Sam Rainer

Latest

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  Aug 28, 2022

  What size must a church be to trigger the need for revitalization?

  Churches are notorious for living in a state of tension between fragility and resiliency. They hang on by their fingernails, but those nails are quite strong.

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  Aug 21, 2022

  6 questions to discern toxic conflict vs. healthy conflict

  Conflict can be healthy. The greatest art is produced at a point of tension. Innovation occurs when the heat of conflict rises. Accountability is difficult apart from some level of conflict.

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  Jul 27, 2022

  Be the church that embraces children, not just tolerates them

  However, the families visiting your church will know whether you embrace their kids or not. The churches that welcome children have a higher likelihood of families returning — not just once but often!

• 
  Jul 19, 2022

  Leading others when they're frustrated, angry with the church

  What is the answer to the instability of frustration and anger? Empathy is the stabilizer. If you have a shepherding role in the church, don’t perceive the emotions of others as a threat to you.

• 
  Apr 8, 2022

  The church should do more to address issues of mental illness

  If you are a member of a typical church, then about 15 people will experience some form of mental illness in a given year. If your church is larger, let’s say 300 people, then it is likely that about 60 people will experience some form of mental illness a year.

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  Mar 10, 2022

  What does a humble pastor really look like?

  Humility includes the capacity to assess your abilities and limitations accurately. Power naturally disrupts this ability. Good leadership exists in the constant tension between authority and humility.

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  Feb 27, 2022

  If your church attendance is stagnant right now, it’s not all bad

  It’s always a good sign when the median age drops in a church. But in many cases, you need two new people to replace one older person to retain attendance levels because the older generation tends to be at church more often.

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  Feb 20, 2022

  5 Strategies for being a more approachable pastor on Sunday morning

  Your weekend worship experiences are a concentrated time, meaning you have the most people on campus for a short duration. It’s your chance to interact with your congregation and for others to see you interacting.

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  Dec 30, 2021

  10 New Year's resolutions for every pastor

  I also realize the presumptuous nature of this post — as if I could tell you what promises to make (and then inevitably break). However, I do believe every pastor should consider these ten resolutions.

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  Dec 19, 2021

  Ageism: The real struggle for church staff close to retirement

  For those who are older on your church staff, what can be done? How can a church move away from the blatant ageism that seems to be so rampant in congregations?