The Church Answers Podcast

The virtual church was a hot topic during the pandemic. Now, as the church begins to regather, what are some major considerations to evaluate? Mark and Thom report on the ways they are guiding church leaders in this area.

1. The virtual mission field is a real mission field.

2. Prayer ministries in the virtual world have great stickiness.

3. Don't forget that your website is a virtual ministry.

4. Don't forget social media is a virtual ministry.

 

Resources:

Mondays with Mark 

 

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.

Though it's only two years away, churches in America will look significantly different than they do today. The pandemic accelerated trends that were already in place. Kevin and Thom look at some future realities just around the corner.

1. Non-evangelistic churches will decline rapidly and die. The transfer growth is just not there.

2. Worship gatherings will be significantly smaller.

3. The churches that are "for" will be healthier than the churches who are "against."

4. "Multi" will multiply significantly.

5. Co-vocational ministry will have grown rapidly.

 

Resources:

3 Circles evangelism tool

Church Answers Central

* The Unchurched Next Door by Thom S. Rainer

 

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.

Mark and Thom delve into the issue of changing your church's name. They suggest asking five questions. Too many church leaders have made big mistakes by not asking these questions:

1. Is there a compelling reason to change the name?

2. Is the reason for changing the name more positive than negative?

3. Have I asked the opinion of key influencers in the church?

4. Is this the right decision for the church if I am gone in a year?

5. What are the consequences if the effort fails?

 

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.

The small group ministry of a church has always been a vital ministry of a congregation. In this episode, Kevin and Thom share why the ministry is more important in a post-COVID world.

1. Assimilation will be critical and fragile in the regathering stage.

2. There will be an immediate desire for connections as the church regathers.

3. Your church's financial support will come largely from your group ministry.

4. There is the opportunity for the blank slate period to give a new emphasis on small groups.

5. The church is gravitating toward smaller gatherings naturally.

 

Resources:

Eating the Elephant: Leading the Established Church to Growth by Thom S. Rainer

Annie Armstrong Offering

Unleashing the Church: Getting People Out of the Fortress and into Ministry by Frank R. Tillapaugh

3 Circles evangelism tool

 

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.

In this episode, Thom interviews Mark about his work in the replant of Linwood Baptist Church. You will not want to miss some of the stories and invaluable lessons about replanting or adopting a church.

What is the background of this replant?

How did the church get to its near-death state?

What are some of the greatest successes thus far?

What are some of the greatest challenges thus far?

 

Resources:

Linwood Baptist Church

The Post-Quarantine Church: Six Urgent Challenges and Opportunities That Will Determine the Future of Your Congregation by Thom S. Rainer

Reclaiming Glory: Revitalizing Dying Churches by Mark Clifton

Churches Helping Churches

 

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 a reality for most churches. Many members will not return when the church regathers. Leaders must prepare for that reality. Kevin and Thom discuss how to best approach this issue.

Be prepared for around 20% not to return.

Understand that the departure for many of them was already in place before COVID.

Low expectation churches are partly to blame.

Establish a prayer ministry focused on those who do not return.

Don't assume they will never return.

 

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.

Church leaders are often shocked to discover many of their most faithful volunteers have not returned to their ministries. Mark and Thom look at five ways to jump-start your church's volunteer ministry base:

Restart your new members class with the expectation of being involved in ministry.

Ask for eight-week commitments.

Ask members who have never done volunteer work in the church.

Ask guests.

Do a sermon series on the work of ministry.

 

Resources:

* I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference by Thom S. Rainer

* The Post-Quarantine Church: Six Urgent Challenges and Opportunities That Will Determine the Future of Your Congregation by Thom S. Rainer

 

 

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.

In this episode, Kevin and Thom provide an updated assessment of how the pandemic has affected revitalization of churches. Enjoy it -- there is some good news in this podcast.

* Good: Many church leaders have become more focused.

* Bad: Church leaders are weary, and leading revitalization and replanting has become more exhausting.

* Good: The members who are returning are typically more committed.

* Bad: Fewer members are returning.

* Good: Digital streaming services have reached a new mission field.

* Bad: Many revitalizing churches are eliminating or minimizing digital streaming services as they return to in-person services.

Resources:

The North American Mission Board

Send Network

 

 

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.

Lay leaders often contact us in a bit of a shock when their pastor just quit, especially if it's sudden with no apparent moral failure. Mark and Thom look at five common reasons pastors are quitting today.

They are just worn out.

They took the "wrong" side of a political issue.

They ran into a controlling bully of whom few members are aware.

They did not have people praying for them daily.

They felt pressure from family members.

Resources:

“Overcoming Decision Fatigue” by Jess Rainer

 

Episode Sponsors

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.

Thom and Kevin look at the fragile nature of churches in revitalization, and how disrupted unity can totally destroy revitalization momentum. Even better, though, they offer some concrete solutions to overcome disunity.

Revitalizing churches are already fragile.

Resources of time, energy, and emotions are diverted from the Great Commission.

Most church battles are over minor issues.

Engaging in disunity is contrary to God's word.

Disunity pushes away guests

Suggestions to overcome it:

Focus on unity.

Take a social media fast.

Don't engage in political battles.

Pour your energy into the Great Commission.

Resources

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

Learn more about getting involved with the Great Commission at The North American Mission Board at https://www.namb.net/

 

Episode Sponsors

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.