Thom S. Rainer

Latest

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  May 14, 2017

  8 Reasons Churches Became Too Busy

  Most churches keep their members so busy they don't have time to do ministry. Most churches keep their members so busy they don't have time to do ministry. Indeed, I spoke to a lay elder of a church recently who told me he simply did not have time to get to know his neighbors because he was so busy in his church.

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  May 10, 2017

  9 Very Hopeful Signs for American Churches

  I remain an obnoxious optimist about the future of American congregations. No, I don't have my head in the sand.

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  May 7, 2017

  10 Reasons It's More Difficult to Be a Pastor Today

  I can't tell pastors today how difficult it was when I was a pastor. To the contrary, I have to be honest and tell them it is more difficult now.

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  May 5, 2017

  15 Really Strange Reasons Not to Attend Church

  I asked church leaders and churchgoers to share some really good excuses they've heard from people who choose not to attend church. I got some fascinating responses.

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  Apr 30, 2017

  5 Common but Unreasonable Requests Church Members Make of Pastors

  "I need you to do a funeral for my cat." Yes, that is a request made to a pastor by a church member. And here's the stranger reality. I have heard from dozens of pastors who have had this very request.

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  Apr 26, 2017

  10 Common Sentiments Pastors Wish They Could Express

  There are many things pastors would like to say, but they don't feel like they have the freedom to do so. I compiled ten of the more common unspoken comments pastors wish they could express.

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  Apr 22, 2017

  5 Ways Pastors Can Reverse Negativity in a Church

  "There is so much negativity in our church. What can we do?" What can a pastor or church leader do to help move the congregation more positively?

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  Apr 19, 2017

  25 Really Strange Things Church Members Said to Pastors

  If you serve as a pastor or church staff member, there is rarely a boring moment. A few years ago, I began polling pastors and church staff and collecting some really weird things church members said to them.

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  Apr 17, 2017

  7 Common Mistakes Churches Make When They Have an Interim Pastor

  The interim period between two pastors can be a time of great benefit for churches. It is for that reason I encourage churches not to make mistakes common during this interim time.

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  Apr 9, 2017

  7 Habits of Long-Tenured Pastors

  I have been following these long-tenured pastors for years. And I have seen consistently seven patterns, or habits, in their lives.