Revitalize and Replant

By North American Mission BoardChristianity

Revitalize and Replant episodes

September 035 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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23 min
September 015 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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27 min
August 275 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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27 min
August 25"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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24 min
August 20Healthy 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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24 min
August 18Healthy 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

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21 min
August 135 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
Jesus sees every act of faithfulness.

Your people are not an obstacle to your ministry; they are your ministry.

You are not the chief shepherd.

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23 min
August 118 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
Revitalization requires a long-term vision for a church.

It requires facing reality.

It demands patience.

It requires prayer.

It might require asking for help.

It requires “stick-to-it-ness.”

It might mean hurting people you love.

It requires taking a risk.
Resources Related to This Episode:
“8 Reasons Some Pastors Aren’t Ready to Lead Through Revitalization” by Chuck Lawless

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25 min
August 066 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:
Old hymns connect us to generations of faithful believers.

Old hymns teach rich theology.

Old hymns give us words when life is hard.

Old hymns remind us that the gospel is timeless.

Old hymns help form mature Christians.

Old hymns strengthen struggling churches.

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29 min
August 048 Reasons Pastors Get Fired
Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Chuck Lawless about some common reasons pastors get fired.
Leading too quickly into change

Pushing one theological agenda

Being lazy and unaccountable

Plagiarizing sermons

Creating conflict with other staff members

Failing morally

Failing to shepherd the people

Mismanaging funds

Resources Related to This Episode:
“8 Reasons Pastors Get Fired” by Chuck Lawless

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36 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…