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April 19, 2016 7 Comments

Seven Reasons for Optimism in American Churches – Rainer on Leadership #217

Podcast Episode #217

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Discussion about why we are optimistic about the state of the church in North America. The sky is not falling, and here are seven particular reasons why that is the case. And we even snuck an Al Gore reference into today’s episode.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • The influx of church planters has been a good thing for the state of the church in North America.
  • Church splits are no longer the most common way new churches start, and that’s a good thing.
  • Church planters are starting more churches with evangelistic DNA than ever before.
  • New churches have the opportunity to have a more intentional evangelistic DNA than established churches.
  • Millennials are pushing churches toward more of a community emphasis.
  • One of the main reasons the American church has been unhealthy over the past few decades is because of its inward focus.
  • It’s hard to say a church is about others when it spends all of the church’s money on the members.

The seven reasons for optimism in American churches we discuss are:

  1. New churches replacing dying churches
  2. New churches truly becoming evangelistic
  3. Balance of practical and classical training for pastors and staff
  4. Better use of facilities
  5. Millennials moving church members to the community
  6. Re-examination of church budgets
  7. Church revitalization

Episode Sponsors

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Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of I Will.

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast

  • How Do I Know if My Church Is Evangelistically Effective?
  • I Am a Church Member

Related

Comments

  1. Mark says

    April 19, 2016 at 7:52 am

    Given the laws of nature and time, the people who were in leadership will be replaced. It may take two or three times turnover before someone who “gets it” decides to do things differently and listens to advice from other people.

    Reply
  2. Craig Giddens says

    April 19, 2016 at 10:07 am

    It should be 8 reasons with the 8th being millennials returning to the church’s primary focus of presenting God’s truth to the world through the preaching and teaching of God’s word. Millennials are doing that … aren’t they?

    Reply
    • Mark says

      April 19, 2016 at 11:29 am

      I can tell you the churches that are growing are reading a lot of and preaching out of the gospel most every every Sunday.

      Reply
      • Craig Giddens says

        April 21, 2016 at 11:10 am

        Hopefully they are systematically preaching and teaching the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).

        Reply
  3. KT says

    April 20, 2016 at 5:58 pm

    Thanks for mentioning the idea of re-examining church budgets. It breaks my heart that most, if not all, of a churches budget is spent inside their own walls. There is so little focus on local and international missions. Most churches claim to focus in these areas but the reality is very different. When 90% of all dollars that come in, never leave the church, something is amiss. Praying for churches to get this!

    Reply
  4. Peter Nkubi Mugambi says

    April 23, 2016 at 4:16 am

    Thank you for accepting use in your website .I would like us to be partners

    Reply
  5. Peter Nkubi Mugambi says

    April 23, 2016 at 4:18 am

    Thank you

    Reply

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