Thom S. Rainer

Op-ed Contributor

Latest

May 14, 2011
Where Have All the Churches Gone?
For many, if not most, American churches, the changes are more negative than positive. Many churches today are shadows of what they were not too many years ago.
May 5, 2011
10 Warning Signs for Churches
There is a common pattern for most of the warning signs. Church members are more concerned about their preferences and desires. They are inwardly focused.
Apr 27, 2011
Do We Really Pray in Our Churches?
For many churches, a time of prayer is limited to one or two people voicing a public prayer in the worship services.
Aug 9, 2010
Cathartic Experiences and the Transformational Church
Life is too short to become satisfied with the status quo when God is telling us to move forward. In all that we do, we must give our best for His glory.
Aug 4, 2010
What Millennials Want in Leaders
Divisive, loud, and acrimonious persons turn them off. They are leaving churches to some extent because they see many Christian leaders as negative and prone to divisiveness.
Jul 14, 2010
The Principle of the Leadership Lid
An organization can move no higher than the leadership qualities of the leader.
Jun 19, 2010
Three Leaders, Three Functions
Healthy organizations have many different components that comprise their healthy state. But those robust organizations inevitably have all three types of functional leaders present.
Jun 10, 2010
Power in the Pulpit
Ninety percent of formerly unchurched individuals cited the pastor and his preaching as the key factor in their entering the ranks of the churched. So, what was it about the pastor that kept them coming back for more?
Jun 1, 2010
Straight Talk to Church Members about Their Pastors
I know. Pastors aren\'t perfect. But they do have one of the toughest jobs in the world. Regardless of the church polity, they do have to answer to every church member.
May 19, 2010
Seven Mistakes in Ministry
There are no \"do overs\" in life and ministry. But there are always opportunities to learn, correct, and improve. So I decided to share with you seven of the key mistakes I made as a senior pastor.