Tag: church revitalization

Should we Revitalize or Replant?

Written on October 17, 2022.

Is there a one-size-fits-all approach to helping a dying church gain new life again? Or an instant formula that works every time? Unfortunately, no book you read on these topics will give you a predictable outcome for every situation. There are simply too many variables for a church’s factors of decline. And no two Revitalizations or Replants will be identical.

Conflict arises, culture changes, bad leadership exists, and churches sometimes fall out of touch with their community. Every church has glory days and difficult days. But if you’re reading this right now, it’s probable that you might be considering options for your church, or curious on what might be the best approach.

The Need for Church Renewal

When I first started working with dying or plateaued churches, I was overwhelmed at how many resources there were. In the past few decades, the need has become increasingly great for revitalization, because of the multitude of churches closing their doors.

The need for church renewal is urgent, and perhaps that’s why so many have turned to outside help for keeping their church alive. But there can be confusion on the language of so many books, programs, and resources. While revitalization is sometimes helpful, it’s not likely to work in every situation.

With a huge stack of books on my desk, I started getting overwhelmed. I am still new to Associational work and needed some training on what to do with some of our churches who were facing closure and looking for answers. So, I attended a Replant training by NAMB earlier this year. Now, in a very rural setting with only 15 churches in our association, we have one church in Revitalization, one church in a Partnership Replant, and one church seeking to plant a church that died almost 10 years ago.

There’s been confusion on the difference between Replanting and Revitalization. While there is some overlap, they are two different processes. Replanting is a form of Revitalization, but not every Revitalization is a Replant. So, what’s the difference?

Revitalization Defined

Church Revitalization is a deliberate, dedicated and protracted effort to reverse the decline or death of an existing church. Revitalization uses an existing church, with existing leadership, structures and history, but gives a renewed effort by addressing critical issues.

Many choose this approach because it requires less change up front, and seems to be less invasive than other options. When church members are not ready for drastic change, they opt for this approach (if they opt for any at all). It can use an existing pastor and the pace of change is normally slow.

But there is some caution to Church Revitalizations. They’re less likely to lead to lasting change and more likely to be a continuation of the same, and for churches who are facing imminent closure, success is slim to none. In this situation, Revitalization may be possible, but it’s not probable.

However, God is more than able to do anything with any church for his glory. Some churches have experienced great success with Revitalization.

How Revitalization Plays Out

After some conversations within a church, a church leader may either seek to be revitalized using their own congregation by suggesting a number of changes over a period of time to regain missional vitality and growth. The Church may address symptoms of the issues, but not causes. Sometimes, churches use outside help like a local Association or another ministry leader or team.

In a traditional church, those suggestions normally go through teams or committees and need to be agreed on by the majority of the congregation. More organizational approaches see timelines and financial costs involved. A church leader may try a new methodology to doing ministry, but it sometimes gets pushback.

According to a study by Thom Rainer, the estimated success rate of this type of revitalization is only 2%. But if there is a spiritually-binding covenant of agreement involved, its success rate is much higher. For churches facing closure, a more drastic approach may be needed to survive. As Bob mentioned in Ep. 1 of the Replant Bootcamp podcast, some churches have gone so far, they need a whole system reboot.

RePlanting

Replanting is a decision to close an existing church and re-launch as a new church, with new leadership (pastor), new name, new identity, new governance, new ministry approach and overall new philosophy of ministry. In some cases, it is not necessary to adopt a new name but simply to adjust it.

Replanting builds on the history of the previous church, but requires new leadership. A new identity can create enthusiasm and interest in the surrounding community. So a church that needs to Replant is one that does not have the time, energy, or resources to continue as their same church.

Under this umbrella term, a RePlant can be done a few different ways:

Replant Within: A Replant team is chosen out of the congregation under a Replant Pastor, and that team works together to relaunch as a new church.
Assisted Replant: Another healthy church partners with a dying church to provide leadership, accountability, and structure to Replant a Church.

Example

Thirty years ago, (Name) Baptist Church used to have about 200 in average worship attendance. They had an active Brotherhood, a WMU, children and youth programs, and lively worship. As they began to outgrow their facility, they decided to use their budget to begin building a larger sanctuary.

Through multiple conflicts involving prominent families and infighting about theological disputes, a group inside the church felt that their ministry staff wasn’t leading well. A large group of them wanted to separate and join another church. Others wanted to start a church of their own in a different location.

A large split happened. As a result, thirty years later a group of older members had done all they could to keep their church surviving. But without the giving they once had, their finances were quickly dwindling, and nothing they tried could reach a younger audience. Their reputation in the community was broken.

They grew tired of ministering, serving, and sharing the gospel after working so hard for so long. To make it worse, they couldn’t afford to pay a pastor anymore, so he eventually left. A long-time deacon went to the local association for help and their leader helped them consider some options.

All Things New

Another church closer to town wanted to help the church by restarting a new church in that location. Seeing that there was no way to remain open, the congregants decided to close as (Name) Baptist Church. They worked with another church’s leadership as they watched the church they once knew relaunch as a new church.

During that time of closure, a new worship team and Replant pastor were introduced, a new mission and vision for ministry was birthed, new documents involving governance and membership were printed, and a new direction for the church on the horizon.

Now, (New) Baptist Church has a different mission field. As they began to grow, baptisms and giving have increased, and they have plenty of space to meet in their sanctuary. Their reputation in the community is restored, and their identity has changed.

Similarities in Need

This may sound like an awesome example. But it’s just that, an example. While many churches have experienced new growth and success with Replanting, it can’t always be guaranteed. But whether your church decides on Revitalization or Replanting, both have similar needs:

Both require time, energy, and effort
Both require a renewed spiritual commitment
Both require a high receptivity of change

As a final word of encouragement, Remember that God is “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20). We need that confident assurance during this type of work. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your local Association, Convention, or NAMB for help with leadership, advice, counsel and care. Doing the task of Replanting or Revitalizing alone can be a lonely road. But Jesus cares deeply about the health of his local church.

If you think your church is in danger of closing, take this church health assessment. This self-assessment is meant to help assist you in determining the current state of your local church. Another way to get started is by taking an introductory course that will help anyone understand what church replanting is and how it provides hope for dying churches.

Defining Who You Are By What You Do– And Why it Matters

Written on October 14, 2022.

Three dangers to avoid when defining ourselves

One of my least favorite questions is, “What do you do?” I never know how to answer it– because what I do is so very little of who I am. Defining myself by my profession as a veterinary technician feels so inadequate. I am also a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, worship leader, and writer. For my husband, a pastor, the question of “What do you do?” can be even more complicated.

While on vacation a few years ago, we shared a dinner table with a great couple from Colorado. Our conversation ranged from our favorite places to vacation (cruising) to recent world events (unsettling as much then as now) to the joys and challenges of raising children (theirs were small, ours were grown). We were having a wonderful time and were really enjoying the company. Then at one point, the husband said, “Man, it’s so nice to be seated with some ‘normal’ people– the last time we sat with someone who was a pastor and they were so weird! So what do you guys do?” (Talk about awkward– my husband said, “Um, I’m a revitalization specialist.” A fancy way of saying Replant Pastor, I suppose– though there is a difference. We eventually told them he was a pastor once they realized we were super weird regardless of his profession.)

As leaders in our churches, we are highly aware of what we “do.” Ministry is our job– even as some of us hold down other jobs as bi-vocational leaders. So often, we are tasked with thinking of our profession as separate from who we are. But there is a danger in separating who we are from what we do– just as there is a danger in overlapping the two. While they are related, they are not interchangeable.

In chapter 10 of his book, Wisdom in Leadership- the How and Why of Leading the People you Serve, author Craig Hamilton gives us three main dangers of seeing what we do as who we are, or dismissing the two as completely and totally different. “At either extreme,” he writes, “we risk damaging both our ministries and our hearts.”

Danger #1: Trying to separate the two can lead to thinking that who God wants you to be has no impact on what God wants you to do.

This danger typically shows up when we think of our ministry as “just a job.” When you forget that you are called to shepherd your people and to serve them and instead view them as employees, or worse, obstacles to “getting the job done,” you’ve begun to think of pastoring as what you do. You preach, minister, counsel, and organize, but the heart is missing from it. Sometimes this happens because you’ve been hurt in your ministry. There is a temptation to protect your heart by cutting it off and doing ministry in a vacuum.

But there is a problem with that approach– without your heart attached to your ministry, you are at risk of moral failure. Your heart becomes numb to the potential pitfalls around you, and “you begin to think that moral failings and secret sins don’t matter and won’t affect what God wants you to do in ministry.” A long term separation of your calling and your heart will result in your ministry being taken away because of your own moral failure or because your ministry is simply ineffective. A practical step to ensure you don’t fall into this danger is to have an accountability partner. We are all fallible and we live in a fallen world. When our heart is at risk, we need to have someone who can speak a Word to us and protect us from falling. This isn’t just a friend– this is someone who you can be your authentic self around AND who can give you Godly, spirit-filled advice that you accept and receive.

Danger #2: Trying to separate the two can also lead to thinking that what God wants you to do is more important than who God wants you to be.

Just as thinking of ministry as “business” is dangerous, so too, is treating ministry as “busy-ness.” Often pastors are so busy trying to do it all, they begin to struggle to pastor themselves. Hamilton writes, “when what God wants you to do becomes more important than who God wants you to be, one of the first things to drop off the radar is your relationship with God.” It is so easy for a pastor to have his bible open every day planning sermons, bible studies, small group materials, and counseling others, only to realize that he hasn’t opened it for his own nourishment in weeks. This results in an atrophied heart with a weariness that leads to burnout. “I’ve got to get this job done,” becomes the mantra. People feel like burdens, not disciples. Ministry feels like duty, not joy. Long term, this separation will result in you walking away from God’s calling, overworked and overburdened. Preventing this danger requires time and care be taken for your own spiritual health. Sometimes that means a sabbatical, perhaps getting away from it all for a season so that you can come back refreshed and re-energized for the work ahead. The Shepherd’s House may be available to you for this time, or you may be able to find time at a local retreat. If you can’t afford a sabbatical, perhaps making sure you have a day of rest built into your schedule will give you the rest you need. Spend time with God outside of your normal schedule and your normal study.

Danger #3: When you see who you are and what you do as completely overlapping, you can begin to think that what God has called you to do is who God has called you to be.

This danger appears when we begin to see our value and worth tied up in what we do. The success, or failure, of our ministry overlaps into how we see ourselves. If our ministry is thriving, we feel Successful, which often leads to pride and arrogance. On the flip side, if our ministry is struggling, we feel like we have failed, often leading to despair. Instead of defining ourselves in terms of what God has done, we define our worth in terms of our own abilities.

Long term, this danger results in manic swings of highs and lows based on the measurable results of our work. But so much of what we do is immeasurable. Can we count the number of lives touched by our ministries the way we can count people in pews? Certainly not. We never know where we are in someone’s spiritual journey (1 Cor 3:6-8). We also never know how God will use our church to reach our community in the future. Basing our success (or our failure) on the number of people in the sanctuary or the number of views our livestream has will always make us more dependent on our own power than on God working through us.

We are easily susceptible to this danger when we do not have reminders of our worth in Jesus Christ. When we see ourselves as the world sees us, we are missing a key component of our relationship with God. He isn’t defining our ministry by our metrics. He is defining us as loved, adopted sons and daughters and heirs not only to His kingdom, but also to His suffering. As chosen disciples who are filled with his Spirit and are able to do more than we can possibly imagine through Him. Take time to read these and other specific scriptures that define your value according to God. Write them out and memorize them. When you feel the burden of failure or the joy of success, remember to draw back to God’s definition of who you are in Him.

When we confuse what we do with who we are, we run into dangerous territory and our ministry suffers. Jesus reminds us in Luke 10:19-20 that we should not rejoice in what we can do, but instead what He can do through us. What we do flows out of who we are– God has already redeemed us. We are beloved children of God, heirs to His kingdom. He doesn’t need us, but He chooses to use us to fulfill His purpose, that all should know Him. When we feel like our ministry is “just a job,” or we get so busy doing ministry that we forget to check in with God, or when we define ourselves by the success or failure of our ministry, we fail to remember that God is doing something around us. In your ministry right now, are you dealing with a situation where you aren’t sure what God is doing through you? Remember, as Bob said in the podcast, that first God does something around us, then He works on us through the situation, so that He can work in us before He ever works through us.

This is what He does, because of who He is.

Which of these dangers do you fall into most? What are some steps you can practically implement to make sure you don’t allow these short-term dangers to become long-term failings? Email us at replantbootcamp@gmail.com or contact us through social media to let us know!

EP 151 – BRAIN SCIENCE AND CHANGE RESISTANCE

Written on August 10, 2022.

Replant Bootcamp

EP 151 - BRAIN SCIENCE AND CHANGE RESISTANCE

00:00 / 27:42

Why is change so difficult to accept? Especially by churches who are steeped in decline? We may need to consider how we’re wired up and what we think. In this episode the guys talk about brain science, group think and what we need to know about it all as Replanters. Dial it up, sit right down and let us know what you think.

What do we need to know about Brain

Your experiences shape your brain and your reactions
Habits and Responses become hardwired into your brain
Your brain has a natural negativity (protective) bias
Thinking is contagious
Remapping a thought pattern is possible but difficult, time consuming

Church Application for Replanters/Revitalizers

Some congregants are fearful
Church traditions are hardwired in the congregations collective conscience and not easily disrupted
Congregations are hyper vigilant regarding potential threats to their existence
Remaining Members in a deeply declined church will likely have the same mindset
Changing the existing group-think is possible but will be difficult and time consuming

It’s not too late to sign up for the Replant Summit in ATL, we’d love to see you there!

EP 150 – REVITALIZATION IS POSSIBLE BUT MAY NOT BE PROBABLE

Written on August 3, 2022.

Replant Bootcamp

EP 150 - REVITALIZATION IS POSSIBLE BUT MAY NOT BE PROBABLE

00:00 / 27:54

The Bootcamp guys are back, discussing the realities of Church Revitalization. In this EP they break down the idea that it is possible to see a church revitalized but it is often not probable.

It may be wrong to assume that revitalization is the best option
Churches often will choose the revitalization option when they want to avoid making the necessary radical changes
How can a church determine if they should revitalize?
- Confirmation from the word of God
- Affirmation of the Holy Spirit
- Unity among the Body that God is leading the church to chose this
Church revitalization requires hard work-Pastors and leaders do their part, God does his part.

Are you currently revitalization a church? We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line, leave your comments and help the discussion continue.

If your website needs to be revitalized get in touch with our great sponsors at One Eighty Digital. They can have you up and running in no time. Tell them you’re a bootcamp listener.

EP 138 – WHEN YOUR SEASON OF LEADERSHIP ENDS

Written on May 11, 2022.

Replant Bootcamp

EP 138 - WHEN YOUR SEASON OF LEADERSHIP ENDS

00:00 / 24:35

Well Bootcampers sometimes your work with a local church can come to an end. And not in a way you prayed for, hoped or expected. When a church chooses to NOT revitalize or replant what are you to do? Listen in as the guys break it down

Here are the highlights

Evaluate your calling to this church, at this time.
Consider your season of life and your future – has the Lord granted gifted you to do another turn-around?
Your role may be to lead a church to the point of decision for its future and then to step back and allow the Church to make its decision.
If you stay after a church chooses to not move forward, shift your focus toward discipleship.
If you do leave, do so with grace and love.

Remember the Gospel brother, ministry is difficult, it is hard. If things have come to an end, remember you are not necessarily a failure, you may have been faithful for this season and this time. If you have evaluated your leadership and the Lord has revealed your mistakes, missteps or sin-repent, learn and grow.

If you’re tired and in need of encouragement check out this year’s Replant Summit, register now as space and free lodging are limited.

Do you feel like your website is close to its end? Don’t despair, contact our awesome sponsor, One Eighty Digital, they can get you up and running in no time.

Drop us a line, leave a comment or voicemail and share your thoughts, questions or stories.

EPISODE #87 – Should your church seek outside counsel?

Written on May 19, 2021.

Replant Bootcamp

EPISODE #87 - Should your church seek outside counsel?

00:00 / 24:49

Find out what special song Bob once sang on Father’s day

Should your church get a consultant?

Short answer, yes. It is wise to receive counsel
Longer answer – only if it is the right kind of consultant

What type of consultant should your church seek out?

One with experience in failure and success
One with recent experience
One who asks good questions
One who is focused on the right things

Next week we will discuss how to know if your church is ready for consultation

Episode #29 – ?Matt Stephens ?Boots on the Ground Highlight

Written on April 8, 2020.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #29 - ?Matt Stephens ?Boots on the Ground Highlight

00:00 / 24:14

Matt Stephens, Pastor The Fort Church in Columbus Georgia.

Matt stopped by the bootcamp and shared his replant story with Bob and JimBo on this, another Quarantine edition of The Replant Bootcamp.

When Matt became the Pastor the church had already been involved in Replanting for some time.

When another church approached them about taking on their church and facility in another state, they prayed and followed God’s leadership and moved their entire church, from Alabama to the facility in Columbus Georgia.

Sometime later, yet another church in the north part of Columbus reached out to The Fort and asked them to take their church.

Q: What are you learning as a leader right now during this season of social distancing and separation?

Matt: As a Pastor I’m grieving and missing my people.

One of the great blessings in Replanting is that you get to see Senior Adults get to play a big part in the relaunching of a new work.

One of the most difficult but important lessons I learned in Pastoring is that I needed to learn to love the people God called me to pastor.

Right now, we are focusing in on increasing our Pastoral care of our congregation. We are going to divide up our congregation and begin calling them and checking in with them personally.

Q: What is your advice that you would share with a Replanter stepping into a situation like yours.

Matt: Love your people, slow down, communicate and care for the congregation.

Learn more about The Fort’s story.

Episode #14 – Dealing with Church Debt in a Replant with Boots on the Ground Guest Kyle Bueerman

Written on December 18, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #14 - Dealing with Church Debt in a Replant with Boots on the Ground Guest Kyle Bueerman

00:00 / 32:00

Pastor Kyle Bueermann, First Baptist Church Alamogordo NM

Background: Kyle was called to Replant/Revitalize a church with 60 people that was in 900K in debt.

Q: How do you deal with debt in a Replant?

Be certain of your call: the call to Replant a church is a necessity-especially when that church is in a difficult situation.

Commit to the church: Kyle says; “We bought a house to show the congregation that we were all in, we put ourselves on the line, I knew I needed to do that so I wouldn’t have an out.”

Find/Partner with a friendly lender and communicate with them regularly. FBC had the benefit of their note being with their denominational lender.

Be open and honest about your situation with those who are coming to be part of your church.

Look for ways to reduce your debt: we’ve been praying and seeking sell our land but also exercising patience.

Steady consistent and faithful leadership is important to create a positive attitude and culture among your people.

We are confident that God is not surprised by our circumstances-and we’re trusting him to provide and lead.

Define Reality and provide hope, and understand the thing that brings hope is the Gospel.

Be patient-in a Replant nothing happens fast.

Links

Not Another Baptist Podcast

Replanting Rural Churches

Wiley Drake

Ed Ogeron

Arkansas vs. LSU 2019

Episode #8 – How to Handle Bad Business Meetings with Boots on the Ground Guest Evan Skelton

Written on November 6, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #8 - How to Handle Bad Business Meetings with Boots on the Ground Guest Evan Skelton

00:00 / 26:54

Bob, JimBo and special guest Evan Skelton, discuss how to handle business meetings that go bad.

“What do you do or how do you handle it when something blows up in a Family “business” meeting at church?

When Conflict Breaks Out

Realize it’s not the end of the world. Every relationship experiences conflict. Conflict is a sign that the church family feels like they can be honest.
Seek to maintain your composure-don’t get “hooked” by strong emotions and statements or retreat in fear.
Have a “co-moderator” who can help if you lose composure, be ready to turn over to someone who can handle the meeting during tense times.
Move in a pastoral way towards people, slowly and deliberately.
Confront public misbehavior publically and model appropriate biblical behavior during times of conflict.
Pay attention to your responses: tone, posture, facial expressions and how you are coming across.
Look for teaching opportunities that are inherent within conflict-call it out
Acknowledge the difficulty of the moment, the feel of the room, when conflict breaks out.
Resist the urge to never allow questions or comments during the meetings-redeem it and model for people who to ask questions.
Center on the gospel, show people how to communicate with gospel grace.
Allow members multiple ways to ask questions during the business or family meetings. (cards, email, text)
Instruct members gently about how to handle conflict in public.
Be willing to go to member’s homes to work out conflict if needed and necessary.

Proactive Responses

Celebrate victories, show pictures and show how God is moving in the church?
Let others share positive stories and testimonies about what God is doing and what is happening.
Do business after celebration and testimonies.
Slow walk-test out ideas with influencers and thought leaders in the congregation, get their feedback before bringing a potentially difficult agenda item.
Invite critics to become an advocate.
Eat dinner together before business meetings.
Consider changing the name of your business meetings-to family meetings.
Teach your people to operate in the fruit of the spirit rather than walking in the flesh. Let them know that if that is not possible and if things get contentious the meeting will end.

Evan Skelton Pastor, Bayless Baptist Church

Resources:

The Peacemaking Pastor by Alfred Poirier

When Church Conflict Happens by Michael Hare

If you Bite and Devour One Another by Alexander Strauch

Facing Snarls and Scows by Brian Croft and James Carroll

Episode #7 – How NOT to Build a Lasting Elder Team

Written on October 30, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #7 - How NOT to Build a Lasting Elder Team

00:00 / 26:00

In a Replant high capacity and qualified leaders are likely to be in short supply.

Don’t let the urgent need for leaders be a primary driving process for your seeking to install Elders.

Do not confuse excitement and enthusiasm as good indicators that you may have found the right person to engage as a leader.

The past church experiences of the leaders you are considering installing as leaders matters, do not ignore conflict that occured in previous churches. Discern the circumstances, issues and let that inform your decision regarding their leadership.

An Elder process is important-develop one and stick to it.

Elders share the load and burden of ministry. It is important to develop leaders/elders who work together, especially when you as a Replanter are needing help or hurting.