Sam Rainer
Sam Rainer is president of Church Answers and pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church in Florida.
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4 positive signs we're on the cusp of a church revitalization movement
I believe we are on the cusp of a church revitalization movement. The signs are there.
My church is making it through the pandemic. Is it OK for me to leave?
A great reshuffling is beginning to take place. Many pastors are considering leaving their positions or transitioning to a new ministry. It’s not surprising.
6 ways pastors can find the work-life balance sweet spot
The median amount of hours worked by a senior pastor is 55 hours per week. How can a pastor find the work-life balance sweet spot?
What changes with a move from a church of 50 to a church of 150
All churches have leadership challenges, regardless of size. One common pastoral transition is to move from a church of 50 congregants to a church of 150.
Creating an ongoing culture of generosity to missions in your church
Creating an ongoing culture of generosity for missions among the church body takes an entirely different approach.
Things believers do that make the unchurched bristle
Hypercritical legalism is a clear example of how to turn people off, but there are other, less blatant turn-offs as well.
Churches, you become what you celebrate. Here’s how
You become what you celebrate. Whatever a church celebrates regularly will inevitably become rooted in the culture of the congregation.
4 key safeguards to make sure your church’s finances stand up under scrutiny
Money is one of the most sensitive subjects in the church. It’s also one of the most visible.
An example of a covenant between pastor and church
Generally, a church covenant is a clearly stated way an individual member commits to the body and how the body, in turn, commits to the individual.
Most churches not ready to be ethnically diverse: What you can do to prepare your church
Growing ethnically comes more as a gnawing reminder that there is more to do.