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Ten Ways God Might Be Judging America Right Now

December 29, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

Let me make this clear right away: I’m neither prophet nor the son of a prophet. I am a lover of history, an observer of current events and – above all else – a worshiper of God and a student of the Bible. I’m not making prophetic pronouncements on God’s behalf, but I think we […]

Filed Under: Theology

Thriving In The Midst Of Chaos

January 4, 2023 By Brian Thorstad

Last week I tackled the ominous question of whether or not America is being judged by God, right now. I gave you ten ways in which this might be happening here at the beginning of 2023. I know.  This is serious stuff.  So serious that, I’m sorry to say, many churches just won’t “go there.” […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Theology

Thriving In The Midst Of Chaos, Part Two

January 11, 2023 By Brian Thorstad

Two weeks ago we took on the question of whether or not America is being judged by God. I gave my readers ten ways in which this might be happening here at the beginning of 2023 and asked them to reach their own conclusions. Last week I followed that up with some thoughts about thriving […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Theology

Churches And Politics: Rethinking The Issue, Part One

November 22, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

For a number of years, I’ve urged pastors and churches to stay out of politics.  While writing for a mega-blog, I tried twice to write posts about this subject.  The editors were so concerned about staying away from politics that they wouldn’t print my posts about staying out of politics! (A bit extreme, I thought.) […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Theology

Churches And Politics: Rethinking The Issue, Part Two

November 30, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

Perhaps you’ve noticed that it’s becoming increasingly difficult for pastors and churches to simply “stay out of politics.”  As our nation strays farther and farther from a Judeo-Christian world view, an increasing number of Biblical-moral-ethical issues have become societal and even political issues. Our church members are grappling with these developments all week long, and […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Theology

Churches And Politics: Rethinking The Issue, Part Three

December 7, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

The following is my third post in a series, through which I’m seeking to offer church leaders and congregations, some hands-on help with the thorny issue of churches and political involvement. I’m hoping that church leaders will study my propositions, debate the details, and come up with their own, unity-enhancing position papers for their congregations. […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Theology

Churches And Politics: Part Four: Realistic Expectations

December 14, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

This is my fourth in what will be a series of five posts, through which I’m seeking to offer congregations some hands-on help with the thorny issue of churches and political involvement. I’m hoping that church leaders will study my propositions, debate the details, and come up with their own, unity-enhancing resolutions for their congregations. […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Theology

Churches And Politics: Part Five – Working with God (And Some Proposed Resolutions)

December 21, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

Here at the end of 2022, I’m hearing the pain in the voices of news-following American Christians as they plaintively ask, “Where is God in all this?  I want to see God working again!” It’s no coincidence that my friends are sounding a lot like the prophet Habakkuk.  The seventh century BC prophet was deeply […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Theology

Five Things Every Christian Should Know About Karma

June 22, 2022 By Brian Thorstad

It seems like everybody’s talking about Karma these days. When it comes to ourselves, every good thing we do is seen as contributing to our reservoir of “good karma.”  When it comes to others, every bad deed is seen as contributing to a growing cesspool of “bad karma.”  Hmmm. Our words matter.  Our beliefs matter.  […]

Filed Under: Theology

Christian Hedonism: Three Timeless Truths

April 14, 2021 By Brian Thorstad

“In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus.” Afro-American Spiritual  “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  Psalm 73:25,26  “For me, to life is Christ, and to die […]

Filed Under: Healthy Pastors, Theology

What In The World Did We Expect?

March 3, 2021 By Brian Thorstad

Having the right expectations really matters.  Just think about the expectations with which you entered into: High School College Marriage Your spouse’s extended family Your first full-time job Many American Christians are reeling right now because of their expectations.  They thought that the unusual (from a historical perspective) conditions which we had in America for […]

Filed Under: Theology, Uncategorized

Eight More Reasons To Expect Persecution

March 10, 2021 By Brian Thorstad

An old friend who is a keen student of Church history has been telling me for thirty years that “The only hope for the American Church is persecution.” I fear that he’s right, and as much as I’d love to see a vibrant Church in my country, I can’t say that I’m embracing persecution. But […]

Filed Under: Theology

Fresh Starts Needed; How Nostalgia Holds Us Back

February 24, 2021 By Brian Thorstad

Many church leaders are telling us that there isn’t going to be a return to “normal” any time soon, or ever.  Even if your “good old days” were in 2019 (instead of 1955), the 2019 version of “church as usual” isn’t coming back. Even churches which weren’t even slightly interested in experiencing revitalization are facing […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Leadership, Theology

Can The Government Destroy The Church?

February 18, 2021 By Brian Thorstad

“On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.  Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church.  Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Theology

Four Opportunities For The New Year

February 11, 2021 By Brian Thorstad

“The secret of the Christian life is a series of new beginnings” George Sweeting In my home area of northwestern Wisconsin there is a village which is prospering and attractive.  It’s not my home-town, I’m sorry to say, it’s ten miles up the road.  Back during my adolescent years, my village was prospering and the […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Disciple Making, Leadership, Theology

Ten Questions For The Post-Covid Church

February 5, 2021 By Brian Thorstad

I’m seeing a lot of internet traffic these days on the subject of the Post-COVID Church: the way evangelical Christianity is going to look, in America, after the pandemic is over.  I appreciate every attempt I’ve seen and heard to make sense of this crazy year and to predict the future. I don’t have a […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Leadership, Theology

Seven Positive Things Pastors Can Do Right Now

January 25, 2021 By Brian Thorstad

These are difficult days for my pastor friends!  I keep hearing about anger and division over: COVID prevention strategies, President Biden’s election, charges of voter fraud, threats to civil liberties, local church political involvement, etc.  Pastors are taking it on the chin like never before. While there’s little a pastor can do about any of […]

Filed Under: Healthy Pastors, Leadership, Theology

Three Reasons To Not Bring Your Politics To Work

July 4, 2018 By Brian Thorstad

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Disciple Making, Theology

Three Dangers In Mixing Politics And Religion

January 20, 2018 By Brian Thorstad

It’s easy to mix a little politics in with our Christianity. As evangelicals, we avoid the old “social gospel” like the plague, as well we should. The social gospel is what the Apostle Paul would call, “another gospel which is not another,” (Galatians 1:6) for it confuses the good news that Christ came to die […]

Filed Under: Church Health/Revitalization, Disciple Making, Theology

The Two Best Things I Never Knew About The Holy Spirit

May 16, 2017 By Brian Thorstad

I could not more highly recommend Fred Sander’s, The Deep Things of God (How the Trinity changes everything). This is theology at its best: Biblical, thought-provoking and heart-warming. It has changed my thinking and my worship. It has shown me that the gospel and the God I cherish are even better than I thought they […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Theology

The Three Best Things I Never Knew About The Trinity

May 10, 2017 By Brian Thorstad

This is not a book review but I have to give credit where it’s due: Fred Sanders’ The Deep Things of God (How The Trinity Changes Everything) was an eye-opening, heart-warming, worship-inspiring experience for me, and continues to influence my life and work. Like all evangelical pastors, I believed in and taught the doctrine of […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Healthy Pastors, Theology

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Testimonials

Pastor Darin Kirkman
I am so grateful to God for Brian, his ministry, and his friendship. As a result of his assessment and coaching, my church has experienced unmistakable, God-given renewal. We are increasingly living out our church's mission which is to love and glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ. This is clearly showing in terms of spiritual depth (i.e. more people are maturing as Christian disciples) and spiritual width (i.e. more people are becoming Christian disciples). Our communication is clearer, our structure is stronger, our leadership development process is better, our facility stewardship is more proactive, and our cultural mindset is now set on eagerly advancing the kingdom of God. I strongly recommend the Church Whisperer to you.

Pastor Darin Kirkman
Elder Jim I wanted to let you know that we have really made some huge changes in the last few months.  We are seeing new people every week and we had a leadership meeting with 23 in attendance. Pastor ______ is doing well and God is doing amazing things.  Thanks for your support, prayers and love for the church!
Elder Jim
A New Church-Goer ...thank you for your messages at [our church] over the past weeks.  I just started going to _____________ while you were there and hadn't been to church in decades.  Your messages kept me coming back...  Thank you for helping me find my way back to God.
A New Church-Goer
Pastor Trey Turner "Brian is an experienced and insightful investigator of church systems.  He has real skill in looking at and diagnosing some areas needing attention.  I benefited greatly from his insight.  As a result, our church is benefiting greatly.  The process Brian took us through gave it the encouragement it needed to begin coming out of the 2020 difficulties.  We will work on the insights Brian provided as a roadmap back to better health."
Pastor Trey Turner
Pastor Greg Lund I've appreciated so much Brian's very practical coaching as he's guided me and the leadership of our church as we've sought to become more effective for God's kingdom. His extensive experience in assisting churches navigate a variety of issues makes him highly qualified to help lead churches through congregational change.
Pastor Greg Lund
Pastor Bruce Jahnke
"Our church is extremely grateful for the insight, adaptability and wisdom Brian so graciously contributed to our needs as we transitioned.  Our pastor transition was from Father to Son, which is by definition, difficult.  Yet Brian was able to foresee issues, feelings and responses with high accuracy.  Brian is personable, yet can direct when he needs to help us be reasonable and vision-oriented."

Pastor Bruce Jahnke
Andy Shanholtz I had the privilege of co leading a pastor’s training group with Brian. Brian’s wealth of knowledge and practical experience was an asset to all of us. The interaction with the group and the relationships built was a great value. I highly recommend having Brian facilitate a group to provide invaluable resources and practical knowledge.
Andy Shanholtz
Pastor Jed Manders
Leadership development within cohorts and peer groups has become increasingly popular, and rightfully so. Being involved in Brian’s leadership training group allowed me the opportunity to work through challenges, develop strengths and learn from both reading and peer development.


Pastor Jed Manders
Pastor Mark Pitroff "I have been so privileged and encouraged to be ministered to by Brian Thorstad as I have served as an Interim Pastor here in central Wisconsin.  He has been such a help and encouragement to me and especially, to this church I have served - Faith Community Church of Waupaca.  His leadership in helping us develop the “Journey Wall” enabled us to look back on the church’s history, the high points as well as the difficulties faced, especially in recent years.   Brian has helped FCC recover from a very difficult time…  Brian was such an encouragement to us, especially in the early months of recovery and preparation."
Pastor Mark Pitroff
Pastor Dan Norman “I enjoyed getting to know the guys in the group [and] I appreciated the thought, mind and spiritual challenges presented… I found many things that I was able to immediately apply, and I am still developing next steps that much of the discussion and training of this class helped to build a foundation for. [The handouts on strategic planning] will continue to be helpful in trying to guide our church to being more intentional. This [was] exactly what I was looking for at exactly the time I needed it.”
Pastor Dan Norman
Pastor Steven Boyd  "This course showed me that I, as a solo pastor, have to do things that don’t come naturally to me and has given me some tools to do the hard things.”
Pastor Steven Boyd 
Pastor Brian Schley “I found value in our meetings and am grateful you invited me to be part of it as a ‘future senior pastor.’ I enjoyed being able to be part of the conversations and glean from those beyond me. Thanks for your leadership with the group and your heart for pastors!”
Pastor Brian Schley
Pastor Todd Sauve "It was a privilege to have been a part of a pastors group led by Brian Thorstad. It's always great to learn from other pastors, and someone needs to provide leadership to make that happen. I'm thankful that Brian was willing to do that, and to share from both his successes and failures in ministry. He's honest, humble, and cares about people."
Pastor Todd Sauve

Brian A. Thorstad

Call: 651-319-1953

Email: churchwhisperer@gmail.com

1931 Cook Avenue
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

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