How to Welcome the Dechurched Without Reinforcing the Reasons They Left
The dechurched are not looking for gimmicks—they are looking for honesty, grace, and evidence that something has truly changed. This article offers five practical ways churches can welcome them back without repeating the patterns that drove them away in the first place.
Why the Dechurched Are Not the Same as the Unchurched (And Why That Matters)
The dechurched are not strangers to the gospel—they are often people who left church feeling unseen, hurt, or disillusioned. Reaching them requires humility, honesty, and a gospel-centered community that owns past mistakes and offers a better way forward. The goal is not just to get them back in the building, but to help them fall in love with Jesus—and His church—all over again.
Letting Your Identity Shape Your Ministry
Knowing your church’s identity is not enough—it has to shape your decisions, ministries, and culture. This article shows how to align your strategy, structure, communication, culture, and people with who God has called your church to be.
How to Clarify Your Church’s Identity
Churches often struggle with identity because they confuse activity with calling. This article offers practical steps to help your church discover who it really is—by listening well, examining your story, digging deeper than generic values, and naming what truly matters. Clarity is not just possible, it is essential.
You Cannot Be Every Church: Why Identity Brings Strength
Many churches lose their way by trying to please everyone, leading to a confused identity and directionless ministry. Instead of chasing trends or avoiding conflict, churches need to rediscover who they are and lead with clarity, conviction, and a sense of Spirit-led purpose.
Setting the Table: Creative Ways to Build Real Community at Church
Some of the best ministry I’ve ever been part of didn’t happen on a stage—it happened around a table. No program. No timer. Just food, Scripture, and people showing up for each other. Maybe what your church needs isn’t more events. Maybe it just needs more presence."
Rediscovering the Table in a Stage-Driven Church
The stage is important, but it is not enough. Churches must intentionally create space for personal connection and discipleship through shared tables, not just worship services. If we neglect the table, we miss the depth of community Jesus modeled.
10 Warning Signs Your Church Has Made the Building an Idol
Buildings are tools for ministry, not the mission itself. If fear, nostalgia, or control shape how space is used, your church may be serving the building—not Jesus. These 10 signs can help you spot the warning lights.
The Building Is Not the Mission
Churches do not need massive buildings to be faithful or effective. In today’s diverse communities, smaller congregations are leading the way by sharing space, partnering with other ministries, and using their buildings as tools—not trophies. Stewardship of space is a missional issue, and one culture cannot reach every culture. It is time to shift from asking “How do we fill this building?” to “How can this building serve the mission?”
Leading Change Like a Shepherd
Real, lasting change in a church happens when pastors lead like both strategists and shepherds—wise in vision, patient in love, and intentional in communication.
Don’t Waste the Summer: How to Use the Slow Season to Prepare for Revitalization
Summer might feel like a lull in church life, but it is the perfect season to prepare for revitalization. Use this time to assess where your church stands, clarify your mission, and intentionally plan for the fall. Do not waste the quiet—use it to build momentum.
Strength for the Work: Simple Ways Pastors Can Care for Their Bodies
Pastors can care for their bodies with simple, at-home workouts using adjustable dumbbells and a bench, plus basic healthy eating habits. Physical activity also helps release ministry stress. Stewardship, not perfection, is the goal.
Beyond the Sunday Selfie: Social Media Best Practices for Churches
Most churches either underuse social media or overwhelm it with noise. This post walks through simple best practices to help churches use social media as a front porch to their ministry—starting with setting up their page correctly, posting with purpose, showing real faces, and engaging with people, not just announcing events. Bonus tip: if you ever draw a blank on what to post, ask AI to help brainstorm ideas that fit your mission.
The Resurrection and Church Renewal
Easter is not just about Jesus rising from the dead—it is a reminder that God can bring life to declining churches too. Church revitalization is resurrection work, and the same power that raised Christ is available to breathe life into your church today.
How to Measure Progress in Church Revitalization
Revitalization is not about one big Sunday. It is about steady, faithful progress—measured in spiritual growth, healthy relationships, mission alignment, and follow-through.
Creative Outreach: Moving Beyond Traditional Events
Traditional events have their place, but true outreach means listening to your community, thinking smaller and more often, and making it personal. Creative outreach helps your church build meaningful relationships that lead to real revitalization.
Preparing for Easter: How Churches Can Make the Most of This Season
Easter brings more people through the doors than almost any other Sunday—but will they come back? Learn how to prepare well, engage visitors, and turn Easter momentum into long-term church revitalization.
Leading Revitalization with Insightful Feedback
Successful church revitalization hinges on making decisions rooted in divine guidance and accurate insights, rather than assumptions. Our new Comprehensive Church Survey Tool empowers you to gather essential feedback from both your congregation and the broader community, ensuring your initiatives effectively address true needs. Discover why leveraging web-based surveys is crucial for meaningful and Spirit-led revitalization effort
Revitalizing Your Approach: Creative Ideas to Engage Your Church Community
As culture shifts, our strategies must shift too. The timeless message of the Gospel deserves methods that resonate with today’s world—methods that are relevant, authentic, and engaging. In this post, we'll explore five creative approaches to help churches replace outdated practices and forge deeper connections with their communities. It’s not about abandoning tradition; it’s about making sure that how we communicate the message of hope truly reaches those who need it.
Finding the Right Interim Leader: Navigating Church Transitions with Confidence
Transition periods in churches, while challenging, offer unique opportunities for growth and revitalization. This guide explores four key options—Pulpit Supply, Interim Pastor, Strategic Interim, and Transitional Pastor—helping your church navigate the interim season with confidence. Discover which interim leader best suits your church's needs and how the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association (BMBA) can support you in this crucial time.