Welcome to x.church

We seek to build on the foundations of the 1st-century church with the innovations of the 21st-century church.

x.church is the innovation and research lab of Church Answers (www.churchanswers.com).

It is led by Thom Rainer, who serves as lead innovator. We utilize this organization as a "rough draft" to test ideas and innovations. Visit the Church Answers site to see all the content and solutions we offer.

We Love the Local Church

You're in the Right Place

Pastors and Ministry Leaders

Seeking to Understand the Future of Local Churches.

Church Lay Leaders and Volunteers

Understanding the direction of the local church to make a difference in their own congregations.

Denominational and Network Leaders

Helping churches in their network understand future directions and trends.

Our Current Projects

  • Testing approaches that help us understand how God uses local churches to increase conversion growth.

  • Finding ways to use AI effectively in the local church.

  • Learning about churches that are highly effective in several categories and sharing that information through various venues.

Our Articles

Featured
Five Reasons Millennial Pastors Are Not Moving to Larger Churches
Five Reasons Millennial Pastors Are Not Moving to Larger Churches

They are the second largest generation in America’s history. At 74 million persons, they are only surpassed in size by the Boomer generation. Born between 1980 and 1997, they are shaping our businesses, our government, and our culture.

Read More →
Why Are 30% of Your “Active” Church Members Absent on a Given Sunday?
Why Are 30% of Your “Active” Church Members Absent on a Given Sunday?

Are any of you old enough to remember “perfect attendance awards”? 

It’s been decades since I have been in a church that provides such recognition. It’s quite the feat. It means a church member has shown up for 52 or 53 consecutive Sundays in a calendar or church year. 

Read More →
Four Reasons Why “Evangelism” Is Often Misunderstood in Churches
Four Reasons Why “Evangelism” Is Often Misunderstood in Churches

It’s Chuck Lawless’ fault.

Okay, the previous sentence is tongue-in-cheek. My friend and co-laborer in ministry, Chuck Lawless, has cited 2 Corinthians 2:4 so many times that I often get it stuck in my mind.

Read More →

Get In Touch