Reviving a Church
- graceapologetics10
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
There comes a time in the life of most churches and in the life of most Pastors, that stagnant or decline in growth becomes an issue of concern. However, we already know, healthy sheep make sheep. Healthy believers make believers. If the body stops growing, or is simply stunted and stagnant, it is sick, dying or already dead. A body in that condition cannot grow healthy and produce anything healthy. Bigger is not better, and small is not a failure. I pastored a small church and was on staff with a mega church and both can exhibit spiritually unhealthy attributes.
Reviving a dying or stagnant church requires intense prayer and a total dependence on the Holy Spirit to bring spiritual life back to a stagnant and declining congregation. It necessitates a willingness to confront decline, embrace difficult changes, and turn the focus from internal comfort and being ingrown to being redirected towards evangelism and community outreach. Today outreach can be accomplished through various avenues other than just person to person. Person-to-person outreach is crucial above all but also catching up with IT and the digital times that we now live in is a must. The church's digital footprint through social media, utilizing apps, and the church website must be part of the overall outreach efforts. Now with that being said, the spiritual side of the ministry is forefront and above all. Praying together as elders and as a leadership team must be at the front end of all efforts. After all, this is not our work, but God's, this is not our church, but His, and this it is not about our people but His people.
Fervent Prayer & Repentance: Recognize the spiritual state of the church. True revival starts with a "broken" heart, deep repentance, and seeking God's presence rather than just trying new programs. We might find ourselves in a place requiring our first love for Jesus to be stirred, made fresh and new by the Holy Spirit. We cannot find ourselves in the same place as the church of Ephesus found itself in as in Revelation chapter 2.
“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of the One who holds [firmly] the seven stars [which are the angels or messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches):
2 ‘I know your deeds and your toil, and your patient endurance, and that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles (special messengers, personally chosen representatives, of Christ), and [in fact] are not, and have found them to be liars and impostors; 3and [I know that] you [who believe] are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and that you have not grown weary [of being faithful to the truth]. 4But I have this [charge] against you, that you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. (Revelation 2:1-4 AMP)
Embrace Difficult Change: Remove the "stone" by dealing with the causes of the decline—whether it's apathy, toxic leadership, or a focus on the past. This often requires shifting from a maintenance mindset to a mission-driven one. The great commission is what we are to be about. We must be busy with kingdom business.
Focus on the Gospel: Prioritize preaching the Gospel and making disciples over maintaining traditions or just keeping the building running. Do not get me wrong – church business absolutely cannot be ignored. There are bills to be paid, finances to be managed, financial gifts to be tracked so that year-end obligations can be handled, and upkeep of the physical building so it does not fall down around your ears. The days between Sunday to Sunday there is much to be handled. With all of that said… it still does not change what we are mandated by scripture to be engaged in as a priority. However, a church without a biblical vision and a mission to accomplish it, is often the point of failure. It is imperative that the biblical mandate that a body of believers feels they have been given be cast among the people (Habakkuk 2:2). Is it just about having a place to preach, is it just for the sake of having a church, a meeting place, or is it about the Great Commission that all of us so often lose sight of? I can tell you what it should be. It should be that we are fully engaged in, in an intentional manner, the business of the Kingdom. It should be about the lost - the Great Commission. After all scripture tells us that we are Ambassadors for a King and His kingdom.
It is interesting regarding the unbiblical perception that exists on who is to be doing the work of ministry. Let’s go to scripture and see what was written to the church in and around Ephesus.
And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; (Eph. 4:11-12 AMP)
So many think that it is the job of anyone and everyone, but themselves, to share the gospel. Some go as far to think it is all about what the pastor should be doing when in fact it is mandated to all of God’s people. As in, all who claim Christ, and say they are born-again believers. That is something we should all be excited about and driven to. Let’s look at the earlier church. What were some recorded moments?
Here is what is written –
The Samaritan Woman (John 4:29-42): After meeting Jesus at the well, this woman, with no formal religious training, told the people of her town, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did." The passage records that "many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony".
The Scattered Believers (Acts 8:4, 11:19-21): Following the persecution after Stephen's death, ordinary Christians were scattered from Jerusalem. Acts 8:4 notes that they went everywhere preaching the word. Specifically, in Antioch, men from Cyprus and Cyrene (ordinary believers, not apostles) spoke to Greeks, "preaching the Lord Jesus," resulting in a large number believing.
Andrew and Philip (John 1:40-45): These disciples, immediately upon following Jesus, found their family and friends (Peter and Nathanael) and brought them to Jesus, initiating their belief.
The Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:25-34): Although Paul and Silas were the preachers, this story highlights the impact of witnessing ordinary believers (Paul and Silas) singing and praying in prison, which led the jailer and his entire household to believe.
Dorcas/Tabitha (Acts 9:36-42): Known for her kindness and making clothes for the poor, her life and subsequent resurrection by Peter caused many to believe in the Lord.
As well as other historical and modern-day examples –
Friendship Evangelism (Early Church): Historical records indicate that the gospel often spread through ordinary friendships, such as when Pantaenus led Clement of Alexandria to faith, or when Justin led Tatian to believe.
The Households (Acts 10, 16): The conversion of entire households (like Cornelius or Lydia) often began with one person hearing the message and sharing it with their family and servants.
John Wesley's Lay Preachers (18th Century): John Wesley heavily utilized "lay preachers" (non-ordained common people) to spread the gospel among the working class in England, leading to thousands of conversions.
Modern Personal Testimony: The many contemporary accounts of individuals coming to faith being led to faith in Jesus after believers sharing the Good News.
These examples demonstrate that the "work of the evangelist" was often carried out by ordinary people sharing their direct experiences with Jesus Christ.
Now… that brings us to today. How many really find themselves compelled to share Jesus to friends, family, co-works, cashiers, tellers, waitresses, the guy fixing your car; Wherever and whenever possible, being willing to be a fool for Christ for the sake of someone's eternal destiny? SELDOM! That is the honest answer. We don’t want to hear it; we don’t want to believe it applies to ourselves. However, most often the shoes do fit quite nicely.
But… is it possibly due to Pastors, Teachers, etc., not properly equipping? Or is it about a loss of First Love for Jesus in what He has done in each of our lives personally? Why would we not want to share it, give it away, and pass it forward?
Engage the Community: Actively reach out to the surrounding community. A dying church often forgets its local mission, so reconnecting with the needs of the neighborhood is essential. Always being on the lookout for ministry opportunities whether that may be sharing the saving gospel message, or bringing comfort to the hurting and weary, which often can lead to one coming to believe in Jesus and having their lives transformed. We are to be those that have gone out into the highways and byways of life and compel them to come. The neighbor, co-worker, teller, cashier, or other random stranger that comes into our sphere of influence did so for a reason. God brings about divine moments, and divine appointments. Be intentional in our daily living as Ambassadors for Christ and His Kingdom.
Empower New/External Leadership: Sometimes, bringing in new leadership or a steering committee from outside can help break dead traditions and introduce a fresh vision. Fresh eyes and fresh perspective. Stirring up the vision and mission of the church. Acquiring one if we don't have one. After all – people without a vision perish (Prov. 29:18)
Relaunch, Re-envision, or Relocation: Do not be afraid to change the name, renovate the space, relocate, or even pause services to restart with a new, focused purpose.
Revival is ultimately a work of God, but it requires the congregation's surrender and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
I like the following that was written by Dr. Daniel Merritt.
Blessings - In His Service
-Brent
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