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Every church should be a safe space for everyone who comes in. Every church should also be equipping people to confront the powers of darkness and help those in trouble. Unfortunately, far too many churches are unsafe internally, which leaves them unprepared to confront external dangers. An unsafe church creates a toxic environment that works against the gospel. A safe church is battle-ready to combat the worst of the world's problems. Make My Church Safe by respected pastor, Sam Rainer, is designed to be a brief and general overview of the best practices regarding church safety for a broad audience. Sam Rainer serves as president of Church Answers. He is the co-founder of Rainer Publishing, and he also serves as lead pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church in Southwest Florida. Sam has written hundreds of articles for several publications. He is a frequent conference speaker on church health issues. Sam holds a BS in Finance and Marketing from the University of South Carolina, an MA in Missiology from Southern Seminary, and a PhD in Leadership Studies at Dallas Baptist University. Thanks for joining us today. If you like what you are hearing on the MinistryWatch podcast, please like and rate us on your podcast app. Or, you can go old school, and simply tell a friend. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm Warren Smith, and I hope you'll join me again tomorrow for another episode of the MinistryWatch podcast.
“When church leaders think about threats to safety of the congregation, they think external. But I think the greater threat that is often unseen are internal threats.” Dr. Sam Rainer shares principles from his book, “Keep My Church Safe,” addressing threats to church congregations and what they can do to protect themselves from those dangers. “Make My Church Safe” is available from Amazon. Dr. Rainer is president of Church Answers and lead pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church. He will also be the keynote speaker for the 2025 FWB Leadership Conference: https://nafwb.org/leader. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Church #ChurchSafety #ChurchSecurity
Mark Clifton welcomes Sam Rainer, Pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church and President of Church Answers. Here are some highlights from this episode: Sam's story of revitalization at West Bradenton. What it means to believe that your church address is not an accident. The value of church fostering.
Sam Rainer takes a different role in this podcast as Thom interviews him about the remarkable story of West Bradenton Baptist Church, a neighborhood church that is making a big difference in its community. The post The Story of the Neighborhood Church That Could: An Interview with Sam Rainer appeared first on Church Answers.
200churches Podcast: Ministry Encouragement for Pastors of Small Churches
Jeff talks with Sam Rainer, Pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church in Florida, the President of Church Answers, and the author of the new book - The Surprising Return of the Neighborhood Church.Sam is a great example of a 200church pastor who refuses to imagine a limit on his impact based on the size of his church. This is an encouraging conversation! Sam and his father Thom are co-hosts of the Rainer On Leadership Podcast - check it out. Their podcast is also on YouTube.
I'm Warren Smith and I'd like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Here at MinistryWatch we bring you news about Christian ministries, as well as the latest in charity and philanthropy, news that we examine from a Christian worldview perspective. Our goal is to help us become better stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us. These mid-week “Extra” episodes are a chance for us to go deep with a particular topic, and today we have on the program Sam Rainer. He's the author of the new book “The Church Revitalization Checklist.” Sam Rainer serves as president of Church Answers and is a cofounder of Rainer Publishing. He is also lead pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church in Bradenton, Florida. He writes, teaches, speaks, and consults on a variety of church health issues. Before we go: A quick reminder that this show exists because of the generosity of our readers and listeners. We take no money from the ministries we cover. There's no advertising on our website. We are completely listener and reader funded. If you'd like to make a donation to MinistryWatch, just go to MinistryWatch.com and hit the donate tab at the top of the page. Another way you can help the program is to rate us on your podcast app. The more ratings we get, the higher we rank with search engines, and that means other people can find us more easily. Rating us just takes a second, and it doesn't cost you a dime. It's a free and easy – and important – way you can support the MinistryWatch podcast. The producers for today's program are Rich Roszel and Steve Gandy. We get database and other technical support from Cathy Goddard, Stephen DuBarry, and Casey Sudduth. I'm Warren Smith, and – until next time – May God bless you.
I'm Warren Smith and I'd like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Here at MinistryWatch we bring you news about Christian ministries, as well as the latest in charity and philanthropy, news that we examine from a Christian worldview perspective. Our goal is to help us become better stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us. These mid-week “Extra” episodes are a chance for us to go deep with a particular topic, and today we have on the program Sam Rainer. He's the author of the new book “The Church Revitalization Checklist.” Sam Rainer serves as president of Church Answers and is a cofounder of Rainer Publishing. He is also lead pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church in Bradenton, Florida. He writes, teaches, speaks, and consults on a variety of church health issues. Before we go: A quick reminder that this show exists because of the generosity of our readers and listeners. We take no money from the ministries we cover. There's no advertising on our website. We are completely listener and reader funded. If you'd like to make a donation to MinistryWatch, just go to MinistryWatch.com and hit the donate tab at the top of the page. Another way you can help the program is to rate us on your podcast app. The more ratings we get, the higher we rank with search engines, and that means other people can find us more easily. Rating us just takes a second, and it doesn't cost you a dime. It's a free and easy – and important – way you can support the MinistryWatch podcast. The producers for today's program are Rich Roszel and Steve Gandy. We get database and other technical support from Cathy Goddard, Stephen DuBarry, and Casey Sudduth. I'm Warren Smith, and – until next time – May God bless you.
As Family Minister at West Bradenton Baptist Church, Jenny Funderburke Smith leads family members to take the gospel to their neighbors and the nations.In the latest episode of PLP, Jenny discusses recruiting enthusiastic volunteers; serving your community; and helping family members (especially kids) recover emotionally from the pandemic as they return to church and minister to community hurts.This episode is a recording of a recent virtual Leadership Lunch. (To learn how you can join us on free leadership lunches throughout March, go here.)*****Show NotesFood for Thought:"Everything is different right now. What does God want us to do with that?"Some things Jenny and her church did differently that resulted in more engaged members:Integrating children's, teen's and adult's worshipIncluding a "family minute" in the middle of the sermonReevaluating every activity to make sure it tied into their "why"We enjoyed an insightful Q&A session after Jenny's talk and talked about:how the shutdown has affected church attendancewelcoming new guests leading change in ministryMentioned ResourcesEverydaykidsministry.com (Jenny's website)Books by Jim WidemanGospelatcenter.comChurchAnswers.comPLN Mastermind GroupsContact:You're welcome to email us with any questions you have.Email Jenny Funderburke SmithEmail Les Hughes
How can pastors lead their church during times of transition while creating a healthy culture and reaching the community with the Gospel? How do pastors and church leaders maintain a healthy balance during seasons of change? We believe that you can learn best on how to thrive in transition, by hearing from Sam Rainer. All this on the Thriving in Ministry podcast.On today’s episode we are talking with Sam Rainer, Pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church. Sam helps lead Church Answers and Rainer Publishing as well as co-hosting the EST.Church and Rainer on Leadership podcasts. https://leadership.lifeway.com/podcast-est/https://revitalizenetwork.org/https://churchanswers.com/https://samrainer.com/Episode Sponsor: Talanton Church Services - Margin in Ministry https://www.talantonservices.com/
Today we welcome Jordan Richmond, worship pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church. We discuss practical ways leaders can make worship services better right now. Jordan has been married to Heather for 14 years and they’ve led worship together for all of it. They have 4 children. How to Make Worship Services BETTER Right Now Check-in... The post How to Make Worship Services BETTER Right Now – An interview with Jordan Richmond appeared first on Church Answers.
Thanks for listening to the Great Commission Leadership Podcast! Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE and CONNECT with us on Twitter and Instagram: @gclpod. This episode features Sam Rainer. Sam is the Lead Pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church in Bradenton, FL. He is also the President of Church Answers and Revitalize Network. In this episode, we talk about leading in the established church and church revitalization. You can connect with Sam on: Twitter • Instagram Ad: O'Donnell Financial Coaching RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: West Bradenton Baptist Church Church Answers EST Podcast Rainer on Leadership Revitalize Network Reframing Organizations Leadership Without Easy Answers Connect with Graham: Twitter • Instagram • Facebook
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series about the work of the Holy Spirit. This sermon covers the topic of security. The Holy Spirit secures your salvation and assures you of God’s reliability. The Holy Spirit helps us feel the truth of being heirs to God’s kingdom. Through His seal, the Holy Spirit claims you and gives you to claim God.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series about the work of the Holy Spirit. This sermon covers the topic of the Spirit’s guidance. The Holy Spirit carries you along through God’s Word. The Holy Spirit guides you in the present moment. The Holy Spirit leads you toward god's future.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series about the vision of West Bradenton Baptist. This sermon covers the topic of being a good neighbor. Jesus calls you to be a truthful messenger AND a loving neighbor. You cannot limit who. You cannot limit when. You cannot limit how much.
Pastor Sam Rainer begins a series about the work of the Holy Spirit. This sermon covers John 16:5-16. The Holy Spirit is most active in the churches where the people are most desperate for Him. Two extremes: 1) Tragically neglecting the work of the Spirit. 2) Tragically exaggerating the work of the Spirit.There is a big difference between “I feel guilty”and “I am convicted.”
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches and concludes a series about the vision of West Bradenton Baptist. This sermon covers the Great Commission and stresses the importance of reaching out to all nations.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series about the vision of West Bradenton Baptist. This sermon covers the topic of expectations of members. I will worship. I will grow. I will serve. I will give. I will pray. I will seek unity and sacrifice.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series about the vision of West Bradenton Baptist. This sermon covers the topic of the church. Jesus is our sole authority. Jesus is our sole message.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series about the vision of West Bradenton Baptist. This sermon covers the primary objective of the church: giving God glory. The church is not a destination for crowds. The church is a vehicle to send people into neighborhoods and to the nations. The reason we sacrifice for the mission is God’s glory. You will find only emptiness when you pursue your own glory. You will find complete assurance in the pursuit of God’s glory.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a Christmas series about the nativity of Jesus. This sermon is about Simeon and Anna. God sometimes uses the unexpected. God often works in the routine. But God always rewards the faithful.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a Christmas series about the nativity of Jesus. This sermon is about the shepherds and angels. The nativity invites the outsiders in. The nativity sends the insiders out.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a Christmas series about the nativity of Jesus. This sermon is about the shepherds and angels. The nativity invites the outsiders in. The nativity sends the insiders out.
In episode 42, we are delighted to have Pastor Sam Rainer with us. He's the pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church. Our conversation is all about church revitalization as Sam is currently going through a church revitalization and helps other churches/pastors do so as well.Sam is also co-host of the Established Church Podcast, president of Church Answers, co-founder and co-owner of Rainer Publishing, and president of Revitalize Network.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesSAM RAINERWeb Site/Biography: samrainer.com/aboutTwitter: twitter.com/SamRainerMINISTRIESWest Bradenton Baptist Church: westbradenton.orgChurch Answers: churchanswers.comRainer Publishing: rainerpublishing.comRevitalize Network: revitalizenetwork.orgEstablished Church Podcast: spreaker.com/show/est-for-the-established-church
In episode 42, we are delighted to have Pastor Sam Rainer with us. He's the pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church. Our conversation is all about church revitalization as Sam is currently going through a church revitalization and helps other churches/pastors do so as well.Sam is also co-host of the Established Church Podcast, president of Church Answers, co-founder and co-owner of Rainer Publishing, and president of Revitalize Network.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesSAM RAINERWeb Site/Biography: samrainer.com/aboutTwitter: twitter.com/SamRainerMINISTRIESWest Bradenton Baptist Church: westbradenton.orgChurch Answers: churchanswers.comRainer Publishing: rainerpublishing.comRevitalize Network: revitalizenetwork.orgEstablished Church Podcast: spreaker.com/show/est-for-the-established-church
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series through 1 John called Love Letter. This sermon covers 1 John 5:1-5. Faith gets you going, and faith keeps you going. The way we conquer the world is to bring victory into the world.
Alan continues our series through I John called Love Letter. This sermon covers I John 4:13-21
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series through 1 John called Love Letter. This sermon covers 1 John 4:7-12. Love is not love. God is love. God’s love is consistent, continual, and complete. When you accept God’s love, you have a responsibility to share God’s love.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series through 1 John called Love Letter. This sermon covers 1 John 4:1-6. Truth compels love, and love tells the truth. The problem: Counterfeit truth is attractive. Solution: Real truth is revealed by the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series through 1 John called Love Letter. This sermon covers 1 John 3:11-24. Love in action is always sacrificial. Love in action is shown and spoken. Love in action is rooted in a confident faith.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series through 1 John called Love Letter. This sermon covers 1 John 2:18-27. None of us know how many hours we have left, so you should give all of them to Jesus. Four pathways of deceit: Desensitization, confusion, apathy, and distraction. Three themes of hope: Remember, recognize, and rest. Two safeguards God gives you: The Word and the Spirit. One Truth: An objective standard by which reality is measured. Jesus’ last hour reveals how we live in our last hour.
Today’s episode features new co-host Sam Rainer, Lead Pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church in Bradenton, FL and President of Church Answers. The discussion today is about neighborhood church adoption. Some highlights from today’s episode include: Adoption is more theologically accurate than merger or acquisition. Relationships and ministry should be priority when adopting another church..... The post A Case Study of an Established Church Adopting a Struggling Church appeared first on Church Answers.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series through 1 John called Love Letter. This sermon covers 1 John 2:18-27. None of us know how many hours we have left, so you should give all of them to Jesus. Four pathways of deceit: Desensitization, confusion, apathy, and distraction. Three themes of hope: Remember, recognize, and rest. Two safeguards God gives you: The Word and the Spirit. One Truth: An objective standard by which reality is measured. Jesus’ last hour reveals how we live in our last hour.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series through 1 John called Love Letter. This sermon covers John 1:2:3-11. John is writing to correct the start of the false teaching of Gnosticism. Your knowledge of God does not save you. Your personal spiritual experience does not save you. The assurance of your faith grows with obedience. Love and obedience are two sides of the same coin. If you believe in Jesus and belong to Jesus, then you will behave like Jesus.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series through 1 John called Love Letter. This sermon covers John 1:1-2:2. The life Jesus gives is more than extended existence; it’s an eternal quality. Following the Light is far better than stumbling around in the darkness. Joy is not complete until Jesus is shared.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a summer series through a selection of psalms. This sermon covers Psalm 150. You become what you celebrate. The celebration of hallelujah is rooted in the truth of amen. We unite with heaven when we praise God together. Worship is more about who God is than what we experience.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a summer series through a selection of psalms. This sermon covers Psalm 145. Greatness is not what you do. Greatness is what God does through you. True praise focuses on who God is. False praise focuses on what you do. The more you pursue God’s greatness, the less your soul entertains sin. God’s greatness is found in grace and compassion.
Nik Ripken shares with us what God is doing in and through the persecuted church around the world.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a summer series through a selection of psalms. This sermon covers Psalm 63. Satisfaction in God involves emotional investment. Only God provides complete satisfaction because His love is better than life. Satisfaction in the wilderness occurs when we desire God Himself, not just what He can give.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a summer series through a selection of psalms. This sermon covers Psalm 51. When you sin, you have three choices: Embrace your sin, hate yourself, or hate your sin. Through repentance you learn to hate your sin, but through God’s restoration you learn not to hate yourself. The depths of your guilt are no match for the reach of God’s salvation.
Pastor Raul Hernandez continues in our Summer in the Psalms series by sharing out of Psalms 24. True worship is an overwhelming desire to give ourselves to God, by presenting our praise, devotion and lives to Him with humility.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a summer series through a selection of psalms. This sermon covers Psalm 22. Disorientation has a purpose through praise. Praise will reorient our hearts to God’s will.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a summer series through a selection of psalms. This sermon covers Psalm 16. Your faith today gives you a hope for the future. Everything that is good in your life comes from God. God provides you a future direction and protection.
Pastor Sam Rainer concludes a series about God’s miracles. This sermon covers the text Daniel 6:1-28 and the miracle of Daniel in the lion’s den. The passing of time is a great revealer of true commitment. Time not only reveals commitment. Time also seals commitment.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series about God’s miracles. This sermon covers the text 2 Kings 5:1-19 and the miracle of Naaman’s healing. Everything you’ve worked to get is ultimately given by God. Even when you have it all, you have nothing apart from Christ. God’s salvation must first humble you before it heals you. Salvation comes from an unexpected Source with an unexpected solution.
As we continue in our series about God's miracles, we're reminded that the rainbow is a symbol of God's ongoing personal interaction with His creation. God makes covenants with His creation. His covenants are purposeful and His covenants are faithful. The rainbow is a symbol of peace that reminds us of God's faithfulness throughout the generations.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series about God’s miracles. This sermon covers the text Mark 4:35-41 and the miracle of the Jesus calming the wind and wave. Obedience sometimes puts you in the middle of a storm. When you are overwhelmed, you will either overreact in fear or rely on faith. You may not always understand God, but you can always trust Him.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series about God’s miracles. This sermon covers the text Daniel 3:1-30 and the miracle of the fiery furnace. Power comes with responsibility. Prominence comes with higher levels of scrutiny. You will either make a name for yourself or make a big deal of God’s name. When you are sacrificial, it changes the way you live. You will either be burned by your idols or walk in the fire of God’s glory.
Pastor Sam Rainer is the Lead Pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church, an author, podcast host (of the EST podcast), and a leader of leaders. In today's episodes he gets into the stuff that no one wants to talk about. In Episode 8 of The Preachers' College Podcast Pastor Sam spoke about racism and revitalization as it relates to preaching. In this episode we drill into the nuances of addressing cultural controversies in the pulpit and we talk about how to tackle the tough topics of day as a preacher.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series about God’s miracles. This sermon covers the text Exodus 14:10-31 and the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea. In order to be delivered to God you must be delivered from sin. True deliverance means accepting salvation on God’s terms. God delivers you across the line of condemnation.
Pastor Sam Rainer preaches a series about God’s miracles. This Easter sermon covers the text Matthew 28:1-10 and the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection. Through the miracle of resurrection, love defeats failure. Through the miracle of the resurrection, your fear becomes victory. Through the miracle of the resurrection, come and see becomes go and tell. Through the miracle of the resurrection, Jesus meets you where you are.