Podcast Episode #016
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My oldest son, Sam, joins us for this week’s podcast. In the show, we discussed the importance of mentoring younger leaders and raising up the next generation of pastors as well as pastoring established churches. Sam’s journey is one that is different than the majority of younger pastors in that he has spent most of his time at established churches and has only been on church staffs as a pastor. Sam also shares his paradigm for ministry: serve first and lead second.
Episode Sponsor
This week’s podcast is brought to you by Essential Church, a book based on a study of one-thousand so-called “church dropouts” who were interviewed about why they left. Their answers are quite surprising, having less to do with “losing their religion” and more about the desire for a community that isn’t made stale by simply maintaining the status quo.
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
- Essential Church by Sam Rainer and Thom Rainer
Dr. Rainer and Pastor Rainer:
First off, being a TTU grad and someone who attended Stevens Street during most of my time there (many, many years ago), I am thankful to God for Sam’s ministry there. While there, the church was very welcoming to the college students, but it didn’t seem like the majority wanted to engage in the discipleship and training of the students. This in turn made it easy for me and others to slip in and out unnoticed (much to my regret now). I am thankful for a more directed effort by the team there to raise up young leaders and engage the community.
Another situation that comes to mind during this conversation: would you recommend young ministers serve in churches after a church split, which unfortunately is a harsh reality? For instance, if one of the churches from the split have many “seasoned” members but a new start, it’s not really established nor is it really a plant. The mindset of some of the members may be that of an established church, but in reality they need to think/take action in ministry like a plant or vice versa.
That situation adds a new tension to serving because of that “middle ground” mindset. However, I will say that Sam’s paradigm for ministry of serve first and lead second does fit in the above situation as well. Serving in the healing process after the split should be first and leading in the spiritual growth process needs to be a very close second. Many, many hazards exist though and timing is critical as well. Too long in healing and members become complacent in their service; too quick in acting like a church plant and you risk not having members truly dedicated to the Lord’s service due to the scars suffered.
In situations like that the church is not dead, but very unhealthy. Thoughts or other recommendations?
Thank you for your ministry to the church and more importantly for Jesus Christ.