Seven Observations from Church Replanters Who’ve Been There and Done That

Replanting—like all of ministry—is hard work. It’s also hard to recognize success as it comes. Today, we look back on seven reminders for those interested in replanting.

Today’s Listener Question:

FROM DAVID

I graduate from seminary in the spring and God is calling me to replanting work. What advice would you have for someone looking to become a replanter?

Episode Highlights:

• “God is calling more men and women than ever before to help replant churches.”
• 90% of churches that close are in communities larger than 10,000.
• Church replanting—like any calling in ministry—is hard work.
• “We often overestimate what we can do in a year and underestimate what we can do in a few years.”
• As a replant, you cannot attempt to become a small version of a large church.

The seven observations that we cover in this episode are:

1. It is spiritual warfare
2. The longer the length of the decline, the longer it takes for the church to turnaround
3. Many of the leaders are tired
4. Many of the church members have heard before what you are telling them
5. Good people will leave
6. Everyone says they want change. Not many do
7. They want to know if you will be their pastor

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• ChurchReplanters.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.