Revitalizing the Declining Church with Dr. Desmond Barrett: Recent Episodes
Dr. Desmond Barrett
A podcast from the Eastern Kentucky District Center for Church Revitalization. A center that envisions to partner with churches and her leaders to strategize, strengthen, and discern the spirit of God's will for the local church.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Not my call but yours
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Not my church but yours
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Not my community but yours
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:1. Develop a strategic plan 2. Keep your focus on God's vision for the localchurch
3. You are not a lone ranger Christian
New Book: By Dr. Desmond Barrett
Helping the Small Church Win Guests: Preparing To Increase Attendance
https://a.co/d/7hCh4s0
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
Five key suggestions for long-term planning that have helped otherchurches:1. Pray and Ask
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Go and Find
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Obey and Do
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Be and Act
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Bless and Maintain
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Pause from the busyness of ministry to see where God's ministry is needed.
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Pray for opportunities to serve people, places, and for future partnerships.
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Participate where God leads the local church to reach the neighborhood around the church.
Revitalization rewards found in this episode:
Step 1: Identify the problem forimprovement.
Step 2: Analyze the current situation forquality.
Step 3: Create opportunities or systemsthrough new solutions.
Step 4: Evaluate the effectiveness of the improvement.
Step 5: Celebrate the improvement butcontinue to review.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Repairing the cracks with Christ
2. Restoring visionary leadership
3. Reminding others of the value of the neighborhood
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Ivory Tower Leader
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White Board Leader
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Consensus Leader
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Compassionate Leader
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Community Leader
Check out the Poll if you are Spotify user
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Soft Evangelism
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Intentional Evangelism
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Inspired Evangelism
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Innovate to lead the church forward.
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Innovate to reach new people.
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Innovate to capture God's direction.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode: One Call System, QR Codes, Email Newsletter, Social Media Groups, and Instant Directory
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Flee from the turmoil to find peace in a new place.
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Fight for position and power in the face of pushback.
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Reconfigure your leadership to meet current and future needs in the church.
Revitalization rewards found in this episode:
1. Commit to a greater vision.
2. Commit to each other.
3. Commit to foundational view of servingother as Christ.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
Lesson 1: Create a space for openconversation
Lesson 2: Create a space for discussion
Lesson 3: Create a space for all
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Reinvest in the church's infrastructure to prepare for future activities and guests.
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Repair community relationships through connections.
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Restore the focus from self to the Savior.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
- Embrace the change that comes with growth.
2.Embrace the challenge to become a betteryou.
- Embrace the character-building that willhelp you become the best you.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Review the facility from an inspector's perspective.
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Develop a plan to begin to solve the problems.
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Stay focused and do not chase the fire.
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Review where you can cut to invest.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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The past is the hero.
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The past dictates the future.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Focus on what works locally.
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Focus on who you are trying to reach.
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Focus on the core values of the church
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Target frustrations to attain fruit, not fault.
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Seek a way forward from loss.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Dream what could be.
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Dream what is.
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Dream what will be.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Pause before embarking on a change.
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Plan through small microwins.
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Promote success through microstories.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Capturing the God vision
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Capturing the passion of opportunity
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Capturing the commitment to serve
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Examining the strengths and weaknesses
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Providing fresh insight
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The next best step
Revitalization rewards found in this episode:
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Small Groups as Big Groups
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Enhanced relationships through fellowship
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People over Programs
Weible, M. (2019). Fishing On The Other Side: A Guide To Being The Church In The Digital Age. Renovate Publishing Group. Orlando, Fl., p.78
Parrot, L. (1988). Future Church: How Congregations Choose Their Character & Destiny. Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City. Kansas City, Missouri, p.14
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Rebound by recommitting
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Rebound by reconnecting
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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How can the church serve locally?
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What resources can the church leverage to help the community?
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Do ministry that matters
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Invest resources where it can help
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Change the spiritual scorecard
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Gather to pray.
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Prayer meetings change things.
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Celebrate what happens through prayer.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Prepare your own heart.
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Partner with God to see what He sees.
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Participate in long term discipleship making.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Be intentional about your responsiveness.
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Focus on interactions not on distractions.
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Build interpersonal relationships with others outside of church.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Focus on the person not the number they represent.
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See the value in the person's abilities rather than the church's needs.
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Be a difference maker in their life.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Small does not mean ineffective.
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Small does not mean culturally irrelevant.
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Small does not mean less than.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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God is calling the Church to gather and listen.
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God is calling the Church to obey His commands.
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God is calling the Church to do its part in the life of others.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Step out and share your faith.
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Share the good things happening.
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Seek relational partnership beyond your generation.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Repent of past sins.
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Repair unholy damage.
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Remove idols holding you back.
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Recover through obedience.
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Receive the promise land.
Revitalization Reward found in today's episode:
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Capture the moment by staying present in the pursuit.
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Complete the task and move closer to the goal.
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Compare where you are to where you want to be over time.
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Celebrate the things you've accomplished.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Church Connector
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Neighborhood Connector
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Community Connector
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Global Outreach Connector
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Redeem the vision
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Redeem the space
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Redeem the community
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Evaluate where the church finds itself.
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Elevate the programs and people that are helping the church move forward.
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Experiment with ideas and programs that might have felt risky in the past.
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Execute the vision and plan that God has placed on the churches heart.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Steady change is change
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Strategic action steps
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Stimulate cooperation and community
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Worship what has transpired
2. Worship God in the season you find yourself in
3. Worship overcoming the challenges
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Pray your spiritual guts out.
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Prepare as if the ministry depends on it.
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Partner with others, and never serve alone.
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Participate with God to be Jesus to others.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Share in a Conversation
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Connect Personally
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Passive Connections
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Keep the Connection Card Simple
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Honor the Guest for Attending
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Provide a Gift
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Follow-up
- Established Churches need vision, leadership, and clear direction. 2. Established Churches need a fresh perceptive to reach the community around them. 3. Established Churches have incredible legacies that need redeeming for this generation. 4. Established Churches have resources that God can use to expand kingdom connections.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Make sure the message and the methodmatch.
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Create a community of care for guests.
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Focus on first impressions.
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Follow up thefellowship with personal touches.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Evaluate what can be kept to showcase the church's history
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Eliminate things (programs, positions, and piles) that cannot help the church move forward into the future
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Elevate God above all
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode?
1. Time does not equate to effectiveness
2. Time does not equate to having a central role
3. Time does not equate to having control
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Technology Connects the Community with the Church
2. Technology Enhances the Worship Experience
3. Technology Supports the Mission
Revitalization Rewards found in this espisode:
Option 1: Do nothing
Option 2: Share the property
Option 3: Rent the property
Option 4: Sell the property
Option 5: Recreate the property
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Rethink the Outside View of the Church
2. Rethink the Inside Use and Space of the Church
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. If you are open to the move of God, the spirit will move.
2. Prayer can move mountains inside the local church to impact souls.
3. God-centered worship changes the atmosphere of your faith.
4. Healing comes when you can fully surrender yourself to God.
5. Forgiveness is brought forth when sins are cleared out.
6. God shows up when the people are hungry for his presence.
7. Obedience to God is needed to see change.
8. God moves through denominational, age, race, and class lines.
9. Calling on God makes the world notice that things are about to change.
10. God is not done yet with you or his church.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Worship Size Matters More for Self-Esteem than Relationship to God
2. Worship Size Matters to Others More than the Attendee
3. Worship Size Does Not Matter to God
Revitalization Rewards found in this Episode:
1. The Clock is Ticking
2. Retool and Retrain
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode: 1. Care for the facility with guests' eyes. 2. Create easy-on ramps. 3. Connect through varying avenues.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode: 1. Evaluate the Why behind the What. 2.Focus on the essential things. 3. One Step Forward
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Winning the 'New' Front Door
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Winning the 'Old' Front Door
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Familiarity in loss
2. Familiarity in uncertainty
3. Familiarity with the familiar
Revitalization Reward found in this episode:
1. Complete the project.
2. Complete the journey.
3. Completely pray through.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Change Awaits
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Take Steps
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Dreams Take Action
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. See the need and learn to adapt.
2. Support other people’s ideas.
3. Sustain the vision by meeting current realities.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Missions is for All.
2. Missions is service.
3. Missions is being culturally aware.
4. Missions is NOT a 'one size fits all' experience.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode: 1.Preach with passion and tell the story. 2.Present the missional journey as a long-term engagement. 3. Partner inside and outside the local church.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
Ask yourself the following series of questions:
- What am I learning from others on my team or ministry assignment?
- Where do I need to improve?
- If I could change one thing, what would it be?
- How would I judge my current leadership level?
1. The story I was born into.
2. The story I tell myself.
3. The story others think about me.
4. The story merges reality with relationships.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode: 1. A Story of Determination 2. A Story of Faith 3. A Story of Failing to Never Give Up 4. A Story of Fulfillment
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Stop the bleeding.
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Tend to what you can fix right now.
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Operate with a vision for the future.
4. Problem-solve as you go.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
- There is unity in the gathering.
2. There is unity in vision.
3. There is unity in being.
4. There is unity in the offering.
5. There is unity in understanding.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Reclaim the past and bring it into the future
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Repair to present a good face forward
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Restore what has been lost
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Retire programs that don't fit today's vision
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Renew your commitment to reaching neighbors
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode: 1. Be willing to go into the hard places. 2. Be able to adjust to meet the needs you find in front of you. 3. Be committed to staying out when things get hard.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode: 1. Keep tilling the soil. 2. Keep praying for lost souls. 3. Keep preparing for the harvest to come. 4. Keep being faithful.
Revitalization Reward found in this episode: 1. Connecting Connection 2. Connecting Conversations 3. Connecting Continually
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Be Prayerful
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Be Patient
3. Be Direct
4. Be Kind
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Be willing to meet
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Be a mentor
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Be focused on what matters
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Words Matter
2. Prepare for the next step
3. Promote the God plan
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode: 1. Move forward from panic 2. Evaluate the position 3. Do not allow the problems to fester
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Pray for the harvest
2. Plan to move forward into the future
3. Proceed by moving from talking to action
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
Step 1: Be Available
Step 2: Be Adaptable
Step 3: Be Able
You can reach Dr. Paul Hobbs at The Retreat Church of the Nazarene or on his social media page.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
Preparation 1: Be ready for guests to come.
Preparation 2: Be kind to guests.
Preparation 3: Be a listener and learner.
Preparation 4: Be willing to follow up.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Accountability for short- and long-term actions
2. Accurate feedback from someone you trust.
3. Acute awareness of your strengths and weaknesses.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
- Be willing to take criticism as part of being a change agent.
7. Be willing to partner with others outside of the church.
8. Be willing to find new ways of doing ministry.
9. Be willing to find and share the story of Jesus in the community.
10. Be willing to stay put when things get hard inside the church.
11. Be willing to find rest in your personal life outside of the church.
12. Be willing to stay positive in all situations.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Be willing to pray for others and God's dreams for the church.
2. Be willing to learn from others inside and outside of the church.
3. Be willing to say goodbye to say hello to new people inside the church.
4. Be willing to adapt to what is working and what is not working.
5. Be willing to find joy in the simple pleasures around the church.
6. Be willing to take criticism as part of being a change agent.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Warning Sign 1: Change has become the enemy.
2. Warning Sign 2: Power is more important than adapting.
3. Warning Sign 3: Threatened by outsiders.
For churches that once focused primarily on programming for the people in the pews, Barrett sees this as an opportunity to look outward to those who live in the shadow of our steeples.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode: 1. Step away and pray. 2. Step back from the negative voices and start focusing on the positive ones. 3. Step into what God wants for you and your ministry.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Adversity provides clarity
2. Advance dreams in a storm
3. Admire God's care even in the uncaring
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Money problems are a spiritual development issue
2. Money problems are a teaching opportunity
3. Money problems are a warning to future growth
Addition through Subtraction: Revitalizing the Established Church: Barrett, Desmond, Diehl, James H.: 9781666735741: Amazon.com: Books
Barrett has provided a blueprint to help your church experience revitalization. Not only will you understand the task at hand, but you will also realize the steps needed to position your congregation as a missional influence in your community."" --Wendall Brown, District Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene
""Barrett's . . . focus on church revitalization is much needed. His heart for the Lord and pastors is clear. He writes out of an abundance of experience gained the hard way, by loving unpredictable people in unknown places and learning his lessons well along the way."" --Scott Sherwood, President, Nazarene Bible
College ""This book is a must for every pastor. . . . Information within these pages is from the heart of a pastor that has 'been there and done that.' My prayer is that those that read this book will be blessed with flourishing ministries as they commit to discipling new believers, even amid challenging assignments."" --Mark Berry, District Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene
""'Far too many ministers lose their way because they take their eyes off of the call.' Insights like this one and more await you as Barrett takes you on a journey of both challenge and practice. Enjoy this path of healing and hope with one who has blazed a trail for you."" --Phillip Rhoades, District
Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene ""A good read for every pastor facing these difficult times. Not just helpful in understanding these times, but very encouraging and uplifting. I am already planning in getting this book into the hands of our district pastors."" --Daniel R. Eddings, District Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Permit yourself to Relax
2. Permit yourself to Repair
3. Permit yourself to Restore
4. Permit yourself to Renew
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Prayer Evangelism
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Practical Evangelism
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Missional Evangelism
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Engage the mission field
2. Equip the saints
3. Expand the Kingdom
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Reposition the vision
2. Resource the future
3. Replan the space
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Seeding the future
2. Divide and conquer
3. Dread to bed
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Seismic Shift 1, Evaluate Effectiveness
2. Seismic Shift 2, Evaluate Need
3. Seismic Shift 3, Evaluate Response
Win the day by viewing the parking lot, lobby, sanctuary, Children’s area, and restrooms from a guests perspective.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Identify who feels called
2. Identify who has giftings
3. Identify who needs development
4. Identify Jesus in the masses
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Find the churches purpose
2. Find the churches passion
3. Find the churches position
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1.The promise of expanding the kingdom into the wider community
2.The plan to develop every church attendee as a missionary
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Create a vision for the people to capture
2. Create opportunities to serve locally and globally
3. Create celebration days
a. Celebrate where God is
b. Celebrate what God is doing
c. Celebrate how God is transforming you
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Share and celebrate the vision.
2. Connecting with people and programs.
3. Persevere to attain the promise.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Time to Think
2. Time to Tinker
3. Time to Transform
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Develop Leaders
2. Develop Learners
3. Develop Life Lessons
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. A cup of Care
2. A cup of Conversation
3. A cup of Christ
4. A cup of Commitment
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Capture the vision
2. Create opportunities to serve
3. Complete a task to gain wins
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Change is uncomfortable
2. Change is for the future
3. Change is about addition through subtraction
4. Change is about obeying God
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Instill teachability
2. Empower to lead
3. Execute the God plan
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Lesson 1: For every season, there is a God plan
2. Lesson 2: Past accomplishments are not a future marker for success.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Thankful for who you serve
2. Thankful for how you reach the lost
3. Thankful for what you do to accomplish the goal
4. Thankful for where God has you serving
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Be Courteous
2. Be Christ
3. Be Continually Focused
Check out the latest resource: Revitalizing the Declining Church: From Death’s Door to Community Growth by Dr. Desmond Barrett (Kindle or Paperback on Amazon)
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Age does not equal death
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Decisions determine the outcome
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Learn from past mistakes
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Size matters to who?
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Will the doors stay open?
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Who do you serve?
2. Why do you serve?
3. Where do you serve?
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Grind for a win.
2. Grind for a new definition of success.
3. Grind for a renewed passion.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Learn from what others are doing.
2. Lean into scripture.
3. Love the people you do have not the people you want.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Stand in your calling.
2. Go to the mission.
3. Keep pouring out, Jesus.
4. Trust God's timing.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Pray like you mean what you pray.
2. Plan big enough that only God could get the glory.
3. Propose projects that inject spiritual excitement into the life of the church.
4. Praise and celebrate like never before.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Community Partnerships
2. Community Outreach
3. Community Invitation
4. Community Sustainability
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Quick Wins
2. Quick Reengage
3. Quick Response
4. Quick Vision
5. Quick Turn
6. Quick Celebration
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Disputes
2. Disruption
3. Distraction
4. Death
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
1. Evaluate - Evaluating needs of today and tomorrow.
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Empty - Emptying spaces to create resources.
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Expand - Expanding ministry offerings while working within the footprint of the current reality of your church.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Evaluating the needs of the church.
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Renovate the spirit of the church.
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Motivate the willing, let go of the unwilling.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Be accepting of the things you cannot control.
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Adapt to the change, and do not be scared by the change.
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Do not allow the change to define the church or your leadership.
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React with a positive view.
Revitalization Rewards found in this episode:
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Becoming a praying church.
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Understand the Church's mission.
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Focus on what God can do.
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The Word is the word to follow.
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Serve God with Glory.