Thom S. Rainer

Latest

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  Jun 2, 2017

  5 Reasons Why Stability Is Bad for a Church

  Many church members and leaders resist change. They seek stability and comfort over obedience and sacrifice. Let's look at five key reasons why stability is bad for a church.

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  May 30, 2017

  5 Steps to Respond to a Hurtful and Hateful Email

  The internet allows cowardly critics to hide behind a keyboard and cut people to the core through blogs, social media, and email. So how do we respond when we get a hurtful email?

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  May 28, 2017

  5 Reasons Church Members Attend Church Less Frequently

  About 20 years ago, a church member was considered active in the church if he or she attended three times a week. Today, a church member is considered active in the church if he or she attends three times a month.

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  May 26, 2017

  8 Signs Your Church May Be Closing Soon

  By the time I am contacted about a serious problem in a church, it is often too late. There are eight clear signs evident in many churches on the precipice of closing.

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  May 24, 2017

  5 Imminent Dangers in Churches

  There are five imminent danger signs in churches today. I am not speaking of just those churches that have abandoned core doctrines.

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  May 16, 2017

  8 Major Changes in Churches the Past 10 Years

  Change or die. Such has been the reality of too many congregations the past ten years as the rate of church closures has accelerated. But what are some of the major changes that have taken place in congregations that are doing relatively well?

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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.