Rainer on Leadership

What stops a church from having a breakout? Thom and Sam discuss four primary reasons they often see in their consultations and research. The post Four Common Reasons Most Churches Aren’t Breakout Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam received a message from a friend recently. His question was simple: How many people typically give in a church? Statistically, about 75% of people will give in a typical church. In his case, only 50% of the church was giving regularly. Josh and Sam discuss some ways to teach church members about the importance of tithing. The 10% mark can be controversial, but committing to give regularly should not be. The post Five Key Tips to Teach Your Church to Tithe appeared first on Church Answers.

No church grows week after week and year after year. Additionally, our spiritual growth has highs and lows. A slump is inevitable in churches and people. Thom and Sam discuss some causes of a ministry slump and what you can do to stop the slide. The post Eight Causes for a Ministry Slump appeared first on Church Answers.

The long, slow death of mainline churches is well documented and goes back to the 1970s. In the mid-twentieth century, approximately half of all Americans were identified as members of one of the seven mainline denominations. Today, it's between 10% and 15%. Not much is said about revitalizing these churches, but there is hope. Josh and Sam interview one mainline Methodist elder, Chad Brooks, who has a plan to solve this problem. The post Is There Any Hope for Revitalizing Mainline Churches? appeared first on Church Answers.

Fifty years ago, non-denominational churches were more of an anomaly. Today, they are one of largest religious groups in the United States and one of only a few growing religious groups. Why is this? Ryan Burge joins the show to discuss the reasons for growth among non-denominational churches. The post The Burge Report: Why Are Non-Denominational Churches Growing? appeared first on Church Answers.

The co-hosts have noticed something—it seems church members are cussing more these days. But are their anecdotal experiences supported by data? Josh and Sam talk about the expletive problem in churches today. The post Are Church Members Cussing More Today Than in the Past? appeared first on Church Answers.

Churches can struggle with seeking outside help, even when it's obvious they need it. Thom and Sam discuss why healthy churches often have outsiders speak into the operations of the church. The post Five Reasons Healthy Churches Seek Outside Help appeared first on Church Answers.

Very few churches are growing, which means most pastors will lead plateaued or declining congregations. Some pastors experience an entire ministry career in no-growth situations. Why does this happen? Josh and Sam discuss several reasons why some pastors never experience church growth. The post Why Some Pastors Never Experience Church Growth appeared first on Church Answers.

The average age of a pastor is 60 years old. The question of retirement is one many pastors are asking. Being a lead pastor comes with unique demands and extra attention. Is there an ideal age to retire? Thom and Sam discuss some guidelines for those who are closer to retirement than not. The post What Is the Right Age to Retire as a Lead Pastor? appeared first on Church Answers.

A generation ago, student ministers would often make the leap to the lead pastor role after a few years. Does this kind of move still happen? If so, is it a good thing or not? Unfortunately, sometimes ministry positions outside of the lead pastor are seen as a lesser role in the life of the church. Josh and Sam break down the good and bad of leaping from student ministry to lead pastor. The post Is Student Ministry Still a Stepping Stone? appeared first on Church Answers.

Do you love to preach but at times loathe sermon prep? Do you find preaching incredibly fulfilling yet preparation frustrating or even overwhelming? If so, you're not alone. Many pastors struggle with the inefficiency of sermon prep—feeling bogged down by research, unsure how to faithfully interpret Scripture, or intimidated by today’s hot-button topics like politics, gender, and race. Dr. Bruce Clark (PhD. in Biblical Studies, University of Cambridge) from Interpret Consulting joins the show to discuss the common frustrations of sermon prep and explore practical ways to streamline the process while strengthening your preaching skills. Interpret Consulting aims to come alongside busy faithful pastors (in churches of all sizes and stages) and assist them in sermon preparation by helping them strengthen their exegetical skills and tackle today’s seemingly endless sensitive “hot button” issues. The post The Pastor’s Dilemma: Loving Preaching, Loathing Sermon Prep appeared first on Church Answers.

Most pastors want to be liked and respected by their congregations. This desire is part of the reason they are motivated to serve others. However, approval addiction can become a major barrier to leadership. When people pleasing becomes the priority, pastors often do more harm than good in their congregations. Marty Duren joins Josh and Sam to discuss this important topic. The post Approval Addiction, People Pleasing, and How Pastors Can Let Go appeared first on Church Answers.