20 Relics of the Church's Past: Which Ones are Returning?: Part 2

In this episode of the Replant & Revitalize Podcast, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock continue their conversation around church revitalization trends that may be resurfacing in today’s ministry context. Drawing from Thom Rainer’s article, “Twenty Relics of Church Past,” they examine which historic church practices are making a comeback—and what that means for pastors, church planters, and leaders serving in replant and revitalization settings.

This discussion helps church leaders discern whether these returning practices are helpful tools for gospel ministry or remnants better left in the past.

Church Practices and Ministry Trends Discussed

• Church choirs and their role in congregational worship
• The church parlor as a space for fellowship and connection
• Weekly home visitation as a discipleship strategy
• The return of hymnals in worship services
• Wednesday night fellowship meals and community-building
• A casual approach to recruiting children’s ministry volunteers
• Program-driven philosophies of ministry
• Large pulpits and traditional sanctuary design
• Special music and choir anthems
• Food pantries as a community outreach tool
• Use of the King James Version (KJV) in preaching and teaching
• Office hours for ministry staff and accessibility
• Landline phones and church communication methods

Whether you’re leading a declining church, revitalizing a legacy congregation, or planting with an awareness of church history, this episode offers practical insight into how the past can inform the future of local church ministry.

Resources Related to This Episode

• “Twenty Relics of Church Past” by Thom Rainer

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