Dr Kevin Blackwell

I have been assisting churches with revitalization for over two decades. I have become convinced that we have overcomplicated the steps involved in revitalizing churches. Don’t get me wrong—church renewal is not easy work. But it is difficult not because the steps are complicated, but because of the resistance that often comes from church members.

I have attended dozens of conferences and workshops, read dozens of books on the subject, and spoken with many church revitalization experts. Just about every conference, workshop, book, and expert is saying the same things—and it has been that way for several years.

Turning a church around is not like solving a calculus equation. The key components are clear, uncomplicated, and can be embraced by any church that truly wants to grow.

Herein lies the real question: not, “Can your church grow again?” but rather, “Does your church want to grow again?”

If a church wants to grow again, it must do these things:

1. Growing churches have been turned inside out.

Growing churches are radically in love with their communities. They are addicted to missional outreach to those living within the shadow of their steeples. They do not mind making changes that eliminate barriers to reaching people in the neighborhoods surrounding the church. They live to connect with people and build relationships with those who live around the church.

Some churches will plan an outreach event and then complain, “People just come to get what we are giving away, but they never actually come to our church.” Churches that effectively reach their communities understand that outreach is not merely about getting people to attend their church. It is primarily about opening a door to share the gospel with people—even if they never come to the church.

2. Growing churches are filled with passionate people who are excited about Jesus.

Growing churches are filled with people who have an authentic love for Jesus. When we love Jesus passionately, our faith becomes contagious to a world that is looking for something to believe in. Passionate people invite others to church and serve with enthusiasm. Unfortunately, many churches feel more like funeral homes than places filled with motivated, excited people.

3. Growing churches are creative and innovative.

Dynamic churches are not resistant to change. Creativity does involve risk, but churches that truly want to reach people for Jesus are continually thinking of new ways to share the good news with lost people—even when some of their ideas fail. A lack of creativity and innovation will always lead to stagnation. As long as it does not violate Scripture, churches should be willing to do whatever it takes to reach people for Jesus.

4. Growing churches have a clear process in place to make disciples who make disciples.

Growing churches can clearly articulate their process for reaching people, growing people, and sending people to reach others for Jesus. The majority of church leaders have never developed a clear disciple-making process, but Great Commission churches live by one.

5. Growing churches have pastors who are strong leaders and are allowed to lead.

I know it sounds crazy, but I consistently hear from pastors who are simply not allowed to lead. They are told to preach, counsel people, and visit hospitals but to leave the administration, budget, and overall leadership of the church to a committee or the deacons. This is absolutely the wrong way for a church to function. Pastors are shepherds, and shepherds are always leading their flocks. Let your pastor lead.

6. Growing churches are led by a compelling vision.

Sometimes the only thing separating dying churches from growing churches is a compelling, formative vision. Some pastors have stopped dreaming. They are no longer guided by a compelling vision for better, healthier days for their churches. They have simply given up because of too many hard conversations and too much opposition.

That is not true of growing churches. They are led by pastors who are driven by a God-given vision. Even when fulfilling that vision requires hard decisions and difficult changes, these pastors will lead their flocks toward better days.