Sam Rainer

Sam Rainer is the lead pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church, co-host of the Est.Church podcast, president of Church Answers, co-founder and co-owner of Rainer Publishing, and the president of Revitalize Network.

Tips for Being More Unguarded as You Lead

A misguided vulnerability will add too much anxiety into the church culture and has the potential to destabilize the congregation. You can be vulnerable without freaking out your church.

5 Resolutions for the Leaders of Your Church

The best pastors find ways to create a collective vision with input from various church members. They do not champion their preferences as the vision for all.

How to Handle Resistance to Change as a New Pastor

The default setting to change something is only natural for a good leader. Having a vision means being dissatisfied with the status quo.

Do You Know These 5 Things About Your Church’s Community?

Rarely do pastors and church leaders know how many in their communities live below the poverty line and struggle to pay medical bills. If you want to care for the least of these, then you must know this data about your neighborhood.

What You Need to Know About Pastoral Severance Packages

Severance pay is a common practice in many industries. Some employers will offer severance as a gesture of goodwill to those laid off, but it is not required by law under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Many severances are based on the length of employment.

How Do You Handle It When a Staff Member Falls?

There is a lot of justifiable outrage surrounding the issue, but little consensus on how to approach it.

6 Ways Your Church Can Promote Mental Health

Connecting the ministries of your church to those who struggle with mental illness.

7 Ways to Cultivate a Love for Your City

It's easy for church leaders to retreat. Here are simple ways to create an outreach culture.