

Revitalize and Replant
North American Mission Board
Your church doesn’t have to die. God is moving, even in the most difficult places. The Revitalize and Replant podcast equips pastors to take their churches from declining to thriving by pointing them to a new future and a new hope. Tune in for weekly encouragement and practical advice for your pastoring journey.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 28, 2025 • 25min
A Conversation with D.J. Horton
Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst welcome D.J. Horton, President of the 2025 SBC Pastor’s Conference, to the show! D.J. talks about his heart for bivocational pastors, church revitalization, and some things surrounding the 2025 SBC Pastor’s Conference in Dallas this June.D.J.’s journey in ministry to this point, including his 20+ years at Church at the Mill.D.J.’s life as the son of a bivocational pastor and his experience in smaller membership churches.The heart behind the 2025 SBC Pastor’s ConferenceWhy pastors of smaller churches should make it to the Pastor’s Conference and SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas in June.

Mar 27, 2025 • 24min
When a Pastor's Kid Resists His Ministry
Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Barnabas Piper about what to do when your children resist and even resent your ministry in the church.Remember your family is your primary ministry.Remember you are called to lead your family.Acknowledge that ministry is hard on kids and costly to families.Consider the stage your kids are in and the cost of ministry for them.Take your kids’ challenges to your fellow leaders for prayer and careConsider your home and family dynamicsConsider your church’s relational and cultural dynamicsFind outlets for reliefConsider stepping away from ministry.Resources Related to this Episode:“Help! My Kids Aren’t on Board with Ministry” by Barnabas Piper

Mar 20, 2025 • 19min
4 Difficult People You'll Encounter in Ministry
Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Lifeway about some difficult people you will encounter in church and ministry life.The DominatorThe DodgerThe DebaterThe DrainerResources Related to this Episode:4 Difficult People You’ll Encounter in Ministry – and How to Handle Them by Christ Surratt

Mar 13, 2025 • 24min
Preaching the Invitation
Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how pastors should prepare and preach the invitation.Every sermon needs to lead to an intentional ask, call, or response.Never assume the hearer knows what to do. In fact, assume their next move needs to be directed by clearly articulated direction.Spend time in your preparation:Identifying what response should be made after the message.Craft thoughtful expressions of calling for salvation, service, or obedience.Decide whether there should be application following each point, or one invitational call at the end of the meeting.Make sure you plan to leave significant time and energy for your invitation and never let it be an afterthought.

Mar 6, 2025 • 22min
Revitalization Versus Renewal
Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how the word “revitalization” can sometimes be uncomfortable, and why the word “renew” may better communicate what we mean.Become a praying church.Understand the church’s mission.Focus on what God can do.The Word is the Word to follow.Serve God with glory.Resources Related to this Episode:5 Steps to Local Church Renewal by Desmond Barrett

Feb 27, 2025 • 22min
What Should a Pastor Wear?
Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how some things for pastors to think through when it comes to their attire on Sunday mornings.Ask the question, “What does what I’m wearing communicate?”You don’t want your clothes to distract.Wear clothes that are culturally appropriate, but plain.“Be prayerful and honest with yourself about this. Sure, not everyone will agree with where you fall on this issue, but I would encourage two things: 1) make sure your conscience is clear before the Lord in this and 2) always err on the side of plain and unimpressive.” – Mark HallockResources Related to this Episode:What Should a Pastor Wear by Mark Hallock

Feb 25, 2025 • 14min
3 Prayers for Prodigal Children
Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst talk about some ways to pray for children who have strayed from the faith.Pray for a heart of brokenness, no matter the earthly cost.Pray against the enemy’s desire to have them.Pray specific Scripture over their life.Resources Related to this Episode:Pray Them Home by Sarah Walton

Feb 20, 2025 • 27min
5 Types of Sermons That Fall Short
Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some types of sermons that just don’t hit the mark.The “I want to show you how creative and clever I am” sermon.The “I want to be real and authentic and vulnerable at all costs” sermon.The “I am passionate about biblical and systematic theology, and you should be too” sermon.The “I love to make the Bible practical for all people without explaining to them what it means” sermon.The “I want you to live the purposeful, prosperous, victorious life you deserve” sermon.Resources Related to this Episode:5 Types of Sermons That Fall Short by Mark Hallock

Feb 18, 2025 • 21min
Fighting the "Respectable" Sins of Gossip and Slander
Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst talk about the danger of gossip and slander in the life of a church.Here are good questions to evaluate whether the things you are hearing are information you need to know as a pastor or if it’s entering into the realm of gossip:Does this information involve me or affect me directly?What is the motive of the person who passed this information on to me?What is going on in my heart? Resources Related to this Episode:Fighting the “Respectable” Sins of Gossip and Slander by Mark Hallock

Feb 13, 2025 • 22min
3 Things Pastors Should Know About Every Kid in Your Church
Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst talk about some things pastors should know about the kids in their church.Know their names and basic info.Know what they enjoy. Know where they are spiritually.Resources Related to this Episode:3 Things Pastors Should Know About Every Kid in Your Church by Mark HallockShepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted TrippHow does a Pastor Respond to: “When Is My Child Ready for Baptism?” by Mark Hallock