https://youtu.be/OTcIKyOPfuc A time existed when both Thom and Sam wondered if the mid-size church would dwindle as people transferred into megachurches and planted new churches. Today, mid-size churches have distinct advantages. The co-hosts cover several reasons why mid-size churches have new opportunities to thrive. The megachurch movement is waning with the aging of the Baby Boomer generation. Smaller churches will always have an appeal and a place in God's kingdom. ...

https://youtu.be/8tGfeL89C9k Thom and Sam welcome Marc Estes, co-founder of VisitorReach. Marc has a passion for equipping leaders, strengthening churches, and empowering outreach through kingdom innovation. They talk about new trends and opportunities to get people to visit churches in a post-pandemic world. Receptivity to the church since the pandemic. Reluctancy for people to visit an in-person church service? One of the most effective places for churches reaching...

https://youtu.be/G4TY1mcLBh0 Presidential election years can be especially contentious, and this year will be no exception. Thom and Sam discuss how church leaders can manage the tension in ways that are helpful to the church body. Four prevailing views of politics and the church: Churches should embrace politics. Churches should use politics. Churches should avoid politics. Churches should condemn politics. You likely have a wide spectrum of views in your...

https://youtu.be/ahajr1DNchc More churches are stunned when confronted with a major facility cost. They did not take care of the need, and they set aside funds for the need. Thom discusses this issue with Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group. They are “The Church Facility Experts.” When the roof comes down. HVAC is more than an acronym. Drainage and water issues are foundational problems. Plumbing and electrical systems: a shocking problem. ...

https://youtu.be/0QFhhBQzhv8 Many church leaders do not think much about the safety of their church facilities. Safety issues are essential to protecting those who come to our churches. Thom discusses this issue with Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” Overall strategic safety concerns. Safety for children. Accessibility concerns. Asbestos and lead paint concerns. Mold growth concerns. Fire safety...

https://youtu.be/fOHlVt9fD1w Hundreds, if not thousands, of cars pass your church every day. What is their first impression of your facilities when they see them only from the outside? Thom discusses this issue with Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” Facility first impressions are more important than you think. What does the signage say to passersby? What does the exterior appearance say? What does your...

https://youtu.be/kBjDBo-FsTM In this week's episode, Sam asks Thom about some of the biggest shifts in the American church in the last thirty years. They discuss what has changed and why the shifts occurred. Some things changed for the better, and others changed for the worse. Cultural Christianity died. Transfer growth increased rapidly. Evangelism programs disappeared. Modern worship became predominant. Megachurches peaked and declined. Multisite churches...

https://youtu.be/oyINqkSBOFE How many people are really leaving their childhood faith? Ryan Burge joins Thom and Sam on this special episode to unpack important data for churches. Retention rates are a good indicator of how well a church disciples people. Keeping people is a major part of church health. The hosts discuss the data concerning national trends with church retention. A retention rate is the percentage of people who were raised in a certain faith tradition that still...

https://youtu.be/ZBhSPkhfOas Even with the best of motives, we all make decisions we later realize are not God's will. What should a pastor do when facing this dilemma? Thom and Sam discuss some strategies for unwinding bad decisions. They offer some helpful tips on the best approaches to guide a church back to the starting line. * No leader gets every decision right. Give yourself some grace. * A one-off bad decision does not mean you are a bad pastor. * The will of God...

https://youtu.be/toZq4sKfn4w Long tenure is usually better for churches and their pastors. But there are occasions when you know it's time to make a transition. For example, many pastors are ready for something new when the nest is empty. Thom and Sam discuss what you can do when you are certain about a transition. The average age of a pastor is almost 60, so more transitions are coming, not less. With the shortage of pastors, churches will need to consider internal...

https://youtu.be/vLR4OR7wLPQ The fastest-growing churches are often located in prime areas for growth. In a recent Church Answers Research article, Ryan Burge took a deep dive into how churches located in growing communities generally find it easier to add new members. Thom and Sam discuss the implications of these findings. Here’s the formula for finding a county likely to support a fast-growing church: Population Growth: Look for a county with at least 10% population growth...

https://youtu.be/Omm_FpZgytQ Based on a recent article Thom wrote, Sam and Thom dig deeper into the issue of church members' ages. Their thoughts might surprise you. The age of your church members is a significant first impression issue to guests. Understand the importance of the age of attendees more than the age of members. Why is the “median” a vital gauge? You must know your community's demographics (Know Your Community). Are there guidelines or metrics to follow...

https://youtu.be/ZfLUp6mgi10 Church Answers does two major types of evaluation of music in church worship services. The first approach uses a secret guest to get their first impressions. In the second approach, Church Answers uses a trained and highly competent church musician to evaluate the music from both a philosophical and technical aspect. Sam and Thom look at five common issues in these technical evaluations. The service has no clear purpose or vision ("We need a...

https://youtu.be/41k-7fpRFb0 There are between 350,000 and 400,000 churches in the United States. Is there really a church on every street corner? Ryan Burge joins Thom and Sam on this special episode to discuss the optimal number of churches in a community. The answer will likely surprise you. “Churches Near Me” is the new way people find you. Few people pay attention to your sign anymore. You are invisible to your community without an outward focus. ...

https://youtu.be/2fyq2UV2WK8 Proverbs 22:1 makes clear, "Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold." (NLT) How can a church recover after a scandal? What are some ways a congregation can begin to rebuild a reputation? Thom and Sam discuss some steps forward for these churches. If the scandal is rooted in sin, the church must publicly repent as a first step. If the scandal is derived from a stance on...

https://youtu.be/JQuoh_gle1k There are good examples of growing churches reaching young families. What are they doing differently than others? Thom and Sam answer this question. There is more to this issue than being a large church in a growing suburb. Churches reaching young families come in a variety of sizes and locations. The demographic reality of an aging population in the United States. Millennials (and soon Gen Z) are starting families at an older age...

https://youtu.be/flFFzgwYsus One of the signs of a healthy church is people asking tough questions. These questions may be theological, or they may involve life issues. When people are comfortable asking about difficult subjects, it shows trust in leadership. Thom and Sam discuss the importance of having a church culture that encourages asking hard questions. People don't ask tough questions when they don't trust you. People don't ask tough questions when they...

https://youtu.be/590nmINYH78 Thom and Sam are delighted to welcome Brady Shearer to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. Brady is the CEO of Pro Church Tools. His work helps churches navigate what he calls "the single biggest communication shift we've seen in the last 500 years." Here are some questions they will discuss: Why is Gen Z really different from previous generations? Can smaller churches be a positive development? What has taken place to...

https://youtu.be/2Oi5sB3jvAo The Southern Baptist Convention is experiencing a decline in the scope and scale that is unprecedented in American church history. As the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., the declines in the SBC are noteworthy for many reasons. Ryan Burge joins Thom and Sam on this special episode to discuss what's happening and what the future may hold for the SBC. Membership peaked in 2006 at over 16 million, but today membership is around 13 million,...

https://youtu.be/I5sqtgPQiJY It is fascinating to engage church leaders and members about their understanding of discipleship. Frankly, it means different things to different people. Sam and Thom discuss the importance of getting clarity about discipleship in a local church. Why it is important to define (or at least clarify) the term Personal discipleship and corporate discipleship Programs and discipleship Can you measure...

https://youtu.be/Pz_ZE5cxkQc Thom welcomes Dr. Naomi Cramer Overton, "Every Woman’s Bible" General Editor and CEO of Stonecroft, and Misty Arterburn, Associate Editor for the "Every Woman’s Bible." The Every Woman’s Bible by Tyndale House Publishers is a study Bible for the heart and mind. The relevant and timely features in this Bible focus on what hundreds of women say they desire from a Bible. Over one hundred scholars, writers, and contributors—all women—from around the world invite...

As the median size of a church gets smaller, more are in the predicament of being supported by a handful of key donors. Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services joins Thom and Sam to discuss what these churches can do. Not every case is dire, but the long-term viability of a congregation is at stake when one or two key donors are responsible for most of the budget. The median church size is around 40 to 60 people, so many churches are supported by one or two key donors. ...

Most gifts to churches are given without designating how the funds should be spent. However, there are cases when donors restrict their donations or give to a designated account. While every donation helps kingdom work, designated gifts can be tricky. Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services joins Thom and Sam, and they discuss some of the nuances around restricted giving. Designated gifts are restricted to a particular project or budget line item. They are a...

Talking to key givers in the church does not have to be awkward. Mike Stadelmayer of Church Growth Services joins Thom and Sam to discuss how pastors can make the ask without feeling icky. They discuss some best practices that any pastor can follow. Understand the history and culture of your church. Do not violate any written policies or unwritten rules. If you are comfortable in the conversation, most others will be as well. Watch...

https://youtu.be/3NDB60O3KhM There have been steady but subtle shifts in how churches hire staff and call ministers for years. Many of those shifts have accelerated since COVID. Sam and Thom look at four of the most significant shifts. The surprising number of pastors who were formerly laypersons in their churches. The acceleration of the part-time movement. The surprising number of unpaid lead pastors. The return of the circuit...