The Church Answers Podcast

We have seen several trends among church revitalizations during the global pandemic. As we find ourselves approaching a post COVID-19 world, Mark and Thom discuss five of the most prominent trends we are witnessing in church revitalizations today.  

* Progress has been set back two to five years.

* More have moved from revitalization to seeking adoption or considering closure.

* Those emphasizing evangelism intensely are doing the best.

* Pastoral dropout has increased.

* A number are reporting greater receptivity in their communities.

Resources in Today's Episode:

* Pop Up Christmas Party VBS material

 

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.

We would all love for things to return to normal. But in reality, this will not happen any time soon, if ever. With this in mind, Thom and Kevin discuss six mistakes to avoid as your church regathers. 

* Assuming that "normal" will return. 

* Neglecting community ministry and outreach.

* Talking more about problems than opportunities.

* Failing to seek outside perspectives.

* Failing to reach the digital mission field.

* Obsessing about non-returning members.

Resources in Today's Episode:

* Five Ways Churches Are Responding to a Second COVID Spike

* Pop Up Christmas Party VBS material

 

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 pandemic has given us many reasons to stress and contemplate the future. Today, Dr. Thom Rainer and Mark Clifton discuss the other side of the coin and give us five reasons pastors should have hope as we look to the post-pandemic era. 

* It is still Christ's church

* Your community is likely to know you better after the pandemic due to the live-streaming exposure

* Prayer ministries grew during the pandemic

* The community likely recognizes more today the importance of the local church

* God sustained you and the Church during the pandemic, and He is not going away

Resources on today's podcast:

* Pray & Go

* Church Answers

 

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.

We can learn much from positive and negative examples. In today’s episode, we isolate a group of churches in order to examine five common developments in declining churches. 

* Decline is more pronounced.

* Closure or merger is more likely.

* Flaws become more visible or pronounced.

* Volunteers resign from their ministries.

* Conversion growth moves toward zero.

 

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 post-pandemic era is filled with uncertainty. Thom and Mark discuss why your church needs you, Pastor, now more than ever.

* There is still much uncertainty about the future

* Pastors will need to be purveyors of biblical hope

* Pastors will need to lead change more than ever

* Pastors will need to be constant reminders that the role of local congregations has not changed

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Revitalize and Replant Episode #169

* “Ten Reasons Why Your Church Members Are Ornery in the Pandemic”

* Church Answers Central

 

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 pandemic has helped church leaders and members embrace change. Today on Revitalize & Replant, Thom Rainer and Kevin Ezell discuss four additional ways the pandemic has been positive for revitalizing churches. 

Change is more likely to be embraced.

Power groups may relinquish control.

Budgets can be reallocated.

Complexity can shift to simplicity.

The digital mission field is likely to become a focus.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* One Weird Letter as an Example of What Pastors Have to Endure (Particularly in a COVID Era)

 

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.

As we help leaders approach post-pandemic era ministry, an interesting development has occurred in the life of our friend, Mark Clifton. He is currently pastoring a 3-member church. Listen in as he shares his unique strategy for pandemic revitalization and ministry. 

* Mark's story

* Understanding the hope every church has

* Why the church facility is important

* The abundance of adoption/replanting opportunities today

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Follow the revitalization story of Linwood Baptist here:

* Evangelism in the Early Church by Michael Green

* Mark Clifton’s Twitter page

 

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.

Many churches are approaching budget season. As church leaders we understand the importance of security in a revitalization but we have questions about the cost and how to pay for the needed security. 

* Develop a security plan.

* Never neglect the kids.

* Never neglect background checks.

* Get affordable cameras.

* Ask law enforcement to volunteer (and bring their police car if possible)

* Monitor the area, especially during worship services.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Answers

 

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.

We continue in our generational series with the Millennial Generation, born between 1980 and 2000 . As leaders how can we guide this generation in a church revitalization? Thom and Mark break down the generational tendencies and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

* Largest generation in U.S. history

* Largest non-Christian and unchurched generation

* Connects with church that have both a cause and the opportunity to be involved in that cause

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* The Millennials: Connecting to America's Largest Generation by Thom S. Rainer

* Leading Builders (Born before 1946) in a Church Revitalization

* Leading Boomers in a Church Revitalization

* Leading Gen X in a Church Revitalization

* Katie Davis

* Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption

* Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt

* Mark Hallock, Calvary 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.

 

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 idea of church fostering and adoption is taking off and helping many churches become healthy.  When a church decides to foster another church there may be signals the fostered church desires to move to adoption. Thom and Kevin Ezell discuss four signs a fostered church may want to be adopted. 

* They start asking if your church can help longer.

* They start talking about merging resources like custodial and cleaning.

* They begin developing strong relationships with members from the fostering church.

* They begin using verbiage as if the two churches were already merged.

 

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.