We end 2018 with a discussion of how churches that may seem “too far gone” are typically not and how God can still work in every church.

Today’s Listener Question from Harold:

I’m very discouraged in my current pastorate. We saw quite a drop in attendance this year (140 to 95) and we’re trying to revitalize, but nothing seems to be making a difference. I’m the only staff member left and I’m in year 3. We see small gains here and there but it seems that with every one comes another death in the church or family that moves away. Is there hope for churches like mine as we head into 2019?

Some highlights from today’s episode:

• Year three may be the toughest year for a pastor.
• We serve a God of hope, and we need to realize and remember how He is working in our churches.
• We could use more hope in our churches.
• Pastors need to be proactive about building peer groups to help encourage one another.

The five keys that we discuss are:

1. Understand that effective change typically begins in years 3 to 5
2. Get an objective outside view
3. Celebrate more than worrying about the bottom
4. Get peer perspectives
5. Understand that negatives are often multiplied from the perspective of the pastor

Resources mentioned in this episode include: * Revitalize Bundle * ChurchAnswers.com * Revitalize Network * ChurchReplanters.com * Replanter Assessment * Find more resources at the Revitalize & Replant page at ThomRainer.com

Revitalize & Replant is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing this trend by decreasing the death rate of existing churches while simultaneously increasing the birth rate of new churches. To learn more about what it means to become a replanting pastor or to explore resources for replanting and revitalization in your own church, visit ChurchReplanters.com. Submit Your Question: Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you’ll get a copy of Scrappy Church and Reclaiming Glory.

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