7 Steps to Church Revitalization

Step One: Church Health is Assessed

"Is the church healthy enough to grow?"

  • Natural Church Development
  • 30 Active Participants Required
  • Measures the health of the church in 8 areas
  • Empowering Leadership
  • Gift-based Ministry
  • Passionate Spirituality
  • Effective Structures
  • Inspiring Worship Services
  • Holistic Small Groups
  • Need-Oriented Evangelism
  • Loving Relationship
  • Provides an Overall Score
  • Pastor's ability to lead a missionary church should be assessed as well
  • Church Planter Profile
  • Leadership Profile

Step Two: Clarify The Purpose and Mission of the Church

"Why does the church exist?"

  • Both are discovered through the study of scripture
  • Purpose is eternal - To Glorify God
  • Mission is temporal - To make disciples who walk like Jesus
  • A new scorecard that measures effectiveness in fulfilling the purpose and mission of the church is created
  • People living in communion with God
  • People living in community with other Jesus followers
  • People living out God's mission via their SHAPE

Step Three: Church Renewal

"What is God's pattern for revival and spiritual awakening?"

  • Begins with the leaders of the church
  • Fresh Encounter: Experiencing God's Pattern for Renewal from Lifeway

Step Four: Decode The Church

"Who are we? How has God assembled us as a body of believers?"

  • Demographics
  • Values
  • Facilities Assessment
  • Heart or Passion of the body
  • Abilities or strengths identified

Step Five: Community Assessment

"Who's our neighbor? Where is God at work?"

  • Expedition: Discovering The Work of God In Your Community
  • Who is not being reached with the gospel?
  • Where is God at work?
  • How can we be better neighbors as a church?

Steps Six: Discover God's Unique Disciple Making Vision for Your Church

"How are disciples made in our context?"

  • Disciple Making: Discovering God's Unique Vision For Your Church
  • What is a disciple?
  • How do you make disciples?
  • How do you track and facilitate their growth?
  • What are the elements (relationships, resources, etc.) that you need to make disciples?
  • What are the core values that will shape your disciple making?

Step Seven: Strategic Initiatives Identified

"What is God asking us to do?"

  • What are the two or three things that God is asking you to accomplish?
  • How would your community be different if you obeyed God?
  • What action steps must you take to fulfill God's will for your church?
  • What resources will you need to be successful?