Thom S. Rainer

I can only imagine how we would have responded in 2019 if someone had told us we needed to be prepared not to gather for in-person worship services for several months in 2020. Indeed, if we had been given a glimpse of this crazy year ahead of time, we would have thought the world had …

7 Sentences You Never Expected to Hear in Churches in 2020 Read More »

As congregations return methodically to in-person services, something else will be taking place. It will be obvious to some churches; it will be more subtle to others. Simply stated, churches will have an incredible window of opportunity to make substantive and positive changes. We have been watching closely the responses of congregations and their leaders …

5 Reasons Churches Have an Incredible Window of Opportunity Read More »

I know there are legitimate reasons for leaving a church (for example, the message is unbiblical, you’ve moved to another city, and so on), but too many people leave a church for the wrong reasons. Realizing that there are always exceptions to any of the reasons listed below, I’ve compiled 11 “weak” reasons to leave: …

11 Weak Reasons to Leave a Church Read More »

Perhaps the most common question I get in church revitalization goes something like this inquiry: “What do I do to get people in the community to come to our church when our members don’t live in or near the community?” My response is usually not well received. Simply stated, you can’t expect the community to …

How Your Church Can Better Reach Your Local Community Read More »

A few years ago, I wrote a book about churches that have died, Autopsy of a Deceased Church. The methodology was simple but revealing. I interviewed several church members representing several different churches that had died. One of the surprising issues consistent in all the interviews was the contentious issue of memorials and plaques in …

7 Warnings if Your Church Has Memorials Read More »

“Tipping Point (noun): the critical point in a situation, process or system beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place.” If current trajectories continue, American churches will pass a tipping point. Our congregations will begin a likely unstoppable path toward decline that will rival many European churches of the past century. …

Why America’s Churches Are at a Dangerous Tipping Point Read More »

I love the fact that the community of this blog is growing with pastors, church staff and laity. The latter category, laity or church members, has been very receptive to many of my posts and suggestions. A church member from Virginia recently told me at a conference where I was speaking, “I read your posts …

Have You Made Any of These 7 Cringe-Worthy Statements to Your Pastor? Read More »

Some call it the digital church. Others call it the internet church. In either case, it refers to people joining worship services, and even groups, virtually or digitally. They are not physically present. I am watching this trend closely via hundreds of churches, and I am seeing more and more chatter and a lot more …

Is the Digital Church Really the Church? Read More »

I received my first AARP material in the mail six years ago. I turned 61 years old two days ago. One of my sons says I am fossilized. I am a senior adult. Have I noticed any differences in my life at this age? Certainly. I move more slowly. My idea of a mini-marathon is …

5 Attitudes Senior Church Members Need to Avoid Read More »