PODCAST

Rainer on Leadership

Thom Rainer

Your online home for leadership lessons for both the church and the workplace.

religion & spirituality christianity

All Episodes

22:47

After 25 Years of Consistent Recreation Ministry,...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/04/13

Churches rarely maintain success in a single ministry for 25 years, but one church has figured it out. In this episode, Sam sits down with Upward Sports Ambassador Donnie Sisk from First Baptist Church Pelham in Pelham, Alabama. For more than 25 years, Donnie has used sports ministry—especially basketball—to connect with families and share the gospel. His church now hosts a thriving league with over 170 players, creating a strong bridge to the community. Recently, Donnie added pickleball,

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26:01

What We’re Doing as Pastors to Keep Our Marriages...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/04/09

Josh and Sam have a personal conversation about the ways they are intentionally working to keep their marriages healthy.The post What We’re Doing as Pastors to Keep Our Marriages Healthy appeared first on Church Answers.

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25:07

Six Reasons Pastors Must Be More Courageous Today

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/04/06

Though there have certainly been more difficult times in the course of church history for pastors, leading a church today is much tougher than it was 20 and 30 years ago. There have been some demographic and cultural shifts that reflect this reality. But some of the challenges can only be understood in the context of spiritual warfare. On this episode, Thom and Sam discuss six reasons why pastors must be more courageous today. The post Six Reasons Pastors Must Be More Courageous Today appeared first

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24:42

The Top Ways to Annoy Your Pastor

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/04/02

In this tongue-in-cheek episode, Josh and Sam discuss their top annoyances as pastors. Everyone has their pet peeves, and the co-hosts share theirs.The post The Top Ways to Annoy Your Pastor appeared first on Church Answers.

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27:59

The Burge Report: The Latest Data on Transgender...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/03/30

In this episode, Ryan Burge and Sam examine newly released national survey data that reveal a significant shift in how young adults understand and report gender identity. Drawing on high-quality data from the Cooperative Election Study, the research shows a clear and statistically meaningful decline in the share of 18–22-year-olds identifying as transgender since 2020, with similar downward trends appearing across older age cohorts as well. The post The Burge Report: The Latest Data on Transgender

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22:54

Tithing Or Not: Should Lead Pastors Know What Church...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/03/26

Lead pastors often provide management oversight of staff. But should they know what church staff give to the church? Josh and Sam break down the arguments on both sides, examine potential safeguards, and discuss how church culture and pastoral character shape the best approach.The post Tithing Or Not: Should Lead Pastors Know What Church Staff Give? appeared first on Church Answers.

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23:38

What Growing Churches Actually Do to Reach and Keep...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/03/23

How does a church grow without relying on people transferring from other congregations? Thom and Sam take a dive into this topic.The post What Growing Churches Actually Do to Reach and Keep People appeared first on Church Answers.

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21:34

Churches Are Targets for Predators (Here’s Why)

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/03/19

One of the biggest mistakes church leaders can make is assuming that abuse won’t happen in their churches. The belief that “it can’t happen here” is dangerously naïve. Any organization that works with children and other vulnerable individuals can be a target for predators. Satan specifically aims to attack churches and seeks to harm children and vulnerable people. Josh and Sam discuss this very important topic of safety.The post Churches Are Targets for Predators (Here’s Why) appeared first

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23:36

Marriage Discipleship Is the Missing Piece in Family...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/03/16

If your church cares about reaching the next generation, there’s an upstream strategy that strengthens every part of ministry: investing in marriages. Children’s and youth ministries matter deeply, but without discipling the parents who shape the spiritual culture of the home, churches often work harder than they need to. When marriages grow in grace, stability fills the home, volunteers serve with joy, teens show up more open, and the entire church experiences deeper unity. Brad Rhoads of Grace

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20:12

Why Churches Are MUCH Older Now…

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/03/12

Are aging churches a real problem? The US population has a median age of 39 years old. Most denominations have a median age of congregants close to 60 years old. Josh and Sam discuss why churches are a generation older than their surrounding communities. What are the implications of the aging trend in churches? The post Why Churches Are MUCH Older Now… appeared first on Church Answers.

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23:02

Why Guests Don’t Come Back to Church After a Big...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/03/09

Big events can be a way for churches to reach people, but they often fail to draw people back once the event is done. Thom and Sam unpack what it actually takes to turn community events into gospel opportunities. The post Why Guests Don’t Come Back to Church After a Big Ministry Event appeared first on Church Answers.

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26:10

America’s Gambling Problem and the Church

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/03/05

Josh and Sam talk about the rising tide of gambling addiction in the U.S., fueled by the explosion of online betting and sports wagering. With millions of adults and youth affected, and billions lost in social and personal costs, the issue is quickly becoming a pastoral and congregational challenge. This episode highlights the scope of the crisis, why it’s escalating, and how the church can respond with clarity, compassion, and practical care. The post America’s Gambling Problem and the Church

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25:05

Why Small Churches Matter More Than Ever

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/03/02

While big cities often dominate attention and resources, it is the small towns and rural communities where congregations are disappearing fastest and where the church’s presence is most at risk. Thom and Sam explore why revitalizing and supporting small churches is essential for the future of Christian witness and how these congregations uniquely embody relational, community-anchoring ministry that larger models simply cannot replicate.The post Why Small Churches Matter More Than Ever appeared

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26:29

When Church Members Become Online Trolls: What...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/02/26

Josh and Sam tackle a growing and uncomfortable reality for pastors: what to do when one of your own church members becomes an online troll. The cohosts explore how to discern genuine critics from disruptive trolls, protect your church’s unity and safety, and lead with grace even when someone is trying to provoke you publicly. The post When Church Members Become Online Trolls: What Pastors Should Do appeared first on Church Answers.

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25:17

The Burge Report: The Assemblies of God: Why This...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/02/23

Only one denomination in the United States has grown consistently. Drawing from nearly fifty years of data, Ryan Burge’s analysis shows a denomination that has not only maintained stability but also demonstrated resilience, growth, and demographic vitality. From membership and attendance trends to conversion inflows and racial diversity, the Assemblies of God presents a statistical profile that is almost entirely positive, even after the shock of COVID-19. While many traditions wrestle with

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22:57

How Long Should a Pastor Pray Each Day?

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/02/19

Is the strength of our prayer life really measured in minutes? And what if shorter, consistent rhythms of prayer throughout the day lead to a more sustainable, joyful connection with God? In this episode, Josh and Sam explore how pastors and church leaders can cultivate a meaningful prayer life without tying their spiritual health to a stopwatch.The post How Long Should a Pastor Pray Each Day? appeared first on Church Answers.

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24:33

Before You Enroll: What You Need to Know About Seminary

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/02/16

Thom and Sam interview Dr. Andy Miller, the president of Wesley Biblical Seminary, to explore what every potential seminary student needs to consider before enrolling. While seminary can provide clarity and theological depth, it is not a magic formula for ministry success. This discussion breaks down the practical steps every prospective student should consider. The post Before You Enroll: What You Need to Know About Seminary appeared first on Church Answers.

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25:55

Should the Pastor Know How Much People Give to the...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/02/12

Most nonprofit organizations have clear visibility into donor activity: who gives, how often, and how much. But churches often treat data on giving very differently. Should pastors know who is giving in their churches? Josh and Sam take a fresh look at this sensitive and often misunderstood topic. The post Should the Pastor Know How Much People Give to the Church? appeared first on Church Answers.

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21:54

The Silent Exodus of Senior Adults (What’s Happening...

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/02/09

In this episode, Thom and Sam shine a light on a trend few church leaders see: the silent exodus of senior adults. While much attention is given to reaching Millennials and Gen Z, an equally significant group is slowly drifting away: older adults who once formed the backbone of many congregations. Their departure isn’t loud or dramatic. It’s subtle: an empty pew, a missing volunteer, a longtime member who quietly stops attending.The post The Silent Exodus of Senior Adults (What’s Happening in

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22:10

Should Churches Acknowledge Super Bowl Sunday?

Rainer on Leadership ·

2026/02/05

Josh and Sam discuss the best way to handle Super Bowl Sunday. Should churches say anything about it? Play into the day with gimmicks to increase attendance? What's the best approach?The post Should Churches Acknowledge Super Bowl Sunday? appeared first on Church Answers.

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Rainer on Leadership

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