4 Reasons to Change Your Church’s Name
I realize the name of this article may scare you a bit. I get it. Changing the name of your church may seem like a daunting task. As someone who has pastored an established church that ended up changing its name, I can attest to the fact that it is possible and that...
3 Ways to Improve Your Church’s First Impression
We all know that a church’s first impression matters. You may have heard the stat that suggests a first-time visitor will decide in the first 7 minutes of a visit whether or not they will return to your church. This means that long before they even hear the pastor’s...
Rebounding from Ministry Discouragement
I recently interviewed Isaiah Lewis on my podcast. In that interview, Isaiah told us about a very challenging ministry experience he went through. He went to a new church as their Lead Pastor but had no idea what he was getting into. It turns out he was lied to in the...
Mindset Shifts Needed in Church Ministry
In every area of life, our mindset will affect our decision-making. This means that a wrong mindset can lead to wrong decisions. When it comes to general church ministry and revitalization, having the correct mindset is crucially important. Here are several mindset...
Gauging Health in Church Revitalization: Trajectory Over Position
In 2010 I was pastoring my first church. It was a church revitalization effort with plenty of challenges and opportunities. This church, which had previously averaged over 200 in attendance, was now averaging 30. As the new pastor, I was inexperienced, but excited....
The Value of Strategic Planning for Churches
Over the years of working with pastors and churches, we (Church Revision) have developed several strategies that have proven effective in helping churches pursue their mission more effectively. One of the solutions that has proven to be the best help to many churches...
5 Reasons Church Ministry Should be Rooted in Volunteers, Not Paid Staff
Top-Down Ministry It’s common for churches to adopt a top-down approach to ministry. In this model, ministry is rooted in paid staff. If there is a need, someone is hired to meet it. This mindset stretches far beyond hiring the necessary pastoral staff and flows into...
6 Reasons Churches Should Avoid Debt
I have talked with several pastors over the years who, in an attempt to jump-start revitalization or church health efforts, have considered leading their churches into significant debt. Their thinking was that if they could get over that initial facility hurdle that...
Four Reasons Why Revitalization is Not a Competition
(Guest Post by Pastor Matt Dixon) One of the more difficult aspects of ministry is the “comparison game.” No matter how great things are going in your church, it is tempting to become envious of how God is growing other churches. You may wonder if you should just send...
4 Ways to Know if a Pastor or Church Should Reach Out for Help
Reaching out for consulting or coaching can be difficult for pastors and church leaders. We all think we can figure it out, we are concerned about what others will think, and none of us want to admit we need help. However, taking that first step can be the turning...
Only a Revitalizing Pastor Can Lead in Revitalizing a Church
Church revitalization is not for the faint of heart. There are numerous challenges. Criticism is common. Frustration and discouragement can become an everyday struggle. Even pastors with a healthy support system can work for years before seeing the fruit of their...
5 Steps to Overcoming Church Conflict
We recently highlighted the fact that conflict can derail church revitalization efforts. While that is true, many pastors are able to navigate church conflict on their way to revitalize their church. It’s not easy, but it is always possible. Here are five steps to...