Think about it: Churches working together joyously for the greater health of all churches.
Think about it: Churches with some level of health and resources helping churches that are struggling.
Think about it: Churches across North America, and ultimately the world, growing healthier and making a profound difference in their communities.
Those are some of the prayers I have as we begin a new non-profit venture called Revitalize Network. I am praying God will use all the churches, organizations, and individuals who come together to make this movement a reality in His power.
So, why are we starting Revitalize Network? As a starter, allow me to share ten reasons.
- We have hope for congregations across North American and the world. Some people may have given up on specific local churches, but we are convinced God still has a plan for them.
- Many healthier churches desire to help those churches that are struggling. The churches and their leaders realize, by working together, we are really being obedient to both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
- We desire to work together joyfully. The world often sees churches and believers fighting online and in their congregations. We pray that Revitalize Network will be a place of hope, unity, and joy. We pray the churches that work together in the network will be known by what they are for more than what they are against.
- Somewhere between 75% and 90% of all churches need some level of revitalization. The need is great. The opportunity is before us.
- Many churches do not have the resources to move toward revitalization. It is our prayer soon to be helping thousands of churches every year.
- Church health is a local issue. Churches are revitalized when God works through a local congregation in a local context. Through resources, consulting, and coaching, we pray that we can work side-by-side with local churches.
- When churches are revitalized, communities are changed for the better. And when communities change, culture is transformed. This movement is thus not just about revitalizing churches, but churches transforming communities and the world.
- Pastors and other church leaders need hope. We prayerfully seek to be a source of hope and encouragement for them. Many are discouraged. Some are depressed. And some are even suicidal.
- Churches working together toward revitalization is an incredible witness to the world. The simple gospel act of churches working together will have a profound impact on the watching world.
- We desire to bring glory to God through church revitalization. In terms of priority, this reason is number one. It is why Revitalize Network exists.
You might detect I am a bit excited about this ministry. Indeed, I am. It is my prayer we will become more than an organization, but a movement used by God to transform churches and the world.
Check us out at RevitalizeNetwork.org. We have only just begun.
Posted on September 10, 2018
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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28 Comments
As a coach with Turnaround Pastor and having a heart for turnaround/revitalization, this is a welcome development. May God multiply all our efforts for revival in the Western world!
Love your spirit, Gary! Thank you.
Thank you for all that you do for God’s Kingdom and church. The declining and dying churches are desperately in need of healthy churches to hear the Macedonian call and to come along side and be Good Samaritans in their revitalization efforts. The biggest problem in our church is denial of the church’s desperate condition, and getting people willing to receive help from other churches. Pride and selfishness is the root of all sin and the dying church.
Y’all can not get this started too soon, Praying for God’s blessings and glory.
I appreciate your heart, John.
PTL. My church needs revitalizing badly. Can’t wait to see the new material.
I believe that this is an awesome idea. I have long thought that the idea of working together to reach others for Jesus is something the churches should do. I belong to a church that is part of a 10 church group, and in turn part of a 90 church association. They have annual meetings when the whole association comes together, monthly Pastor meetings, and maybe some kid of holiday gathering, ut only about 30 percent(if that) of the churches are actually there. I pray often for the 10 church group to be closer, to work together on different things, but the biggest issue I think is the pride and envy monsters. Pastors are afraid to lose their members to churches that may offer a different activity than they do, so they do not support each other. I sincerely hope you can et this going. God bless
Thanks so much, Bob.
The link at the bottom of the post is incorrect (misspelling). I was able to type in the correct URL and link to the sight.
Thank you, Adam. We are correcting it now.
So excited to be leading a 60 year old church in FL to rename, relocate, and relaunch in central FL. Great revitalization potential.
Love it! Thanks, Bob.
As someone who has been recently called to the Replant/Revitalize Ministry, I am excited that you have followed God’s calling on your life to start a new chapter in your book and a new chapter for countless others who will benefit from this Network. As God prepares and paves the way for my family and me in the Ministry, I look forward to the partnership with the Revitalize Network. There is a great power when we join together for a cause like this.
Here am I Lord, send me and use me in this Ministry.
You would be a blessing to join us, Matthew.
Let me know if there is anything that I can do.
Matthew –
As a starting point, check out “Join” and “About” at the site to see if your church is interested in joining Revitalize Network. Our highest priority will be drawing from the member churches to help one another.
http://www.revitalizenetwork.org
The greatest experience I’ve ever had was seeing Lutheran church in Wisconsin revitalized as we spread the word using The Dr. Kennedy “EVANGELISM EXPLOSION!” A Presbyterian study program.
It’s been my contention that as long as they preach from the Bible and believe in the holy trinity, the sign out front is just a “good ornament!” We all have the same destination…some drive Fords, some drive Chevy…some break down….some need fine tuning..
By the way, I was raised Catholic and now am a member of a growing Baptist Church!
Praise God for loving ALL of us!
There will be no separation in HEAVEN!
Thank you, Ruth.
This network sounds like a great idea!
God bless you,
Gary
Thank you, Gary. Your input is always so helpful.
Greetings Thom,
I have been a fan of yours for quite some time now. I am a Presbyterian, from California, whom God saw to “transplant” to south eastern Tennessee to teach in a Pentecostal (at least their roots) university eighteen years ago. I am an Associate Professor of Pastoral Studies and teach everything from evangelism, preaching, counseling and matters concerning “church health”. I am excited to see how the Lord fashions you in this next exciting chapter of your life and ministry. I agree with you, the best is yet to come (Thank you John Wesley, I believe your reference is from him! :).
All my Reformed and Charismatic best!
Bill Effler
[email protected]
Thank you, Bill. We invite you to join us as we see what God will do!
What a great and much needed ministry. As we have discussed, if there is not a wide spread revitalization, we likely will see a landscape of abandoned church facilities such as Europe.
We pray this will never be the case!
And I am so glad Cool Solutions Group is a partner with us to work with churches. You epitomize joy, Tim.
I am curious as to whether you will suggest the replacement of some % of the leadership who may have been partly culpable for getting the church in that position in the first place or will try to get them to admit a mistake and/or let the whole leadership stay intact.
Mark –
We seek to work with churches joyfully. We have no preconceived agenda.
Mark, have you ever taken a long look in the mirror? Just a suggestion
I am not in church leadership.