New England Perspectives
A regularly updated collection of articles written by New England leaders and thinkers. Looking for news articles? Click here.
The Week That Changes Everything: Palm Sunday as the Kickoff to Revitalization
Every great turnaround has a moment. A line in the sand. A day when everything shifts from what was to what will be. For the church, that moment has a name: it is Palm Sunday.
The Revitalization We ALL Need
As one year ends and another begins, most of us naturally pause. We look back on the year we’ve just lived—what went well, what was hard, what we wish had gone differently—and we begin thinking about what’s ahead.
This is a healthy moment. It’s a time for reflection, humility, grace, and even some dreaming. When done well, learning from the past doesn’t trap us there—it helps prepare us for the future.
As we step into a new year, Scripture offers a wise, balanced way to plan, renew, and move forward with God.
How Generosity Fuels Vitality in Your Church and Community
We lead in a time that demands bold choices. The church stands at a crossroads where the temptation to grasp tight with closed fists battles against the biblical mandate to give with open hands. Here’s the truth: generosity doesn’t drain vitality, it creates it.
Funding Beyond Survival: Aligning Resources with Your Mission
Revitalization is never just about keeping the doors open. It’s about aligning resources with the mission God has given your church. Yet every pastor knows the tension: giving patterns are shifting, cultural loyalty is declining, and the old funding models don’t always sustain the work of ministry. If we want to move beyond survival, we need to think differently about stewardship and funding in the life of the local church.
Turning Conflict Into Your Greatest Asset
You accepted the call to lead a struggling church. Attendance is down, energy is low, and the same individuals have dominated decision-making for decades. Every change initiative sparks controversy. Board meetings turn tense. Members threaten to leave. Here's the truth every revitalization leader needs: conflict during transformation is not a sign you're failing, it's proof you're succeeding.
Revitalization is Built Upon the Ask
Church revitalization doesn’t begin with a strategy. It starts with a question. At the heart of every turnaround story is a humble yet bold request—for help, for vision, for God’s power to move. The "ask" isn’t just a tool; it’s a mindset. If your church is stuck, declining, or drifting, you won’t program your way out of it. You must ask your way forward.
Be Revitalized Before You Revitalize Others
Revitalizing a church requires a pastor to use his head, heart, and hands. Why? Because loving God and others involves our heart, mind, and strength. The task ahead of us is accomplished through the power of the Spirit, yet it also carries practical and realistic demands. We've likely heard the saying, "God must work in you before He can work through you."
Honoring the Legacy in Church Revitalization
Church Revitalization can go well or poorly, depending on how a revitalizer handles certain aspects. One crucial piece is transition. How do we go from what was/is to what can be? Many mistakes are made when we ignore the people and things that have come before. We are not the hero of any situation we are called to – Jesus is. Pastors revitalizing churches can transition with strength, support, and energy if they honor the legacy of what has been.
Why Multiplication Matters: The Key to Church Revitalization in New England
It doesn’t take long to realize that New England's religious landscape is at a crossroads. Churches face declining attendance and consolidation, and there is a growing secularization. Let’s explore why adopting a multiplication mindset is crucial for revitalizing faith communities in this historically significant but increasingly post-Christian region.
The AI Revitalized Church: Embracing Technological Advancements for Ministry Vitality
In a recent BCNE Staff meeting, we discussed the concepts of the AI revolution and how we can embrace a tool that will not disappear anytime soon. In an era of unprecedented technological progress, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into various aspects of society has become an inevitable reality.
New England Churches at a Turning Point: Engaging the “Nones”
Across America, churches are struggling to engage younger generations. This trend is especially acute in New England, where less than 30% of adults under 30 now identify with a religion (Pew Research Center, 2015). As churches confront shrinking and aging congregations, they face a pivotal choice – reinvent ministry for the modern era, or risk fading relevance in one of America’s most proudly secular regions.
Igniting Church Renewal: Building Momentum for Vibrant Transformation
It is a New Year! Get ready to set sail on an exhilarating journey of church revitalization! Picture yourself at the starting line, eagerly anticipating the race horn that signals the commencement of a transformative sailing experience. The clock ticks down, and with less than ten minutes to go, a new wave of activity surrounds you. The race comes alive, their well-rehearsed movements filling the air with excitement.
Revitalizing the Post-COVID Church in New England: Cultivating Vitality for Multiplication
The global COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to various aspects of human life, behaviors, and relationships. It also messed with religious practices and how people approach services and gatherings. Churches worldwide had to adapt rapidly to new circumstances, finding innovative ways to maintain spiritual connections with their congregations while adhering to health and safety guidelines.
Why Revitalizing Historic Churches Is Important
Historic churches dot the New England landscape. In fact, there are few pictures more iconic “New England” than a historic church with its grand steeple raising up toward heaven. In those old buildings powerful Gospel sermons were preached by famous preachers like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and D. L. Moody. Equally powerful sermons were also preached in those pulpits by faithful ministers whose names no one remembers, but whose impact continues to be felt in New England until this very day.
Historic Equity
Living in New England, we are surrounded by the ghosts of history. The Boston Tea Party, Boston Massacre, Paul Revere’s ride (though debated), Lexington, Concord, and many other events. Many of the buildings here are historic, too. New England has more locations entered on the National Register of Historic Places than any other region.