THE
CHURCH
Revitalizer A Revitalization Retreat in Every Issue
Jan/Feb 2019 Vol 6 Issue 1
“The only magazine dedicated to Church Revitalization.�
From The Editor Welcome to the Church Revitalizer Magazine: The Revitalization of the local church has never been more important than it is right now. We are beginning to see signs similar to that of the church planting movement of the late 90’s and early 2000’s where there was the watering down of the cause by those who wanted to attach their preconceived wagon in an attempt to parley such attachments into chance. The result was the growth of thousands of newly created church planting organizations watering down what was required to start a healthy church plant. As we begin 2019 I am not seeking to be an alarmist but it has crossed my mind that the same thing that happened in church planting might be about to transpire in the field of church revitalization and renewal. Never has there been a greater need to keep the cause of church revitalization and renewal focused on saving declining and dying churches. Church Revitalizer hear me, when we get humble enough, and low enough, and desperate enough, and hungry enough, and concerned enough, and passionate enough, and broken enough, and clean enough, and prayerful enough, then the Lord our God will send us a revival that equals, if not surpasses, the great awakening. There will be a sweeping movement of revitalized churches all across this land. I pray as we begin 2019 for an awakening within all of our souls so that heaven will give us an outpouring, earth-shaking revival in our revitalized churches with a renewed hell defying authority that shouts to the world in which we minister, “God is doing it again!” Give us oh Lord, a flaming challenge to revitalize our churches and begin to save our land. Send the fire I pray! Within this edition we want to look at the best Church Revitalization articles of 2018 in review. Stay connected, more is coming!
ChurchRevitalizer.Guru
Dr. Tom Cheyney is the Founder and Directional Leader of Renovate National Church Revitalization Conference and Executive Editor of the Church Revitalizer.
Contents
Characteristics of the Successful Church Revitalizer Tom Cheyney
p. 10
Don’t Become a Blockbuster Church Character Qualities of the Good Revitalizer Lee Kricher
p. 14
15 Reasons Why Pastors Can’t Lead Helping Children Build Strong Faith Foundations
Terry Rials
p. 16
Brian Thorstad
p. 22
Bill Hegedus
Ron Smith
p. 18
p. 28
Also in this issue: The Revitalization Leadership Challenge p. 30 Chris Irving
Always a Student p. 50 Jim Grant
What Lessons Can We Learn from the Giant Redwoods p. 52 Darwin Meighan
Planned Absense–The Sheep May Wander But They Will Grow Fonder–and You Can Avoid Burnout p. 60 4
Joel Breidenbaugh
Church Revitalization: It’s Every Pastor’s Calling
Jan/Feb | Vol 6, No 1
Gardening Model for Mentoring Young Leaders George Thomasson
p. 34
Milemarkers on the Road to Revitalization
Things I’ve Learned on the Way to Revitalization Bill Tenny-Brittian
Steve Smith
p. 38
p. 40
Breaking Up the Logjam Bud Brown
p. 44
7 Things I Wish I knew Before I Revitalized a Church Bob Whitesel
p. 46
THE LEADERSHIP LINK… Dream Big Michael Atherton
p. 58
Little Wins Grow Big Visions p. 62 Pete Tackett
Don’t Let Social Media Derail Revitalization p. 64 Rodney Harrison
De-Clutter Your Life p. 68 David Jackson
Lessons Learned from Church Revitalization and Renewal p. 74 Steve Sells
Teaching to Change Lives p. 76 Fred Boone
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THE
CHURCH
Revitalizer Volume 6, No. 1
The Church Revitalizer Is published bi-monthly by Renovate Publishing Group 1906 West Lee Road Orlando, FL 32810 Email: ChurchRevitalizer.guru
PUBLISHER Executive Editor Dr. Tom Cheyney Associate Publisher Mark Weible Associate Publisher Circulation & Marketing Ashleigh Cheyney
The Church Revitalizer Q&A: What is The Church Revitalizers purpose? To help churches that need to be reinvigorated and renewed effectively receive help in issues that revitalizers face everyday. Articles, resources, and information are gathered from authors all over the country who have been through, or may currently be in, the revitalization process and we want to share their knowledge. How can I write for The Church Revitalizer? Contact us at Goba@goba.org How do I get help with subscription issues? Go to churchrevitalizer.guru to renew, order a gift, or resolve any issues. May I reprint articles? Yes, if it’s for church education, for small group purposes, is less than 1,000 copies and is not offered for resale. Please contact us for more information.
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Brand Manager Tom Cheyney Magazine Designer & Format Editor Ashleigh Cheyney Director of Advertising Renovate Staff Web Ad Traffic Director Mark Weible For subscription information contact this office at: www.churchrevitalizer.guru/subscriptions. Subscriptions are $19 per year for six issues. Outside the U.S. add $10.00 per year prepaid.
Stock images from ISTOCK Photo, Unsplash or where otherwise noted. Š Copyright 2018 Renovate Publishing Group
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Characteristics of the Successful
Church Revitalizer
10
I get asked everywhere I go, “what are the things that make a good church revitalizer?” I usually will discuss character qualities initially and then point them to key skill sets necessary as they develop into a successful revitalizer of churches. In this edition I want to look at characteristics of church revitalizers who have been successful and continue to be successful. Before I share my point of view, it should be declared initially that they need an active, effective, and consistent prayer life. Prayer is the starting point in any church revitalization effort. Church revitalizers are patient toilers who seek counsel, and who also understand the importance of timing in renewal. They are able to take extraordinary risks in order to achieve their objectives towards revitalization. These renewal leaders keep the staff lean and prefer to utilize volunteers over hired staff. They keep the church flexible and stable by practicing lean simple forms.
So here are the characteristics of a successful church revitalizer:
A church revitalizer is often identified by laity as a builder. They seek to make things better within the church they are seeking to turnaround. They believe deep down they can make a lasting difference. Church revitalizers have the ability to learn from other church revitalizers and seek to develop as much knowledge and Biblical training from experienced leaders in church revitalization so when they are deployed they will know how to lead a church that must rise from its deathbed vigil and get it growing spiritually and numerically once again! Their spiritual experience is living and fresh. They know they are chosen and sent. While revitalization is difficult, they possess the right skill sets for turning a church around. A final word by way of introduction is that these church revitalizers understand how to evaluate their present context and plan for the future.
Church revitalizers need to be completely honest with themselves and with God about their sins and the sins of the people they lead. It takes a breaking of one’s self and a repentant soul to begin the process of renewal. Church revitalizers must start with themselves before they can begin with their church members.
A Brokenness Before the Lord Church revitalizers possess a brokenness before the Lord over the situation of the church and toil daily to bless the church through hard work as a minister of the Gospel.
God’s Vision Only Church revitalizers seek God and get their vision from Him. In a day where most declining churches have borrowed vision from the latest self-help book, these revitalizers desire a freshness from the Lord.
Are Openly Transparent
They Are All In Church revitalizers are passionate people who are completely committed to their Lord, the church, and the revitalization process. They are all in and ready to go to work.
A Bias for Action Not Idleness Church revitalizers have a bias for action. They encourage creativity and are willing to risk failure. A church revitalizer understands the needs of their target commu-
nity and possesses a genuine interest in meeting the needs of people. Church revitalizers keep prospects close and seek to minister to them!
They Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing Church revitalizers deliver and express quality programs that provide a perceived value that participants are seeking. These renewing churches are contagious and stimulating. They generate energy rather than deplete it. Church revitalizers focus on what they do best and avoid launching programs that take away from the vision and spread the workers too thin. They make very informed decisions and stick with them.
Seek New Paths, Places, and People Church revitalizers have a clear determination to clear new paths and lead the church to new places while reaching new people. These renewal leaders grow bored over unchanging routines and maintenance chores. They acquire their energy from short term challenges and sprints rather than from marathons. Church revitalizers can easily persuade others to jump on the bandwagon. They are the hopeful one, and not just the optimistic ones. Church revitalizers inspire more than they motivate.
Have Courage in the Face of Opposition
“Church revitalizers need to be completely honest with themselves and with God about their sins and the sins of the people they lead. It takes a breaking of one’s self and a repentant soul to begin the process of renewal. Church revitalizers must start with themselves before they can begin with their church members.”
They refuse to simply go through the motions as a pastor and play church. Church revitalizers seek regeneration over stagnation. These pastors must possess a single-mindedness that seeks out life and fosters the ability for others to sense life. Church revitalizers take the time to honor the past so they can move productively into the future! They sense God’s call as a leader to develop growing spiritual churches. Church revitalizers choose to be reaching out into the community over isolation behind fortress walls. Church renewal pastors expend their time on ministries that will grow a church over ministries that are detached from the congregation’s life and ministry.
Church revitalizers realize that most churches do not grow under the leadership of the “nice” leader! A renewal pastor must be open, honest, firm, straight forward, able to confront problems and manage conflict while displaying love towards everyone. Church revitalizers have the courage to do the things necessary in the face of opposition, criticism, and emotional pain! Church revitalizers are able to handle the blows of personal attacks by keeping their objectives in view. They know they are chosen and sent. These revitalizers repel those who are caretakers and managers of the status quo and choose those of life and vitality. Church revitalizers are committed to the ongoing long-term mission of revitalization.
Fun to be Around
Are Personal Soul Winners
Church revitalizers choose making ministry fun again over one that snoozes on. Because they choose bold advancement over mild maintenance, newer church members will rally around their causes. They choose to be pioneers over patio sitters. Church revitalizers choose to move forward now over tomorrow! These ministers function more as an apostle than a lethargic leader.
Church revitalizers are personal evangelist and actively participate in reaching individuals for Christ as a soul winner. These ministers care more about everyone coming to know Jesus Christ than they care about keeping their churches small enough so that they can know everyone. They joyfully and expectantly reproduce disciples. Church revitalizers reach out to pockets
Choose Life Over Death
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