Four Cornerstones for Revitalization
Blog post by Justin Nash
When creating a plan to revitalize the health of a church, it is important to have a clear end goal in mind. Therefore, a definition of a healthy church must be established. While numerous qualities and characteristics may be offered, it seems most prudent to have a simple and succinct definition that can be easily communicated to and remembered by the congregation. Clear and consistent messaging will help the church to see the need for revitalization and change, and help clarify the “why” questions behind any revitalization efforts.
Success – bearing fruit in the life of a church – means having a pattern of making disciples who make disciples that results in the community being noticeably better.
Before you set the cornerstones, first define a healthy church.
One simple definition of a healthy church is offered by Mark Clifton, Senior Director of Replanting at the North American Mission Board. Clifton states, “Success – bearing fruit in the life of a church – means having a pattern of making disciples who make disciples that results in the community being noticeably better.”[1] This definition is useful because it uses biblical language, “making disciples,” to communicate the primary function of the church. This accords with the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20. At its most basic level, the word disciple means to be a follower, in this case a follower of Jesus. Therefore, “making disciples” entails both evangelism of non-believers and the spiritual formation of believers. Further, the definition pushes the church outside of its own walls into service of its community.
Cornerstone #1: Scripture
Four cornerstones should be firmly placed into any revitalization plan. First, every aspect of the plan should be biblically driven. Scripture should serve as the foundation for the goals, practices and processes of the plan. Scripture is to be searched and mined for applicable principles and models and should act as the first and primary filter for all strategies. To this end, efforts will be made to demonstrate the scriptural nature of elements of the plan. Before a particular strategy or element is proposed, the biblical foundation for that idea will first be expounded. This allows the plan to be built on the wisdom and transformative power of God’s Word. It further gives the plan greater credibility and authority. Human pragmatism, wisdom and creativity must submit to Scripture.
Cornerstone #2: Prayer
The second value that will govern a revitalization plan is prayer. It must be recognized that any plan, no matter how good, will not bring life and health to a church. Life-giving and transforming power is only found in the work of the Holy Spirit among God’s people. While he may use the means of a plan and human resources, renewal will ultimately be a work of God. Therefore, any revitalization effort must be bathed in prayer. As Dr. Thom Rainer writes,
“Prayer is not an option in leading change in the church; it is foundational. You are not smart enough to lead change. You need to pray for wisdom. You are not brave enough to lead change. You need to pray for courage. You are not strong enough to lead change. You need to pray for strength.”[2]
The church must seek God and pray fervently that God will act in the hearts and minds of the members of the church, and that he will equip, empower and sustain the revitalization efforts. Otherwise, the plan will fail.
Cornerstone #3: The gospel
Third, the gospel should permeate this plan. First, constantly remembering and proclaiming the gospel will serve to remind the church of its mission in the world. This should help move any focus from the church members onto Christ and those to whom they are called to minister in his name. Second, the gospel will remind church members of the grace they have received in Christ, and the grace they ought to extend to one another as a result. Change can be difficult and interpersonal friction can occur. Keeping the gospel in front of the church will be a potent reminder of grace and should act as a lubricant during times of disagreement. Third, constant proclamation of the gospel will remind the church that it belongs to Christ and that he is its head. The sacrifice of Christ, the price he paid for the church, is remembered through gospel proclamation.
Cornerstone #4: Patience
Fourth, this revitalization plan will require patience. No church arrived in its current state in a few weeks or months. The state a church is in today is the result of years, sometimes more than a century, of experiences, both good and bad. It will take more than a few months to correct course. Brian Croft has written that most church revitalization efforts take five years before they begin to see positive fruit.[3] One area where patience will be required in most churches needing revitalization is the making of disciples who make disciples. Patience is necessary because the discipling process is slow work. Life and heart transformation happens over longer periods of time. In churches where no real discipling efforts have occurred within the last 20 to 25 years, it will take a while to develop disciples who disciple others. A culture of discipling requires deep roots.
Having a clear vision will take you a long way toward revitalization.
Having a clear vision or definition of what it will mean for your church to be healthy and revitalized is critical to any renewal effort. Whether you use the definition used here or develop your own, having a clear destination in mind will clarify what you must do to get there. While there is more to planning a revitalization strategy for a church, and each church situation is unique, these four principles should act as the cornerstones of your plan’s foundation. Take any one away, and your plan will be constructed on unsteady ground. Lay these foundation stones carefully, and you will be well on your way to a healthier church.
[1] Mark Clifton, Reclaiming Glory: Revitalizing Dying Churches (Nashville: B&H Publishing, 2016), chap. 1, Kindle.
[2] Thom Rainer, Who Moved My Pulpit? Leading Change in the Church (Nashville: B&H Publishing, 2016), 41.
[3] Brian Croft, Biblical Church Revitalization (Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-shire, Scotland, Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 2016), chap. 2, Kindle.