https://youtu.be/WfGyl4c5Sa8 More and more churches have a digital ministry, but who is really tuning in? Thom and Sam interview Ryan Burge to get to the facts of digital church services. The results will likely surprise you and run contrary to popular belief. There is no evidence that a large segment of people are online only, which was just 12% of the total survey sample. Only 6% of people who never attend in-person worship had watched online. Among those attending...

https://youtu.be/PahmCYAEdPA The times right before and right after worship services are probably more important than you realize. Pastors have a unique opportunity to interact with the entire church. As a church leader, your persona on Sunday morning is not the whole of who you are, but it’s often the primary way church members form perceptions about you. Thom and Sam talk about the six best practices for pastors before and after worship services. * Do: Take the initiative. The...

https://youtu.be/Fz1JBtVYL7M Almost 25 years ago, we completed a research project that yielded the book “Surprising Insights from the Unchurched.” The study was a breakthrough in many ways, shattering long-held myths about how the unchurched felt about the church. What about now? Do the unchurched today have feelings similar to those of a generation ago? Thom and Sam reveal their new research. The unchurched and churched believe local churches are generally good for their...

https://youtu.be/hZKlKGBJnSA Thom and Sam are delighted to welcome Iva May to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. Iva is the founder and director of Chronological Bible Teaching where she directs its day-to-day operations. Her 20 years working in creating the story concept of the Bible as a discipleship tool was integral in creating “The One Year Chronological Study Bible” as well as other Bible literacy resources used to teach and disciple people all over the world. Here are some questions...

https://youtu.be/vr6_1HCgwak The election season is probably not the primary catalyst for negativity in your church, but it can exacerbate the negativity already present. Pastors can feed the negativity by not acting with diplomacy and grace. Thom and Sam discuss these issues and what pastors can do to shepherd their congregations when tensions are high. * Politics is not necessarily the problem. It’s the negativity that surrounds politics that can be harmful to the church. *...

https://youtu.be/EyNcaRAAN5I The data may surprise you. Multiple studies confirm there is a positive correlation between higher education and church attendance. In other words, the more education you receive, the greater the likelihood you attend regularly in a church. Thom and Sam interview Ryan Burge to get the details about this phenomenon in American religion. The positive correlation applies to all generations, including younger ones. A sharp rise in church attendance...

https://youtu.be/EZDiyfx_C1Y When Gen Xers and Millennials were children, many churches shunned trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. Families were told Halloween events were evil and to be avoided. Around the same time, some churches started offering alternative events for neighborhood families. Today, churches have become the place to be on Halloween in many communities. Thom and Sam examine what happened and reminisce about their childhood. Judgment Houses paved the way in...

https://youtu.be/-VuPtP4kn-o A time is coming when the Baby Boomer generation will no longer be present in churches. Our research writer, Ryan Burge, calls it the “Silver Tsunami.”  Thom and Sam talk about what church leaders should expect when this generational shift occurs. The average age of a churchgoer is around 60 years old. The time is coming sooner rather than later. Among weekly church attendees, Boomers account for 36% of the people present, Gen X is 24%, and...

https://youtu.be/CF6wivQrP4s These five financial mistakes are common in churches of every size. Thom and Sam discuss five “don'ts” of church finance. Correcting these mistakes often yields immediate and measurable results in the financial health of the congregation. Not providing multiple giving options. Not having a plan for deferred maintenance. Not having ample cash reserves. Not doing zero-based budgeting. Not making the ask of top donors. Resources: ...

https://youtu.be/uIKhWQ-ouNY The multisite church movement continues to grow. Today, more small churches start new sites than larger churches. Thom Rainer talks with Jess Rainer about the very practical steps of starting a new site. Jess has started three churches himself. Resources: * Upward Sports * California Baptist University * “How to Launch a New Church Site: Ten Questions Every Leader (and Church Member) Must Answer” by Jess Rainer (affiliate link) *...

https://youtu.be/hwVTI0-07Uw White evangelicals are among the largest voting groups in America. They tend to vote Republican. Has this tendency always been the case? And what about white evangelical Democrats? Ryan Burge joins Thom and Sam on an election season special to discuss evangelical voting trends. Before 1970, white evangelical Democrats outnumbered white evangelical Republicans. Since 1970, the number of white evangelical Democrats has shrunk dramatically, while the...

https://youtu.be/mB6xqiTNWZ0 Thom Rainer and Art Rainer share a “secret” that very few church leaders know. Acting upon this information, the church is almost certain to increase its giving by 20% more. Resources: * California Baptist University * Upward Sports * Christian Financial Health * Christian Financial Health Report 2024 * My Church Staff: Interested in the Stewardship Pastor? Email [email protected] * Christian Money Solutions ...

https://youtu.be/cIsFXWDuuCs Most pastors and other ministers understand the tax benefits of housing and the ability to take certain deductions, but many are unaware of these three tax benefits. Thom examines all three. Getting RMD tax-free. The power of deductions on Schedule C. Certain educational expenses. Resources: * Upward Sports * California Baptist University * “Housing Allowance for Ministers: Made Easy” by Art Rainer (affiliate...

https://youtu.be/2kvtRyUIqrY Ryan Burge and others offer fascinating research about the growth of non-denominational churches, especially compared to denominational churches. Sam and special guest Matt McCraw look at five of the implications of this movement. * The challenge is still conversion growth. * Denominational churches have been abandoned for a variety of reasons. * Networks and neo-denominations are forming. * Theological distinctives could be challenged. *...

https://youtu.be/kl3ySGhA3F8 In this NOW series, we delve into three different ways churches can raise money effectively through unique revenue streams. For each of the streams, Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services answers three questions: What is it? How is it used in the church? How are the funds typically raised? Resources: Church Growth Services Get your FREE eBook, 5 Generosity Megatrends Grow Generosity Academy - Use code...

https://youtu.be/0fDNEL9yIt4 In this NOW series, we delve into three different ways churches can raise money effectively through unique revenue streams. For each of the streams, Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services answers three questions: What is it? How is it used in the church? How are the funds typically raised? Resources: Church Growth Services Get your FREE eBook, Deferred Maintenance * Episode #1: 4 Ways to Increase Giving...

https://youtu.be/ZGF2uUVwGfU In this NOW series, we delve into three different ways churches can raise money effectively through unique revenue streams. For each of the streams, Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services answers three questions: What is it? How is it used in the church? How are the funds typically raised? Resources: Church Growth Services Get your FREE eBook, 5 Generosity Megatrends * Grow Generosity Academy - Use code...

https://youtu.be/XkUhahLIyA0 Sam is delighted to welcome Amanda Jass to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. Amanda is the general editor of the Go Bible with Tyndale Kids. She loves helping families bring fun and faith into the everyday through her work as a children’s writer, editor, and illustrator. She worked as a kids ministry curriculum developer for several years, and she continues to grow in her passion for teaching kids all about God’s love. Here are some questions they will...

https://youtu.be/5vXI6OUA3UA Shepherding a church is a difficult assignment. The spiritual attacks are real, and growing a church is far more challenging now than in the past. However, there are some great benefits of being in ministry. Thom and Sam share five perks that most pastors enjoy. * Flexible hours * Creative freedom * Mission trips * Housing allowance (and other tax benefits) * Eternal significance Bonus thought: Family involvement is great in...

https://youtu.be/88mgDyit0X4 How bad is the job dissatisfaction level of pastors? More than half of pastors have considered leaving their jobs. What are the leading causes? Stress, isolation, and political division top the list. However, 71% of pastors moderately or completely agree that their lives are close to ideal. What's going on here? Ryan Burge joins Thom and Sam to discuss the true misery level of pastors. Compared with other professions, clergy have some of the highest...

https://youtu.be/z7tW4NLJ7S4 Though counterintuitive, some declining churches start to appreciate their pastors more. This dynamic is usually unhealthy, but not always. Thom and Sam discuss what they see in these situations. What was once unheard of has not become more common. In certain situations, churches must shrink before they become healthier and grow. In these cases, the church is supporting a pastor through a difficult transition season. In other situations, declining...

https://youtu.be/XELSaNZDGGk The annual cost of family health insurance coverage at work is now around $24,000, up about 7% this year. While there are some ways to mitigate these expenses, healthcare costs are up much relative to other goods and services. Since 2000, the cost of medical care has surged by 119%. In comparison, the prices for all consumer goods and services have increased by 85% over the same timeframe. How should churches support pastors with healthcare costs? ...

https://youtu.be/NH6BBc---CU Motivation is what prompts someone to act or behave in a certain way. A church must have the right motivation to do outreach. On this week's episode, Thom and Sam talk about the outreach motivators that have staying power in churches. Guilt is a terrible motivator and only works in the short term. An outreach culture is contagious. Systems help sustain culture. The inspiration of one person can motivate several others. Stories convict people...

https://youtu.be/-oeOYpOiAiU Don't finish summer without a plan to engage your church and community with a big fall programming launch. Thom and Sam discuss some ways to lift fall attendance in your church through simple communication channels. Any size church can have a great start to the fall season! Play into the natural cultural rhythms of the back-to-school emphasis. Align all ministries for a specific invite launch day on Wednesday and Sunday. Provide extra...