Rainer on Leadership

Hosted by Thom Rainer

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

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

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60 recent

October 1, 202620 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. The post Should Pastors Encourage Burial Over Cremation? appeared first on Church Answers .

September 28, 202627 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. The post The Burge Report: Why Gen Z Might Be the Least Mobile Generation in American History appeared first on Church Answers .

September 24, 202625 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. The post How to Prevent Your Discipleship Model from Aging Out with the Older Generations appeared first on Church Answers .

September 21, 202623 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. The post My Hope for Lifeway: An Interview with Dr. Ryan Blackwell, President and CEO of Lifeway appeared first on Church Answers .

September 17, 202626 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. The post What Has Changed the Most in Preaching the Last 20 Years? appeared first on Church Answers .

September 14, 202623 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. The post The Problem of Ageism and Church Staff Near Retirement appeared first on Church Answers .

September 10, 202620 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. The post Armed Church Security Teams: Good Idea or Bad Idea? appeared first on Church Answers .

September 7, 202623 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. The post Five Relatively Recent Theological Controversies That Have Faded appeared first on Church Answers .

September 3, 202621 min

Why Don’t Churches Sing Old-School Hymns Anymore?

Josh and Sam discuss why many churches have moved away from old-school hymns, not always because they reject them, but because worship culture has changed. Modern worship music is often easier to lead with a band, more familiar to younger generations, and shaped by digital platforms, conferences, and major worship publishers. But the disappearance of hymns can also come at a cost. Hymns often carry theological depth, congregational memory, and a sense of continuity with the broader church. In this episode, we discuss why hymns have faded in many churches and how leaders can reintroduce them wisely without turning worship into a generational battle. The post Why Don’t Churches Sing Old-School Hymns Anymore? appeared first on Church Answers .

August 31, 202623 min

An Interview with Chris Brauns on “The Way of Repentance”

Thom and Sam welcome Chris Brauns, Lead Pastor at The Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley, IL, to discuss his book, "The Way of Repentance." The post An Interview with Chris Brauns on “The Way of Repentance” appeared first on Church Answers .