Rainer on Leadership

The future of America's largest churches (specifically megachurches—2,000+ weekly attendees) is a complex mix of momentum, innovation, and cultural headwinds. Eric Geiger from Mariners Church joins Sam on the show to discuss the reality facing large churches. Will they keep growing? Some will, but many are plateauing or entering slow decline. The post The Future of America’s Largest Churches: An Interview with Eric Geiger appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Sam interviews Michael Kelley, Executive Director for the Rooted Network and a seasoned writer of church small group curriculum. As churches adapt to evolving discipleship needs, small group materials are also transforming. We'll explore what's driving these changes, how new approaches are resonating with different congregations, and practical insights for church leaders who are choosing curriculum in today's landscape. The post The Shifts in How Churches Choose Small Group Curriculum (What You Need to Know): An Interview with Michael Kelley appeared first on Church Answers.

Many people are passionate about Bible translations and have strong opinions about which one is the best. Pastors are no exception. Josh and Sam discuss what translations they believe are best suited for preaching. The post The Best Bible Translation for Preaching appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode, Thom and Sam explore four types of church leaders who are unlikely to lead effectively in revitalization. The post Four Kinds of Church Leaders Who Will Not Lead in Revitalization appeared first on Church Answers.

One of the most challenging parts of ministry is the rejection of getting fired by a church. Josh and Sam discuss the immediate next steps pastors can take to begin the healing process. The post What Should I Do After Getting Fired from a Church? appeared first on Church Answers.

What stops a church from having a breakout? Thom and Sam discuss four primary reasons they often see in their consultations and research. The post Four Common Reasons Most Churches Aren’t Breakout Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Sam received a message from a friend recently. His question was simple: How many people typically give in a church? Statistically, about 75% of people will give in a typical church. In his case, only 50% of the church was giving regularly. Josh and Sam discuss some ways to teach church members about the importance of tithing. The 10% mark can be controversial, but committing to give regularly should not be. The post Five Key Tips to Teach Your Church to Tithe appeared first on Church Answers.

No church grows week after week and year after year. Additionally, our spiritual growth has highs and lows. A slump is inevitable in churches and people. Thom and Sam discuss some causes of a ministry slump and what you can do to stop the slide. The post Eight Causes for a Ministry Slump appeared first on Church Answers.

The long, slow death of mainline churches is well documented and goes back to the 1970s. In the mid-twentieth century, approximately half of all Americans were identified as members of one of the seven mainline denominations. Today, it's between 10% and 15%. Not much is said about revitalizing these churches, but there is hope. Josh and Sam interview one mainline Methodist elder, Chad Brooks, who has a plan to solve this problem. The post Is There Any Hope for Revitalizing Mainline Churches? appeared first on Church Answers.

Fifty years ago, non-denominational churches were more of an anomaly. Today, they are one of largest religious groups in the United States and one of only a few growing religious groups. Why is this? Ryan Burge joins the show to discuss the reasons for growth among non-denominational churches. The post The Burge Report: Why Are Non-Denominational Churches Growing? appeared first on Church Answers.

The co-hosts have noticed something—it seems church members are cussing more these days. But are their anecdotal experiences supported by data? Josh and Sam talk about the expletive problem in churches today. The post Are Church Members Cussing More Today Than in the Past? appeared first on Church Answers.

Churches can struggle with seeking outside help, even when it's obvious they need it. Thom and Sam discuss why healthy churches often have outsiders speak into the operations of the church. The post Five Reasons Healthy Churches Seek Outside Help appeared first on Church Answers.

Very few churches are growing, which means most pastors will lead plateaued or declining congregations. Some pastors experience an entire ministry career in no-growth situations. Why does this happen? Josh and Sam discuss several reasons why some pastors never experience church growth. The post Why Some Pastors Never Experience Church Growth appeared first on Church Answers.

The average age of a pastor is 60 years old. The question of retirement is one many pastors are asking. Being a lead pastor comes with unique demands and extra attention. Is there an ideal age to retire? Thom and Sam discuss some guidelines for those who are closer to retirement than not. The post What Is the Right Age to Retire as a Lead Pastor? appeared first on Church Answers.

A generation ago, student ministers would often make the leap to the lead pastor role after a few years. Does this kind of move still happen? If so, is it a good thing or not? Unfortunately, sometimes ministry positions outside of the lead pastor are seen as a lesser role in the life of the church. Josh and Sam break down the good and bad of leaping from student ministry to lead pastor. The post Is Student Ministry Still a Stepping Stone? appeared first on Church Answers.

Do you love to preach but at times loathe sermon prep? Do you find preaching incredibly fulfilling yet preparation frustrating or even overwhelming? If so, you're not alone. Many pastors struggle with the inefficiency of sermon prep—feeling bogged down by research, unsure how to faithfully interpret Scripture, or intimidated by today's hot-button topics like politics, gender, and race. Dr. Bruce Clark (PhD. in Biblical Studies, University of Cambridge) from Interpret Consulting joins the show to discuss the common frustrations of sermon prep and explore practical ways to streamline the process while strengthening your preaching skills. Interpret Consulting aims to come alongside busy faithful pastors (in churches of all sizes and stages) and assist them in sermon preparation by helping them strengthen their exegetical skills and tackle today's seemingly endless sensitive “hot button” issues. The post The Pastor's Dilemma: Loving Preaching, Loathing Sermon Prep appeared first on Church Answers.

Most pastors want to be liked and respected by their congregations. This desire is part of the reason they are motivated to serve others. However, approval addiction can become a major barrier to leadership. When people pleasing becomes the priority, pastors often do more harm than good in their congregations. Marty Duren joins Josh and Sam to discuss this important topic. The post Approval Addiction, People Pleasing, and How Pastors Can Let Go appeared first on Church Answers.

We've all heard the stereotypes of homeschooled children. But what does the data say? Ryan Burge joins Sam on the show to discuss the facts. The co-hosts also discuss implications for the church. The post The Burge Report: Does Homeschooling Change the Political and Religious Views of Children? appeared first on Church Answers.

Most pastors go through the process of hiring someone to help them minister to the church. What should you do for your first hire? Josh and Sam walk through a helpful checklist. The post A Checklist for Making Your First Hire in the Church appeared first on Church Answers.

Preachers and other public speakers should avoid these fillers in public speaking. Sam and Thom listened to several podcasts and sermons, where they heard these common fillers. The post Um, Uh, and You Know: Killer Fillers in Public Speaking appeared first on Church Answers.

No church should die, but some will die. What if God calls you to a church that just isn't going to make it? Josh and Sam discuss how pastors can shepherd dying churches. Miracles still happen! If God can save any person, He can save any church. The post Going to a Dead Church on Purpose appeared first on Church Answers.

When Sam and Thom research local churches, they inevitably calculate average worship attendance. But how can they tell if it's accurate or not? They share five ways to be certain. The post Five Ways to Report Truthful Worship Attendance appeared first on Church Answers.

The typical age of a pastor is around 60 years old. Young pastors are becoming increasingly rare. What happened? Josh and Sam discuss some demographic realities with the aging pastorate. The post Young Pastors Are Rare (Here Is What Happened) appeared first on Church Answers.

Wedding ceremonies today are very different from those of the 1990s. Thom and Sam discuss what's changed. What's surprising and what's not? The post How Wedding Ceremonies Are Different Than in the 1990s (A Pastor’s Perspective) appeared first on Church Answers.

Many church buildings sit empty for a good portion of the week. What are the pros and cons of sharing the campus with other non-profits? Josh and Sam discuss some items to consider before opening your doors to other groups, churches, and ministries. The post Should Churches Share Their Campuses with Other Non-Profits? appeared first on Church Answers.

Ryan Burge discusses his most-read research post of the year. Every age group is having less sex than they were a generation ago. Not only has sexual behavior declined among young people, but it has also declined among Evangelicals and other religious groups. What are the implications for the church? How should pastors address this reality, if at all? The post The Burge Report: Everyone Is Having Less Sex (What It Means for the Church) appeared first on Church Answers.

Student ministry is often where rules about minors break down in the church. Student ministries don't need fewer rules than children's ministries, but they need different rules. Though rebellion seems to be a rite of passage for many teenagers, they are far more receptive to guidance than you might think. Josh and Sam discuss what's often missed in churches. The post What’s Often Missed with Student Ministry Safety in Churches appeared first on Church Answers.

Where people organize, power will be present. The church is no exception. Thom and Sam discuss seven common power groups in churches. Hint: They are not all bad. How can you manage power dynamics among congregants in a way that is helpful to the church and glorifying to God? The post Seven Power Groups in Churches (The Good and the Bad) appeared first on Church Answers.

Continual learning is the philosophy that you keep growing in knowledge over a lifetime. Most of the time, this kind of learning is ongoing and self-motivated. Sam and Josh interview Timothy Paul Jones to discuss what happens when churches have continual education built into their discipleship process. The post The Surprise Benefits of a Culture of Continual Education in Your Church: An Interview with Timothy Paul Jones appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom and Sam interview Steve Graves and discuss how pastors should shepherd business leaders in their churches. Steve has been coaching business leaders for decades and has a deep knowledge of the church. He shares his wisdom in this episode. The post What Business Leaders in the Church Want Pastors to Know: An Interview with Steve Graves appeared first on Church Answers.

Time away is essential. Every pastor needs it, and every church should give it. Josh and Sam revisit a Church Answers article from a few years ago, and the co-hosts discuss the continued importance of rest and relaxation for pastors. The post The Ten Commandments of a Pastor’s Vacation appeared first on Church Answers.

Three out of four churches in America have no type of welcome ministry. Why do church leaders fail to see its importance? What are the most significant challenges in starting and maintaining a welcome or guest services ministry? How might hospitality be underutilized in churches? Thom and Sam interview Danny Franks of Summit Church to learn more about this important and often-ignored topic. The post The Hidden Opportunity of Hospitality in Churches: An Interview with Danny Franks appeared first on Church Answers.

Since 2010, depression among teens is up 145% in girls and 161% in boys. During the same time period, anxiety is up 139% in those between the ages of 18 and 25. Josh and Sam discuss the findings from the book The Anxious Generation. Much of the problem stems from the widespread adoption of smartphones. What is the impact on student ministries in churches? The post Are Smart Phones Killing Student Ministries in Churches? appeared first on Church Answers.

Thom interviews Sam about safe churches. This podcast has vital information about your church. You need to find out if your church is really a safe place. The post Why Some of Our Churches Are Not Safe Places appeared first on Church Answers.

Many Christian denominations and networks believe that divorce can affect a person's eligibility for ministry, particularly key roles such as lead pastor. This perspective is rooted in passages such as 1 Timothy 3:2, which states that an overseer must be “above reproach” and “the husband of one wife.” Some interpret this as disqualifying individuals with prior divorces. Josh and Sam discuss their views. The post Does Divorce Disqualify a Pastor from Ministry? appeared first on Church Answers.

Social capital refers to the unseen connections that unite individuals within a local community. It inspires people to support the local school system even if they don't have children or to volunteer for a city park cleanup even if they rarely visit it. It's the cohesive force that strengthens society and sustains a thriving democracy. Ryan Burge joins the show to discuss the connection between social capital and church attendance and how being active in church makes you a better person for your community and nation. The post The Burge Report: How Church Attendance Makes You a Better American appeared first on Church Answers.

What is the proper protocol for celebrating staff birthdays, work anniversaries, and major milestones? Josh and Sam discuss some ideas on encouraging church staff without going overboard. The co-hosts give guidelines on best practices and what is reasonable. The post How to Celebrate Church Staff Birthdays, Work Anniversaries, and Major Milestones appeared first on Church Answers.

It's an exciting thought to have a friend serve alongside you. Ministry is challenging, but it also can be fun, especially if we enjoy the people with whom we work. But hiring a friend does not often end well. In fact, we hear from pastors regularly about the downside of hiring a friend. In this episode, Thom and Sam look at the causes of this failure. The post Why Hiring Friends Usually Ends in Disaster appeared first on Church Answers.

Churches are not typically early adopters of technology. Boyd Pelley from Church Teams joins Josh and Sam to discuss why churches should embrace new technology sooner. The co-hosts talk about how pastors can become more proficient in the technology space. The post Why Churches Are Not Early Adopters of Technology appeared first on Church Answers.

Does your church have clear expectations of church leaders? What positions are considered leadership positions in the church? What areas are your leaders held accountable? Thom and Sam discuss this important but often neglected issue in churches. The post The Right Expectations Churches Should Have of Pastors appeared first on Church Answers.

Josh and Sam must deal with the reality of being both pastors and dads. We've all heard horror stories about pastors' kids. Are they true? Are pastors' kids different now than in the past? The co-hosts give their take on the current environment of raising children while also leading a church. The post What’s Different about Pastor’s Kids These Days? appeared first on Church Answers.

Typically, the first step in making necessary changes is acceptance of the current reality. A church cannot change unless its members and leaders know that the status quo will lead to death. Sam and Thom review five situations where dying churches get stuck and, as a consequence, continue on the path toward death. The post Do Dying Churches Really Know They Are Dying? appeared first on Church Answers.

Serving a church is not a 9-to-5 kind of job. Ministry comes with odd hours. Josh and Sam discuss their typical workweek and how they keep a rhythm going. Very few pastors work less than 40 hours per week, but how do they allocate those hours? The post How Pastors Spend Their Time During the Workweek (Any Surprises?) appeared first on Church Answers.

Are we entering a new era in American religion? Current data shows we are at an inflection point. Over the last 30 to 40 years, the share of Americans who had no religious affiliation has dramatically increased. That period is over, and something new is on the horizon. Ryan Burge joins the show to discuss what this new era in American religion may look like in the next ten years. The post The Burge Report: The New Era in American Religion Begins Now (What’s Happening?!) appeared first on Church Answers.