CEO of Church Answers. Husband to Nellie Jo. Dad to Sam, Art, Jess. Granddad to Canon Maggie Nathaniel Will Harper Bren Joshua Collins Joel Dominic James.
Franklin, TN
- Tweets 38,176
- Following 182,917
- Followers 203,516
- Likes 1,601
Yesterday, my grandson called me “just to talk.” We talked about school, football, church, and his new love of golf. We laughed. We laughed again.
After 45 minutes, he told me he had to go. The entire conversation was “just to talk.”
Whatever undeserved human recognition I get, whatever positions I have held, they all pale in comparison to having a grandson who “just wants to talk.”
I love my family.
I love them all so very much.
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I urge all SBC church ordaining and licensing councils to require a background check of prospective pastors and staff. Most churches require it of volunteers. Should we not set higher standards for our leaders?
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Last time I was with Billy Graham, he said he missed his wife, Ruth, and he missed heaven. Now he is present for the great reunion. May we remember his legacy and may we follow his passion for evangelism.
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LifeWay has put forth six stipulations to end the lawsuit. For the sake of the gospel, I plan to accept all of those terms on Monday. This legal battle between Christians before the watching world has to end. I will end it.
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The sound of crying children in church can be a blessing. If you don’t hear them, your church may be dying.
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If you lead well, you will lead change. If you lead change, you will be criticized. If you can’t take criticisms, don’t lead.
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NEW POST
Why I Am Retiring from LifeWay
thomrainer.com/2018/08/why-i…
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From a New Zealand believer to me:
“Please ask your followers to pray for New Zealand churches. We are heading into morning in the light of a terrorist attack that impacted our small nation with the magnitude as the 9/11 attacks in the USA. We need grace.”
Yes. I will pray.
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"He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love." Martin Luther King
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Shots were fired today toward the LifeWay building. One shattered a window. No one was hit or hurt. I wish I could respond to everyone texting and emailing me, but I have no other information at this time. Thank you for your prayers.
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“The church is not doing its job if its city is not better off because it exists.” @BethMooreLPM — bit.ly/2hkAmVW
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When tragedies confuse you, pray for understanding. When suffering leaves you speechless, listen instead. #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile
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I opened the gift from my three sons and saw this cheap clock. They then explained they were giving me the gift of time: three sons for three days anywhere in the U.S. I may or may not have cried. instagram.com/p/B6rFaUIFcpU/…
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My son baptized his son, my grandson, today. These are what really matter: Jesus, family, church. instagram.com/p/BUF8GA7Banl/
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Will my three-year-old African American grandchild be able to walk in the city or jog in the neighborhood without fear?
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You don't have to be broke to be dying. Plenty churches die with money in the bank. #ChurchAutopsy instagram.com/p/nn9j5jKZ6I/
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Some churches have forgotten that most evangelism is personal. They have grown so comfortable producing content that they’ve stopped producing disciples to share their faith. They let livestreams replace lunch invitations.
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The flight plan for my dad’s plane on D-Day. He was the top turret gunner. He tried to tell me what he saw below on the beaches of Normandy, but he could never finish. He was my hero. I still miss him. instagram.com/p/ByYlOF9l48z/…
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1. Going to bed early.
2. Not going to parties.
3. No television.
My childhood punishments have become my adult dreams.
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40 years of marriage today to this girl, Nellie Jo. Joy. Free spirit. Smile. Laughter. Love.… instagram.com/p/Bczj5ezhAYC/
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Churches and other organizations that are only waiting for things to return to a pre-COVID normal are in trouble. The pandemic is a disruption, not an interruption.
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If you want to improve your congregational singing, turn your lights up, turn your sound down, and pick songs people know. bit.ly/2PQBmEG
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A healthy church doesn’t compete with Netflix. It offers what Netflix can’t. Presence. Prayer. Peace. The people of God gathered together, not for consumption, but for communion - with Christ and with one another.
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Two of the most dangerous oxymorons for Christians: Love without truth. Truth without love.
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Nine out of ten church guests do not like the stand-and-greet time in church services. welcoming.church
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I have so many words right now about Jennifer. They can wait. Today we sang “Holy, Holy, Holy” in worship service. I cried because I saw Jennifer fully loved, never threatened, and totally embraced.
That’s what really matters. baptistnews.com/article/jenn…
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"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas A. Edison
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Congratulations to @jdgreear on being elected SBC president!
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Pastors: I would be honored to pray for you and your services tomorrow. If you are willing, let me know your sermon title and text.
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Pastors: I would be honored to pray for your preaching tomorrow. Let me know your message and text. I will pray for each of you before I go to bed.
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"Attending church is like exercise. If you only do it twice a year, it's gonna hurt." - @SamRainer
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Eight years ago today my infant grandson, William Thomas Rainer, died. His life and death are constant reminders of the incredible worth of the born and unborn, all “fearfully and… instagram.com/p/BtiqStcFG-h/…
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Declining church attendance has at its core unbiblical attitudes. It’s time to stop pretending otherwise. bit.ly/2Dx8oCI
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My granddaughter.
Baptized by her dad, my son.
This is what really matters.
He is risen.
He is risen indeed.
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Just received this email from a pastor in California. Please pray for him:
“Please pray for me as I’ve pretty much given up on serving in a church and am very depressed and disillusioned.”
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Pastors/preachers: What is the best tip or insight someone has given you about preaching?
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A courageous statement. A painful statement. A necessary statement. Thank you @AlbertMohler
New article: “The Wrath of God Poured Out: The Humiliation of the Southern Baptist Convention.” albertmohler.com/2018/05/23/…
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This Christmas I am praying fervently for James, a pastor, and his wife who is battling cancer. Please join me.
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There are many "Robin Williams" around you. They seem to have it all, but are dying on the inside. #showjesuslove
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Most pastors are not suicidal. But most pastors do struggle. They lead churches in a culture that is not friendly to their calling. thomrainer.com/2018/09/suici…
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I pray I will never say, “I need a break from church.” I certainly don’t want God to take a break from me. bit.ly/2W9pwEj
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To attempt something with no risk of failure is to attempt something with no need of faith.
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Pastors & staff refusing involvement in social media is like a missionary refusing to learn the language of a people. bit.ly/NsQDHy
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Someone in a small group is five times more likely to stick in a church than someone who is not in a group. bit.ly/2E7oNdn
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We should certainly care for the needs of the flock, but the attitude of members should be that of serving instead of being served. http://
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Philosophical question: Why does the last 10% of a tube of toothpaste seem to last as long as the first 90%?
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Hate to see the Tide lose, but I have tons of respect for Coach Dabo and the Clemson team. A well-deserved nat'l championship.
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The concept of an inactive church member is an oxymoron. Biblically, no such church member really exists.
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Poll for pastors: ONE answer only. What is your favorite aspect of church ministry: Presching. Evangelism/Outreach. Leadership/Vision. Discipleship/Mentoring. Pastoral Care. Counseling. Community Involvement. Administration. Other (Specify). ONE answer only.
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"Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice.” -Charles F. Kettering
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Pastors and church staff: Please share the first name of one of your hero or heroine church members, and one reason why he or she is such a blessing to your church. I will feature the best of these on my blog next week. Thank you.
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Ten years ago today, I began my ministry at @LifeWay. Grateful to God.
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This morning @NellieJo's father died. His last words to her were: "Goodbye. I love you. It is well with my soul."
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The pastor’s wife in many churches carries heavy burdens. Sometimes they are impossible expectations. thomrainer.com/2017/09/ten-u…
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Praying and heartbroken for Baton Rouge, Falcon Heights, and Dallas. Maranatha. #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile #Dallas
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One of the greatest demonstrations of friendship is prayer. I am praying for a friend right now.
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“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” Augustine
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Yep. Really happened.
First-time pastors have some embarrassing stories. Hear from @ThomRainer as he retells one of his most embarrassing stories from his time as a pastor.
See more here: lfwy.co/kq9230mXvxh
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Don’t love your position in ministry so much that you can’t hear God’s voice when it’s time to move on. bit.ly/2uQy2xP
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Pastors need to be in the Bible daily to hear from God personally, not just for sermon prep. ow.ly/q8LV50oCnqM
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Other local churches are your ministry partners, not your ministry competitors. bit.ly/2MwcZ9n
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If your church has regathered, is your in-person attendance in comparison to pre-pandemic levels: (a) much lower (b) somewhat lower (c) the same or (d) higher?
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The authenticity of a church’s worship matters much more than the style of a church’s worship. bit.ly/2Bvyd4S
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Somewhere along the way, many of our churches became obsessed with polish. Perfect lighting. Flawless sound. Seamless transitions. We rehearsed away the rawness. And while there’s nothing wrong with excellence, there is something deeply human about letting go of perfection.
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Getting reports from pastors who have members who attend the Parkland, Florida school. So much tragedy. Praying and praying more.
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In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. MLK
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Please pray for my nephew, Curtis Rich, and his wife, Megan. They are leaving today to serve the Lord in Serbia.
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Great day today. I was offered an incredible deal on Ray-Ban sunglasses, an extended warranty on my car, and an offer by the IRS to forgive a tax lien I didn’t know I had.
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Leaving conference in Florida to be with Nellie Jo. She slipped on ice and broke two bones in her right wrist. Surgery is next. Prayers appreciated. instagram.com/p/B7j3xwnFgUb/…
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Nearly eight of ten unchurched persons would come to church if we invited them and accompanied them to the worship services. bit.ly/2zJcEy4
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Pastors: What is the most embarrassing thing you’ve said or has happened to you while preaching? (Keep it clean!).
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Traditions are ok, but not when they become an idol in a church. ow.ly/3yGD305i8jL
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A church that does not put an emphasis on small groups is likely not a healthy church. bit.ly/1uC3Fa3
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Millennials see culture as something to influence, rather than an enemy to denounce. Many Millennials truly have a missionary mindset. They are turned off by those who constantly rail against people. buff.ly/2Aow4ZY
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