By Thom Rainer I was stunned. When I wrote Autopsy of a Deceased Church five years ago, the response took me by surprise. While all authors expect or hope their books will be bestsellers, I frankly didn’t see it coming. Hundreds of thousands of book sales later, Autopsy became the all-time bestseller in the genre of church leadership. Why? […]

By Josh Daffern Many churches have a general mission statement that goes something like this: “To glorify God by making fully-devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.” By the way, that’s the mission statement at the church where I currently serve and it’s a restatement of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 to go and make disciples of all nations. The real question […]

Michael Frost is an Australian theologian and author. He is the Director of the Tinsley Institute for Mission Study and Head of the Missiology Department at Morling College in Australia. He has been called “a leading voice in Missional Church Movement.” “All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is […]

By Thomas Rainer I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. Indeed, put me in a room with nine other people, and I am likely to be the tenth in intellect. So, I compensate for my cognitive deficiencies by listening, observing, and researching. The wisdom of others is far greater than any chance of […]

By Thom Rainer Yes, I tend to be an optimist. I am not, however, that type of optimist who refuses to face reality. If you have been a reader of my blog or listener to my podcasts, you know I am not hesitant to face harsh realities head on. So, when I say a revitalization […]

By Thom Rainer I call it “the aftermath.” A church goes through an intense time of planning and fundraising to construct a new facility. Then the members participate in a groundbreaking service. Finally, the building is constructed in the midst of great hope and anticipation. Then the bottom falls out. The great hope that accompanied […]

Current news reports are filled with stories about the enforcement and results of the U.S. Zero Tolerance Deterrent Policy. The children affected in this situation, including those who have been separated from parents, are ones Samaritas often serves through our Refugee Foster Care (also known and Unaccompanied Refugee Minors) program. In fact, Samaritas is one of only two resettlement […]

Learn more about the ELCA’s response to the Trump Administration’s immigration policies and how you can be an advocate for these children and their families. We also invite you to read Samaritas’ statement on the zero tolerance deterrent policy and how you can get involved in their refugee foster care program.   What has the ELCA […]

By David Sprang The ELCA in cooperation with other mainline denominations has compiled research showing the 7 most effective plans for renewal in a church. Here are the 7 categories and some reflections on them. This is just the beginning of the conversation. This is not an exhaustive list. It is only a start. Ideas […]

By Thom Rainer You are trying to comprehend why the giving levels in your church are down. You may know several possibilities, but you aren’t certain. As I have worked with several congregations, we have isolated the issue to one or a few causes. See if any of these causative factors may be at work […]