Keys to a successful church replant
Replanting a church is not easy, especially because it usually follows a revitalization process. But one phrase can help your heart and mind as you replant. If you forget this phrase you will most likely quit or not do much good for the Kingdom. Are you ready? Here it is:
It’s not about me – it’s about Jesus.
Keep focused on Jesus
This phrase has gotten me through anger and depression and helped me not give up. This phrase kept my eyes focused on the task Jesus has given me to do. In replanting a church, you will have to deal with people who try to bring you down through their comments, questions and snide remarks. The most significant task you have is to pray and ask God to give you the passion and energy to wake up every morning and be an example of Christ.
I keep this thought constantly in mind: Jesus is building His church (Matt. 16:18), so don't take His job! If we are going to pastor, we must understand that Jesus Himself is the head of the church. We are simply called to reach out to the people in our community and point them to Him.
Guiding people through change
With replanting comes change. All of us are creatures of habit, so by nature we don’t like change. It can bring significant resistance in the complacent heart. As a replanter, God is asking you to be the changing factor in a stagnant pond. What an opportunity to be used in this way by our Lord! Replanting is really reestablishing the mission of the Gospel and refocusing people on rescuing the community around us.
People love something bigger than themselves. They like eternal movement, momentum, progress and accomplishment. When people see and hear about the God-given mission and vision for what the church could be and should be, they join Jesus. When they see that God is moving and that progress is being made, they will get excited. If you make the work about you and what you want, people will see that you care about your kingdom and leave. Make Jesus' last commandment your first concern and be passionate about what God has called you to do.
Practical ideas
Seek God’s will for your church, then solidify the mission and vision, talk about it and put it up where people can see it. The people of your replanting church will naturally follow along and support the God-given burden. The church can't achieve the vision if they don't know what it is.
Here are ten characteristics that can revitalize your replant:
Empower people (teams) to lead without you.
Share all the credit, take all the blame.
Give your ideas away to those who don't have any.
Build relationships with your community leaders.
Ask community leaders what they need and help.
Step into the back and let others take the limelight.
Send people to other works, even if they don't return.
Pray for other churches and help the struggling ones.
Pray and support pastors, even they are not like you.
Have meetings in the community, not in your office.
As you replant your church, be the hands and feet of Jesus in the community. Eventually, your actions and lifestyle will catch on. People will notice you and join the mission of being the change. This will give you the validity to lead well, and the people will follow. As you replant your church in the community, you will be known for changing lives and being the difference to those around you. When you do this, watch a revitalization birth a replant.
Gary Mortiz serves as the church revitalization director at the Baptist Convention of New England.