Much of the hard work of church revitalization is in leading the church through changes. As I’ve often written, there is no revitalization without pain, because revitalization means change, change means loss, and whenever there is loss there is pain. And since none of us like pain, it is natural to avoid making the necessary … Read More
Tis the Season…to talk about stewardship. If you haven’t already started talking about giving and stewardship in your congregation yet, my guess is you are about to soon. In most Anglican churches, Fall is the time to talk about money because vestries are thinking about budgets for the next year. It’s not exactly one of … Read More
Have you ever said that in your church? Have you heard someone else say that, like in a vestry meeting? I often hear faithful older churchgoers say, “We just need to get more young families to come.” It is the most common “solution” I hear offered when people start talking about revitalizing their church. It … Read More
This is an important question in general for any Christian but it’s essential for church revitalization. As a church faces the challenges of becoming a more missional church that is reaching and making disciples of non-believers, it takes much trust in God. Do you trust that the God who created the entire universe from nothing, … Read More
I recently attended a continuing education course on church revitalization taught, mostly, by Kevin Ford. Kevin is a relative of Billy Graham, but more importantly he has consulted with churches on revitalization for many years. I learned a lot during the course, however one comment Kevin made was particularly striking to me. He said that … Read More
