Ten New Year’s Resolutions for Churches Seeking Revival
Every January, churches talk about revival. They pray for it. They plan for it. They hope it shows up in attendance, energy, or momentum. But revival does not begin with new calendars or new programs. It begins with renewed obedience and reordered priorities.
Revival is not something a church schedules. It is something a church prepares for. As the new year begins, here are ten resolutions churches can make that create space for God to move in deep and lasting ways.
First, resolve to prioritize prayer over programming. A church can stay busy without staying dependent. Revival grows in churches that pray honestly, consistently, and expectantly rather than treating prayer as a formality.
Second, resolve to value faithfulness more than numbers. Attendance and giving matter, but they are not the measure of spiritual life. Churches seeking revival must learn to celebrate obedience, repentance, and discipleship even when growth feels slow.
Third, resolve to pursue unity with humility. Revival cannot thrive in environments marked by unresolved conflict, gossip, or quiet resentment. Unity does not require agreement on everything, but it does require a shared commitment to love and truth.
Fourth, resolve to tell the truth about where the church really is. Revival does not grow in denial. Honest evaluation creates the kind of humility God often blesses. Churches that face reality without fear are better positioned to receive renewal.
Fifth, resolve to simplify ministry. Overloaded calendars often crowd out spiritual depth. Pruning is not failure. It is preparation. Churches that create margin make room for the Spirit to work.
Sixth, resolve to disciple people, not just attenders. Revival is sustained by transformed lives, not fuller rooms. Churches must invest in formation, accountability, and spiritual growth at every stage.
Seventh, resolve to serve the community intentionally. Revival never turns a church inward. It pushes outward in love, generosity, and presence. Churches seeking revival look beyond their walls and meet real needs.
Eighth, resolve to release control and trust God with outcomes. Control suffocates faith. Revival requires surrender, even when the future feels uncertain.
Ninth, resolve to cultivate generosity of time, space, and resources. Revival loosens grip. Churches that give freely often experience renewal more deeply.
Tenth, resolve to expect God to work in ordinary ways. Revival rarely arrives with spectacle. It often grows quietly through repentance, prayer, and faithful presence.
Revival is not guaranteed by resolutions, but obedience prepares the soil. Churches that align their hearts and habits with God’s priorities create space for renewal to take root.