Revitalize and Replant

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some ways a pastor can prepare the church for a long-term revitalization. Accept the reality of the time it will take. Make certain your family is on board.

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss keys for church revitalization: facing reality, showing love, offering hope, having a clear plan, loving the community, and respecting history. They stress the importance of honesty, data visualization, unconditional love, community engagement, and honoring the church's heritage.

Experts in church revitalization Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss assessing a church's readiness. They emphasize the need for humility, a desire to reach the community with the Gospel, commitment to the Bible, willingness to do whatever it takes, and faith in God's revitalization work.

Debunking the myth that conservative churches are growing while liberal ones decline. Importance of aligning theology with practice for growth. Challenges faced by denominational churches in the face of declining membership. The rise of non-denominational churches and caution against relying on transfer growth. Benefits and pitfalls of denominational alignment. Future of denominational entities in a changing world.

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss the role of baby dedications. Baby dedications are a relatively new thing in SBC churches. We thank God for the life of this baby. We remind the parents that they are making a commitment to raise this child in the Lord. We remind the congregation that they are making a commitment to help raise the child in the Lord.

Pastors leading church revitalizations face spiritual warfare, long turnaround times, leader fatigue, member reluctance to change, departures of good people, and challenges in becoming accepted as their pastors.

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Jim Eliff on how to make baptisms more meaningful and exciting. Consider bringing the congregation forward and as near as reasonable to the baptistery when you baptize. Print nice invitations for the baptism with the name of the one to be immersed. Always include the testimony of the one being baptized. If a son or daughter of godly parent(s) is being baptized, allow them to speak about their child’s conversion also. If a father wishes to be in baptismal pool with a son or daughter, this is possible. If your church is smaller (or even larger, if you can work it out), it is certainly possible to baptize in a location other than the church building. During the baptism, ask for the church’s faithful commitment to the new believer. Baptize as often as possible. It is important to teach on baptism. Resources related to this podcast: Thoughts on Improving Baptisms

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss the importance of a statement of faith for a local church. Your church needs a statement of faith. A statement of faith provides clarity about what your church believes on important issues. The statement of faith provides a boundary for leaders in your church. A church’s statement of faith is always subservient to Scripture. Resources related to this podcast: How We Use Our Statement of Faith by Christ Fellowship Elders

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some characteristics that are necessary in the life of a deacon. Deacons understand the sacrifice of Christ to be the foundation of their own sacrifice. Deacons understand the cost of living out sacrificial service. Deacons strive to first lead sacrificially at home. Deacons understand their sacrifice to be a source of joy. Resources related to this podcast: Joyful Sacrifice: How the Best Deacons Live and Lead

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Peter Krol on conflict resolution within the church body, based on Acts 2:42-47. Priority #1: Devotion to the Word of God Priority #2: Devotion to One Another Priority #3: Devotion to God’s Presence Priority #4: Devotion to Radical Generosity Priority #5: Devotion to Reaching the Spiritually Lost Resources relate to this podcast: Mark Hallock sermon