Imagine if every pastor went into a revitalization with a determination to make it their final career stop. That long term view would be paradigm shifting.

Today's Listener Question:

FROM ELAINE

My husband is in the process of going to a new church as pastor. We listen to all your podcasts together and often talk about them afterward. We are planning on this being our last church as we’re in our 50s. What should he focus on (and maybe even me as well) to see this revitalization succeed in the long-term?

Episode Highlights:

* You need at least a five-year view when you begin a revitalization.

* Revitalization only starts when the church realizes and accepts the current reality.

* Revitalization means change, and some church members won't like that.

* Leaders prefer winning all the time, but that's not reality. Leaders need to be prepared to lose a "battle" and learn from it.

The five realities we discuss are:

* Accept the reality of the time it will take.

* Make certain your family is on board.

* Give the church members the same dose of reality

* Learn to be content with 3 steps forward and 2 steps backwards

* Be content and celebrate small victories.

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.