Thom S. Rainer

Solid (Within Author's Worldview) Short Guide To Fundamentals Of Christian Faith. This book really does do what it sets out to do - lay out what Christians generally believe and at least some reasoning as to why they believe it. It doesn't get too heavily into the things that split off the various sects and denominations such as baptism or saints, and even when it touches on End Times discussions, it lays out the basic thinking of each of the different ways of thinking about the topic. And show more it does it in a fairly concise manner, covering a wide range of topics with fairly short chapters and clocking in as a whole at less than 200 pages - which is truly remarkable given its full breadth of discussion. More extreme liberal Christians may have more issues with the points here, as Rainer explicitly has a chapter about God the *Father*, and a few other quibbles here or there based on that thinking - which Rainer, given his more conservative Baptist background, doesn't dive into so much. Other potential attacks from Christians could include Rainer's focus on the Bible as the "Word of God", despite John 1:1 being quite clear that *Jesus Christ* is the "Word of God", not the Bible, and Rainer's frequent references to the Pauline epistles as defense of some of his claims - which anyone familiar with the Parable of Marvin Snurdley (from Frank Viola's Pagan Christianity) - will likely question.

All of the above noted, the sole reason for the sole star deduction here is the frequent- beginning seemingly literally on Page 1 - use of "proof texting" - citing a Bible verse out of context in defense of some claim or another. I have been quite adamant in waging a one-man war against the practice, and the single star deduction is really the only "weapon" I have with which to wage my war. Thus, I apply it any time a book uses the practice.

Ultimately though, this truly is a solid view of the fundamentals of Christianity, given the caveats of the author's own worldview, and is truly a solid resource for anyone seeking to understand the basic tenets of the general faith for any reason. Very much recommended. show less

However you might feel about the COVID-19 quarantine experience, one thing remains difficult to dispute: a lot of things have changed for local churches as a result.

The COVID-19 pandemic hastened certain trends and itself catalyzed many others. Thom Rainer and his group at Church Answers try their hand at providing encouragement and direction in the wake of this experience in The Post-Quarantine Church: Six Urgent Challenges and Opportunities That Will Determine the Future of Your show more Congregation.

The title is not a little overblown: no matter what, the Lord’s church will persevere and continue. Yet that we are in the midst of a major phase of change within local churches cannot be denied, and these changes transcend all sorts of confessional and dogmatic boundaries.

The six challenges and opportunities involve how churches gather; how they relate to the digital world and community; reconnecting with the local community; dedication to prayer; creative reconsideration of facilities; and how to effectively lead meaningful change.

One’s mileage will vary when it comes to the conclusions in this book. For congregations who do not maintain much when it comes to property, there’s not much to creatively reconsider, for instance.

But it is right and good to give serious consideration to how we pray and for what. We should consider how well “placed” a congregation is in its local community, and how its members can best reflect Jesus to their communities. While there has been a lot of skepticism and negativity about online engagement, the fact of the matter remains: most people who might check out a congregation are going to first consider its online presence. Asking or expecting people for an in-person visit to a congregation is a step too far for many people; many might be willing to listen to a podcast, check out a video, or something of that sort and try to become more familiar before being willing to venture out.

And then there’s the whole matter of providing a means of access for those who are unable to get out on account of medical difficulties.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a revelation for a lot of reasons: many hearts and minds were exposed. It catalyzed a lot of conversations, changes, and transitions. Not everything we experienced was good or healthy; but if we cannot find anything good to come out of the experience, and doggedly insist on doing everything the way we have always done it, such says more about us than the experience, and not for the better.

Not everything should change all the time. But we should seek to step back at times and get a sense of how we might be able to more effectively jointly participate in Christ, better reflect Jesus to the community around us, and in so doing glorify God. show less

First sentence: I was well on my way to completing the research on a different book when I hit a wall.

The book I thought I was 'getting' was not the book I got. That's on me, mostly. I didn't see or pay enough attention to the subtitle. Perhaps. I have thoughts. I do. I'll try to share them when appropriate.

So what IS the book about? The book addresses from a statistical, sociological, analytical, research-oriented viewpoint how the two youngest generations--Gen Z and Gen Alpha--could show more benefit from the structure of the church and the church community. Gen Z refers to those born between 1997 and 2012. Gen Alpha refers to those born between 2013 and the present.

His inspiration for writing is DIRECTLY connected to his reading a secular book called The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Much of his book is spent summarizing and analyzing Haidt's book and spinning or tilting it perhaps to see it from a Christian perspective. The concerns are roughly the same, I believe, but Rainer focuses on a possible solution to the 'problem.'

Rainer defines and describes each generation from The Silent Generation on through Gen Alpha. Each generation is defined in GENERALIZED terms--very wide brush strokes, if you will. It starts from a place that these sociological terms and generalizations are essentially true. He does not question these foundational blocks. [I'm not saying that is in and of itself a bad thing. It's just that almost all of the building blocks in this book, the foundation, the walls, the supports, etc., are all sociological and not in any way drawing from Scripture.] All people from a generation are lumped together despite unique, personal, individual differences. A very one-size-fits-all cookie-cutter approach to viewing humanity.

The Anxious Generations--Gen Z and Gen Alpha--are being shaped, rewired essentially by "the big four" : high speed internet, smartphones, social media, and polarization. Rainer spends time explaining the evils of the big four. Though high-speed internet, smartphones, social media, and polarization are so closely connected and intertwined, so knotted and tangled together that I'm not sure it makes sense to separate them from each other. You can probably guess what makes the big four evil without further explanation. Polarization is the only one that might perhaps need a little help. Essentially the polarization of society on every subject--mostly online but in person as well perhaps. (For example, how EVERYTHING is one baby step away from being a political issue.)

He spends the most time on describing, defining, illustrating, etc., the 'special' problems facing the Anxious Generation. He then begins with a big picture, distant approach to how the church may be able to help. Again, his technique is more on statistics, research, polls, surveys, etc. He spends a chapter introducing readers to a series of atheists--yes, atheists--sharing quotes from them that allegedly show how even atheists admit that church can be stabilizing and morally good for society. How they may reject all religions and religious doctrines, etc, but they like the structures of the community--in theory at least.

When he speaks of the church most often it is in a distant sociological research way. There's little to no theology in this one.

The book isn't so much THE ANXIOUS GENERATIONS NEED JESUS AS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOR because they are sinners in need of a Savior, as Gen Z and Gen Alpha need the structure of weekly fellowship, in-person friendships, socialization and camaraderie. They need youth groups, discipleship, mentorship, to be a part of a family. It will benefit their mental health if they attend church. It doesn't really go into spiritual needs and spiritual solutions.

He encourages the church to actively invite and welcome younger people in the church. That means, most notably, bringing someone to church--literally. Not just inviting casually. But making plans, going with them, sitting with them, sharing a meal, etc. He points out time and time again, that most are not willing to go to a church alone, but if they had someone to go with them, they'd go. He also emphasizes that "the unchurched" of all ages are not hostile to the faith, to church, to Christians, they just are waiting for us to go to them and actively care about them. (I'm not sure *where* he is getting this not hostile thing. I'm not sure which polarized view is right.) show less

As a pastor who has served multiple churches over the last 22 years, I can testify to the sad reality of the health of many churches. Far more churches than you would think are already dead....They just don't know it yet.

In Autopsy of a Deceased Church, church growth author Thom Rainer takes the reader down the unsettling journey of autopsying dead churches. Like a medical autopsy, Rainer is looking for the reasons that churches die. He settles in on some key threads that run through show more unhealthy churches and, left unchecked, will ultimately lead to their demise. These issues include a selfish refusal to reach out to others, elevating personal preferences over mission, failed pastoral leadership, and lack of prayer.

A short read, Autopsy of a Deceased Church can be read in one afternoon. Be forewarned though: it takes longer than one afternoon to digest. Each chapter caused me to think of churches I had served or other churches about whom I was aware. Their health is dubious. Their mission is confused. Their prayer life is anemic. And, if things don't change, death awaits them.

My prayer is that this short book will be used mightily by God to shake churches awake from their slumber. That somehow, churches who seem destined for the mortuary would become a platform for the grace of God. show less