Revitalize and Replant

Care centers provide an avenue to obey God, Who tells us to serve the downcast and rejected. Care centers offer numerous opportunities for evangelism. Care center residents will increase your trust in a sovereign God. Care centers make available a place of real and life-impacting ministry for young men contemplating or heading into the ministry. Care centers present a way to teach children to love their neighbor. Care centers remind us that sickness and death are coming. Care centers put you in the presence of older saints who are persevering in the Lord. Care centers put you in the presence of people who have hardened their hearts, rejected Christ, and may never again have a coherent thought. Care centers open doors to new relationships with those related to or associated with the residents. Care Centers provide a ministry environment where what really matters takes priority. Resources Referenced in this Episode: “10 Reasons Why Nursing Homes Are Great Places to Minister” by Jim Eliff

This podcast explores the struggles of pastors and leaders with discouragement, disappointment, and depression. It discusses the challenges they face in ministry, finding hope and purpose in difficult circumstances, dealing with wrong expectations, and the importance of faithfulness, obedience, and the power of the gospel.

The hosts discuss the importance of repentance and revitalization for pastors and churches. They emphasize pursuing holiness, avoiding sin, and the difference between habit and passion in prayer. They also explore steps for revitalization and seeking revival through daily application and fellowship.

You are here for the long haul – this isn’t a mission trip. Learn to discover and rejoice in the work of God even in the small places. Engage with other revitalizers so you can learn from their journey. Confident that nothing done in obedience to Christ is”wasted” your work no matter how slow it may appear matters. Take time to enjoy life, especially your family. Develop a deeper walk with Christ and learn what it means to pray without ceasing. Resources Referenced in this Episode: Biblical Church Revitalization by Brian Croft Revitalize by Andy Davis

The members simply will not put forth the effort. Pastors who are unable or unwilling to put forth the effort to engage their members and develop servant leaders. A lack of spiritual depth (carnal attitudes). Unregenerate members. Pastors who “quiet quit.”

On today’s episode, Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst are joined by Richard Blackaby, President of Blackaby Ministries International. He discusses his new book, The Ways of God. Richard addresses the following issues: How do I respond when I’m laboring for the sake of the gospel, but God doesn’t seem to bless? God cares just as much about how you do something as what you do. You can do the right thing, but do it in a sinful way. Often times, we don’t allow people the chance to respond to the power of the gospel that has been proclaimed. Resources mentioned in this episode: Flickering Lamps Revive Summit – Birmingham, AL

The preference-driven church Pastoral tenure decreases No praying together No clear purpose Obsession over facilities Neglect of facilities Resources Referenced: A Praying Church by Paul E. Miller God’s Not Done With Your Church by Mark Hallock

Slow erosion The past is the hero. The church refuses to look like the community. The budget moves inwardly. The Great Commission becomes the Great Omission. Resources Referenced: The Great Omission by Dallas Willard

A healthy dose of reality. Unconditional love. Hope. A clear plan forward. A deep and abiding love for the community. Respect for their heritage and history.

The unchurched community simply doesn’t care what you name your church. There must be an overwhelmingly compelling reason to do this (creating a new brand is not an overwhelmingly compelling vision). The new name may cause more confusion than you might anticipate. Think long and hard about the longevity and place in the community you are so quickly walking away from. It’s better to reclaim the name for God’s glory.