Revitalize and Replant

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.

Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst welcome Nathan Lorick, Executive Director of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. He discusses some of the characteristics of healthy churches. Some of the things he mentions: The necessity of healthy pastors The importance of prayer in the local church

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst are joined by Mark Hallock to discuss some principles from pastor Frank Lewis concerning dealing with the storms of life. You will encounter storms even when you are obediently traveling with Jesus. No matter how skilled a sailor, you might encounter some storms are more powerful than you. The time to prepare for a storm is before the wind starts to blow. The wind and the waves know his voice even when he is asleep in the stern. Have a song or hymn. Have a scripture. Have a friend. Related Resources: How Long, Oh Lord by DA Carson Pastoral Friendship by Brian Croft

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst are joined by Mark Hallock to discuss the role of worship in church revitalization and replanting. Worship helps your people understand what Jesus wants for their church they have to grow closer to Christ. Structured worship matters. A call to worship. Focused prayer and scripture reading. Responding to God enter the scripture rather than to a leader or a person. Congregation involvement through congregational reading of scripture. Related Resources: The Role of Worship in Revitalization Return to Worship by Ron Owens