Rainer on Leadership

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1000

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Aug 2026

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About the show

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

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60 recent

October 2, 2026Episode 107024 min

The Pastoral Burden of Never Having “Off Hours”

Josh and Sam discuss how to avoid the “always available” trap of shepherding a congregation. Unfortunately, many pastors, if not most, are never truly “off.”

October 1, 2026Episode 106931 min

Why Preachers Should Pick One Translation (And Which One Is Best)

Sam welcomes Dr. Nijay Gupta back to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. Nijay is a senior translator for the New Living Translation, a Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, and the author of several books, including "A Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies" and "Tell Her Story." Today they discuss why preachers should commit to one primary translation in the pulpit, and why the New Living Translation is the best choice.

September 29, 2026Episode 106820 min

Should Pastors Encourage Burial Over Cremation?

Historically, Christians have favored burial. That practice was not accidental. Burial reflects the biblical pattern of honoring the body, treating death with gravity, and looking forward to the resurrection. In Scripture, the body is not treated as disposable. At the same time, the Bible does not give a direct command that Christians must be buried or that cremation is sinful. Josh and Sam discuss this question on today's episode.

September 25, 2026Episode 106727 min

The Burge Report: Why Gen Z Might Be the Least Mobile Generation in American History

Americans are moving far less than they did in previous generations, and Gen Z may become the least mobile generation in American history. In the 1950s, about 20% of Americans moved each year. By 2019, that number had fallen to roughly 11%. Even more surprising, younger adults are more likely than older generations to say they have lived in the same local community their entire lives. Nearly half of those born in the early 2000s report never having moved from their local community. Ryan and Sam discuss how this trend also has implications for churches. People who stay rooted in one place appear somewhat more likely to remain connected to religious life than those who move away. Moving disrupts habits, relationships, and rhythms—including church attendance. For many dechurched people, the issue may not be a conscious rejection of faith, but the loss of a weekly rhythm after relocating.

September 22, 2026Episode 106625 min

How to Prevent Your Discipleship Model from Aging Out with the Older Generations

Many churches are beginning to recognize that their discipleship systems are no longer working as well as they once did. The problem is not necessarily neglect. In many cases, the problem is that the model was built for a different era—one marked by more frequent church attendance, earlier marriage, more stable family rhythms, and Baby Boomers providing much of the volunteers. That world is fading. Josh and Sam discuss how churches that adjust their discipleship strategies now will be better positioned to disciple effectively ten and twenty years from today.

September 16, 2026Episode 106523 min

My Hope for Lifeway: An Interview with Dr. Ryan Blackwell, President and CEO of Lifeway

Sam and Thom welcome Dr. Ryan Blackwell to Rainer on Leadership to share his hope for Lifeway as the 11th President and CEO.

September 15, 2026Episode 106426 min

What Has Changed the Most in Preaching the Last 20 Years?

Preaching has not changed in its core calling: proclaiming God’s Word faithfully to God’s people. But the context around preaching has changed dramatically. Josh and Sam discuss the major changes in preaching over the last two decades. Pastors today must still preach the text, but they also have to work harder to explain context, build trust, apply Scripture clearly, and communicate in a world conditioned by short-form content.

September 11, 2026Episode 106323 min

The Problem of Ageism and Church Staff Near Retirement

Many churches say they value older adults, but their staffing decisions often tell a different story. Thom and Sam discuss how ageism is a real and often overlooked problem in church personnel decisions, especially for staff members approaching retirement. Churches may seek “younger energy,” cut older staff under the banner of stewardship, or assume older workers cannot adapt. But a healthy, multigenerational church should value a multigenerational staff and help older leaders finish well.

September 9, 2026Episode 106220 min

Armed Church Security Teams: Good Idea or Bad Idea?

The question of whether a church should have an armed security team is both practical and pastoral. Churches want to be welcoming places of worship, but they also have a responsibility to protect the people gathered on campus. An armed security team may be appropriate in some contexts, but it should never be treated casually. The decision requires clear policies, legal guidance, extensive training, insurance awareness, pastoral wisdom, and a churchwide commitment to safety that goes far beyond firearms.

September 3, 2026Episode 106123 min

Five Relatively Recent Theological Controversies That Have Faded

Some denominations and networks seem to have a controversy du jour. Many of them have deep theological implications. Others are distractions to the primary mission of churches. Sam and Thom review five controversies that were once heated but have now faded significantly.