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Obstacles in the Established Church: How Leaders Overcome Them
Many established churches in North America are struggling. But the obituaries are premature. Struggling churches can make a difference again. Many churches have several obstacles in front of them slowing growth and preventing health. While every church is a unique congregation in a specific local context, patterns present in one established church are often present in another. Rainer identifies these obstacles and reveals how churches can successfully overcome them. God does not give up on these congregations. Despite the obvious obstacles, we should not give up on them either.
- GenresChurch
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2014
About the author
Sam Rainer
13 books3 followersSam Rainer serves as president of Church Answers. He is the co-founder of Rainer Publishing, and he also serves as lead pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church in Southwest Florida. Sam has written hundreds of articles for several publications. He is a frequent conference speaker on church health issues. Sam holds a BS in Finance and Marketing from the University of South Carolina, an MA in Missiology from Southern Seminary, and a PhD in Leadership Studies at Dallas Baptist University.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 28, 2020
Sam Rainer has written a truly wonderful book that every church leader and most church members would take the time to read, especially if that person knows, loves and is involved in an established church. Rainer is the son of Thom Rainer as is evidenced by the level of expertise in the topic of church leadership coming from this young man. Rainer is both a church consultant and an active Senior pastor in an established church and both those skill sets manifest in a book filled with real world experience and good advice. Rainer deals with topics like navigating change, leadership health and more in this superb book. I will be buying a few copies of this book to be shared among my church's leadership team. This book contains some really vital information. I highly recommend it.
July 19, 2017
This is a great book that our church staff read recently! These obstacles are very common, at least in our church, and it's been helpful to work through them with prayer and loving the people. My biggest take-away from this book was to better love the church that I serve. Not only should I care for and teach them, but I should love them because they (we) are Christ's Bride.
January 12, 2021
In this quick read Sam does well combining practical input and spiritual passion for pastors serving established churches.
February 17, 2022
Good info
This book deals with the realities of serving in an established church. It challenges, inform, and encourages. It is an easy read.
This book deals with the realities of serving in an established church. It challenges, inform, and encourages. It is an easy read.
February 6, 2015
I picked this up because my passion is to bring new life to established churches that I believe have a far greater future than many think. The reality is that the challenges are great and take a long-term view and commitment from churches, pastors and denominational leadership.
Every church is going to change and it will only make a difference if those changes are health ones or killers and I found this short simple book does a great job of outlining those problems and providing some ways to new life. Your church is changing and you can be a part of the future vitality of it.
Every church is going to change and it will only make a difference if those changes are health ones or killers and I found this short simple book does a great job of outlining those problems and providing some ways to new life. Your church is changing and you can be a part of the future vitality of it.
February 8, 2016
Very practical and encouraging reminders for pastors in established churches. Not so much a "how to" or deep theological ecclesiology. It's like a refreshing pastor's fellowship conference for wearing and overwhelmed pastors of established churches.
Recommended read.
Recommended read.
April 9, 2016
Great read. Although the reading is easy the message is deep. I truly appreciated reading a book that was for a church that is up and running and had been for awhile. As a young pastor in an older church I truly found a lot of wisdom that I needed in Sam's writing.
February 22, 2015
A good review of church.
This book is a good reminder of the things that happen in our churches today with sound advice on responding appropriately.
This book is a good reminder of the things that happen in our churches today with sound advice on responding appropriately.
April 25, 2015
Wonderful book for both pastors and laity leaders. Some great insights into growing an established church.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews