

Revitalize and Replant
North American Mission Board
Your church doesn’t have to die. God is moving, even in the most difficult places. The Revitalize and Replant podcast equips pastors to take their churches from declining to thriving by pointing them to a new future and a new hope. Tune in for weekly encouragement and practical advice for your pastoring journey.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 26, 2024 • 23min
7 Reasons Patience Matters in Church Change
Patience is crucial when initiating change in church communities. Thoughtful leaders must prepare and build trust while understanding congregational resistance, especially among long-time members. Change can backfire if rushed, particularly in churches stuck in maintenance mode. Prayer and careful study are essential for meaningful transformation. Embracing gradual adaptation aids in navigating challenges, helping to prevent burnout among those weary of endless change.

Nov 21, 2024 • 27min
Answering Listener Questions
Tune in for an engaging discussion on church leadership as the hosts tackle how solo pastors can identify and train future leaders. They highlight the value of parachurch ministries in revitalizing the church and staying relevant in modern outreach efforts. The conversation shifts to fostering compassion within communities, especially for those with messy backgrounds. With practical insights and personal anecdotes, they emphasize that embracing love and understanding is crucial for genuine church revitalization.

Nov 19, 2024 • 21min
Why It Hurts So Bad When Church Leaders Fall
The discussion focuses on the profound pain that communities experience when church leaders fall from grace. Listeners hear about the emotional turmoil and feelings of betrayal that emerge within congregations. The challenges of forgiving and supporting a fallen leader's family are explored, along with the grief that follows such moral failures. Emphasis is placed on navigating crises of faith and the erosion of trust, highlighting the importance of keeping faith in Jesus during tumultuous times. Lastly, the necessity of transitional leadership for healing is articulated.

Nov 15, 2024 • 25min
The Lord's Supper, Part 1 - A Conversation with Jim Elliff
In this engaging discussion, Jim Elliff, founder of Christian Communicators Worldwide, shares insights on deepening the Lord's Supper experience in churches. He emphasizes that the observance is fundamentally a communal meal, fostering deeper fellowship among believers. Jim contrasts traditional practices with the early church's approach, advocating for a richer understanding of the elements involved. He also delves into the evolution of house churches, highlighting their role in community building and collaborative ministry efforts.

Nov 14, 2024 • 27min
When Visitors Don't Come Back
Discover the surprising reasons why visitors often don’t return to churches. From unfriendly greetings to unclear signage, each factor plays a role in shaping first impressions. Learn about the importance of an inviting atmosphere, engaging services, and clean facilities. The need for a user-friendly website and effective communication can't be overlooked. Delightful anecdotes highlight simple fixes to revamp traditional church environments. Tune in for insights into creating a welcoming experience that keeps visitors coming back!

Nov 12, 2024 • 31min
When Churches Are Too Busy
Discover how the relentless busyness in churches often hinders spiritual growth and genuine engagement. The discussion reveals how programs can become sacred cows, leading to ineffective ministry. Silo behavior among ministries wastes resources and stifles collaboration. Learn the importance of courageous leadership in reassessing practices and creating space for meaningful outreach. The speakers advocate for aligning activities with mission to foster deeper connections within the community.

Nov 7, 2024 • 29min
When Committees Are Out of Control
Discover the chaos when church committees spiral out of control, with more committees than members. The discussion highlights ineffective roles, stagnant meetings, and power struggles, especially from finance committees undermining pastoral leadership. Learn about the paradox where smaller churches have more committees despite dwindling attendance. Tune in for insights on restoring effective leadership and the quirky yet vital Committees that keep church life vibrant.

Nov 5, 2024 • 15min
7 Reasons Why Church Announcements Do Not Work
Mark Clifton, Dan Hurst, and Kyle Bueermann discuss some reasons that church announcements don’t usually lead to church member involvement.
Folks aren’t listening to your announcements (or reading your emails…or newsletters).
Announcements seldom include the “why” with the “what.”
Listeners hear a corporate announcement (if they hear it at all) for everyone else – not for themselves.
Some church members carry baggage that makes it difficult for them to hear a call for workers.
The wrong people make the announcements.
Announcements put the responsibility on the respondent rather than on the recruiter.
The church is making announcements, but not one’s praying for the Lord to raise up the laborers.
Resources related to this episode:
7 Reasons Why Announcements Don’t Usually Lead to Church Member Involvement by Chuck Lawless Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 1, 2024 • 29min
Experiencing God with Bob Payne
Bob Payne, a passionate volunteer with Experiencing God Ministries, shares his insights on leading transformative experiences in faith. He discusses the Seven Realities of Experiencing God, illustrating how God is always at work and invites us into His mission. Bob emphasizes the importance of prayer, scripture, and community in hearing God's voice. He highlights how obedience and making significant adjustments can lead to profound spiritual transformations, along with fostering a deep sense of community during church initiatives.

Oct 31, 2024 • 21min
8 Insights from Church Consultants
Dan Hurst and Kyle Bueermann, both church consultants, shed light on common challenges facing churches today. They highlight that many church websites are outdated and uninviting, often failing to attract newcomers. Friendliness is often overlooked, with inadequate preparation for guests. They also stress the importance of clear markings within church facilities, better child protection measures, and the need for engaging worship music. Additionally, weak preaching can hinder congregational engagement, warranting a focus on vibrant biblical presentation and actionable takeaways.


