Thom Rainer Articles
Five Bad Apologies by Leaders
I really don’t like to share my experience with apologies, because it is evidence of my bad leadership. But leaders need to learn to apologize. Real apologies. Sincere apologies. 
Fifteen Reasons Why Your Pastor Should Not Visit Much
I read the sad story recently of a church that fired its pastor because “he didn’t visit the members enough.” Granted, I don’t know all the details about the situation, but I am not optimistic about the church’s future. 
Eight Warning Signs of a Bully Church Member
“I love you pastor, but I want you fired.” Several months ago I wrote about bully church members. The post focused on the damage they do and the problems they create. The article resonated with many church leaders. 
Six Terrible Ways to Recruit Ministry Volunteers in Your Church
Would you like to do the worst possible job of getting people involved in ministry in your church? Sometimes I think church leaders take the most negative approaches in an attempt to encourage more people to get involved in ministry in the church. 
Ten Things Church Members Would Love to Hear from Their Pastors
Most church members love their pastors. Many church members are encouragers to their pastors. Pastors often lose perspective when a few critical church members become a persistent pain and challenge. 
Six Perspectives on Dual Church Membership
I love local churches. I just love them. I know they are filled with imperfect members. I know all the members are sinners and occasional hypocrites just like me. That reality has not changed since the first century. 
Eight Common Mistakes Rookie Pastors Make
I met one of the most stupid rookie pastors I’ve ever known. The year was 1984. I saw him when I looked in the mirror. 
Ten Traits of the Healthiest Churches Ten Years from Now
I am not a prophet. Please don’t stone me if I get one of these ten traits wrong. And while there is a good bit of subjectivity in this article, I think I am basing my projections on clear and evident trends. 
Four Reasons Pastors and Church Staff Regret Quitting Their Jobs
I quit! The writer of Ecclesiastes does indeed remind us there are times and seasons in our lives. Regarding where we are in life, he tells us there is “a time to plant and a time to uproot” (3:2). 
Eight Time Drainers of Pastors and Staff (and Eight Solutions)
“The greatest gift you could give me is more time.” The statement was made half jokingly by a pastor. Of course, he didn’t think I could create days with more than 24-hours. But he was busy, overcommitted, and worn out.
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