Rainer on Leadership

By Thom Rainer

Education Business Religion & Spirituality Christianity

What's Rainer on Leadership about?

Your online home for leadership lessons for both the church and the workplace.

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Rainer on Leadership episodes:

04.19.2024
The Burge Report: A Deep Dive into the Decline of the Southern Baptist Convention
https://youtu.be/2Oi5sB3jvAo The Southern Baptist Convention is experiencing a decline in the scope and scale that is unprecedented in American church history. As the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., the declines in the SBC are noteworthy for many reasons. Ryan Burge...
04.16.2024
The Confusion about the Word “Discipleship”
https://youtu.be/I5sqtgPQiJY It is fascinating to engage church leaders and members about their understanding of discipleship. Frankly, it means different things to different people. Sam and Thom discuss the importance of getting clarity about discipleship in a local church. Why it...
04.09.2024
Why Every Woman in Your Church Needs This Bible: An Interview with Naomi Cramer Overton and Misty Arterburn
https://youtu.be/Pz_ZE5cxkQc Thom welcomes Dr. Naomi Cramer Overton, "Every Woman’s Bible" General Editor and CEO of Stonecroft, and Misty Arterburn, Associate Editor for the "Every Woman’s Bible." The Every Woman’s Bible by Tyndale House Publishers is a study Bible for the heart...
04.05.2024
A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services: Episode #3 – What Should You Do When a Handful of Key Donors Support the Church – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer
As the median size of a church gets smaller, more are in the predicament of being supported by a handful of key donors. Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services joins Thom and Sam to discuss what these churches can do....
04.05.2024
A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services: Episode #2 – The Upside and Downside of Designated Giving in Churches – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer
Most gifts to churches are given without designating how the funds should be spent. However, there are cases when donors restrict their donations or give to a designated account. While every donation helps kingdom work, designated gifts can be tricky....
04.05.2024
A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services: Episode #1 – Making the Ask: How Pastors Should Approach Key Church Donors – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer
Talking to key givers in the church does not have to be awkward. Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services joins Thom and Sam to discuss how pastors can make the ask without feeling icky. They discuss some best practices that...
04.02.2024
Four Major Shifts in Church Staffing
https://youtu.be/3NDB60O3KhM There have been steady but subtle shifts in how churches hire staff and call ministers for years. Many of those shifts have accelerated since COVID. Sam and Thom look at four of the most significant shifts. The surprising number...
03.26.2024
Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Overcoming Failure: An Interview with Scott Beck
https://youtu.be/9j_CqTzUj2o Thom welcomes Scott Beck, co-founder and CEO of Gloo, a technology platform that releases the collective might of the faith ecosystem. After starting and scaling successful businesses including Blockbuster Video, Einstein's Bagel, Boston Market, and Angie’s List (now Angi), Scott...
03.19.2024
Speaking in Tongues and Other Trending Worship Issues
https://youtu.be/Kq4-dF98yvw Thom and Sam examine long-term trends in corporate worship services. Some of the data surprised them. You might be surprised too. The overall trend is toward expressive worship. Raising hands and speaking in tongues. The return of...
03.15.2024
The Burge Report: Who Is Attending Church MORE Frequently Now Than in the Past?
https://youtu.be/ZqS5LLm0ZtU America is not yet a godless nation, but we are becoming a less churched nation. While people say they believe in God, fewer are attending a house of worship. Ryan Burge joins the show with Thom and Sam to discuss...
03.12.2024
The Impact of Doctrine on Church Growth
https://youtu.be/jcFlsFuFecA Does the doctrine of the church affect the potential for growth? It depends. Thom and Sam analyze historical macro trends in church growth. Growing churches tend to be more conservative, and liberal churches tend to decline. But doctrine alone is...
03.05.2024
The Good and Bad of Church Staff Having their Own Constituencies
https://youtu.be/AFfb0hTaeno Members will inevitably attach themselves to certain leaders in the church. In multiple-staff churches, this attachment is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, you should expect church members to get close to some of the staff, especially if they...
02.27.2024
How Much Time Should a Pastor Spend Preparing Sermons Each Week?
https://youtu.be/r78W-BsD2To Pastors do not have unlimited hours and resources to write sermons. Additionally, pastors have workweeks much longer than church members realize because of the invisible nature of sermon preparation. But how long should it take to write a typical sermon?...
02.20.2024
Should Pastors Endorse Political Candidates?
https://youtu.be/879odBw9vXg Elections are contentious. They have been for most of our nation’s history. The tensions surrounding this year’s coming election season should not be a surprise. To what degree should pastors be involved in the political process? Thom and Sam discuss...
02.13.2024
Should We Close Our Church? Five Issues to Consider
https://youtu.be/3VEUSnJfKCo Sadly, Church Answers is getting an increasing number of consultation requests from churches wanting to deal with the issue of possibly closing their churches. Thom and Sam look at the five issues churches should consider before making such a dramatic...
02.09.2024
A Special Three-Part Series with Brown Church Development Group: Episode #3 – How Does Church Design Impact the Culture of a Church? With Todd Brown
Todd Brown is the CEO of Brown Church Development Group, a national church design/build firm. In this three-part podcast series, we will look at ministry focused design. In this third part, we talk with Todd about the ways in which...
02.09.2024
A Special Three-Part Series with Brown Church Development Group: Episode #2 – How Do Groups Change a Facility? With Todd Brown
Todd Brown is the CEO of Brown Church Development Group, a national church design/build firm. In this three-part podcast series, we will look at ministry-focused design. In this second part, we talk with Todd about what it means to balance...
02.09.2024
A Special Three-Part Series with Brown Church Development Group: Episode #1 – How Do You Build a Church Facility Design for Ministry? With Todd Brown
Todd Brown is the CEO of Brown Church Development Group, a national church design/build firm. In this three-part podcast series, we will look at ministry focused design. In this first part, we talk with Todd about how to build ministry...
02.06.2024
Should I Plan to Retire from My Church? Five Questions
https://youtu.be/pdrel3vv0Mg The median age of pastors continues to get older. At Church Answers, we often speak with pastors who are contemplating retirement. Sam and Thom address the five most common questions we ask these pastors so that we can help them...
01.30.2024
How Do We Reach the Never Attenders?
https://youtu.be/sfyJfmarPMs In last week's episode, Thom and Sam looked at the growing reality of the Never Attenders in the United States. Today, they discuss how churches might reach this group. Over one in three Americans is a Never Attender. ...
01.23.2024
Who Are the Never Attenders Today?
https://youtu.be/6S5prVBhMpI Based on the outstanding research of Ryan Burge, we can see more clearly who are and who are not attending church today. Thom and Sam look at his latest research on the Never Attenders, a growing group in America. ...
01.16.2024
How to Create a Useful Evangelism Budget for Your Church
Many churches give to missions through the operating budget. But what about funds for the work of evangelism in the community? On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss the importance of allocating a portion of the budget for evangelism. The...
01.09.2024
Five Key Objectives of an Excellent Interim Pastorate
https://youtu.be/Es2BGQS2B74 Sometimes churches view interim pastors as "band-aids" to keep the church together, but a good interim will do much more. Thom and Sam discuss what defines a successful interim pastorate. Whether short-term or long-term in duration, these five key objectives...
01.02.2024
How a Church Should Respond When a Pastor Has Mental Health Problems
https://youtu.be/-b_ehLOR_ts One in four pastors say they have struggled with mental health issues, and 17% of pastors say it was diagnosed. Given the prevalence of the issue, churches cannot ignore the problem. Silence creates the perception that something is off-limits. Mental...
12.26.2023
Why Don’t Church Members Invite Their Friends Anymore?
https://youtu.be/lH-XScYt_go About 80% of your neighbors are receptive to an invitation to church. At best, most churchgoers invite someone once or twice a year. Almost a third of churchgoers never invite anyone. Inviting someone to a worship service or church event...
12.19.2023
What Can Church Leaders Do about the Great Dechurching? An Interview with Jim Davis and Michael Graham
https://youtu.be/7g5Enc9Wfz0 In part 2, Sam interviews Jim Davis and Michael Graham. They examine exactly how people are leaving and suggest how to "re-church" those who have exited. What is important for local churches or ministries as they think about dechurching?...
12.12.2023
The Great Dechurching: An Interview with Jim Davis and Michael Graham
https://youtu.be/6722t7Be2Vw Sam welcomes Jim Davis and Michael Graham. In part 1, they share the highest altitude insights from their study and book, The Great Dechurching. In what ways were your findings consistent with some of the prevailing narratives surrounding people...
12.05.2023
Six Questions to Discern Toxic Church Conflict from Healthy Church Conflict
https://youtu.be/BgJ-Ixfh3yY Criticism is not necessarily toxic, even when it is misguided. And no one likes to field complaints. Sometimes they are warranted, and sometimes they can be toxic. How can a pastor tell the difference? Thom covers the best ways pastors...
11.28.2023
An Unexpected Comeback: The Surprising Return of the Neighborhood Church
https://youtu.be/bgEY8Fr2pAw For years, we have dismissed the potential for a significant move of God in neighborhood churches. At Church Answers, we believe they are primed for a comeback. They are numerous, and they are located in the heart of places with...
11.21.2023
Connecting Our Christian Faith to Its Jewish Roots: An Interview with Susan Perlman
https://youtu.be/yU8t8lw3qPQ Thom welcomes Susan Perlman, Chief Partnership Officer and one of the founders of Jews for Jesus. In this episode, they discuss how The Chronological Life Application Study Bible, created in partnership with Jews for Jesus, helps connect our Christian faith...
11.14.2023
To Be a Unicorn: An Interview with William Vanderbloemen
https://youtu.be/EtmdjYvXqcM Thom welcomes William Vanderbloemen, CEO and Founder of top executive search firm Vanderbloemen Search Group. In this episode, Thom interviews William about his book, “Be The Unicorn,” in which he reveals the 12 teachable traits and explains why hiring managers...
11.07.2023
What Does It Really Mean for Pastors to Be Above Reproach: An Interview with Matt McCraw
https://youtu.be/6sPYwNZSWvQ Every believer is called to Christlikeness. Pastors, however, have a calling to be above reproach. What does this calling mean? On this episode, Sam interviews Matt McCraw. Together, they cover the universal standards for all pastors and what special burdens...
10.31.2023
What Happens in the Church When Women Thrive in Ministry: An Interview with Jacki C. King
https://youtu.be/_XE_xQ5Mzf0 Women account for six out of ten churchgoers. Frankly, the church cannot thrive if women are not thriving. In this episode, Sam interviews Jacki C. King to discuss some practical insights about women in ministry. A church of any size...
10.24.2023
How You Can Get Your Church Members Reading the Bible Regularly: An Interview with Alex Goodwin
https://youtu.be/PYfnjHXglAw Thom welcomes Alex Goodwin, co-founder of the Institute for Bible Reading and co-creator of “Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience” and “Immerse: The Reading Bible,” winner of the 2022 ECPA Bible of the Year award. He counts himself as one of...
10.17.2023
When Difficult People Want to Come Back to Church After Leaving
https://youtu.be/ehif-qgoYHM You've likely heard the phrase "blessed subtraction" referring to divisive church members who leave for another congregation. On occasion, they will return. What should you do? Thom and Sam give some tips to church leaders. How long has it...
10.10.2023
How to Encourage Church Members Who Serve Behind the Scenes
https://youtu.be/4cEJiQrd6M8 Thom and Sam received a question from a regular listener. Henry from Ontario wanted to know how pastors can best recognize faithful members serving in areas of the church that are often unnoticed. For example, the only time the church...
10.03.2023
Getting Your Church Leaders and Members Really Reading the Bible: An Interview with Ann White
https://youtu.be/kaREMoc89xE Sam welcomes Ann White, an internationally known author, speaker, Christian TV Host, passionate Bible teacher, Founder and CEO of Courage For Life. Her passion is to equip and encourage people from all walks of life to embrace their God-given courage...
09.26.2023
The Community Demographics and Psychographics Churches Most Often Miss
https://youtu.be/8AlPE5WjvvY You can't reach your community unless you know your community. On this week's episode, Thom and Sam discuss the most often missed community demographics and why they are important. Your church address is not an accident. Perceived demographics...
09.19.2023
Pivot: An Interview with Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer
https://youtu.be/6MbROUU1_LE Sam welcomes father-daughter duo and theologians Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer. In their book “Pivot,” Scot and Laura help churches to implement practices, establish priorities, and cultivate gospel-centered qualities that form goodness cultures. Scot is professor of New Testament at...
09.12.2023
How Much Vacation Should Pastors Take?
https://youtu.be/ZGONXr6OsoI Every pastor should take a vacation. But pastors can struggle with knowing how much vacation they should take and how long they should be away. Thom discusses best practices with vacation time. Churches should provide paid time away for...
09.05.2023
Does a New Mover Ministry Really Work? An Early Analysis
https://youtu.be/zws5wEc-K04 How effective are new mover ministries, particularly those where a card is mailed to every new mover in a specified area? Thom and Sam look at some early results they gleaned. Understanding the principles of this ministry. Understanding...
09.01.2023
A Special Three-Part Series with Upward: Episode #3 – What the Future of Church Recreation Ministry Looks Like (Start Now)
In the conclusion of this special series on recreation ministry, Thom and Sam talk about the future of recreation ministries in churches. More churches will restart their sports programs. Now is the time to begin. The future is bright! ...
09.01.2023
A Special Three-Part Series with Upward: Episode #2 – How to Make Sports Work for Your Church and Not Against You
Thom and Sam continue their special series on recreation ministry. Many church leaders bemoan how sports can pull people away from the church. But what if sports can be used to draw people into the body of Christ? Sports can...
09.01.2023
A Special Three-Part Series with Upward: Episode #1 – Why We Need a Church Recreation Ministry Comeback More Than Ever
In this special episode, Thom and Sam discuss the history of recreation ministry in churches and why it’s poised for a comeback. Sports are massively popular in culture right now. Churches can use this popularity as a big ministry opportunity. ...
08.29.2023
The Pastor’s Sunday Attire: Dress Up or Blend In?
https://youtu.be/U__vJHSOI7w How a pastor dresses is ultimately much less important than teaching sound doctrine and caring for the congregation. But people do notice what you wear. Should pastors dress up on Sunday since they are leaders? Or should they try to...
08.22.2023
The Story of the Neighborhood Church That Could: An Interview with Sam Rainer
https://youtu.be/gVXcu4ZBtGk 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. How did you end up...
08.15.2023
What Happens When a Church Exhausts Itself on Fighting
https://youtu.be/TQA9ThA18OU Some churches have the uncanny ability to prolong infighting for decades. Other congregations get to a point where the fighting creates collective exhaustion. Thom and Sam discuss what happens when a church stops fighting because everyone is tired. When...
08.08.2023
A New England Church Comeback Story Everyone Needs to Know: An Interview with Gary Moritz
https://youtu.be/T6FiUNUUaRw At Church Answers we love a good turnaround story, especially when a struggling church gets healthy and begins to thrive. In this episode, Thom and Sam interview Gary Moritz of City United Church in Lunenburg, MA. This comeback story is...
08.04.2023
A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services – Episode #3 – Churches Are Getting Less of Total Charitable Giving Every Year—What’s Going On?: An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer
Charitable giving is up—a near record of $485 billion in 2021, despite surging inflation. However, giving to churches has dropped even though giving to non-profits is up by 4%. In the early 1980s, churches received over half of all charitable...
08.04.2023
A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services – Episode #2 – The Implications of Churches Holding More Debt for Longer Periods of Time: An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer
Interest rates are rising, and some churches are experiencing an increase in debt service payments. Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services joins Sam for a special series on generosity. In this episode they discuss the controversial topic of debt and...

What's Rainer on Leadership about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Rainer on Leadership episodes:

The Burge Report: A Deep Dive into the Decline of the Southern Baptist Convention

The Confusion about the Word “Discipleship”

Why Every Woman in Your Church Needs This Bible: An Interview with Naomi Cramer Overton and Misty Arterburn

A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services: Episode #3 – What Should You Do When a Handful of Key Donors Support the Church – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer

A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services: Episode #2 – The Upside and Downside of Designated Giving in Churches – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer

A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services: Episode #1 – Making the Ask: How Pastors Should Approach Key Church Donors – An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer

Four Major Shifts in Church Staffing

Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Overcoming Failure: An Interview with Scott Beck

Speaking in Tongues and Other Trending Worship Issues

The Burge Report: Who Is Attending Church MORE Frequently Now Than in the Past?

The Impact of Doctrine on Church Growth

The Good and Bad of Church Staff Having their Own Constituencies

How Much Time Should a Pastor Spend Preparing Sermons Each Week?

Should Pastors Endorse Political Candidates?

Should We Close Our Church? Five Issues to Consider

A Special Three-Part Series with Brown Church Development Group: Episode #3 – How Does Church Design Impact the Culture of a Church? With Todd Brown

A Special Three-Part Series with Brown Church Development Group: Episode #2 – How Do Groups Change a Facility? With Todd Brown

A Special Three-Part Series with Brown Church Development Group: Episode #1 – How Do You Build a Church Facility Design for Ministry? With Todd Brown

Should I Plan to Retire from My Church? Five Questions

How Do We Reach the Never Attenders?

Who Are the Never Attenders Today?

How to Create a Useful Evangelism Budget for Your Church

Five Key Objectives of an Excellent Interim Pastorate

How a Church Should Respond When a Pastor Has Mental Health Problems

Why Don’t Church Members Invite Their Friends Anymore?

What Can Church Leaders Do about the Great Dechurching? An Interview with Jim Davis and Michael Graham

The Great Dechurching: An Interview with Jim Davis and Michael Graham

Six Questions to Discern Toxic Church Conflict from Healthy Church Conflict

An Unexpected Comeback: The Surprising Return of the Neighborhood Church

Connecting Our Christian Faith to Its Jewish Roots: An Interview with Susan Perlman

To Be a Unicorn: An Interview with William Vanderbloemen

What Does It Really Mean for Pastors to Be Above Reproach: An Interview with Matt McCraw

What Happens in the Church When Women Thrive in Ministry: An Interview with Jacki C. King

How You Can Get Your Church Members Reading the Bible Regularly: An Interview with Alex Goodwin

When Difficult People Want to Come Back to Church After Leaving

How to Encourage Church Members Who Serve Behind the Scenes

Getting Your Church Leaders and Members Really Reading the Bible: An Interview with Ann White

The Community Demographics and Psychographics Churches Most Often Miss

Pivot: An Interview with Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer

How Much Vacation Should Pastors Take?

Does a New Mover Ministry Really Work? An Early Analysis

A Special Three-Part Series with Upward: Episode #3 – What the Future of Church Recreation Ministry Looks Like (Start Now)

A Special Three-Part Series with Upward: Episode #2 – How to Make Sports Work for Your Church and Not Against You

A Special Three-Part Series with Upward: Episode #1 – Why We Need a Church Recreation Ministry Comeback More Than Ever

The Pastor’s Sunday Attire: Dress Up or Blend In?

The Story of the Neighborhood Church That Could: An Interview with Sam Rainer

What Happens When a Church Exhausts Itself on Fighting

A New England Church Comeback Story Everyone Needs to Know: An Interview with Gary Moritz

A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services – Episode #3 – Churches Are Getting Less of Total Charitable Giving Every Year—What’s Going On?: An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer

A Special Three-Part Series with Church Growth Services – Episode #2 – The Implications of Churches Holding More Debt for Longer Periods of Time: An Interview with Mike Stadelmayer