Understanding the Differences between Church Adoption, Church Fostering, and Church Revitalization

Episode #598
December 17, 2019
Rainer on Leadership Podcast Logo

What is the difference between church adoption, church fostering, and church revitalization? Thom and Sam have a helpful and interesting discussion on new trends taking place in North American congregations.

Highlights:

  1. Church adoption: a church comes into the family.
  2. Church fostering: a church is brought into the family for the short term.
  3. Church revitalization: a church regains health internally.

Other highlights:

  • The term of adoption has been helpful and provided context for the new relationship.
  • Church fostering may lead to church adoption, but the goal should be to help and provide leadership for a season.
  • There is no loss in church fostering. It is simply called ministry.
  • The unintended by-product of church fostering, adoption, and revitalization is the creation of a strong leadership pipeline.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:


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