The Church Answers Podcast

https://youtu.be/_eZ4KiZTCOY

It is almost cliche to say revitalization is tough. But it is a challenge. Thom and Mark speak with countless pastors and staff who don't think they are up to the task. This three-part series may prove to be a blessing to those who are discouraged and wonder if they can lead the revitalization. In this first episode, Thom and Mark examine why some of these leaders have doubts.

Leadership is an ambiguous term.

Church members can create doubt and uncertainty in the heart of revitalization leaders.

Most revitalizations look like insurmountable obstacles.

 Remember, Moses didn't think he was a leader either.

 

Resources:

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

“Reclaiming Glory, Updated Edition: Creating a Gospel Legacy throughout North America” by Mark Clifton

“Lectures to My Students” by Charles H. Spurgeon

“Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon” by William D. Cohan

Collaborate with ministry leaders around the world! Join us at Church Answers Gold!

COMING SOON! Episode #285: “Leading a Church Revitalization Even When You Don't Feel Like You Are a Leader - Part 2: Four Common Leadership Obstacles in a Church Revitalization”

 

Episode Sponsor:

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.

https://youtu.be/jQsfvwVoj_0

In the past, a severely struggling church typically only had one option: the church had to close. Now we know that many churches are being successfully adopted or acquired by another church. In this three-part series, Thom and Mark examine and discuss the process and accompanying issues of a church adoption. In this third episode, they look at the first steps a church should take if it is seriously considering being adopted.

Always have a season of prayer.

Make certain everyone clearly knows the likely outcome.

Find the right "parent" church.

Move into a mode of complete servanthood to make the adoption successful and fruitful.

Resources:

* Listen to Part 1: “How To Know If Your Church Should Be Adopted by Another Church - The Often Tough and Unspoken Issues in a Church Adoption”

* Listen to Part 2: “How To Know If Your Church Should Be Adopted by Another Church - Why Potential Church Closures Are Becoming More Common”

* North American Mission Board Church Replanters

* “Anatomy of a Revived Church” by Thom S. Rainer

* “Autopsy of a Deceased Church” by Thom S. Rainer

* Church Adoption for Southern Baptist Churches

* “Experiencing God (Updated Edition)” by Henry T. Blackaby

* North American Mission Board Evangelism Resources

* “An Interview with Keith Getty: The Queen of England, a New Album, the Resurgence of Hymnody in the Church, and a Few Funny Thoughts (Part 1)”

* “An Interview with Keith Getty: The Queen of England, a New Album, the Resurgence of Hymnody in the Church, and a Few Funny Thoughts (Part 2)”

* Collaborate with ministry leaders around the world! Join us at Church Answers Gold

 

Episode Sponsor:

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,

https://youtu.be/yDx5JaPDJhw

In the past, a severely struggling church typically only had one option: the church had to close. Now we know that many churches are being successfully adopted or acquired by another church. In this three-part series, Thom and Mark examine and discuss the process and accompanying issues of a church adoption. In this second episode, they look at the reasons church closures are becoming more common.

The COVID factor is real.

The remaining resistant church members have more power.

Many churches have failed to wake up to the changing culture.

Evangelism is missing in most churches.

Resources:

* Listen to Part 1: “How To Know If Your Church Should Be Adopted by Another Church - The Often Tough and Unspoken Issues in a Church Adoption”

* North American Mission Board Church Replanters

* “Anatomy of a Revived Church” by Thom S. Rainer

* “Autopsy of a Deceased Church” by Thom S. Rainer

* Church Adoption for Southern Baptist Churches

* “Experiencing God (Updated Edition)” by Henry T. Blackaby

* North American Mission Board Evangelism Resources

* “An Interview with Keith Getty: The Queen of England, a New Album, the Resurgence of Hymnody in the Church, and a Few Funny Thoughts (Part 1)”

* “An Interview with Keith Getty: The Queen of England, a New Album, the Resurgence of Hymnody in the Church, and a Few Funny Thoughts (Part 2)”

* Collaborate with ministry leaders around the world! Join us at Church Answers Gold

 

Episode Sponsor:

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.

https://youtu.be/-IrK1qC517Q

In the past, a severely struggling church typically only had one option: the church had to close. Now we know that many churches are being successfully adopted or acquired by another church. In this three-part series, Thom and Mark examine and discuss the process and accompanying issues of a church adoption. In this first episode, they look at the tough issues in a church adoption.

Most churches come to this decision when it's too late.

A few church members can stop the entire process of adoption.

Most of the remaining church members do not understand that they will give up all control of their church.

Deferred maintenance has become a common stumbling block.

Emotional issues often take precedence over doing what needs to be done.

Resources:

* North American Mission Board Church Replanters

* “Anatomy of a Revived Church” by Thom S. Rainer

* “Autopsy of a Deceased Church” by Thom S. Rainer

* Church Adoption for Southern Baptist Churches

* “Experiencing God (Updated Edition)” by Henry T. Blackaby

* North American Mission Board Evangelism Resources

* “An Interview with Keith Getty: The Queen of England, a New Album, the Resurgence of Hymnody in the Church, and a Few Funny Thoughts (Part 1)”

* “An Interview with Keith Getty: The Queen of England, a New Album, the Resurgence of Hymnody in the Church, and a Few Funny Thoughts (Part 2)”

* Collaborate with ministry leaders around the world! Join us at Church Answers Gold

 

Episode Sponsor:

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.

https://youtu.be/PZw__M9WLdw

We all agree that prayer is both mandated and powerful. We likewise agree that the collective prayers of church members, called corporate prayer, are important. Mark and Thom offer five simple ways a church needing revitalization can become a greater praying church.

1. Make certain prayer is a vital part of worship services.

2. Find your prayer warriors in the church and ask them for ideas.

3. Preach and teach the importance of corporate prayer.

4. Have special seasons of prayer in the church.

5. Share stories of answered prayers.

Resources:

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Episode #278 - “Why Church Autopsies Are Important”

Episode #279 - “Five Reasons Why Denial in Churches Is So Common”

Get your International Harvester hat while supplies last

Collaborate with ministry leaders around the world! Join us at Church Answers Gold!

Episode Sponsor:

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.

https://youtu.be/qQlDWmMXNYw

In a recent consultation with a church, Thom encountered such entrenched denial that it was not possible for the church to move forward. Why is denial so common and so deadly in many churches today? Mark and Thom examine five reasons.

1. Denial is the most common way to deal with painful realities.

2. Many churches are still searching for the silver bullet.

3. Many churches are convinced that a return to methodologies of the past is the answer.

4. Many churches actually do not think they are declining when they are.

5. Denial is a way to "kick the can."

 

Resources:

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Episode #278 - “Why Church Autopsies Are Important”

Episode #264 - “How Do You Measure Church Health Post Quarantine?”

* Know Your Community Report

 

Episode Sponsor:

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.

https://youtu.be/Tl9N91xq-3A

Mark and Thom delve into the painful issue of examining why churches died. They do so that future deaths might be prevented. They also show how churches today can move to health rather than death.

Every church is moving either toward a more vibrant life or toward death.

Most dying churches are in denial (an issue we will unpack in the next podcast).

Most dying churches think they have more time.

Most dying churches are looking for a silver bullet.

Most dying churches will indeed die.

 

Resources:

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

ChurchMortician.com

Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive by Thom S. Rainer

Anatomy of a Revived Church: Seven Findings about How Congregations Avoided Death by Thom S. Rainer

Reclaiming Glory: Revitalizing Dying Churches by Mark Clifton

Know Your Community Report

Church Answers membership (including Church Answers Central)

 

Episode Sponsor:

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWeZy8Uvdag

The common growth barrier for churches for over 50 years was 200 in average worship attendance. Thom and Mark argue that the new barrier is 50 to 100. But they not only tell you why it is the new growth barrier, they share how your church can burst through the barrier.

1. One-half of North American churches have an average worship attendance below 65.

2. Individual pastoral care is almost impossible as a church approaches 100 in attendance.

3. The berry bucket is alive and well.

4. Pastoral exhaustion is too common among these churches.

5. Evangelism is necessary to get beyond 100 consistently.

 

Resources:

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Books by Elmer Towns

Books by Lyle Schaller

Revitalize & Replant Episode #275

The Berry Bucket and How It Often Causes Church Conflict

 

Episode Sponsor:

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.

https://youtu.be/GZvyEsd9b8s

In the previous episode, Thom and Mark addressed the issue of strategic patience in a revitalization, meaning that revitalization fruit may not be long-standing until five years have elapsed. But . . . the church can experience some encouraging moves forward with the concept called low-hanging fruit.

1. Low-cost paint or landscaping

2. New church signage

3. Training a welcome team

4. Singing songs the congregation knows

5. Prayer for the community

 

Resources:

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Becoming a Welcoming Church by Thom S. Rainer

Interview with Keith Getty - Part 1

Interview with Keith Getty - Part 2

 

Episode Sponsor:

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.

https://youtu.be/I_xBBvqFJxI

Leading a church in revitalization requires not only tactical patience but strategic patience as well. Thom and Mark describe strategic patience and why it the fruit of revitalization may not be evident for five years.

1. The Berry Bucket often takes that long.

2. The denial factor is often entrenched.

3. Trust in the pastor often begins after 5 years

4. There are many fires to put out.

5. Evangelism as a priority often takes 5 years.

6. Prayer must move from perfunctory to desperate.

7. But low-hanging fruit is possible in the short term.

 

Resources:

The Berry Bucket Principle - “Leading and Managing Your Church” by Carl George

Reclaiming Glory: Revitalizing Dying Churches by Mark Clifton

Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive by Thom S. Rainer

Anatomy of a Revived Church: Seven Findings about How Congregations Avoided Death by Thom S. Rainer

Church Answer Central

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

 

 

Episode Sponsor:

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.