The Church Answers Podcast

There will be times in a church revitalization or replant when you sense from God that it is time to leave. Mark and Thom discuss five steps pastors and other church staff should take to leave a church in a healthy manner.

1. Prayerfully make sure you have heard from God clearly about this call away from the church.

2. Decide who should be told and in what order and time.

3. Use the time to show gratitude and love.

4. Don't burn bridges.

5. Prepare your successor for success.

 

Resources:

“Six Reasons Your Pastor Is About to Quit” by Thom S. Rainer 

* View on YouTube

 

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.

Kevin and Thom have been following the progress or lack of progress of revitalizing churches as they regather. After several months of regathering, these churches have six definitive trends.

1. Regathered worship attendance is about 20% lower.

2. A paradox of celebration and exhaustion is present among the members.

3. Lingering conflict over COVID issues remain.

4. Some formerly faithful members are AWOL.

5. New guests are coming.

6. Opportunities and challenges are exacerbated.

 

Resources:

Rainer on Leadership Episode # 595 - “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.

There is often an intense pain when a church member comes to you with complaints about your spouse. Whether you are a pastor or any other person on ministry staff. Mark and Thom offer five responses you should make immediately.

1. Pray for calm and wisdom.

2. Let the church member know your spouse is someone you love dearly. You will defend them without hesitation.

3. Let the church member know it is inappropriate to come to you with a problem with your spouse. That is an unbiblical way of dealing with these matters.

4. Ultimately, you tell the church member that you will not be a sounding board for this complaint.

5. In most cases, it is best to tell your spouse about the complaint. Married couples should not hide things from each other.

Bonus - Maybe there’s some truth in what a church member is saying about your spouse.

 

Resources:

"One of the Stupidest Things I Did in 44 Years of Marriage" by Thom S. Rainer 

View on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/FjCHIXTNONI

 

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.

Approximately 10,000 Boomers turn 65 every day. At some point, they will consider retirement. Mark and Thom looked at six reasons why leading a revitalizing church could be a good option in the retirement years.

1. Your experience is invaluable.

2. You could work part-time since many revitalizing churches can't afford full-time pay.

3. You could go for a limited duration.

4. You could see the country (or world) in this ministry.

5. Your ministry is never over.

6. Your sixties and seventies can be your most productive decades.

 

Resources:

Retirement consultation with Art Rainer - contact [email protected]

Mission Dignity

Interim Pastor University

View on YouTube

 

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.

 

Many pastors face that defining moment where they feel like they can't lead their church because a power broker in the church opposes their leadership at almost every juncture. Kevin and Thom offer some wise counsel on leading (or not) in such tough scenarios.

How do power brokers get their power?

Go back to Cracker Barrel.

Seek common ground.

Decide when to hold 'em or fold 'em.

Seek other allies.

Pray for the power broker.

Seek God's discernment for your future.

 

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.

We have heard and read countless discussions on "worship wars" in the church. Most of these wars were really generational wars. Thom and Kevin look at five ways to address and deal with these wars.

1. Try to understand the true reasons behind the conflict.

2. Get representatives of the different generations talking to each other.

3. Show examples of generational unity from other churches.

4. Get members of different generations working together in ministry.

5. Consider cross-generational small groups

 

Resources:

“The Berry Bucket and How It Often Causes Church Conflict”

* View this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/fb-t2TGa708

 

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.

Some church members have unreasonable expectations about when pastors and staff should be in the office. This concern has been exacerbated by COVID. Mark and Thom look at some strategic ways to respond.

Listen to them.

Recognize that many members deal with old paradigms.

Let them know what ministry responsibilities take you out of the office.

Be willing to compromise.

Keep limited office hours where anyone can have access to you.

 

Resources:

* Check out today’s episode of Revitalize & Replant on YouTube

 

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.

Almost every week, the team at Church Answers gets one or more questions about bylaws. For many church leaders, bylaws seem to be, at best, a necessary evil. Thom and Kevin look at this issue from a few different angles with the guarded conclusion that, yes, church leaders do need to examine their bylaws.

You need to look at your bylaws to make certain the church is meeting all legal standards.

You need to look at your bylaws to make certain there are no "dumb" clauses.

You need to look at your bylaws with an eye to maintain unity in the church.

You need to look at your bylaws while not letting them distract you from the mission of the church.

You need to look at your bylaws because culture and the community change fast.

 

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.

It is one of the most difficult meetings a leader will have. The time has come to tell a team member that he or she is being let go. On today’s episode, Thom shares some insights to guide you through this process.

Show the compassion of Christ. Remember you are dealing with a person, not a budgetary burden. They have hopes and dreams and families.

Make certain you have all your facts right.

Don't kick the can.

Be honest and transparent. Be kind, but don't sugarcoat.

Be as generous as possible.

Pray before, during, and after.

Note: Read Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud.

 

Resources:

North American Mission Board

Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud 

 

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.

This question seems to be more frequent since churches started regathering after the pandemic. Kevin and Thom answer the question with a "yes," but the affirmative answer does have some caveats.

Counting is scriptural . . . if it is done with the right motive.

Counting helps us to know how to use our resources.

Counting for competitive reasons is not healthy.

Counting helps us to see developing trends.

Counting creates healthy accountability.

 

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.