Dying churches often need help from healthier churches so that their resources may continue to be used for Kingdom work. Today, Mark Clifton joins us to discuss how this strategy can revive neighborhood churches as we know them.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM THOMAS
Our church is considering going multisite by acquiring a dying church. I’ve had several conversations with our deacon leadership. They seem on board, but don’t seem to fully understand the concept. Can you give me some concrete examples or reasons we should do this other than “Because God is leading us to…”? That’s a good one, and probably the best reason, but some of my deacons want more.
Episode Highlights:
- In many churches, multisite is still a foreign concept.
- There are so many ways you can use your church building for God’s glory.
- It’s important to remember what God has done in your church’s history.
- In a world that is always changing, our God is never changing.
- Successful small changes often energize people toward more change.
- “Unless it’s really necessary, don’t change your church’s name—reclaim the name.”
The seven reasons to consider acquiring a dying church are:
- It keeps a presence in the community
- It keeps physical resources used for Kingdom use
- It continues the good part of the legacy of the dying church
- It moves the acquiring church to a greater outward focus
- It makes a powerful statement to the community
- It allows through a replant an opportunity to start fresh
- It is one of the most evident forms of health and growth in the North American church today
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
- ChurchReplanters.com
- ChurchAnswers.com
- LeadNet.org/portable
- Replanter Assessment
- Find more resources at the Revitalize & Replant page at ThomRainer.com
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.
