Rob Jackson noted that while church members pray for the sick — as they should — church revitalization requires that they also pray for those without Christ.
“Studies show that the majority of our churches are plateaued or dying, so revitalization is necessary,” he said. “This work rises or falls with leadership, and our leaders must be serious about the Great Commission.”
Jackson, director of the office of church health for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, was one of four participants in the church revitalization seminar sponsored by Shelby Baptist Association in Columbiana on April 24. The other contributors included Ken Allen, director of the SBOM office of LeaderCare; Josh Cook, church revitalization specialist for the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association and Sam Neugent, church planting mobilizer for E3 Partners Ministry (e3partners.org).
Ric Camp, missions strategist for Shelby Baptist Association, served as moderator and host.
Allen agreed with his colleague that leadership is vital.
“I was a pastor for 25 years, and I work closely with pastors and search committees in my present assignment,” he said. “We’re practitioners who learn by doing and learn from one another.”
New plan
Allen said his office has developed a new leadership development plan and is in the process of rolling it out this year.
“We speak of ‘four Ps’ as keys to leadership,” he said. “The leader is a person—his calling and spiritual growth—the preacher who proclaims the truth, the pastor who is shepherd of the flock and the pathfinder who is a visionary leader, even in times of difficulty.”
Allen noted that a pastor can’t bear the burden alone but must have “buy-in” from a larger group.
“Look for implementers as you discuss the way forward,” he said. “The larger group not only provides insight and affirmation, but it also provides accountability. Good leaders know they need people who love them and who help them stay focused on the goal.”
Cook said the Birmingham Metro Association has worked on four plans to help local churches in revitalization.
Four pathways
The first is re-visioning, or taking a hard look at things that can be changed to facilitate growth.
“We can help local congregations evaluate where they are and what options they have,” he said.
The second is fostering, which involves a partnership with another and healthier church, and some oversight for a time, typically for up to three years.
“This step provides resources for churches that might be struggling, and these resources include leaders and finances,” Cook said.
In response to an attendee’s question about how great the cost might be, Cook replied, “Probably much more than people might think. This step requires thousands of dollars and maybe scores of good leaders.”
Cook said these two options are at the top of his revitalization quadrant.
The third plan is called “replant,” which means a church gives its legacy to another group that takes the mission into the future.
“Often the replant means a community has changed and needs leadership that’s more in touch with where they are,” he said. “This may mean rebirth as a different church with a different kind of worship style, or an African American or Hispanic congregation is birthed or moves to the site.”
The fourth option — adoption — means a church becomes a missions outreach of a mother church. Cook said this was done between Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills and McElwain Baptist Church in Birmingham (now Hope Community Church), and between Valleydale Church in Birmingham and First Baptist Church Helena (now the Church at Old Town).
Refocus
Cook said the COVID-19 pandemic prevented many churches from sponsoring their traditional overseas missions trips, but it also helped congregations focus on opportunities in their neighborhoods.
“I think another positive is that the old rivalries diminished, and our churches realize we’re to help each other,” he said. “The option if we don’t help each other is that some congregations may lose their witness and the neighborhood sees ‘a God who left’ their community through a shuttered church.”
Jackson agreed that the result of not seeking renewal is “turning off the lights” and abandoning the work.
Allen noted that churches need hope and should focus on one thing or one step at a time.
“We serve a big God, and He can move the boulders,” he said.
Neugent encouraged attendees to “just do it.”
“God’s work is hard work, but we must do what it takes,” he said. “If we fail, we can do it again. But the important thing is to do it.”
Jackson said church leaders must have a sense of expectancy and “seek the face of God” in prayer.
“Sam Rainer (researcher and author of ‘The Church Revitalization Checklist’) said that ‘God can save any person, and God can save any church.’ The presence of God brings life to our efforts and revival to the church,” Jackson said.
Camp said Shelby Baptist Association is happy to assist churches locally or to put them in touch with any of the four forum leaders. Camp can be reached at 205-669-7858 or by email at rcamp@shelbybaptist.org.
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