The Seven Pillars Of Church Revitalization And Renewal

The hard reality in North America is that most churches and most if not all denominations are in a state of decline. The membership within these churches and denominations are plateauing and what used to pass for involvement and activity within churches is deteriorating. While all of this is happening, the rank and file of the church appears powerless to assemble the strength that is needed to get the churches growing again.

Reflecting thorough scholarship and decades of ministry experience, Robin Hadaway’s A Survey of World Missions examines the biblical, theological, and historical foundations of missions, as well as issues of culture and worldview, contextualization, philosophy, and mission strategy. The book is designed to assist pastors, students, missionaries, and theologians in developing sound theory and praxis for both the international and North American mission field. Through his use of field illustrations and key questions, Hadaway achieves a conversational tone, making this textbook ideal for use in both academic and lay settings.

Carry On: Tactical Strategies for Church Revitalization and Renewal was written to engage the church revitalizer in thinking about and planning for church revitalization and how it will affect them. This book addresses ten tactical strategies to implement when walking into a church revitalization. Think of it as a conversation from one church revitalizer to another. This book will offer the reader practical insights and strategies from experienced practitioners to enlist in this vital work. Church revitalization is an area that needs much focus and attention. The American Church needs pastors who will step up and be part of bringing churches back to health and vitality. Pastoral leaders today need to cultivate the skill sets necessary to see churches experience revitalization and renewal. We can see a revival again in our churches. When a local church determines to work on its health to see the ministry revitalized and renewed, the Church and its people can become biblically healthy again. Hard work and God's hand can bring a church back to life. However, the church revitalizer needs to be prepared physically, mentally, and spiritually for the battle ahead.This book strives to identify the tactical steps and the rules of engagement you will need as you engage a struggling church. It is for those getting ready to step into a church revitalization, revitalizing a church currently, or praying about the possibility of stepping into one. Church revitalization is vital to the Church's success and impact moving forward in a digital, post-Christian era. Whatever your situation is, dive into the mission of church revitalization and learn how to become tactically engaged in the fight for the health of vitality of the Church.

While some church revitalizers see church revitalization models as mere fable, others see the validity of having examples and samples to study in the effort to get a glimpse of what God might be saying about how to bring church renewal to their present work Regardless of the debate regarding myths for models or strategies for the revitalization churches, there appears to be at least six areas and thirty eight strategies that a church seeking renewal could consider.

Church Revitalization guides current and future leaders through the often-complex process of bringing a church to a place of vibrancy. This book demonstrates how the overarching goal of seeing people come to faith in Christ and develop into Christlikeness can--and must--inform the most foundational to the most fleeting aspects of revitalizing a struggling church. Church Revitalization Strategist Rusty Small systematically walks readers through the many considerations of leading a church out of a decline. He helps identify the best approach for addressing what a particular church's revitalization need may be: Refresh - often most fitting after a difficult season in the church's life Renovate - needed when a decline has lasted five to ten years Restore - appropriate for churches with generational patterns focused on survival Replant - best for a church facing imminent closure Few joys compare to seeing God's life and power realized for the local church--when believers begin to think and serve as Jesus did. Small will encourage pastors and church leaders engaged in this critical task. If God is calling you to church revitalization, take and read!

While leading both church planting and church revitalization efforts, I found many more helpful resources for church planters than for leaders trying to turn a church around! This is especially true as it relates to messages designed to challenge and inspire churches in need of revitalization. Tom Cheyney and Larry Wynn have drawn from their passion and experience and given the church revitalizer a true gift in the pages of this book!Lee Kricher, Author, For a New Generation: A Practical Guide For Revitalizing Your Church Pastor New Generation ChurchPittsburg, PAThe impressive combination of Tom Cheyney and Larry Wynn have teamed up to address one of the most critical areas of Church Revitalization, that of preaching for revitalization. Both men have been working in the area of church planting and church revitalization for many years and have something very important to say in an area nearly bereft of coverage. If pastors are going to address church revitalization, it should begin with their most effective medium - their public proclamation. Cheyney and Wynn have produced an invaluable resource for revitalization leaders.Terry Rials, Church Revitalization Practioner & Leader of ChurchRevitalizer.comOklahoma City, OKIf I desire to read a "how to" book or a "help me" book, I want it to be written by a practitioner. That is exactly who Larry Wynn and Tom Cheyney are. They are leaders in their fields. Larry pastored one of the leading churches in America and he built it from scratch. Tom has led conferences and counseled many churches how to effectively revitalize a church. This is one book you do not want to tarry reading. Do it NOW!Jim Law, Executive Pastor, First Baptist Church WoodstockWoodstock, Georgia"

Making the necessary changes for the good of the local church often feels like you are taking three steps forward and two steps back. The uncertainty you will face as the change agent can be overwhelming. The church revitalizer operating as the change agent for the local church will feel the uncertainty that comes from moving a polarized church off of stuck and creating a new way of doing things for the betterment of the church one serves.

Veteran missional church planters present a much needed how-to resource for churches desiring to sponsor the planting of other new churches locally and globally.