"Church Revitalization: A Pastoral Guide to Church Renewal" (Russell N. Small)

TITLE: Church Revitalization: A Pastoral Guide to Church Renewal
AUTHOR: Russell N. Small
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Ministry, 2023, (232 pages).
 

Like it or not, every organization will need to be refreshed or revitalized every now and then. Existing members age or move on to "greener" pastures. New people move in and form new relationships. As dynamics shift from year to year, organizational structures can sometimes become archaic and inflexible to changes. Pastoral transitions also play a part in the range of changes. If these changes are to be expected, it makes perfect sense to prepare for them. This book shows us the way. The first five chapters present some theories to know and assess "critical areas" in such revitalization efforts. The following five chapters present the practical steps to put them into action. The primary purpose of the book is to recognize Church Revitalization as a calling and to help do our part to renew the Church over and over again. Chapter One sets the stage to bring us back to the fundamental convictions of a Church. Questions are asked pertaining to the definition of a Church, what it stands for, and the types of churches we are talking about. Not all churches are the same doctrinally, traditionally, and structurally. Not a problem. The point is not about the differences but to recognize our own church's conviction, mission, and vision. Chapter 3 deals with the history of the Church so as to establish a pattern of thought. This includes the assessment of past pastorates, reviewing Church records, major decisions made, spiritual successes, and listening carefully to members and the community. Chapter 4 deals with demographic concerns both inside the Church and outside in the neighborhood. On the inside, we look at factors such as generational differences and on the outside, to learn awareness about the cultural, social, and political climate. Chapter 5 looks at the spiritual health of the pastor. There are various personality tests for pastors to take to better self-understanding. There are also tips of pastoral wellness and emotional health. An important point to note is the danger of burnout and blowout! There is also a section on digital wellness which is increasingly relevant. From chapter 6 onward, the author brings in several strategies to help us plan toward Church revitalization. It is crucial that we do not skip the first few chapters about Chruch and leadership personal evaluation, lest we put the cart before the horse.

Some strategies include leading with various ministries such as prayer, worship, evangelism, small-groups, leadership, next-generation, "catalytic event based," and many more. Author Russell Small even gives us a template to develop such a plan. Then there is the team involvement. No Church can function without a team. The same goes for any revitalization efforts. It also reminds pastors that church revitalization should never be a solo effort. The Church team leaders need to be involved. With execution comes the potential for conflicts. This makes the book highly relevant in terms of anticipating kinks that could appear in any execution. I like the way Small analyzes the different tendencies among people in terms of problem "stirrers," "spotters," "snoozers," "solvers," and "starters." Change is never easy and revitalization often requires many changes. 

My Thoughts

Churches go through all kinds of ups and downs. From leadership renewal to upheavals that impact the size and makeup of the Church, there are times in which churches struggle to survive or to pray for some kind of revival. What works today does not guarantee any similar success tomorrow. Churches in the West are struggling with declining membership and attendance. This has worsened since the 2020 pandemic, leaving many churches to face an uncertain and gloomy future. Whatever it is, there is no need to panic. Growing a Church is like planting trees. Trees do not shoot up overnight. It takes lots of time and patience. More importantly, it requires one to do the necessary homework and legwork. This includes knowing the Church context, the circumstances, and the health of the leadership and pastor. The success of any revitalization plan rests on the quality of understanding the Church, the leadership culture, the environment, and the self.

Like any organization, churches too need to find ways to reshape themselves for a new generation. Anyone looking for silver bullets in this book will be barking up the wrong tree. Each chapter deals with an essential aspect of the revitalization process. What works for one church does not necessarily do the same for others. How then can books on revival or revitalization help? Endorsed by a long list of well-known leaders in the evangelical world, this book is packed with great material for use. It also addresses some of the common issues for churches before proposing a plan for execution by churches needing revitalization. Some books tell you what it takes to revitalize the Church and then conclude like some afterthought with a short primer on how to do that. Others come up with practical solutions but lack the theoretical undergirding to sustain the efforts. Thankfully, this book provides a lot of both to make it not just highly readable and relevant, but also offers readers and leaders much food for thought and reflection. It is for this very reason that I believe this book can help spark any revitalization efforts when the time comes. It is not a matter of whether it will come. It is simply a question of when. Be prepared.

Russell N. Small (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary)is a church revitalization strategist with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia and lead pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox, VA, which he led through a revitalization more than a decade ago. He is also an associate professor at the Liberty University John W. Rawlings School of Divinity.                        

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Kregel Publications without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.