How to Respond When the Members Don’t Want to Engage The Community

Episode #76
January 17, 2019
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Community involvement is central to church revitalization. It’s the best way for your church to increase its evangelistic focus and move outwardly.

This Week’s Question:

FROM MIKE — I have been trying for 10 years to revitalize a church. I have recently come to realize the members don’t want to minister to the community. They do not feel that mingling with the community is glorifying to God and would somehow taint their sanctification. How would you respond to my situation?

Episode Highlights:

  • One of the biggest catalysts for change is discontent.
  • You know something is an idol if you’re afraid of losing it.
  • Pastors, your love for your church’s community should be obvious to your church members.
  • Reaching your community always start with having compassion for those in the community.

The seven questions we cover are:

  1. Have your members faced any type of harsh reality (have they experienced sufficient pain to change)?
  2. What is your process of equipping people one by one?
  3. What do you do to set the example?
  4. Have you celebrated sufficiently?
  5. Do you have a system of healthy groups in the church?
  6. Have you reviewed the ministries you are currently doing in your church?
  7. What do you communicate in your new members’ class?

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Revitalize & Replant is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing this trend by decreasing the death rate of existing churches while simultaneously increasing the birth rate of new churches. To learn more about what it means to become a replanting pastor or to explore resources for replanting and revitalization in your own church, visit ChurchReplanters.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.

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