Thom S. Rainer

Latest

• 
  Nov 05 2023

  Is passing the offering plate dead? 7 thoughts

  My role is to report what I see, not what I prefer. In light of that assignment, here are seven thoughts I have about passing the offering plate.

• 
  Sep 10 2023

  Do I really need to be a member of a church?

  This question and its ensuing discussion continues. Do I really need to be a member of a church?

• 
  Aug 13 2023

  Why your church will die within 5 years

  We specifically pray for the dying churches. We pray they will do something before it’s too late.

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  Jun 18 2023

  6 common patterns in toxic churches that fire pastors

  The title of this article might engender some visceral reactions. I get it. It is not a pleasant subject.

• 
  Jun 05 2023

  9 microstresses of a pastor

  Pastors are unique in the cumulative number of microstresses in their lives. And, left alone without care, these microstresses can lead to a total collapse.

• 
  May 22 2023

  The life cycle of a pastor

  For almost 30 years, we have tracked the tenure of pastors. Though some of the categories are the same, the time periods and the descriptions of the periods continue to evolve. We are now in a post-pandemic, post-Christian era. The changes are significant.

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  Apr 16 2023

  5 solutions for the weary pastor: A personal note to church members

  Pastors are tired because culture is no longer friendly to churches and to church leaders. Pastors are tired because of internal church conflict. Pastors are tired because of the barrage of social media conflict.

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  Mar 31 2023

  7 considerations if you are a church member planning on leaving your church

  You’ve been with your church for a while now. Something is now urging you to leave the church. We will not get into evaluating your reasons. Let’s just say you have made the decision, or you are close to making that decision.

• 
  Mar 26 2023

  5 questions for churches as worship gatherings become smaller

  Church worship gatherings are getting smaller. Two major factors are contributing to this trend.

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  Mar 19 2023

  4 types of church members based on their frequency of attendance

  The watching world sees our lukewarm commitment and rightly concludes we are not committed to the Savior who gave us our churches. If we don’t take Jesus seriously, why should they?