Three tactical strategies for church revitalization
Revitalization takes an engagement process of continual thinking and planning for renewal and how it will impact your life as a pastor. Most scenarios of church revitalization are not as extreme as mine; however, all church revitalizations bring unique situations, obstacles, and challenges. Regardless of your situation, there are practical insights and strategies you can use as you enlist in this vital work.
Personal experience
Revitalization is tough. My wife Jana and I have faced a lot of pain along the way in revitalization, succession, replanting and renewal - lots of tears have been shed and prayers have been prayed along the way. However, the impact has been greater than we could ever have seen or imagined. We know what it is like to face a call to revitalization feeling unprepared and unworthy.
In our new book, we talk about what we wish we knew before we started the journey. There were very few books on church revitalization to answer our questions when we started. People were not talking about revitalization and renewal. The focus was more on church planting than church revitalization. Often, we felt alone in the fight.
God always has plans contrary to what is popular. My heart and goal as the Director of Revitalization for the Baptist Convention of New England is to see the holes and possible pitfalls that can come during a revitalization and help others navigate or avoid them. Our hope is that through our struggles and pain, others can find hope. While we have faced our share of pain, we have also seen many victories and triumphs, and we know you can as well.
Practical advice
If you are thinking of taking some first steps to revitalization here are a few strategies for you to consider. I go into more detail in CARRY ON: Tactical Strategies for Church Revitalization and Renewal, which was written to help practitioners know what to expect before they walk into a church revitalization and to help prepare them for the journey ahead.
Revitalization will take Tactical Engagement. Determine to be “All In” as you journey. You will need at least a strong investment of 1,000 days and a clear focus in your first 120 days. Purpose to not “bail before the sail”. Pray and ask God to speak to you regarding areas that you need to work on. Take notes and start to formulate your battle plan. We desire for you to follow God in obedience and to pray and trust Him for the outcome.
Revitalization will take Tactical Envisioning. Trust in the fact that God has called you to your zip code. Understand that the work that God wants to do begins with you. Just think, God is going to use you and your church to change a community. As your relationship with Jesus is revitalized, you can begin the revitalization of your church. Dream and envision what God wants to do in you and your community.
Revitalization will take Tactical Enlargement. What if God wants to stretch your faith through the process of revitalization? I want to challenge you to grow in your faith and say “Yes” to whatever the Lord calls you. Ask Him to begin to shape you and get you ready for the big things up ahead. He promises to be with you every step of the way.
Our ultimate hope is that you come out on the other side of this journey stronger, more alert and tactical, ready to take your church to the next level. Educate yourself on church revitalization, take notes, write out a plan, dream big, and ask the Lord to help you take your next steps forward.
Resources To Help You:
CARRY ON: Tactical Strategies for Church Revitalization and Renewal by Gary and Jana Moritz (Available on Amazon)
Your First 120 days in Church Revitalization and Renewal by Tom Cheyney (Available on Amazon)
Gary Moritz serves as the church revitalization director at the Baptist Convention of New England.
