Thom S. Rainer

Thom S. Rainer

Op-ed Contributor

Latest

  • What's Next for Me After Lifeway?

    What's Next for Me After Lifeway?

    Please indulge me for one more blog post about my decision to retire from LifeWay. In my previous post, I shared the reasons why I am retiring, why God is leading me to leave an organization I love deeply. In this post, I will share some of my plans for life post-LifeWay.

  • Suicide, Depression and Pastors: One Way Church Members Can Help

    Suicide, Depression and Pastors: One Way Church Members Can Help

    Most pastors are not suicidal. But most pastors do struggle. They lead churches in a culture that is not friendly to their calling. Three-fourths of them lead churches that are struggling by almost any measure or metric. Many pastors are on the precipice of quitting, and most church members have no idea of their inner turmoil.

  • 15 Common Sacred Cows in Churches

    15 Common Sacred Cows in Churches

    To the delight of some and to the chagrin of others, I conducted an informal social media poll to find out what the audience deemed the most common sacred cows in their churches. The answers were voluminous. Some of the conversations were hilarious. Some people just got mad. Imagine that.

  • 10 Guidelines for Paying and Hosting Guest Speakers and Musicians

    10 Guidelines for Paying and Hosting Guest Speakers and Musicians

    Over the years, I have worked with many churches and speakers (and a few musicians) to establish some guidelines for hosting and paying guest speakers. Keep in mind, these are guidelines, not rigid rules. There will always be reasons for exceptions.

  • Why I'm Retiring From Lifeway

    Why I'm Retiring From Lifeway

    Tonight, during the regularly scheduled meeting of the LifeWay board, I announced my retirement as president and CEO. I will step down when the new CEO is named, or in one year, whichever comes first.

  • Back to School: 5 Ways Your Church Can Have a Major Impact

    Back to School: 5 Ways Your Church Can Have a Major Impact

    Let me share with you what I have heard about great success stories of churches as a new school year approached. They are basic but profound.

  • 5 Ways #MeToo Will Impact Churches

    5 Ways #MeToo Will Impact Churches

    The #MeToo Movement will be one of the historic markers of 2018. Its impact is felt in the entertainment industry, in politics, in businesses and, undoubtedly, in churches.

  • 7 Traits of Healthy Churches

    7 Traits of Healthy Churches

    A member of the Church Answers community recently asked about the characteristics of healthy churches today. Immediately, I began to review churches that were having great community impact, whose members regularly had gospel conversations, and whose leaders faithfully preached the Word with power every week.

  • Top 8 Areas Where Pastors Wish They Were Better Equipped

    Top 8 Areas Where Pastors Wish They Were Better Equipped

    I asked seasoned pastors to share with me the areas they wish they could be better prepared and better equipped. The results were voluminous, and the needs are great. Here are the top eight:

  • 5 Things That Happen When A Toxic Member Leaves a Church

    5 Things That Happen When A Toxic Member Leaves a Church

    I will save the discussion for later on how to deal with toxicity in the church. For now, let's look at what happens in a church when toxic members leave.

Most Popular

MUST READ