Thom S. Rainer

Latest

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  Jan 15, 2017

  15 Top Responses to the Word 'Baptist'

  What comes to your mind when you hear the word "Baptist"? That is the question I asked in the Twitterverse. And many responded ... quickly and frequently.

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  Jan 13, 2017

  6 Statements That Can Kill a Church

  Words can kill churches because they often have deadly actions behind them. As we begin this new year, please allow me to share six statements that I have heard from church members whose churches have died.

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  Jan 8, 2017

  5 Common Greeter Mistakes to Correct

  Greeter ministries, like any other ministries, can get in a rut. And since we are about to greet a new year, let's have an honest conversation about how to begin a new year with some improvements in your greeter ministry.

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  Jan 3, 2017

  10 Major Trends for Churches in 2017

  For those who read my blog regularly, you know I do a "trends post" every year early in January. This next statement sounds totally immodest, but I'm pretty good at predictive trends.

• 
  Dec 31, 2016

  7 New Year's Resolutions Every Pastor Should Make

  I admit it. I used to hate New Year resolutions. They seemed so contrived and short-termed. I've probably had resolutions to lose over 2,000 pounds over the course of my life.

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  Dec 27, 2016

  11 Vital Steps to Minimize Risk of Child Sex Abuse in Your Church

  Most church leaders and church members are shocked and unprepared when allegations of child sex abuse arise in their churches. But it is a huge risk in all churches.

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  Dec 15, 2016

  Non-Church Goers Aren't Who You Think: 5 Shocking Insights From Lifeway Research

  In one of the most comprehensive studies ever done on the unchurched, LifeWay Research, in partnership with the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism in Wheaton, surveyed 2,000 unchurched Americans.

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  Dec 12, 2016

  5 Reasons a Christmas Eve Service Reaches the Unchurched

  It is likely the single day of the year more unchurched decide to visit a church.

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  Dec 8, 2016

  5 Dangers of the Church Cartel

  A church cartel is an alliance of bullies, bully-followers, carnal Christians, and even non-Christians in the church. Its ultimate goal is to get its way. It feeds off of selfish power.

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  Dec 6, 2016

  5 Personal Leadership Lessons I've Learned the Hard Way

  I am sharing these five lessons with the hopes and prayers it will help others. These are lessons I've learned the hard way because I have too often failed to adjust even when I've known I need to do so.