Thom S. Rainer

Op-ed Contributor

Latest

Mar 9, 2013
Ten Things Pastors Wish They Knew Before They Became Pastors
In an informal survey of pastors, I asked a simple question: What do you wish you had been told before you became a pastor? Some of the responses were obvious. For me, a few were surprises. "I wish someone had taught me basic leadership skills." "I wish I had been given advice on how to deal with power groups and power people in the church."
Feb 23, 2013
Four Thoughts on Unfriendly Church Starts
This issue is not new, but it does seem to be one gaining more attention. A new church is started in a community with many members of an existing church. Unfortunately, the existing church has not blessed the new church start, nor has it been consulted about it.
Feb 7, 2013
Nine Characteristics of Happy Churches
"Happy" is a nebulous term. It is usually understood better than defined. So I know I am taking a risk when I used such a subjective word. Please allow me to explain. For almost twenty years, I served as a consultant to churches in the United States and Canada. After working with hundreds of churches, I saw several patterns develop.
Feb 5, 2013
Last Chances for Churches to Reach 50 Million Americans
My generation was the largest generation. And now we are the dying generation. But here is the harshest reality about my generation. We estimate that only about one-third of Baby Boomers are Christians.
Jan 26, 2013
The Perfectly Unified Church
But the lack of unity in many churches is a serious manner. Church splits, congregational infighting, and church divisiveness are more common than we often like to admit. Not too long ago, I heard my co-worker at LifeWay, Eric Geiger, make a presentation on church unity. Actually, he largely dealt with training and equipping the saints to do the work of ministry in his presentation, but he beautifully tied that issue with church unity.
Jan 18, 2013
Ten Things Church Members Desire in a Pastor
I recently asked a few hundred laypersons to write down what they desired of a pastor. Their responses were open-ended, and there was no limitation on the number of items they could list. Among the top 10 responses was "love of congregation."
Jan 12, 2013
The Death of the Mall and the Future of Church Buildings
Is it fair to suggest any relationship between the decline of the malls and the future of the church buildings? I think so. To be sure, most malls are adversely affected by the growth of online shopping. There are not too many brick and mortar stores that don't feel the impact of the Internet.
Jan 5, 2013
Five Lessons for Pastors From the Fiscal Cliff Fiasco
I am stating the obvious. Indeed I am mirroring the emotions of tens of millions of Americans. My statement? I am fed up with politicians. I am fed up with a congress and executive branch that fails to lead. I am fed up with last minute and dramatic decision-making. I am fed up with "kicking the can down the road" on major decisions. I am fed up with the lack of courage obvious at so many levels.
Dec 29, 2012
Ten Common Things Church Members Communicate to Pastors
Pastors are like information sponges. If they aren't studying, they are receiving a regular deluge of information from church members. I asked twenty-two pastors to share with me the most common items they hear from their church members.
Dec 26, 2012
The Top Seven Regrets of Pastors
I recently interviewed more than twenty pastors who had been in ministry for at least 25 years. Below are the top seven regrets noted in order of frequency. The first, lack of practical training for local church ministry. The second, overly concerned about critics.