The Church Answers Podcast

https://youtu.be/bSroq9Eiem4

The common metrics of worship attendance, conversions, and financial giving have not gone away. But there are other ways to look at church health. In this episode, Kevin and Thom look at five of those ways.

1. Church unity - tough to measure, but usually evident.

2. The number of guests - effectiveness of inviting people.

3. Resources allocated to outward focus - the Great Commission still matters.

4. Group attendance - the metric that needs to make a comeback.

5. The number of ministry volunteers - another metric that needs tracking.

 

Resources:

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Camel falls on church goers during Christmas event

Guest Secret Survey

Church Answers

 

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/dLZkSmwdp4g

For several decades, the larger church and the megachurch have received a lot of attention. We are now seeing a renewed focus on healthy smaller churches. Mark and Thom look at the reasons why this phenomenon is taking place.

1. COVID exacerbated the importance of the community and the neighborhood.

2. With digital and video tools available, many people moved to smaller communities to work and live.

3. Boomers and Gen Xers are not driving the emphasis on church preferences today; Millennials and Gen Z are.

4. Bigger was not always better.

5. The multi-movement and the replanting movement both accentuated the importance of smaller churches.

 

Resources:

NAMB Replant Summit 2022

“Is America More Religious Than Popular Opinion Indicates?” by Thom S. Rainer

I Am a Church Member by Thom S. Rainer

Sharing the Gospel with Ease by Thom S. Rainer 

* 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.

https://youtu.be/N7eFd7tsYnU

 

One of the toughest parts of a pastor's ministry is dealing with criticism. It is especially difficult when the critic hides behind the cowardly veil of "People are saying." Kevin and Thom not only address the likely motive of the critic, but they also suggest ways to respond to the person.

Understand that the person saying those words is a coward.

The source of the criticism is usually the person saying, "People are saying."

Ask the person to name the people.

Ask the person to have the people come to meet with you.

Most of the time, you need to ignore the criticism if this is the only source

 

Resources:

NAMB Replant Summit 2022

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Church Answers

 

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/pNiIvEPZGSc

It is cliche to say the world is changing. And it is cliche that churches are changing. But churches are indeed changing. Some of the changes were predictable, but some were not. Thom looks at three of the major changes most people did not see coming. In this third of three episodes, he looks at the dramatic decline of conversion growth in American churches.

Defining conversion growth.

The focus on anything but evangelism.

Transfer growth created an illusion of health.

Conversion growth is not celebrated in most churches.

Youth evangelism has declined dramatically.

 

Resources:

* Listen to Episode 1 - “The Dramatic Changes in Church Facilities”

Listen to Episode 2: “The Rapid Growth in the Number of Teaching Pastors”

Sharing the Gospel with Ease: How the Love of Christ Can Flow Naturally from Your Life by Thom S. Rainer

“A Church without Evangelism”

NAMB Replant Summit 2022

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Church Answers University

 

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/ca3sd28_N4E

It is cliche to say the world is changing. And it is cliche that churches are changing. But churches are indeed changing. Some of the changes were predictable, but some were not. Thom looks at three of the major changes most people did not see coming. In this second of three episodes, he looks at the rapid growth in the number of teaching pastors.

The first wave of growth took place in larger churches.

The second wave of growth took place with multi-site churches (often called a campus pastor).

Became more common as a method of pastoral succession.

Many of these teaching pastors are "homegrown."

Now is becoming more common in smaller churches.

 

Resources:

Listen to Episode 1 - “The Dramatic Changes in Church Facilities”

“When God Builds a Church” by Bob Russell

Church Answers University

NAMB Replant Summit 2022

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Church Answers

 

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/lxo7sQvmjyk

It is cliche to say the world is changing. And it is cliche that churches are changing. But churches are indeed changing. Some of the changes were predictable, but some were not. Thom looks at three of the major changes most people did not see coming. In this first of three episodes, he looks at the surprising changes in church facilities. 

The massive decrease in church construction: 2002: $8.7 billion/month. 2012: $3.9 billion/month. 2022: $2.65 billion/month.

The intentional reduction in worship center space.

The massive decline in education space.

The eager acceptance of non-traditional space.

The renovation of dying churches that were adopted.

 

Resources:

“The Pips (Without Gladys Knight)

NAMB Replant Summit 2022

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Brown Church Development Group

Church Answers

 

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/glgOlaAOP40

In this episode, Thom and Kevin explore the issue every pastor and staff member will face at some point: leaving your church. This episode focuses largely on the steps and processes you need to take.

Your type of departure determines how you should depart: retirement; resignation to go to another church; resignation but not going to another church, etc.

Major principle: Don't burn bridges.

Determine the order you will tell people, but remember you won't have much time before everyone knows.

Make certain you adhere to all the terms of departure such as the required notice.

Be as transparent as possible, but remember the bridge-burning principle.

Provide the congregation hope.

 

Resources:

NAMB Replant Summit 2022 

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Church Answers

 

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/zq30byhnYns

Kevin and Thom look five years into the future to project what good church leaders will look like then. They provide insights about some steps you can take now to be that great church leader. In part three, they remind church leaders that evangelism has waned in most churches, and it must return.

Let the church know you personally prioritize evangelism.

Don't let six months pass without an emphasis on evangelism.

Inviting people to church serves as indirect evangelism.

Evangelize your new members' class.

Understand the inverse relationship between age and receptivity to the gospel.

 

Resources:

Listen to Part 1: "Learning to Lead in a New Culture"

Listen to Part 2: "The Basics Have Not Changed"

Life On Mission app

SEND Relief 

I Am a Christian: Discovering What It Means to Follow Jesus Together with Fellow Believers - by Thom S. Rainer

NAMB Replant Summit 2022

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Church Answers

 

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/frANS9TBxwY

Kevin and Thom look five years into the future to project what good church leaders will look like then. They provide insights about some steps you can take now to be that great church leader. In part two, they review the basics that have not changed, and why they must be the leader's focus.

Acts 6:4 is still the priority.

Learn to lead your church through and in the Bible.

Demonstrate prayer in gathered worship.

There is power in groups.

Evangelism must return.

 

Resources:

Part 1: Learning to Lead in a New Culture

The Shape of Faith to Come: Spiritual Formation and the Future of Discipleship by Brad Waggoner

NAMB Replant Summit 2022

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Church Answers

 

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/zTOZH2F_1Yg

Kevin and Thom look five years into the future to project what good church leaders will look like then. They provide insights about some steps you can take now to be that great church leader. In part one, they share what you need to know about this new culture to lead in it.

It's a post-cultural-Christian world.

Your community or neighborhood must be your focus.

There will be more horizontal growth opportunities than ever.

Receptivity to the gospel has not declined.

Your core leaders must understand this culture.

 

Resources:

NAMB Replant Summit 2022

North American Mission Board Church Replanters

Church Answers

 

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.