The Church Answers Podcast

New leaders are excited for the challenge and organizations and seminaries have created focused programs and provide much needed support. Mark and Thom discuss these trends and other positive signs taking place within church revitalization.

Highlights:

* The issue of awareness is huge (The "A" of the ABC Factor from Breakout Churches.)

* There is no longer a shame factor associated with revitalization

* Revitalization is attracting a whole new generation of leaders.

* Revitalization is becoming a key part of the ministries of seminaries and other Christian organizations.

* We are seeing more stories of "revitalize heroes."

Other Highlights:

There is increased awareness to the reality of the problem within churches in need of revitalization.

There is no shame in asking for help when you know there is a need for revitalization.

God is raising up a whole generation of young leaders who care deeply about a declining and dying Church. 

With the creation of new organizations supporting church revitalization, we are witnessing a parallel between church revitalization and church planting networks of the 1980’s.

The older generation needs to see their roles as encouragers and those who help onramp the next generation of leaders. 

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Breakout Churches: Discover How to Make the Leap

* Church Answers

* Revitalize Network

* Hero Church - Cornerstone Bible Church, Long Island, NY

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

 

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.

Revitalization is not just a small church issue. Between 65%-90% of churches in North America are in need of revitalization. The work of church revitalization must be a group effort. Thom and Kevin share their perspectives regarding this absolute need for cooperation. 

Highlights:

Revitalization is needed at most churches. We cannot do this task alone.

Leaders need to know they are not alone.

Leaders need to celebrate together.

Leaders need to learn and find resources together.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Answers

* Revitalize 2020

* Church of the Year Nominations

* Anatomy of a Revived Church - Thom S. Rainer

* NAMB Resources

* Revitalize Bundle

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.

Comparison is an easy trap to fall into. It is tempting to look at a “more successful” church and wish we had a different situation. But as Thom and Mark peel back the onion we discover six ways comparison hurts church revitalization.

Highlights:

* Comparison creates dissatisfaction among members with the pastors and staff

* Pastors and church staff can have the “green grass” syndrome when they compare their churches and its members with some other church.

* Comparisons create unhealthy expectations.

* When we compare, we become consumer-members instead of serving members.

* Comparing creates a culture of criticism.

* When we compare, we don’t take time to “look in the mirror.”

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.

Dr. Kevin Ezell shares stories from the beginnings of the multi-site and replanting movement. Thom and Kevin discuss the strengths of these two movements coming together for Kingdom expansion.

Highlights:

* A church stays alive through the principle of multiplication.

* Proven leadership is provided to more than one site.

* Kingdom facilities remain kingdom facilities.

* Communities and neighborhoods regain a gospel presence.

* A formerly dying church can soon become a replanting church itself.

* More ministry and leadership opportunities emerge for staff and laity.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Revitalize Bundle

* End of Year Sale

Today, Thom and Mark answer questions from podcast listeners specifically dealing with churches struggling to make needed changes. The real question is, “Is my church too far gone?”

From Ed:

I have been filling in for a month at a church that has dwindled to 25 active members and they are asking me to stay on as pastor. My early impression is that this church may be too far gone. We are facing some financial strain soon due to deferred maintenance on our building. It feels like I’m just here to help them die with dignity. What are some signs that I have arrived too late?

From Ken:

In my church when I say "we are trying something new,'' it's often heard as "you were doing things all wrong.” How can I better communicate the need for doing new things in the church without the potential uproar or people getting their feelings hurt?

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Cool Solutions

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.

Today's episode focuses on the characteristics and hangups of churches in need of revitalization and replanting. Kevin and Thom discuss their experiences and observations from churches across North America. Pastors should learn to recognize the signs and influence change.

The Six Indicators a Revitalization Must Become a Replant:

*     When the trajectory is obviously moving toward zero

*     When deferred maintenance becomes a crisis

*     When the church can’t find a pastor

*     When no one is leading

*     When the church looks nothing like the community

*     When silver bullets are seen as the only solution

Other highlights:

* When a church is in a steady decline it has become a church that needs revitalization.

* If your first thought is a takeover, then you are not ready to lead a revitalization.

* When attendance goes below 100 the rate of a church in decline accelerates. 

* Churches have got to read the numbers on the wall and make changes before they die.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Autospy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive

* Revitalize and Replant Episode #115

* A Case Study of an Established Church Adoptiong a Struggling Church

* Cool Solutions

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.

Even with the increased desire of church revitalization from leaders of all generations, Thom and Mark discuss six reasons why some pastors don’t desire to go to a church needing revitalization. 

The 6 reasons some pastors don't desire to go to a church needing revitalization:

We don’t celebrate the victories of revitalized churches and their pastors.

Church culture is increasingly negative, and many churches needing revitalization have followed this trend.

Some pastors have the “grass is greener” syndrome and move on too quickly.

We have failed to equip many pastors in leadership and relational skills.

There is often a chasm between the expectations of pastors and the expectations of congregations.

The Internet age makes information about "better" jobs readily available.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Biblical Church Revitalization: Solutions for Dying & Divided Churches (Practical Shepherding)

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.

Measurements are important. Numbers tell us where we have been and where we might be headed. Thom and Kevin take this episode to discuss 7 important metrics that should be included on a church revitalization scorecard. 

The 7 church revitalization scorecard metrics:

*     New Christians

*     Total giving more than weekly per capita giving

*     First-time guests

*     Second-time guests

*     Community ministry involvement

*     Worship attendance

*     Prayer involvement

 

Other highlights:

- What is celebrated gets replicated.

- Sometimes we de-emphasize the measures which aren’t going well.

- Churches must face the brutal facts in order to know where they are going.

- We need to measure what really matters in the church.

- Numbers are our friends. Numbers can indicate our current status, where we have been, and where we might go.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Revitalize Bundle

* Stand and Greet People

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 know they have a problem and are serious about solving the issues through revitalization.Thom and Mark discuss the many positives behind a revitalizing church partnering with a healthier church.

Highlights:

Leaders can learn much from a healthier church.

Churches can share resources.

The pastor of the revitalizing church needs a listening ear.

Church members of the revitalizing church can see different models and approaches to ministry.

It can help the revitalizing church face reality.

Cooperation is biblical. Competition is not.

Resources mentioned in today's podcast:

* Church Answers

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.