Podcast Episode #006
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In last week’s podcast episode on An Autopsy of a Deceased Church, we examined what had led to the death of a church I had previously consulted. But the story doesn’t end there. Today we look at six steps to turning around a church that is either dying or not growing. Once again, three themes emerged:
- Leadership
- Humility/Selflessness
- Returning the Focus to God and the Community
Listener questions this week:
From Shawn – How do you lead congragents that have not been exposed to the leadership qualities that you have recommended? I know that it does not happen overnight; however, we are talking about a rethinking on everyone’s part.
From Michael – How do you lead a church to become healthy when they have been unhealthy for so many years.
Episode Sponsor
This week’s podcast is brought to you by Ministry Grid. At MinistryGrid.com you’ll find more than 1,000 video sessions on topics, ranging from parking ministry to polity, with more added continually. You can even upload your own content, turn off unwanted content, and put your church’s own logo and colors on the site. An intuitive Learning Management System makes assigning courses and tracking progress a snap. It’s training made simple. For more information and to get three months free, visit ministrygrid.com.
Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free autographed copy of I Am a Church Member.
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
- I Am a Church Member by Thom Rainer
- Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Thom Rainer
- MinistryGrid.com
- Breakout Churches by Thom Rainer
- Good to Great by Jim Collins
- Eating the Elephant: Leading the Established Church to Growth by Thom Rainer
Dr. Rainer:
Thank you so much for the podcasts. I found the topic of “storming your community with love” as a very interesting thought. Adopting a school, your example given, is a great one. Can you spend some time discussing this topic even more. My church has been praying for quite some time for God to give us some ministry ideas. Your thoughts, or the examples you bring forth, may ignite some thoughts for these opportunities.
Thank you and may Christ bless you richly.
Ralton –
Thank you for your kind words. I hope to do a blog post on this very topic in the next few weeks.
Dr. Rainer,
I just want to say thanks for the podcast, this one was my favorite so far, as I am pastoring one of these churches that needs a turn around.
God bless you.
Thanks Tom. I am praying now for that turnaround.
That’s the best start, Thom. I have concluded that the term “leadership” must include the denominational leadership, such as Bishop, District Superintendent, General Church and other leaders. I have turned around eight churches, and when I left, the UMC Cabinet had already decided to close the churches, so they sent in people whom they knew would close the churches. One church went from 13 to 500 attendance in 5 years, paid off the mortgage, and some other stuff. Then the Bishop tried to close it.