Revitalize and Replant

By North American Mission BoardChristianity

Revitalize and Replant episodes

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
36 min
July 308 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
Trying to impress instead of shepherd

Focusing more on information than on transformation

Forgetting the actual text

Not establishing clarity in your own mind

Preaching at people instead of to people

Chasing cleverness

Neglecting the gospel

Relying on gifting more than prayer

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
26 min
July 28Practical 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
July 235 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
July 21Six Marks That a Church and Its Leaders Are Ready for Renewal
Before meaningful church renewal can happen, certain spiritual foundations must be present. Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss six biblical marks that indicate a church is prepared to embrace revitalization and healthy change.
The Six Marks Include:
Reality

Humility

Authority of Scripture

Mission

Flexibility

Faith

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…