Chad Wilham

“You have likely heard me describe the state of churches in North America. Nearly nine out of ten are either declining, or they are growing more slowly than the communities in which they are located. In simple terms, 90 percent of our churches are losing ground in their respective communities.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Who Moved My Pulpit?: Leading Change in the Church

“The entitled church member treats the church more like a country club than a church. They view their financial offerings as dues to get perks and privileges. They make pastors and other church leaders cringe when they say, “You do know we pay your salary.” The entitled church member is the antithesis of the biblical church member described in 1 Corinthians 12. The apostle Paul describes that type of church member as giving, functioning, and sacrificing. He or she is a member of the body of Christ for the greater good of the church. Others come first. An entitled church member expects his worship style. She expects her color of the rooms and temperature in the worship center. They expect their pastor to jump when they call. After all, they think, it’s our church. We should be able to get what we want. The entitled church member resists change constantly. These church members do not want anything that upsets their way of doing church to be introduced to the congregation. Church is about their perks, their desires, and their comfort. Biblical church members will gladly accept change to reach people with the gospel, and to bring glory to God. Entitled church members are in churches to get their needs met. Change is thus difficult and sometimes futile.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Who Moved My Pulpit?: Leading Change in the Church

“Sometimes the confused includes those who want to hang on to some tradition for their own sense of security and comfort. They may sincerely believe the tradition to be vitally important. They don’t see that there is no intrinsic or doctrinal value in these items.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Who Moved My Pulpit?: Leading Change in the Church

“One of the principles of leadership in any organization, particularly a local church, is the law of unintended consequences. It points out that any significant change in an organization will have reactions that extend well beyond the change itself.”
― Thom S. Rainer, Who Moved My Pulpit?: Leading Change in the Church