Thom S. Rainer

Op-ed Contributor

Latest

Nov 8, 2015
7 Great, 7 Awful Experiences of First-Time Church Guests
If you want to make an immediate difference in your church, read these fourteen brief experiences.
Nov 6, 2015
6 Reasons Church Leaders Should Use Periscope
My first reaction to the discovery of Periscope was not favorable. Oh no, I thought, another social media tool.
Nov 4, 2015
6 Considerations When Firing Church Staff
It's one of the toughest parts of church leadership. You feel like a staff member is not a good fit. Or the elders or personnel committee feel the same about the pastor. You are confronted with the reality that you might need to ask that person to step down.
Nov 2, 2015
Five Thoughts on Why Lighting Will Be the Next Worship War
Many churches are having internal disagreements over lighting. In some churches it has become contentious.
Oct 31, 2015
What Does Your Church's Group Name Communicate?
Assimilation is five times more effective if a person is involved in a group versus attending worship only.
Oct 29, 2015
8 Reasons Many Churches Are Stuck in the '80s
Nine out of ten churches in America are either declining, or they are growing so slowly they are not keeping up with the growth rate of the community in which they are located.
Oct 27, 2015
The Most Common Reason Pastors Give When They Leave a Church
Though there are many different reasons given, these pastors did share one reason much more frequently than any others.
Oct 25, 2015
8 Reasons Many Pastors Lack Confidence
I am confident because of who I am in Christ. But if someone expected me to perform open-heart surgery tomorrow, I wouldn't be confident.
Oct 23, 2015
8 Traits of Outstanding Church Staff Members
The stories are tragic but too common. Different members of a church staff unite in opposition to other staff.
Oct 17, 2015
Is Your Church Mostly Old People? 5 Ways to Become Younger
It seems to be a Catch-22. If your congregation is older, the way to reach younger families is to have younger families in your church. But the reason the congregation is older is because it has few or no younger families.