Time is the friend of a revitalizer. You have to stay to see growth and revitalization. Today, we discuss seven ways to prepare yourself to lead revitalization.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM JOSH
As someone seeking my first pastorate and understanding that most likely I will find myself in a plateaued or declining church, what steps should I be taking now in preparation for that role? And what should I focus in in year one?
Episode Highlights:
- The first imperative in revitalization is to pray.
- Love the church you pastor, not the one you wish you pastored.
- The Lord doesn’t stop loving us. We shouldn’t stop loving others.
- One real marker of success in revitalization is that the community is noticeably better because of the church’s influence in the community.
The seven ways to prepare yourself that we discuss are:
- Pray
- Love those who are there
- Become immersed in the community
- Learn to help the remnant dream
- Begin a steady stream of outwardly focused ministries
- Give hope
- Focus on your family
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
- ChurchReplanters.com
- ChurchAnswers.com
- 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.
