By Thom S. Rainer
“It will be big, really big.”
My team at Church Answers has heard that line from me many times. Sometimes they hold their collective breaths. Sometimes they cringe. And sometimes they have big expectations.
This time we all have big expectations.
Later this week, ThomRainer.com will disappear. ChurchAnswers.com will become the one-stop site for all things practical church ministry. Let me elaborate.
Hello ChurchAnswers.com
We have little doubt this new site will be an incredible place for church leaders and members to find a wealth of information and resources related to practical church ministry. If you looked today, ChurchAnswers.com is simply our coaching site. But if you check out the site at the end of this week, it will be more – a whole lot more!
ChurchAnswers.com will include FREE daily content by some incredible writers and thinkers. Sam Rainer, Chuck Lawless, and I will continue to post our articles there, but you will see a lot of new names as well.
We will have three free podcasts at this site: Rainer on Leadership, Revitalize and Replant, and EST. These three podcasts address topics related to leadership for practical church ministry.
We will have all of our training and certification at ChurchAnswers.com, as well as the great resources many of you are using for your church . . . with many more to come.
Of course, the Church Answers community will be there, including Church Answers Central, the largest ongoing gathering of ministry leaders in the world. We will also be expanding our coaching and consulting at ChurchAnswers.com
Whew. There will be more to come.
Goodbye ThomRainer.com
So, why am I saying goodbye to ThomRainer.com? To begin, having two major sites is confusing and messy. We are combining the two and adding much more. If you happen to type “ThomRainer.com” in your browser later this week, you will be sent to ChurchAnswers.com.
Further, my old platform ministry has grown well past me. While I am still leading the efforts and contributing each week, you will see new faces and hear new voices. This resource is not all about one person; it is about many voices speaking into the most pertinent and powerful issues in local church ministry.
I admit it is bittersweet to see my name and my brand become subsumed by another name. But it’s the right thing to do. It is the best thing to do for local churches. It is the best thing to do for the Kingdom.
The Mystery of the Major Ministry Partner
I am having trouble keeping this part of our future confidential, but I must . . . for now. On August 1, 2020, Church Answers will join forces with one of the best ministries in the world. I wish I could say more, but I can’t.
This new ministry partnership will allow us to provide resources, content, and ministry beyond anything I could have dreamed just a few months earlier. It is one of those ministry marriages that makes perfect sense.
For now, the ministry partner remains a mystery. But stay tuned. You will likely be blown away.
The Best Is Yet to Come
As we prepare for these changes, we are not forgetting those we serve. In Christ’s power, our mission is to serve local churches and her leaders and members. We will not lose that focus. To the contrary, that focus is sharper than ever. My team and I are honored to serve you.
Thank you, all of you, for being a faithful reader of our content, listener of our podcasts, user of our resources, or vital part of our Church Answers’ community. You are why we do what we do. And it is our prayer that these major changes will help us to serve you better than ever.
Stay tuned for the release of the new ChurchAnswers.com later this week.
The best is yet to come.
Of that, I have no doubt.
Will access to all these articles and podcasts require payment of an annual subscription? Or will they be free? If access to them requires payment of a annual subscription is at what may be the front end of the COVID-19 pandemic which is negatively impacting churches across not only North America but also the world the right time to be expanding ChurchAnswers.com, taking advantage of church leaders’ need for information at a time when many are dealing with high rates of unemployment in their congregations, reduced giving, and budget cuts.
It will still be free. Thanks for being a part of our community.
Thom, that’s gratify to know. Your blog has been a blessing and I will miss it.
Robin –
I will still offer the same content at ChurchAnswers.com
Makes sense for the future, Dr. Rainer. Keep up this much needed, crucial work. Appreciate the impact you have had on my life and ministry. I look froward to the new directions in your ministry.
Thank you, Greg!
Well done. Great idea! Thanks for all the resources.
Thank you so much, David.
I started using Church Answers when I enrolled in the CCC (Certified Church Consultant) certification program, and as a result that has become my “go to” source for answers to church/ministry questions. I applaud this move.
Great to have you with us, David!
Looking forward to the continuing resources, articles, podcasts, etc.. this ministry is such a blessing.
I am grateful to have you with us, Billy.
Dear Thom S. Rainer:
I am happy to be a part of your learning community. Thank you and your team for all you do. God’s grace be with you, your team and your families as you move into this new partnerships of service to the church. Church Answers what a great community. I have wanted to become a member however finances have been my stumbling block. Blessings in your work and ministry, in the Name of Jesus Amen.
Diane –
Over 90% of the resources will be free!
Congratulations, Dr. Rainer! The Lord continues to bless you and to bless others through you. Thank you!
You who are part of this community are a blessing to me, Scotty.
So will we just be moved over to the new site for our daily email, or do we need to subscribe again? Enjoy the thought provoking daily emails. Thanks!!
Your daily email address will be moved automatically, Ken. Thanks for being a part of this community.
Thom,
Thanks for letting us know of the change. Going to miss that familiar name in my inbox. It was one I always read. I will still read everything you put out because of the quality.
I will be praying this transition is a smooth one for every one involved.
You r friend in Florida
Craig Culbreth
Enjoy everything you’ve put out on information that helps the Church be the Church, and Gods people to be used to being Gods people. I first became associated with Church Answers when I committed to posting your encouragement to churches to Evangelize !
We put up a chart in our foyer of 25 people that would commit to Witness to someone at least once a month by “Intentional Evangelism”. This encouraged our people to put a check mark by their name for that month because they did witness to someone somewhere. What a motivation brother. I’m sure it encouraged them to witness to just more than one person a month making them excited to put the check mark by their name for that month. We went for one year which I felt like benefited the people and the church more than any of us knew. Then our church council used your information on your videos monthly for “How to Grow Your Church” on the do and don’ts. from the greeting to methods of welcoming them to keep them. Thanks, and look forward to what is next !
Thank you!