Church Revitalization - Decline and Denial

Today the Middle Baptist Association had our quarterly revitalization round table with Stacy Dyer. Stacy works with Larry Wynn at the Georgia Baptist Convention.  We are thankful for his ministry to our churches.  While being careful to protect individual's information, I would like to share some of the truths that were helpful:

- The church is an organism - it cannot be "plateaued."  It is either living or dying.
- Get painfully honest
- Use statistical data to give insight
- Turnaround happens gradually.  More like a battleship than a bass boat.  Decline took many years to happen and it won't be corrected instantly.
- The issues that leaders face in revitalization are complex.  Thankfully we have been equipped by God to handle complexity.
- When leaders introduced change, conflict ALWAYS follows.  Leaders need to learn how to manage conflict.
- Many churches are inwardly focused.
- Many churches have a maintenance mentality.
- Establish goals through strategy planning.
- Lead yourself.  One pastor said, "I can't be declining personally and lead the church effectively."
- Remind the congregation of the Biblical values that should be her focus.
- Deliberately change the culture; hammer away at what matters.
- Teach Biblical membership
- Work with who you have.
- Join God where He is at work.  Lead the congregation to discover the will of God.
- Spiritual warfare is key.  Lead people to practice vital prayer.
- Work through issues of unhealthy control with leaders
- Conduct an honest assessment.
- Practice effective discipleship.
- Celebrate little victories.
- Learn ways to rehabilitate the churches reputation in the community if needed.
- Commit to longevity, don't run when things get hard.
- Help the congregation understand the answers to these questions: (1) What is the Gospel? (2) What is a Christian?
- Work on needed changes to infrastructure and leadership changes.

Good resources: 
Change Your Church for Good, Powell
Autopsy of a Dead Church, Rainer
Advanced Strategic Planning, Malphurs
Leading Congregational Change, Herrington & Others
Reaching the Summit, Yates

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