Sam Rainer

Latest

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  Jun 11, 2023

  The disappearance of the 30-something and 40-something pastor (here’s why)

  A typical pastor today is approaching retirement age. Frankly, there are not enough younger pastors to replace a large group of retiring Baby Boomer pastors.

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  Jun 4, 2023

  The gritty work of church revitalization

  Ministry isn’t glamorous. And the moment that ministry does become glamorous, you become an anti-minister.

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  May 28, 2023

  4 ways to shift church culture from apathy to expectation of growth

  An apathetic church lacks enthusiasm for Great Commission work. Can you muster through apathy and be obedient to God’s commands?

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  May 21, 2023

  The best metric to determine evangelistic health in your church

  I fear too many churches are sitting still and becoming apathetic with evangelism. Unfortunately, this apathy means fewer people are hearing the Gospel. It’s time to move outward again.

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  May 7, 2023

  Shifting your church out of survival mode and into hopeful optimism

  If God can save any person, then He can also save any church. It’s time for churches to be optimistic.

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  Apr 24, 2023

  Why work from home won’t work for the Church

  Long gone are the days of required office hours from 9 to 5 on Mondays through Fridays. Good riddance. Pastors don’t need to sit at desks for hours each day.

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  Apr 23, 2023

  Is Gen Z more likely to attend church than millennials? The surprising answer

  Are the trends reversing? Could younger people return to church in greater numbers?

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  Apr 2, 2023

  How sensible pastors react to harsh public criticism

  Public criticism is an inevitable part of pastoral ministry. It will happen but hopefully not often. You are especially vulnerable when the complaints are overly harsh and out in the open. Sensible shepherds will respond in a way that benefits the Church, even if it hurts personally.

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  Mar 14, 2023

  When I held 4-year-old whose mom died of fentanyl, cocaine overdose

  The turning point for me occurred at a funeral. I was holding a four-year-old child I did not know. His mother had passed away after overdosing on a dangerous mix of fentanyl and cocaine. The family contacted our church and asked for a pastor to officiate the funeral. I’ll never forget the young boy’s words.

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  Mar 13, 2023

  Leading a church when the wrong people hold power

  There are churches with misaligned power structures in desperate need of good pastors. What if you end up in such a situation? Leading without power requires informal authority.