Thom S. Rainer

Thom S. Rainer

Op-ed Contributor

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  • How and Why I Could Fail

    How and Why I Could Fail

    My list is not exhaustive, but I do believe it is telling. In each of the corporate leaders' and union leaders' lives, the following patterns began to emerge. In them you can see the signs of hubris for any leader.

  • New Trends in Church Names

    New Trends in Church Names

    Remember when denominational names were en vogue? Remember when you could figure out which denominational church came to the city first: First Methodist; First Baptist; First Presbyterian? Remember when you could tell two churches that split: Harmony Baptist Church and Greater Harmony Baptist Church?

  • 5 Future Church Developments

    5 Future Church Developments

    I have a pretty good track record of seeing the future of churches in America. I hope I am not making such a statement out of arrogance or delusion.

  • Southern Baptist Convention: Why I Must Change

    Southern Baptist Convention: Why I Must Change

    Certainly, this post was at least partly prompted by the incredible number of sad, tragic, and horrific events in my denomination.

  • Pastors: 3 Accidents That Didn't Happen at Your Church

    Pastors: 3 Accidents That Didn't Happen at Your Church

    I want you to know you are not alone. Ministry can be tough. Ministry can be frustrating. Ministry can even be depressing. But ministry in the local church can also be one of the greatest joys you've ever known.

  • 6 Common Problems With Church Bylaws

    6 Common Problems With Church Bylaws

    Church bylaws are a necessity, both from a legal and an organizational perspective. They provide the framework from which the organization exists and operates.

  • 6 Reasons Churches Are Taking Too Long to Find a New Pastor

    6 Reasons Churches Are Taking Too Long to Find a New Pastor

    I wish I had objective data on the length of time between pastors. I can say anecdotally the time is much longer than it used to be. A whole lot longer.

  • Autopsy of a Deceased Church Outreach Ministry

    Autopsy of a Deceased Church Outreach Ministry

    How can we explain the death of ongoing outreach by our churches? I've worked with thousands of churches, so I have a few ideas.

  • Avoid the Church Comparison Trap

    Avoid the Church Comparison Trap

    Comparing your church to another church can be one of the worst things you do as a church leader.

  • Letter to a Church Seeking Revitalization

    Letter to a Church Seeking Revitalization

    Depending on how you define it, somewhere around seven to eight out of ten churches are in need of revitalization.

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