The twentyfour contributors all hope this book will help people, both inside and outside the church, better understand what simple. Rainer and his wife, nellie jo, have three grown sons, several grandchildren, and live in nashville, tennessee. In his new book inspired by a blog post he wrote, i am a church member. Simple life breaks life down into four key sections god, time, relationships, money, authors thom s. Simple church clearly calls for christians to return to the simple gospelsharing methods of jesus. If you find your congregation stalled, then it is time to help them make a decision. Our pastor set this forth as a means to challenge each of us to think biblically, stretch ourselves theologically, and avoid the mind rut that many church staff members find themselves in postseminary. Nov 08, 2015 video archive of services held at 38th avenue baptist church in hattiesburg, mississippi. All month long, you get premier church health coaching material delivered to your inbox. I am a church member by thom rainer church marketing sucks. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. Dan and his parents had been members there for many years.
Rainer gives a presentation during the annual sbc meeting on tuesday, june 11, 20. This is a simple question that doesnt have a simple answer. He was founding dean of the billy graham school of missions, evangelism and church growth at the southern baptist theological seminary. Simple church returning to gods process for making. He has consulted with more than five hundred churches, served as pastor in four churches and interim pastor in seven churches, spoken in hundreds of venues, and authored seventeen previous books. This article by thom rainer is the second of a threepart series. Rainer served as president and ceo of lifeway from 20062019. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Rainer is the founder and ceo of church answers, and online community and resource for church leaders. Sure you can read it in an hour or so, but if you absorb it, this book will challenge you. It is a short but powerful book that gets us focused on others rather than self. Today s deals your gift cards help whole foods registry sell disability customer support. Greenhouse community church lacked a simple discipleship plan.
With those three summarizing catch phrases thom rainer and eric geiger begin one of the latest offerings to church growth literature, the simple church. Rainer and eric geiger, simple church returning to god s process for making disciples nashville, broadman and holman, 2006 257pp. With insights based on case studies of four hundred american churches, thom rainer and eric geiger prove the disciplemaking process is often too complex. Rainer is a book with a mission to create more outwardly focused christians and as a result build a church that reaches out instead of being selfish in their focus.
Rainer and art rainer show how four key goals clarity, movement, alignment, focus can begin to foster a life that is more spiritual and less busy, a life rich in experiences with family and friends rather than doublebooked todo lists and. The church members were friendly to heather as well. Rainer is the president and ceo of lifeway christian resources, one of the largest christian resource companies in the world. Rainer and geiger discovered that the healthiest churches in america tended to have a. At its heart is a vision of what church membership is and. Having done extensive research of churches across the u. Thom rainer is the president and ceo of lifeway christian resources.
Jul 30, 20 how does your congregation define church membership. Rainer has authored more than a dozen books addressing church health and growth and pastoral leadership. And if church members start articulating words consistently, those words begin to reflect the priorities and passions of the church. Unity within diversity is an attempt to shed light on the above question and provide some answers. Like our wives and the holy spirit have a lot in common. Thom rainer and eric geiger wrote simple church and discovered after conducting research that vibrant, growing churches in america had a simple discipleship plan, whereas declining and plateaued churches had a complex plan or no plan at all.
Nine traits of the outwardly focused christian by thom s. Rainer born july 16, 1955 is an american writer, researcher, speaker, and former president and ceo of lifeway christian resources, an entity of the southern baptist convention in nashville, tennessee. Rainer y su esposa, nellie jo, tienen tres hijos ya adultos y varios nietos, y viven en nashville, tennessee. Discovering the attitude that makes the difference is a beautiful little book. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. Thom rainer on root causes of spiritual transformation. Oct 11, 2015 video archive of services held at 38th avenue baptist church in hattiesburg, mississippi. Rainer, eric geiger is anticipated to be among the best seller. Returning to god s process for making disciples simple church thom s.
Iglesia simple simple church 9780805444834 by thom s. Simple churches thrive by taking four ideas to heart. Decide today that stalling is no longer an option for them, and choose the hope born from transformation. Rainer is the president and ceo of lifeway christian resources. The 26 doctrinal lessons of the iglesia ni cristo every member of the iglesia ni cristo church of christ must study all these lessons, pass a probationary period that is without absences in the worships services, before going to a baptism and become a full pledge member. Rainer will continue to provide content on his blog and podcast, the material at church answers is at a much deeper level that people like you have requested for years. It is about learning how to have complete joy in your service through your church. With insights based on case studies of 400 american churches, thom rainer and eric geiger. It is not enough for our wives to move into a home.
I was vice president of corporate lending in a bank when i sensed that god was moving me into an area i never expected. Christs plan for his people is that they might be more and more like him. I was a fifth generation banker, and that vocation seemed to be my lifes plan. I have heard several churches give a copy of this book to new members, so i wanted to see. Based on case studies of four hundred american churches, authors thom rainer and eric geiger prove that the process for. Discovering the attitude that makes a difference, author thom rainer exposes the prevalent attitude of consumerism held by many church members looking for a country club experience. Prior to founding church answers, rainer served as president and ceo of. Each idea is examined here, simply showing why it is time to simplify.
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