Product Details
Acknowledge the challenges and find hope for the future in your Church and ministry.
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Guests: Dr. Thom Rainer, founder and CEO of Church Answers and Executive Director of Revitalize Network. Dr. Rainer has served the Church as a pastor, a consultant, and an author and through his administrative roles at Southern Seminary and LifeWay Christian Resources. He regularly provides resources and encouragement for thousands of Christ Followers.
Introduction: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath, acknowledge the challenges and the positives. Find hope for the future of the Church and your ministry.
Summary:
- Reality of worn-out pastors in 2020 and beyond:
- Making new large-scale decisions and its cumulative negative effect
- Dealing with church members “taking sides”
- Missing people—shepherding is a ministry of people!
- Declining attendance, which is disheartening
- Taking on new responsibilities
- Ideas for pastors to regain the hope that led them into the ministry and to refresh themselves:
- “Practice what you preach”—rest in the Lord, wake up in prayer, and be regularly in the Word.
- Remember what you enjoy. You cannot, should not do it all. Find things that energize you outside of the church!
- Avoid talk about priorities—it sets up divisions. Instead, think of family as part of your ministry—helps keep the balance.
- Changes that are likely here to stay on the “other side” of COVID-19:
- Smaller church membership
- Pastors and other staff likely co-vocational
- Less church construction
- Church leaders will be more focused and simpler—do what really matters—leading to greater health, greater growth.
- Finding hope amid change:
- Early church flourished despite adversities.
- New focus on the heart of Christ is emerging.
- New opportunities lie ahead.
- For those pastors ready to quit?
- Make certain of your call, seek wisdom of others, stay in the Word of God.
- Don’t define ministry as just a position; co-vocation has new options too.
- God still loves you, Pastor, despite your circumstances! Embrace what you tell your congregation.
- Pastors are not perfect and are going through difficult time. Pray for them! Encourage them!
Resources:
- Evangelism in the Early Church by Michael Green
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- The Post-Quarantine Church: Six Urgent Challenges and Opportunities That Will Determine the Future of Your Congregation by Dr. Thom Rainer
