Thom Rainer

Thom S. Rainer serves as president and CEO of Church Answers and executive director of Revitalize Network. He served for 12 years as dean at Southern Seminary and for 13 years as the president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Also a respected researcher and former pastor, he has written more than 25 books, including many best sellers, such as I Am a Church Member. Rainer and his wife, Nellie Jo, have three grown sons, several grandchildren and live in Nashville, Tennessee.

10 Things You Shouldn’t Say to a Pastor Right After the Sermon

Thom Rainer: "Pastors often take 10 to 20 hours to prepare a sermon. And then they hear one of these sentences."

7 Reasons Your Church Should Have a Ministry to Widows

Thom Rainer: "It is one of the clearest mandates of Scripture. It is also one of the most neglected mandates of Scripture."

The One Common Factor of Effective Church Leaders

Thom Rainer: "Is it possible to find one common factor in the lives of the most effective church leaders? I think so."

8 Characteristics of the New Bivocational Pastor

Thom Rainer: "The new bivocational pastor is similar to the traditional bivocational pastor with some key differences."

6 Ways Ministry Spouses Get Hurt

Thom Rainer: "Sometimes ministry spouses are among the loneliest people in the church."

6 Characteristics of Disciple-Making Churches

Higher expectations get more positive behavioral patterns. If you want to make more disciples, raise your expectations.

9 Things That Have Replaced Traditional Outreach

The bad news is that fewer and fewer churches are highly intentional about reaching their immediate community.

The 10 Commandments of Guest-Friendly Churches

Welcoming guests is easy — just be friendly!