’s heart.





Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to face any challenge, step into your toughest calling, and live the adventure God has for you.





These Bibles include





250 Dayspring reflections





52 full-page devotionals





And a full-color interior





Link: https://www.tyndale.com/sites/hopeandencouragementbible/



 







BELAY - Accomplish More. Juggle Less.



Virtual Assistants. Bookkeepers. Web Specialists. Social Media Managers.



Everything you need to transform your work.



Visit https://go.belaysolutions.com/raineronleadership

https://youtu.be/qgF1ZgVxcJs



Unless you work for an organization like the CIA, then transparency is often among the top characteristics requested of leaders. Of course, even organizations built on the foundation of secrecy have gotten into trouble for a lack of transparency. Transparency is a healthy leadership characteristic. But why? In the context of a local church, what does a transparent pastor encourage, as opposed to one who is not?



Transparent leaders encourage generosity, while secretive leaders raise unnecessary financial questions.





Transparent leaders encourage the church to take risks, while secretive leaders make people afraid to fail.





Transparent leaders encourage levity, while secretive leaders create channels of gossip and rumors.





Transparent leaders encourage accountability, while secretive leaders breed a culture of distrust.



 

Resources:



Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary





“The Voice is Back! An Interview with Jonathan Howe”





Church Growth Services





DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible





“The Levity Effect” by Adrian Gostick and Scott Christopher





Tyndale House Publishers





Collaborate with ministry leaders around the world! Join us at Church Answers Gold!



 

Episode Sponsors:



Southeastern is committed to helping you get the training you need to pursue your ministry from anywhere around the world. That’s why we’re waiving the application fee to any of our programs for Church Answers listeners. Use the code “CHURCHANSWERS” and we’ll waive the fee. No matter what stage of life’s journey you find yourself in, we want to help you take your next step in getting equipped to disciple and teach others. In coming to Southeastern, you’ll find that seminary isn’t just about theological education; it’s about ministry preparation. Explore degrees, schedule a visit, or apply today at sebts.edu.



 







DaysSpring and Tyndale have partnered together to bring you this encouraging Bible in the NLT translation.





The DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible amplifies twelve indisputable truths about who you are in Christ such as you are known, you are blessed, and you have a reason for hope.





These truths equip you to recognize and embrace your treasured place in God’s heart.





Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to face any challenge, step into your toughest calling, and live the adventure God has for you.





These Bibles include





250 Dayspring reflections





52 full-page devotionals

https://youtu.be/IPirUlLi_Lg



Through our research, we’ve heard from the unchurched about things believers do that make them bristle the most. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss a few of the most abrasive turn-offs.



Confuse me with gossip and bad behavior.





Mislead me with inconsistent messaging about your church.





Patronize me with trite spiritual answers to real problems.





Avoid me because I don't believe the same things you do.





Bore me with lackluster worship and ministries.



 

Resources:



DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible





Tyndale House Publishers





Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary





Collaborate with ministry leaders around the world! Join us at Church Answers Gold!



 

Episode Sponsors:





DaysSpring and Tyndale have partnered together to bring you this encouraging Bible in the NLT translation.





The DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible amplifies twelve indisputable truths about who you are in Christ such as you are known, you are blessed, and you have a reason for hope.





These truths equip you to recognize and embrace your treasured place in God’s heart.





Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to face any challenge, step into your toughest calling, and live the adventure God has for you.





These Bibles include





250 Dayspring reflections





52 full-page devotionals





And a full-color interior





Link: https://www.tyndale.com/sites/hopeandencouragementbible/





 



Southeastern is committed to helping you get the training you need to pursue your ministry from anywhere around the world. That’s why we’re waiving the application fee to any of our programs for Church Answers listeners. Use the code “CHURCHANSWERS” and we’ll waive the fee. No matter what stage of life’s journey you find yourself in, we want to help you take your next step in getting equipped to disciple and teach others. In coming to Southeastern, you’ll find that seminary isn’t just about theological education; it’s about ministry preparation. Explore degrees, schedule a visit, or apply today at sebts.edu.