by Sam Rainer | Jul 19, 2015 | Uncategorized
Some churches stay in a perpetual cycle of growing and declining. The church peaks, then dips, only to peak again. It’s possible for a church to stay in this cycle for decades. For example, look at the below chart. The above chart is an annual average of weekly... 
by Sam Rainer | Jul 14, 2015 | Uncategorized
Today a story broke about how Planned Parenthood sells the parts of aborted unborn children. I can’t believe I’m typing these words. The mutilated parts of murdered children are being sold in an underground market by an organization that receives taxpayer... 
by Sam Rainer | Jul 12, 2015 | Uncategorized
Your discouragement is understandable. The church in North America is deteriorating. Just reading the reports of decline can make me exhausted. Some sensationalize how hard the church is falling, but few deny the unhealthy state of the church. The church is not... 
by Sam Rainer | Jun 23, 2015 | Uncategorized
My first church was a megachurch of six people. The congregation was small in number, but it felt like a mega task to shepherd them. One of the first questions I asked of the lone deacon was, “What’s the deal with the old bell out front?” “I don’t know, but it’s... 
by Sam Rainer | May 25, 2015 | Uncategorized
In the 1970s, one researcher noted, “There are almost as many different definitions of leadership as there are persons who have attempted to define the concept.” According to these definitions, leadership is influence, power, mobilization, motivation, processes,... 
by Sam Rainer | May 24, 2015 | Uncategorized
On Memorial Day, we honor those who have died while serving our country. I believe every Christian should do two things on Memorial Day: Remember and pray. Remember. My grandfather, Samuel Solomon Rainer, Sr., served in World War II. He flew D-Day. Below are...
