Seven Common Comments Non-Christians Make about Christians
One of my greatest joys in research is talking to and listening to those who clearly identify themselves as non-Christians. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not celebrating their absence of faith in Christ. My...
View ArticleLeading the church to spiritual transformation
by Thom S. Rainer At LifeWay, we love the church, and we want to see every member become a growing disciple engaged in the mission of God. Unfortunately, it has become acceptable for churchgoers to sit...
View ArticleLaunch Strong this Fall
By Thom S. Rainer Many education ministers, small-group leaders and adult Sunday school coordinators use the lull of summer to find new Bible study material and prepare to launch their ministries in...
View ArticleMotivating members to live on mission
By Thom Rainer The word missional is a popular buzzword in the church today. Living missionally simply means having a Great Commission and Great Commandment mindset in all your encounters. It’s...
View ArticleThom Rainer: 7 Tips for Introverted Leaders
Some people are surprised when, as CEO of a large company, I confess to being an introvert. Admittedly, it’s an odd combination. I’m required to be out front leading and speaking every week when,...
View ArticleThom Rainer: Lead Your Church to be Evangelistic
Each year it seems local churches are devoting less time, less funding and less emphasis to equipping, encouraging and sending people to share the good news of Christ, particularly within their...
View ArticleThom Rainer: 6 Benefits of Healthy Groups
Every pastor wants his congregation to grow spiritually. However, no matter how great of a preacher you are, a 30-minute sermon isn’t enough on its own to foster the type of spiritual growth needed....
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Is Your Church Reflecting Its Community?
by Thom Rainer My research for Autopsy of a Deceased Church indicates one of the factors that leads to the decline of a healthy church is its refusal to look like the community. If you compare the...
View ArticlePastors Experience Depression, Too
by Thom S. Rainer Depression was once a topic reserved for “other people.” Christians, especially pastors, aren’t supposed to feel depressed. Aren’t these servants of God supposed to have their acts...
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Regaining Your Spiritual Momentum
by Thom Rainer Raising boys has given me a great appreciation for the concept of transformation. My wife, Nellie Jo, and I raised three sons. They are all followers of Christ. They have all married...
View Article8 Characteristics of Breakout Church Leaders
by Thom Rainer Little doubt exists that many churches in America are sick. The statistics paint a dismal picture. But I remain optimistic about churches across our nation because we serve a God of all...
View ArticleSeven Habits of Highly Effective Pastors
Determining the effectiveness of a pastor is a highly subjective exercise. While certain metrics may prove helpful, they do not tell the whole story. Pastors possess many characteristics: prayerful,...
View ArticleTraining the Next Generation of Leaders
by Thom S. Rainer Leadership development is one of the biggest challenges for churches and church leaders. Churches often miss opportunities to minister because they don’t have enough leaders ready....
View Article7 Characteristics of Healthy Small Churches
By Thom S. Rainer The size of a church is not always an indicator of its health. One might argue if a church were effectively reaching people it would not remain small. But that’s not always the case....
View Article7 Indicators of True Church Discipleship
By Thom S. Rainer Most church leaders want to see the people who attend their churches grow into fully committed followers of Christ. Unfortunately, many churches do not have a clear process for...
View ArticleIs Your Church Reflecting Its Community?
If you compare the faces of a dying church with the faces of the people who live in the community where the church is located, you’ll often notice a significant difference. Read More »
View ArticlePastors Experience Depression, Too
Depression was once a topic reserved for “other people.” Christians, especially pastors, aren’t supposed to feel depressed. The truth is, pastors are as likely as other Americans to experience mental...
View ArticleRegaining Your Spiritual Momentum
Many things can contribute to a stalled spiritual life, but here are five barriers to spiritual growth common among church leaders. Read More »
View Article8 Characteristics of Breakout Church Leaders
While conducting research for Breakout Churches, a study of churches that moved from decline to significant and sustained growth, I discovered several traits that distinguish breakout church leaders...
View Article7 Habits of Highly Effective Pastors
What sets apart highly effective pastors from the rest? Thom Rainer shares insights from observing leaders who are making significant impacts. Read More »
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