Thom S. Rainer

Latest

• 
  Jan 1, 2019

  10 reasons I'm optimistic about churches in 2019

  Despite the tough reality many congregations face today, I remain an obnoxious optimist as we move into 2019.

• 
  Dec 30, 2018

  When a pastor's friend leaves the church

  I’ve asked the question dozens of times. In one way or another, I simply ask pastors: “What has been one of your most painful moments in ministry?”

• 
  Dec 28, 2018

  20 really weird criticisms pastors receive

  Back by popular demand, here are the latest really weird criticisms pastors have received, with special thanks to the responses at Church Answers and on social media.

• 
  Dec 27, 2018

  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?

• 
  Dec 21, 2018

  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.

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  Dec 20, 2018

  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.

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  Dec 19, 2018

  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:

• 
  Dec 9, 2018

  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.

• 
  Dec 8, 2018

  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.

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  Dec 7, 2018

  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.