Thom S. Rainer
Latest
Major new research on declining, plateaued and growing churches
I love solid research. This new release is absolutely incredible.
Where have all the student pastors gone?
I received yet another inquiry today: “Do you have any recommendations for a student minister? We just can’t seem to find one. We’ve been looking for over six months.”
6 reasons relaunching is more difficult than revitalizing or replanting
Relaunching. Revitalizing. Replanting.So many “re” prefixes. It gets confusing.Let’s review our definitions. ...
We can't add another service! We won't know everyone.
Most pastors and other church leaders have heard this objection at one point or another. It might be a point of contention when the leadership suggests the addition of another worship service. Similarly, it might be the cry when leadership begins looking at the option of creating a new venue or adding a new site.
5 reasons churches are moving from vertical growth to horizontal growth
So why is growth more likely today with additional services, classes, groups, venues, and campuses? Why do we see the horizontal strategy to be more pervasive today? Here are five key reasons:
Pendulum Swing Syndrome: 5 questions to ask when hiring a new pastor
In order to make certain churches do not intentionally subject themselves to the pendulum swing syndrome, I urge them to consider carefully these five questions:
How not to compensate your pastor
I hear six very common negative themes about pastoral compensation. I wish they were not repeated, but they are. See if you have heard any of them. Let’s look at the six ways not to compensate your pastor.
Southern Baptist ordination and sexual predators
The recent articles from the Houston Chronicle about sex abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) are convicting to me. What can I and others do better to prevent such abuse? How can we better serve, help, and show compassion to the victims?
Pastors: Consider the 5-hour challenge
I was hesitant to write this post ... But I do have to challenge pastors and church leaders.
6 questions when you're called to ministry later in life
The call to vocational ministry later in life is both exciting and challenging. It is exciting to know God is preparing you for another path and, perhaps, another place. It’s challenging because of issues related to family, finances, and training.