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September 25, 2018 4 Comments

A Look Back at My Time at LifeWay – Rainer on Leadership #470

Podcast Episode #470

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With my upcoming retirement from LifeWay, we take time to look back on my 13 years as president. We discuss the challenges, the wins, the fun times, and the walk on the beach that changed the course of LifeWay forever.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • Even though I became president of LifeWay in 2005, because of the Great Recession, it didn’t feel like I got started until 2010.
  • The turnaround of ongoing curriculum at LifeWay was the biggest business win of my tenure. From a ministry standpoint, the biggest win was the release of the Christian Standard Bible.
  • I wouldn’t trade the employees of LifeWay for any other group of employees. They are the best.
  • If you get the best people around you, change will take place.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast

  • SBC This Week
  • 12 Milestone Resources From Thom Rainer’s Tenure at LifeWay

Episode Sponsors

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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 copy of Becoming a Welcoming Church.

Related

Comments

  1. J. Barnes says

    September 25, 2018 at 7:45 am

    Hey Dr. Rainer,
    Wait a minute, I thought I had the best group of employees working for me!!! Truth is you’re applying a principle that I learned years ago from my old platoon sergeant. He would remind us that if you wanted the best out of your soldiers, treat them like they are. Expect greatness from them, remind them they are the best and they’ll step up every time.
    The Lord used you mightily to help pastors and churches world wide. If I read you right, you’re only comment is…”to God be the glory!” and I say AMEN!

    Reply
    • Thom Rainer says

      September 25, 2018 at 7:47 am

      Thank you. You are exactly right. To God be the glory!

      Reply
  2. Bob Cleveland says

    September 25, 2018 at 8:08 am

    The excellence of your leadership at Lifeway has been both excellent and evident. Well done, sir, and thank you!

    You may get little glimpses of that success while here on earth, but I’m afraid it’ll take a one-way trip to Heaven to see the full range of good you’ve done. But I guess that’s true of all of us…

    Reply
    • Thom Rainer says

      September 25, 2018 at 8:11 am

      And for you as well, Bob. Thank you, my friend.

      Reply

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