Sam Rainer

Latest

• 
  Apr 2, 2023

  How sensible pastors react to harsh public criticism

  Public criticism is an inevitable part of pastoral ministry. It will happen but hopefully not often. You are especially vulnerable when the complaints are overly harsh and out in the open. Sensible shepherds will respond in a way that benefits the Church, even if it hurts personally.

• 
  Mar 14, 2023

  When I held 4-year-old whose mom died of fentanyl, cocaine overdose

  The turning point for me occurred at a funeral. I was holding a four-year-old child I did not know. His mother had passed away after overdosing on a dangerous mix of fentanyl and cocaine. The family contacted our church and asked for a pastor to officiate the funeral. I’ll never forget the young boy’s words.

• 
  Mar 13, 2023

  Leading a church when the wrong people hold power

  There are churches with misaligned power structures in desperate need of good pastors. What if you end up in such a situation? Leading without power requires informal authority.

• 
  Mar 5, 2023

  Prayer walking can revitalize a church. Do you believe that?

  The problem is not enough churches are emphasizing this spiritual discipline. Those that do are seeing powerful results. 

• 
  Feb 17, 2023

  Churches are getting less of total charitable giving. Here’s why.

  What can you do to help build trust in your church finances? Small steps can make a big difference.

• 
  Feb 12, 2023

  This inescapable reality: '... because you’re the pastor'

  “... because you’re the pastor.”

• 
  Feb 5, 2023

  5 ways to honor the past while not losing the future

  You can honor the past while not losing the future. In fact, the honor you show the past may become the way in which the future opens.

• 
  Jan 29, 2023

  What you are likely missing in your church membership class

  The membership class was one ministry many churches put on hold during the pandemic. It was also one of the last ministries churches restarted. Now is an excellent time to evaluate your membership class. What could you be missing?

• 
  Jan 19, 2023

  The shortcomings of extroverted pastors and how to overcome them

  Both extroverts and introverts can lead well. Both can lead poorly. Personality is only one part of leadership.

• 
  Jan 8, 2023

  15 ways lead pastors can drive their staff nuts

  Most lead pastors will act differently around the staff they work with for hours each day compared to other congregants they may see in passing once or twice a week. This dichotomy is not necessarily bad. But things go sideways when the lead pastor plays nice with the congregation while poorly leading the staff.