The Church Answers Podcast

On today’s episode of Revitalize & Replant Mark Clifton talks about four ways to address preaching burnout in a replant or revitalization.

* Remember that the apparent lack of responses of the members may not be indicative of the work God is doing through your preaching.

* Share the preaching load with others.

* Seek prayer intercessors for your preaching.

* Take a break from the church.

 

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.

On today’s episode of Revitalize & Replant Thom Rainer and Kevin Ezell talk about the five most common times of conflict in church revitalization.

When you change the music

When you change the name of the church

When the newberries are the same number as the oldberries

When an iconic part of the facilities is changed or eliminated

When you go against the power group

Resources:

Evensong by The Gettys

Who Moved My Pulpit: Leading Change in the Church by Thom S. 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.

We all know change is hard. The idea of church adoption is becoming more appealing to change-resistant members. Thom and Mark discuss four reasons why. 

The pandemic has exacerbated the problems of declining church health.

The change-resistant members are becoming fewer in number.

Many of these members have seen their friends and family leave the church.

Many change-resistant members are weary.

 

 

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.

What are some things your church needs to know when looking for a pastor? Thom and Kevin share seven incredible steps to help your church as you look for a pastor. 

Get a clear picture of the church's actual health.

Get a clear picture of the church's perceived health.

Get a clear picture of the community the church serves.

Spend more time than ever reaching out to the church's community.

Be cautious of the "pendulum swing syndrome."

Communicate, communicate, communicate.

Be wary of the traditional steps that slow a search process.

 

 

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.

 

It’s a new year and everyone is tired. As we move forward in the work of revitalizing churches, Mark and Thom share the profile of a healthy revitalizer after COVID-19.

Has a realistic view of the post-COVID world.

Patience, patience, patience.

Is an example in evangelism.

Is emotionally and spiritually prepared for conflict

Has a longer-term view

 

 

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.

 

Submit Your Question:

Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you'll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.

The key to a strong revitalization is leadership. Today, Thom and Kevin discuss six leadership situations which will stop a revitalization dead in its tracks. 

Moral failure

Staff or leadership conflict.

When the pastor's family is hurting deeply

Majoring on minors

Letting a power group rule

Forgetting about the Great Commission

Resources in Today's Episode:

* Revitalize and Replant Episode #178

 

 

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.

 

Submit Your Question:

Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you'll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.

From most discouraging moments to greatest surprises of 2020, Thom and Mark answer listener questions on today’s episode of Revitalize and Replant.

What was your most discouraging moment in a church revitalization?

What was your most encouraging moment in a church revitalization?

Do you consider yourself thin-skinned or thick-skinned?

What has been your greatest surprise in 2020?

Do you discourage pastors from getting involved in politics?

 

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.

 

Submit Your Question:

Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you'll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.

On today’s episode of Revitalize and Replant we discuss the difficult topic of how to address moral failure of a church leader. Thom and Kevin Ezell break down five ways to deal with the unfortunate circumstance.

* Be transparent with limits.

* Protect the transgressor's family.

* Show grace with discipline.

* Be prepared to provide pastoral care to the congregation.

* Be as generous as possible financially.

 

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.

 

Submit Your Question:

Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you'll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.

When a pastor is called to lead a church replant or revitalization their family should remain their first line of ministry. Thom and Mark discuss five rules for taking care of your family in a replant or revitalization. 

* Make certain they are your first line of ministry.

* Pray with them.

* Get their input; listen to them.

* Do regular check-ins

* Don't sacrifice your family on the altar of your ministry.

 

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.

 

Submit Your Question:

Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you'll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.

Renewing a culture of outreach and casting vision for loving the community is vital for churches needing revitalization. Thom and Kevin discuss five ways to reignite an outward focus in churches needing revitalization. 

* Model it.

* Seek to lead explicitly evangelistically.

* Give examples of other churches.

* Combine prayer and outreach.

* Seek accountability.

Resources in Today's Episode:

* Get access to Church Answers Central for 30 days for FREE

* Pray and Go

 

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.

 

Submit Your Question:

Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you'll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.