The lord so worked it out for me that I was involved with different kinds of churches in the first eight years of my ministerial life. In three of those churches, I was an associate pastor and senior pastor in two of them. We were able to see growth in some of them, especially the one I started from the scratch and the one that has lost people before I was transferred there for rescue job. I learnt in those churches the importance of church revitalization strategies. And I intend to share those lessons with you here:
A. BIBLICAL BASIS. Acts 15: 41; Rev. 3:2.
There is always the great need to strengthen and revitalize churches. The church that Jesus started in John chapter, had almost died by Acts of the Apostles chapter 8. The Ephesians’ church that started powerfully in Acts chapter 19 had retrogressed in revelation chapter 2 verses 1 to 15. Revitalization is the process of bringing life, vitality, growth, dynamism and health back to sick, small, stagnant and struggling churches.
- 9 out 10 churches are either declining or dying.
- Over 10, 000 churches close every year
- 90% of churches are losing ground in their communities
- 8 out of 10 churches that were once full are now empty
- Too many empty and half- empty churches on Sundays.
The phenomenon of church – selling or giving the building to other churches is fast catching on due to retrogression, downward spiral and nose-diving of membership. These are stark realities facing the church today, but largely unacknowledged.
B. WHY CHURCHES NEED REVITILIATION – Acts 3: 19.
There are many churches that started with great fanfare, grew and get established, but got stacked for one reason or the other. Such churches now find it difficult to fulfil their growth potentials and might eventually die if not revitalized.
- Every community needs vital and living churches
- Ever local church is vital in God’s plan to win their locality
- Churches do get stacked in a routine and internal bickering
- Some pastors do bring crisis and retrogression to their churches
- Local churches are the key to winning and bringing many souls to heaven
- A dying, carnal or dead church is a victory for Satan in many ways
- The future of Christianity depends on revitalized churches
Majority of churches that I see today, either denominational or independent need a mighty turn-around or independent from the lord. Spiritual, physical, numerical, financial and leadership turn- around are most needed in churches today, else decay and death is around.
C. SYMPTOMS OF DECAY AND DECLENSION IN CHURHCES.
Too many churches cannot rise to their God- given potentials in their localities due to these symptoms:
- Scandalous and incompetent pastors
- Power groups that usurp authority
- Divisive internal politics
- Pastor- centered family ministry
- Old and ageing memberships
- Over emphasis on money
- Low moral and lost of lay people
- Inwardly focused and maintenance orientation
- Weak and poor management orientation
- Witchcraft manipulations.
In most dying churches, these symptoms are glaring for those who have eyes to see. And if they are not frankly, courageously and practically addressed, they will snuff life out of the church. Churches with these symptoms will grow less than 10% in a year and will have much more people leaving than those coming in.
Recommended Reading
Administering Church Discipline – The Right Way
How To Build A Good Prayer Life
How To Render Acceptable Service Unto God
D. PASTORS THAT CAN BRING REVITILIATION TO THE CHURCH – Jer. 3:15; Psalm 23: 2-3,6.
The number one key to church turnaround is the person and personality of the pastor. Not a work for businessmen, entrepreneurs, flamboyant and media- grabbing person, but a godly, selfless, exemplary, sound, wise, servant- hearted person.
- A good and courageous heart for the lord
- Character and competent skill
- A life long learner who seeks advice
- A strong sense of God’s call to that church
- A missionary spirit to rescue the church
- Good relational and communication ability.
- Tough and tender in decision making
- Prayerful, spirit- filled and spirit – guided
- Refocus people on essential matters
- Supernatural demonstrations
- Exemplify leadership growth ability
- A mentor to others and wiling to be mentor
- A strong family commitment – a good home
- Team building and team work ability
Unfortunately, many pastors of today are not equipped in these leadership and ministry skills that they so much needed to turn around a church. The more reason the are afraid to go to struggling churches. A revitalization pastor, who truly wants to see God at work in turning around church must pay the prize of personal and professional growth, fasting, spiritual gifts; a fruitful ground sow; a blessed hand; freedom from limitations; contagious anointing, consistent intercession and band of faithful associates. Without paying these prices unflinchingly, revitalization will be pretty difficult.
Prayer Points:
- Send down revival to your church o lord
- Every power quenching the fire of revival; be paralyzed in Jesus’ name
- O lord arise and revive the prayer life of the church, in the mighty name of Jesus.