CHURCH TURNAROUND ESSENTIALS: The Turnaround Leader

A local assembly in Akure, South-West Nigeria, was going through a serious spiritual and numerical crisis. The congregation had dwindled to fewer than ten members, and the church was on the brink of shutting down completely. In desperation, messengers were sent to the church headquarters in Lagos to plead for divine intervention through leadership support.

In response, the leadership at the headquarters appointed and transferred a Spirit-filled and prayerful brother to take over the work as the new shepherd (pastor) of the church. When he arrived at his new assignment, he faced fierce resistance from the former pastor. Despite the opposition, he stayed focused on the mandate God had given him. He introduced aggressive spiritual warfare prayers, regular fasting programs, and preached with divine fire and revelation. God confirmed his ministry with results.

Very quickly, the decline stopped and spiritual revival began to break forth. Members who had left the church returned, and growth came—first gradually, then in leaps and bounds. A few years later, the church moved to its permanent worship site, and they are now planting new branches in different locations.

What was the turning point? The leader!

A. THE ROLE OF THE PASTOR IN A LOCAL CHURCH

📖 Psalm 23:2–3; Ezekiel 22:30

While many local assemblies today underestimate the strategic importance of the pastor, the Word of God makes it clear: whenever God wants to do something great in His house, He raises one man—a God-ordained, Spirit-chosen, and heaven-positioned shepherd. That man becomes the divine instrument for transformation.

Here are biblical truths about the office of the pastor:

1. He must have an intimate walk with the Lord.
   A true shepherd must know the voice of the Chief Shepherd (Jesus) and walk in obedience to Him.
2. He must be allowed to lead, and fully supported by elders and the church board.
   Leadership thrives when there’s spiritual alignment and backing from those around him.
3. He must have liberty to receive fresh vision from God and implement new strategies.
   Micromanagement quenches the Spirit. The pastor needs room to innovate under divine inspiration.
4. His spiritual character and leadership style will influence the entire church.
   Skill can be acquired, but godly character is what truly shapes the church environment.
5. God does not grow His church through committees but through His anointed servant.
   Committees may assist, but the burden of vision and execution rests on the called leader.
6. He should remain as long as God’s grace is visibly working through him.
   Longevity in leadership—when it’s aligned with God’s will—often produces stability and maturity in the church.

Only pastors who are faithful, steadfast, and spiritually disciplined can carry out the divine assignment of building up a local church for the Lord.

B. QUALITIES OF LEADERS WHO BRING DIVINE TURNAROUND

📖 2 Kings 22; 2 Kings 23:24–25

To bring a church out of decline and into revival, it takes more than just spiritual gifts—it takes character, wisdom, and anointing. Leaders who bring turnaround do not fear hard times; instead, they rise up in faith and do mighty works for God.

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Here are qualities that such transformational leaders possess:

1. They have had personal encounters with God.
   Like King Josiah, they know the Lord intimately. You cannot impart what you haven’t experienced.
2. They are filled with the Holy Spirit and grounded in the Word.
   📖 Acts 1:8 – Real transformation comes by the power of the Holy Spirit and the living Word of God.
3. They are spiritually mature.
   Church turnaround is not for spiritual babes or shallow Christians. It requires seasoned soldiers of Christ.
4. They are committed intercessors.
   It takes serious, consistent prayer power to revive a dying church.
5. They are bold, courageous, and dynamic.
   These leaders are decisive, fearless, and take Spirit-led risks for the sake of the Kingdom.
6. They have a clear and compelling vision for growth.
   They work toward it with passion and inspire others to do the same.
7. They work with the willing remnant who desire change.
   Instead of fighting to win over resistant traditionalists, they partner with those who carry the spirit of progress.
8. They let go of the past and press into the future.
   They do not dwell on old wounds or crises—they pursue God’s future with faith.
9. They are not afraid to change outdated systems.
   Obsolete methods are replaced with Spirit-led models. Flexibility is key in Kingdom advancement.
10. They are open to outside counsel.
    📖 Proverbs 1:20–22 – Wise leaders seek help from mentors, church consultants, and external resources. They know they don’t know everything and are humble enough to learn.
11. Their ministry carries divine fire.
    Their preaching, prayers, and services bring healing, light, and deliverance. The supernatural becomes the norm, not the exception.

A young minister was appointed as the General Overseer of a church that had been in existence for over 30 years. By divine insight, he identified areas that needed reform and began to take bold steps of action. He exhibited all the above qualities, and soon the church began to grow—numerically, spiritually, financially, and in physical infrastructure. But when internal opposition forced him out, the church fell back into decline. Today, that church is struggling to survive.

This shows that a godly, Spirit-led, and visionary leader is still God’s key to turning a church around.

“And I sought for a man among them…” — 📖 Ezekiel 22:30