Revitalization Review
It is hard to imagine that God brought my family and me to Open Door nearly three years ago now. It has been a humbling, grace-filled journey of growth in virtually every facet of life and ministry. Reflecting on the last three years, I want to provide a few insights for others who are in the thick of church revitalization or are considering the incredible and necessary work of revitalizing a local church ministry. I am no expert and do not have all the answers, but here are some lessons we are learning.
1) The Problems Are Deeper Than You Realize
This is not meant to be negative, just a reality check. It’s tempting to think that the red flags a pastor perceives in the survey and candidate process are easily and quickly solved by the flick of the magical wand of healthy, biblical pastoral leadership. I know I did! While that is one of the foremost means by which God grows and strengthens churches, it’s an unrealistic expectation. Why? So often, with rose-tinted glasses over our spiritual eyes, we forget the condition of the human heart (Jer. 17:9). Friend—my heart, your heart, and the heart of every single member and attender that God has stewarded to our care is by nature deceptive. The problems go far deeper down the rabbit hole than we care to admit and want to think about. Revitalization will require time, perseverance, and most importantly the Spirit’s work of grace transforming our hearts and minds by the power of Christ (Eph. 4:20-24).
2) Corporate Prayer is Critical for Any Metric of Success
While much could be said regarding the spiritual discipline of prayer, I will focus on its corporate aspect. Someone once said, “Corporate prayer is leaning on God, together.” I believe that there is nothing sweeter, more unifying, and spiritually empowering than when God’s people gathered as a church bear with one another in transparent and accountable prayer. I know this, for I have experienced it on many occasions with our small church family. Any successful revitalization will begin and continue forward with the church on its knees—praying to its Heavenly Father who is equally caring in His affection and capable in His power. If you’re unsure of the value and importance of corporate prayer, just read the model prayer and simply count the number of plural pronouns (Matt. 6:9-13).
3) Invest In and Involve Your Family
This is one I learned the hard way. Pastor—you have a bride, and it’s not the church. That’s Jesus’ bride. Loving and caring for your bride first and foremost will place you in the optimal position to love and care for Christ’s bride (Eph. 5:25-27). For those pastors, who like me have children, by intentionally, consistently, and lovingly nurturing them in the admonition of the Lord we will best be positioned to love and care for the children of God placed in His church (I Tim. 3:4-5). This is not a call to neglect pastoral responsibility under the guise of exclusive family enrichment. Rather, this is an encouragement to intentionally invest and involve your family in every appropriate aspect of your life as a Christian man, husband, father, and pastor.
David Robart
Lead Pastor, Open Door Baptist Church