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 cause such a dramatic shift in communications? Resources: Upward Sports “Every Woman’s Bible” (Discover This Bible) “Every Woman’s Bible” (Bulk Purchasing) Tynd ..read more

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, where it stood in 1978. The rate of membership decline has increased, especially in the last three years. The decline in attendance is equ ..read more

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 discipleship in your church? The false dichotomy of evangelism and discipleship Resources: “Every Woman’s Bible” (Discover This Bible) “Every Woman’s Bible” (Bulk Purchasing ..read more

https://youtu.be/Pz_ZE5cxkQc Thom welcomes Dr. Naomi Cramer Overton and Misty Arterburn. 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 readers into serious study and deep reflection through this Bible and to connection in the global community. Why do you see women as central to God’s mission? Why do you see the Every Woman’s Bible as a Bible for su ..read more

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. Financial risk increases as the number of donors decreases. Assume the best of these key donors, even if they have ..read more

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 blessing when people give above and beyond their undesignated tithe. Some churches strategically request designated gifts, lik ..read more

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 your non-verbal cues and be confident. Desperation only works once. Building relationships takes time, and you may not have the luxury of ..read more

Thom welcomes Scott Beck, co-founder and CEO of Gloo, a technology platform that releases the collective might of the faith ecosystem. After starting and scaling successful businesses including Blockbuster Video, Einstein’s Bagel, Boston Market, and Angie’s List (now Angi), Scott turned his expertise to helping ministry leaders scale their impact through tech. Gloo helps 60,000 church leaders in using tech to engage their people and reach local communities. What are some key traits you see in successful entrepreneurs? Which venture of yours required your greatest entrepreneurial energy and ..read more

America is not yet a godless nation, but we are becoming a less churched nation. While people say they believe in God, fewer are attending a house of worship. Ryan Burge joins the show with Thom and Sam to discuss the data driving these trends. But not all the trends are negative. In fact, one group is seeing more people attend church now than in the past: conservative evangelicals. The number of those who never attend church has doubled in the last 15 years, reaching 85 million. Almost every state in the U.S. has experienced a dip in overall church attendance, most between 5% and 10% decline ..read more

Does the doctrine of the church affect the potential for growth? It depends. Thom and Sam analyze historical macro trends in church growth. Growing churches tend to be more conservative, and liberal churches tend to decline. But doctrine alone is not the entire story. The co-hosts discuss recent church history, doctrine, and the growth of churches. There are always several factors at play in an individual congregation, but trends are evident across denominations and networks. Historically, conservative churches grew due to transfer growth and biological growth. More progressive and lib ..read more