Tag: dying churches

EPISODE #97 – IS REPLANTING WORTH THE ROI (return on investment)?

Written on .

Replant Bootcamp
Replant Bootcamp
EPISODE #97 - IS REPLANTING WORTH THE ROI (return on investment)?
/

The Bootcamp boys are back talking about why it’s worth saving dying and declining churches across N. America and around the world. Often, we hear pushback on investing time, money and resources in Replanting dying churches.

Here are some of the highlights:

  • A dying church doesn’t bring glory to God-that’s why Replanting is important
  • In history, a group of people determined that location needed a gospel witness-make sure to examine the history and see if that original decision still stands
  • Is there a pocket of “lostness?” Are there people to be reached?
  • Every church provides an opportunity to reach a person who is not presently being reached by the existing churches.
  • It’s worth the investment, you cannot buy in today’s dollars what was built with yesterday’s resources.
  • Replanting requires followers of Jesus to take a step of faith and live it out-primarily by dying to their self (and their preferences)

On very rare occasions you might consider repurposing and reinvesting the resources for kingdom purposes rather than replanting or revitalizing a particular church.

What are you thoughts? We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line, leave a comment or contact us on the Bootcamp Hotline.

Are you a Replanter? Need some encouragement? Join us in Atlanta August 25-26, 2021. Register now for the Replant Summit  

Let’s be honest-your web presence needs to be spot on. You likely need help. Our great partner can help you with all your website needs, check out One Eighty Digital today!

Continue reading

Episode #3 – How NOT to Lead Facility Changes

Written on .

Replant Bootcamp
Replant Bootcamp
Episode #3 - How NOT to Lead Facility Changes
/

In this episode Bob and JimBo start a new segment called, ‘Stupid Stuff We Did and Survived’. JimBo will share a few stories of how he unwisely led facility changes. We invite you to laugh at us and with us during this episode. Hopefully you will be encouraged and challenged as well.

Some things to consider in leading change well

  • Cast a vision for change, don’t just make changes. When people understand and believe in the ‘WHY’ behind changes it is easier for them to get on board.
  • Communicate and then communicate some more. You cannot over-communicate.
  • Have compassion for how change impacts people. (Jeff Iorg does a great job of talking about this in his book, ‘Leading Major Change‘).
  • Move to a system where everything does not have to be voted on, but you still need to give people a voice in the process.
  • Create a diverse team of people to help lead change in the church.

What are some of your stories of leading change that didn’t go well?

Episode #2 – Advice for Replanting Residents and Rookies (with Boots on the Ground Guest Jesse Peters)

Written on .

Replant Bootcamp
Replant Bootcamp
Episode #2 - Advice for Replanting Residents and Rookies (with Boots on the Ground Guest Jesse Peters)
/

In this episode Bob and JimBo are joined by BOOTS ON THE GROUND GUEST Jesse Peters from Ebenezer Baptist Church in Henderson, NC. Jesse is helping start a replanting residency at his church and wanted to know what advice we would have for replanting residents and rookies.

Replanting is not easy work, but it also isn’t super complicated.

  • Visit Everyone in the Church
    • Make pastoral visits a high priority in your first year to get to know everyone in the congregation. Get an understanding of where they are spiritually, hear stories of the church and their lives. You need to know the sheep in order to shepherd the sheep.
  • Preach the Gospel
    • This is about more than your sermons. One of the primary objectives for a Replanter is to align everything the church does with the gospel. We recommend ‘Gospel Driven Church‘ by Jared Wilson as a great resource on this topic.
  • Reach Out to the Community
    • Get to know your community. Build relationships with people in the community. Make a difference in the community. Effective replant pastors work hard to move their churches to have a missional focus.
  • Find Some Men to Disciple
    • In Reclaiming Glory, Mark Clifton defines success in replanting as a church that is making disciples that makes disciples that make the community noticeably better.
  • Evaluate the Condition of Your Church
    • When you walk into a dying church there a lot of things that need to change, and you can’t change them all at once. Start evaluating and making a private list in your prayer journal. Take the initiative to help the church move forward as an organization.
  • Don’t Forget to Celebrate
    • As mentioned in the last point, you need to evaluate. But be careful not to let this give you a negative outlook. Find things to celebrate and find joy in celebration. Lead with celebration and encouragement.
  • Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
    • Have fun!! The weight of it all can make you feel like everything is make or break. The church you are pastoring has likely been in decline for a long time – one bad Sunday under your watch won’t kill it, trust us!
  • Find Some Friends! Encouragers
    • DO NOT WALK THIS ROAD ALONE!! Replanting is gritty and glorious work. There will be plenty of discouragement, work to build some relationships with people who are encouragers. Find other pastors who are farther along than you to walk this road with you. This is one of the biggest things that helped us survive our first five years.

What would you add??

Episode #1 – What is the Difference Between a Replant and a Revitalization?

Written on .

Replant Bootcamp
Replant Bootcamp
Episode #1 - What is the Difference Between a Replant and a Revitalization?
/

In this episode Bob and JimBo discuss and define terms. This is one of the questions we get the most. What is the difference between a replant and a revitalization.

Replanting is a form of revitalization. Every replant is a revitalization, but not every revitalization is a replant.

REVITALIZATION = existing church + existing leaders + existing structure + history or legacy + renewed/new effort (over a protracted period of time)

REPLANT = new qualified/skilled leader + existing people + new structures/approaches + outside partners + new people + history

© REPLANT BOOTCAMP | Website by OneEighty