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As the leader of a church’s revitalization, you have to be able to provide certain things to the people and the community. Today, we cover six key components.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM ROBBY
I’m a young pastor getting ready to go into my second pastorate, and this new church is in need for mild revitalization. I have been reading about, studying, and living in church revitalization during my first pastorate, so it is not a foreign topic to me, however I’m no expert when it comes to church revitalization. What areas/actions would you suggest that I focus on as I begin serving in this new position?
Episode Highlights:
- Whatever age you are, always have a learning disposition.
- Good leadership does two things: it helps you face reality, and it gives you hope.
- Revitalization must be led by a pastor who gives the church a healthy dose of love.
- Churches in need of revitalization have to be reminded that they have a future.
- Any vision statement that is not actionable is not a true vision statement.
The six keys we cover are:
- A healthy dose of reality
- Unconditional love
- Hope
- A clear plan forward
- A love for the community
- Respect for their history and heritage
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
- ChurchReplanters.com
- ChurchAnswers.com
- To Dream Again
- Replanter Assessment
- Find more resources at the Revitalize & Replant page at ThomRainer.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 research:
(1) “domesticated” organizations are those in which no one has any choice about participating and everyone is grumpy as a result (cf. tax-supported public schools, neighborhood attendance zones, and compulsory education laws–students/families, teachers, and administrators all can be dissatisfied with each other during the entire academic year annually; quality often is low in this kind of organization–and objectives are missed);
(2) “wild” organizations are those in which everybody has choice and is happier because of it (cf. private schools–they can accept you as a student, but you also can choose their competitor down the street any time you want to–and take your tuition money and alumni donations with you there; quality often is high in this kind of organizations–and objectives are met; Christian publishing companies, donut shops and department stores, hospitals, etc. in all economic sectors fit here);
(3) “not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together” and “exhorting one another” (Heb 10:25; present active participles with the force of commands) are compulsory (cf. “domesticated” above) but where either happens is not necessarily dictated (cf. “wild” above); and,
(4) local churches with congregational polity fit the “wild” organization description–which is a good thing as they stand on the unchanging, non-negotiable inspired Word of God accepting others who also do, and can be a bad thing if that stand makes no relevant difference in the lives of turned-off non-church multitudes surrounding them by the thousands in their neighborhoods (i.e., doctrinally sound church that is sound asleep practically).
The individuals who compose declining congregations–large or small–must decide for themselves whether or not they each want to remain in business for the glory of God and the good of people as much now as their predecessors did when they first got their starts together as churches years ago (few US zip codes are shrinking numerically, though many of them are changing demographically). If the answer is no, then today those people should stop wasting precious resources, transfer those resources to other groups in keeping with their organizational bylaws, hug each other good-bye, and go to associate with other believers still on-mission with God in their community who will accept them (that “wild” organization thing again–on-mission congregations might not want to accept any more not-on-mission believers right now). However, if their answer is “You better believe we all still want to be actively on-mission with God in this neighborhood!” then they should prepare for the fantastic things that always come from God in measured ways as a result, commit to become together a true high performance team with all 6 of its characteristics, and organize their relevant gospel-delivery efforts to sustain meeting their established biblical-growth goals during the coming quarters and years and get to work (monitoring and adjusting as they go).
Honest and accurate talk about what local churches actually are is critical, and pastors usually are looked to for that (outside help can be good for this, too). It can be better/easier to start/start over with a small group of highly passionate believers who will do it than it is to start/start over with a group difficult to manage organizationally due to its size and diversity in understanding and commitment.
Start a turnaround this coming Sunday with the next one person who seeks a new relationship with Christ as Savior or a new affiliation with His local church (i.e., do discipleship, one person at a time–and over time, a solid whole congregation is developed).
Financial breakdown for a revitalization effort in my area:
Relaunch Expenses/Needs
Pastoral Team Support; $24,000
Building Updates; $18,000 (Signage, WiFi, Furniture, Decor)
Audio/Visual Updates: $10,000 (Speakers, Monitors, Projectors, Screen, Analog Board)
Ministry Updates: $6,500 (Nursery Refresh, Printer, Website Updates, Event Meals)
Printed Materials: $6,500 (Door Hangers, T-shirts, Contact Cards, Worship Materials)
Total $65,000
Launch Sunday will be March 25, 2018
YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS … PLEASE …
My insights, based on previous averages revealed via SBC research: To pay for the relaunch expense total you noted in a single year will require the congregation to average weekly 41 people attending both Sunday Bible study and worship and who give financially at the SBC average per cap rate-of-giving (i.e., 41 people X $32 per person per week X 50 weeks allowing for blizzards or etc. on two weekends = $65,600 in one year; more people giving at a great rate per cap and/or more often than once weekly for 50 weeks = more $; key: people attending both Sunday Bible study and worship). Using the same formula, a pastor can project the general fund receipts of the congregation he serves over the next umpteen years–whether that congregation is increasing or decreasing in attendance. It is a good thing to be able to tell deacons, elders, or etc. leaders, “. . . Yes; and, when the congregation averages 500 people again attending both Sunday Bible study and worship, we will have about $100,000 after all related new expenses–including CP contributions–that we will not know what to do with . . .”). This is the tried-n-true Andy Anderson “Church Growth Spiral” research that LifeWay’s staffers can help your church with upon request :-)) (note: nothing like it before its time, during its time, or since its time)