by Sam Rainer | Oct 30, 2016 | Uncategorized
On Tuesday Est.Church launches! Micah Fries, Josh King, and I are starting a new podcast for those who lead and love the established church. We’ve had a blast recording the first few episodes. You can learn more about the podcast on Twitter: @EstChurch.... 
by Sam Rainer | Oct 23, 2016 | Uncategorized
Generally, long-term pastor tenures are better than short-term pastor tenures. The context where the pastor ministers can impact the tenure. The church body can impact the tenure. And the pastor can impact tenure length. Below are eight ways pastors can... 
by Sam Rainer | Oct 22, 2016 | Uncategorized
http://www.westbradenton.org/assets/2079/161016_wounded_parent.mp3 The wound of a parent is healed by the adoption into God’s family. Jesus heals the wound caused by a parent. Jesus restores after denial. Jesus restores after indifference. Jesus restores... 
by Sam Rainer | Oct 16, 2016 | Uncategorized
There’s plenty not to like about smartphones in church. Most every preacher has experienced a jarring ringtone at an inopportune moment in a sermon. My favorite was the time AC/DC’s Back in Black blared as I was making a point on hell. Too bad the lyrics forget... 
by Sam Rainer | Oct 14, 2016 | Uncategorized
http://www.westbradenton.org/assets/2079/161009_goodbadbeautiful_christ.mp3 The beauty of our faith is found in the glory of Jesus. Christ’s promise of a future beauty is superior to the world’s present beauty. The beauty of salvation only comes through... 
by Sam Rainer | Oct 13, 2016 | Uncategorized
Three notable articles I read this week: Trevin Wax – 4 cultural trends leading to the decline of religious liberty. “Religious liberty, America’s ‘first freedom,’ has fallen on hard times lately. . . What’s going on? What are the cultural trends leading to...
