Revitalize and Replant

By North American Mission Board

Your church doesn’t have to die. God is moving, even in the most difficult places. The Revitalize and Replant podcast equips pastors to take their churches from declining to thriving by pointing them ... more

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FAQs about Revitalize and Replant:

How many episodes does Revitalize and Replant have?

The podcast currently has 373 episodes available.

Revitalize and Replant episodes:

September 17, 20267 Characteristics of a Failing Church: Part 2
Why do churches decline, and what can church leaders do to recognize the warning signs? In this episode of the Revitalize & Replant podcast, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst continue their discussion of 7 characteristics commonly found in failing or declining churches. They explore how churches can respond to change, develop a clear mission, and cultivate healthy leadership as they pursue church revitalization.
Some Highlights:
5.     Change is perceived as negative or loss
6.     A vision with no mission
7.     A lack of true leaders
Resources Related to This Episode:
Land Ho: Seven Keys to Navigating the Adventurous and Challenging Waters of Change by Mark Hallock and Walker Armstrong

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27min
September 15, 20267 Characteristics of a Failing Church: Part 1
Why do some churches decline while others remain healthy and fruitful? On today’s episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss characteristics that can contribute to church decline and prevent churches from effectively making disciples and reaching their communities.
Some Highlights:
A failure to teach people to apply the Word

Culture replaces mission

Family control

There is no strategy for new members to become established members
Resources Related to This Episode:
Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger

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23min
September 10, 2026Distrust, Deconstruction, and Shallow Formation
Many churches are facing growing distrust of pastors and institutions, questions about the Christian faith, and a lack of deep biblical formation. On today’s episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss these cultural and Christian trends and how church leaders can respond with wisdom, truth, and grace.
Some Highlights
Many people distrust pastors and churches. Sometimes that distrust comes from real hurt.

People have serious doubts. They need safe, biblical places to process their questions.

Some people deconstruct their faith. But they often do not know how to rebuild it.

Many Christians have strong opinions—but weak biblical foundations.

Culture often rejects authority. Scripture teaches that godly authority serves and protects.
Resources Related to This Episode:
· Authority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human Flourishing by Jonathan Leeman

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25min
September 08, 202615 Ways to Recognize and Honor Church Volunteers
Church volunteers are essential to healthy ministry, but they need to know their service is valued. On today’s episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss 15 practical ways church leaders can encourage, thank, and appreciate volunteers who faithfully serve their churches.
Some Highlights:
Commission volunteers at the beginning of the year.

Write thank-you notes.

Give them a coffee gift certificate.

Provide childcare for a date night.

Cater a volunteer appreciation meal.

Pray for a “Volunteer of the Week” each week.

Send birthday cards to volunteers.

Send a thank-you note from the church staff to a volunteer’s spouse.

Celebrate with a volunteer family picnic.

Enlist a photographer to take a family photo for each volunteer.

Sponsor a “Christmas in ____” stocking-stuffer event.

Call 2 or 3 volunteers each week.

Have children create thank-you pictures for their teachers and leaders.

Create a volunteer appreciation team that continually looks for ways to say thank you.

Always, always pray for more laborers (Matthew 9:37–38).

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22min
September 03, 20265 Ways to Be a Team Player
Healthy churches and effective ministries are built by people who know how to work well with others. On today’s episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss five characteristics of a great team player and how church leaders can build stronger ministry teams.
Some Highlights:
Be an effective communicator.

Be reliable and accountable.

Be adaptable and flexible.

Be supportive and encouraging.

Be joyfully collaborative.

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23min
September 01, 20265 Marks of a Church Ready to Reverse Decline
How can church leaders know when a declining church is ready for revitalization, replanting, or a new approach to ministry? On today’s episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss 5 marks of a church that is ready to pursue renewal and reverse its decline.
Some Highlights:
A faithful church is willing to assess its health honestly.

A faithful church knows when traditional revitalization may not be enough.

A faithful church sees replanting or merging as stewardship, not defeat.

A faithful church grieves what it has lost while trusting God’s mission.

A faithful church is willing to die to itself so gospel ministry can continue.

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27min
August 27, 20265 Keys to Leading Funerals for Unchurched People
Funerals can provide unique opportunities for pastors to minister to grieving families and share the hope of the gospel with people who may have little or no connection to the church.
In this episode of Revitalize & Replant, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss 5 practical ways pastors can faithfully and compassionately lead funeral services for unchurched people.
5 Keys to Leading Funerals for Unchurched People
Lead with compassion.

Honor the person honestly.

Speak clearly about hope.

Keep it simple and understandable.

Follow up after the service.
Whether you're leading a funeral for a longtime church member or ministering to a family with little connection to the church, these five principles can help you provide compassionate pastoral care while faithfully proclaiming the hope of the gospel.

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27min
August 25, 2026"Rest Well, Lead Well" with Mark Dance
Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst talk with Mark Dance, Executive Director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, about why Sabbath rest is essential for sustainable pastoral leadership. Learn how to protect your calling, your marriage, and your congregation by treating ministry as a marathon—not a sprint.
Some Highlights:
The importance of Sabbath and rest for pastors

The difference between rest and laziness

The dangers of ignoring Sabbath

The difference in treating ministry as a marathon versus a sprint

The importance of scheduling times of rest
Resources Related to This Episode:
Rest Well, Lead Well: Why Sabbath Matters to Your Ministry by Mark Dance
Note: All proceeds from the sale of Rest Well, Lead Well go to Mission: Dignity.

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24min
August 20, 2026Healthy Ways to Deal with Conflict in Church: Part 2
Continue your conflict resolution journey in the second installment of Revitalize and Replant’s two-part series. Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock complete Ron Edmondson's seven proven strategies for handling church disputes. Learn how to investigate conflict thoroughly, approach difficult conversations strategically, stay focused on solutions, and practice biblical forgiveness to restore relationships and church health.
5 More Conflict Resolution Strategies
3. Understand the Conflict
Discern the real source from the other person’s perspective. Don’t assume—ask clarifying questions and put yourself in their shoes. Define what’s actually at stake before intervening.
4. Find the Right Time and Place
Never address conflict when emotions are high, in public spaces (hallways, restaurants, cafes), or without prayer. Wait for the temperature to cool. Choose a private setting days later. Your body language and tone matter as much as your words.
5. Stick to the Issue at Hand
Deal with one issue only. Don’t unload multiple grievances. When conflicts pile up, sides form, and clarity disappears. Know your limits—refer complex situations, such as marital counseling, to trained professionals.
6. Work Toward a Solution
Shift from blame to resolution. Communicate truth with love. Recognize you won't agree on everything—some conflicts don't require consensus to maintain unity in Christ. Your emotional intelligence and calm demeanor lower the temperature.
7. Grant Forgiveness
Unforgiveness creates bitterness and robs joy. Forgive as Christ has forgiven you. This frees you personally and opens the door to reconciliation. Without forgiveness, pastors become embittered and ineffective. Gain eternal perspective—this conflict is temporary; unity in eternity is permanent.
Resources & Further Reading
“7 Healthy Ways to Deal With Conflict Among Christians” by Ron Edmondson

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24min
August 18, 2026Healthy Ways to Deal with Conflict in Church: Part 1
Discover practical strategies for handling conflict within your church community. In this first segment of a two-part series, hosts Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock explore the first two of seven evidence-based approaches to resolving disagreements and strengthening relationships among church members.
Learn how reframing your perspective and honest self-examination can transform conflict into a powerful platform for gospel impact.
Two Key Conflict Resolution Strategies
View Conflict Differently — Stop avoiding disagreement. Instead, see conflict as an opportunity to display the gospel's power to your congregation and community. The early church’s resolution of the Greek-Jewish widow conflict in Acts 6 served as a platform that attracted priests and ultimately sparked the missionary movement.

Examine Yourself — Before blaming others, honestly assess your own role in the conflict. Practice humility by looking at "the plank in your own eye first," and be willing to ask: "How have I contributed to this? What part am I playing?" This disarms critics and earns respect.
Resources & Further Reading
"7 Healthy Ways to Deal With Conflict Among Christians" by Ron Edmondson

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
...more
21min

FAQs about Revitalize and Replant:

How many episodes does Revitalize and Replant have?

The podcast currently has 373 episodes available.