Podcast Episode #032
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Churches are not as healthy as they once were. American churches, by and large, are in trouble. Only about 10% of churches are growing faster than the community in which they are located. Churches are becoming more comfortable, more complacent, more inwardly-focused and more conflict-focused. There are two large approaches to address these issues. One is a renewed emphasis on what it truly means to be a church member. The other is to move beyond focusing on just the church toward a more outward focus.
Yet I remain encouraged for the simple reason that we are beginning to ask the question “why.” Once we begin to ask that question, we can begin to discern what some of the things are that we need to do differently. Turnaround is not easy. Problems typically did not occur overnight, and they can’t be fixed overnight. But through God’s power, it is possible.
We cover all of that and more on this episode of Rainer on Leadership. Also, while we don’t mention it specifically in the podcast, Autopsy of a Deceased Church is now available for pre-order.
Episode Sponsor
This week’s podcast is brought to you by Ministry Grid, a leadership training platform which just launched on 11/12/13. Ministry Grid features more than 1,500 videos, including 200 free videos, and is fully customizable to the needs of your church with the option for you to add content, create tracks for different ministries, and track the progress of participants. Ministry Grid offers training for all areas of ministry from the parking lot to the pulpit. It’s training made simple. For more information and to check out dozens of free videos or to visit the blog, go to 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
- Five Questions to Ask to See If Your Church Is Dying
- Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Thom S. Rainer
- I Am a Church Member by Thom S. Rainer
The declining membership is probably a direct reflection of the declining moral values and character of our national and local leadership figures. They continue to promote an entitlement society, and ethics are out the window.