Revitalize and Replant

Revitalize and Replant

By North American Mission BoardReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
Download on the App Store

Revitalize and Replant episodes

  • "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.

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

        24 min
      • Healthy 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

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

          24 min
        • Healthy 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
          1. 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.
          2. 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.
            3. 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.

              21 min
            • 5 Encouragements for Small Church Pastors

              In this new episode of Revitalize and Replant, hosts Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock sit down together to discuss some of the best encouragement they’ve heard and shared with pastors of small churches. Pulling from the truths of Scripture and their own ministry experiences, the Marks share why the work of ministry matters, regardless of attendance numbers.

              Some Highlights

              1. Jesus sees every act of faithfulness.
              2. Your people are not an obstacle to your ministry; they are your ministry.
              3. You are not the chief shepherd.

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

                23 min
              4. 8 Reasons Pastors Aren’t Ready to Lead Revitalization

                Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst meet back up to discuss an article from Chuck Lawless on why some pastors aren’t ready to lead their church through the revitalization process. Tune in to discover some common blind spots, misconceptions, and spiritual hurdles that may be keeping your church from experiencing true and lasting revitalization health.

                Some Highlights

                1. Revitalization requires a long-term vision for a church.
                2. It requires facing reality.
                3. It demands patience.
                4. It requires prayer.
                5. It might require asking for help.
                6. It requires “stick-to-it-ness.”
                7. It might mean hurting people you love.
                8. It requires taking a risk.

                  9. Resources Related to This Episode:

                  • “8 Reasons Some Pastors Aren’t Ready to Lead Through Revitalization” by Chuck Lawless

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

                    25 min
                  • 6 Reasons Singing Hymns Matters

                    Why should churches continue to sing old hymns? On this episode of Revitalize and Replant, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss the importance of hymns and congregational singing for the health and spiritual formation of the church.

                    Some Highlights:

                    1. Old hymns connect us to generations of faithful believers.
                    2. Old hymns teach rich theology.
                    3. Old hymns give us words when life is hard.
                    4. Old hymns remind us that the gospel is timeless.
                    5. Old hymns help form mature Christians.
                    6. Old hymns strengthen struggling churches.

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

                      29 min
                    7. 8 Reasons Pastors Get Fired

                      Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Chuck Lawless about some common reasons pastors get fired.

                      1. Leading too quickly into change
                      2. Pushing one theological agenda
                      3. Being lazy and unaccountable
                      4. Plagiarizing sermons
                      5. Creating conflict with other staff members
                      6. Failing morally
                      7. Failing to shepherd the people
                      8. Mismanaging funds

                        9.  

                        Resources Related to This Episode:

                        • “8 Reasons Pastors Get Fired” by Chuck Lawless

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

                          36 min
                        • 8 Things That Can Derail Your Preaching

                          In this episode of Revitalize and Replant, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss 8 things that can derail your preaching and negatively impact your Sunday service.

                          Main Takeaways

                          1. Trying to impress instead of shepherd
                          2. Focusing more on information than on transformation
                          3. Forgetting the actual text
                          4. Not establishing clarity in your own mind
                          5. Preaching at people instead of to people
                          6. Chasing cleverness
                          7. Neglecting the gospel
                          8. Relying on gifting more than prayer

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

                            26 min
                          9. Practical Discipleship in the Local Church

                            How do churches create a healthy discipleship culture? Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss practical discipleship strategies that help churches go from receiving information to living from a place of gospel transformation.

                            Together, they explore the strengths and weaknesses of different discipleship models while offering practical ideas for building a culture of disciple-making.

                            In this episode, you'll learn:

                            • Two common mistakes churches make with discipleship
                            • Organic vs. programmatic discipleship
                            • Small groups and one-on-one discipleship
                            • Moving from biblical knowledge to everyday application
                            • Creating effective on-ramps for spiritual growth
                            • Building disciples through the Head, Heart, and Hands model

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

                              25 min
                            • 5 Steps to Shepherd Disgruntled People (from "Land Ho!")

                              How should pastors respond when people become unhappy or leave the church? Drawing from Walker Armstrong and Mark Hallock's Land Ho!: Seven Keys to Navigating the Adventurous and Challenging Waters of Change, the Revitalize and Replant team offers practical, biblical wisdom for shepherding difficult people while protecting your own heart. Whether you're navigating criticism, conflict, or church transitions, this episode provides encouragement for pastors seeking to lead with grace.

                              In this episode, you'll learn how to:

                              • Guard your heart during conflict.
                              • Listen carefully before responding.
                              • Speak truth with love.
                              • Bless those who choose to leave.
                              • Trust Christ as the Chief Shepherd while remaining faithful.

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

                                26 min

                              About Revitalize and Replant

                              From the publisher's feed

                              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…