Sam Rainer

Latest

• 
  Oct 29, 2023

  10 insights for retiring pastors

  How do I prepare my church for my retirement?; what are some major financial issues regarding retirement?; and what do I do after I retire? Here are 10 insights that touch on those three questions. 

• 
  Oct 22, 2023

  How to recover from a toxic church and bounce back even better

  You can bounce back. Indeed, you must bounce back for the sake of God’s Kingdom.

• 
  Oct 15, 2023

  The megachurch movement is fading. What’s next?

  Many neighborhood churches are right around the corner but off the radar. Your neighborhood church can regain the attention of the neighbors. The potential for this movement is enormous. I believe you can be a part of it.

• 
  Oct 8, 2023

  Why every single word in the Bible matters for you today

  The first words in Genesis are, “In the beginning God,” not, “In the beginning you.” God is the protagonist of the Bible, not you.

• 
  Oct 1, 2023

  It’s time to release churches from the myth of infinite expansion

  Every church has limiting factors. No church grows exponentially every year. Infinite expansion isn’t possible.

• 
  Sep 24, 2023

  Behind the decline: Unraveling the forgotten reasons of fading neighborhood churches

  The mission of every church is to go into a fragmented world and share the good news of Jesus that heals the brokenness.

• 
  Sep 17, 2023

  The neighborhood church returns: Making the comeback a reality

  The younger generations don’t prefer the giant sanctuaries on sprawling campuses that their Boomer parents enjoyed. The neighborhood church has a long way to go before we can talk about a movement, but the stigma of small and local is fading.

• 
  Sep 3, 2023

  6 considerations before deciding to go to seminary

  But before a seminary education can help with a calling, one must have a clear plan for seminary.

• 
  Aug 27, 2023

  How to discern if a church member is guilty of gossip

  Before accusing the talkers of gossip, understand their intent. And it’s on you as a leader to provide clarity when the chatter stirs up dust.

• 
  Aug 20, 2023

  Reflections on my first sermon after 20 years of ministry

  I hope God gives me another 20 years of opportunities.