Even when a church is dying, new life can come to it, but it takes work. These five foundational steps can help.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM KENT
I’m in contact with a church in a mountain town in North Carolina considering taking me on as their replant pastor, but I’m not convinced they actually know what that means. They are a small group of about 30 people (half of them are family members), in the desperation stage before their death. How do I explain to them what a replant is, make it clear what changes need to take place before I commit, and evaluate if they truly are open to replanting or if they only think they are? The church is a stereotypical 1950’s mid-century building, small entry, pews to the back of the sanctuary and memorial plaques on almost every pew and door. Help!
Episode Highlights:
- Dying churches need to look to the past before they’ll be ready to look to the future.
- Churches who won’t repent corporately are often led by pastors who won’t repent personally.
- Just because a church’s doors are open doesn’t mean the church isn’t already dead.
- Repentance is not something to avoid, it’s a refreshing fountain we should run to daily.
- God would not be calling so many people to replant churches if He wasn’t intending to replant those churches.
- You will not see a church revitalize without prayer.
The five foundational steps we discuss are:
- Remember
- Repent
- Discover
- Pray
- Understand
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
- ChurchReplanters.com
- ChurchAnswers.com
- Replanter Assessment
- Find more resources at the Revitalize & Replant page at ThomRainer.com
Submit Your Question:
Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you’ll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.
