Thom S. Rainer
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5 most common ways churches guide new believers
It’s one of the most common questions we get at Church Answers. What resources or approaches do you use for new believers?
American churches are at a tipping point
If current trajectories continue, American churches will pass a tipping point. Our congregations will begin a likely unstoppable path toward decline that will rival many European churches of the past century. If there is not a significant movement of revitalization, there will be an accelerated rate of decline and death.
6 considerations before you fire your pastor this Christmas
Am I the Grinch trying to steal Christmas? No way. Bah. Humbug. I simply want to uncover a dark reality of which many church members have little knowledge: many pastors are being fired this Christmas season.
9 updated trends about Christmas Eve services
Most churches have some type of Christmas Eve services, but we are seeing clear trends in how churches approach them. Every time we write or podcast something about these services, we get a lot of comments and questions. In that context, here is an update on nine clear trends we are seeing:
Churches: Revitalize? Replant? Is relaunch a 3rd option?
As we seek to work with churches around the world, we use two words regularly to describe the efforts toward greater health: revitalize or replant. ... Is relaunch a possible third way? I think so.
4 key attitudes that are killing church attendance
There has been much written on declining attendance in churches. Specifically, many of us have addressed the issue of attendance frequency where even “active” church members attend less frequently.
7 sentences that make pastors cringe
Many pastors hear these sentences frequently, even though the church member may think his or her comment is both novel and helpful.
5 reasons some long-term pastors fail
I am a strong proponent of longer-term pastorates. I love hearing about pastors passing tenure thresholds of five, ten, and fifteen years. All other things being equal, I would much rather see a pastor have long tenure in a given church than not.
6 Reasons the Role of Interim Pastor Is Changing Dramatically
Today, the role of interim pastor is changing, becoming more complex, and carrying higher expectations. Why is this dramatic change taking place? Here are six major reasons:
Pastors: How to Avoid Getting Fired When Leading a Growing Church
Some churches will be preacher eaters regardless of the actions of the pastor. Still, I see these right actions as helpful toward minimizing the possibility of a forced termination.