The American Church Is Dying - But Wait…
Last Friday I wrote an article highlighting the incredible decline the American church has seen in the past 20 years, and suggested that maybe we should allow that version of the church to go ahead and die. You can find that article here. It was a blunt, harsh suggestion in response to what has been a slow, painful death of the American church. But I left a question at the end that I want to explore a bit today. What if, instead of allowing it to die, we took a different approach; revitalization.
Revitalizing a declining church is a multifaceted endeavor that requires intentionality, perseverance, and a reliance on divine guidance. It’s more than sending energetic people to fill the seats while pumping cash into the system. It’s a deeper, spiritual job that requires God’s leadership and a church’s willingness to look to Him, through Scripture, to navigate the challenges. By delving deeper into the benefits, challenges, obstacles, and strategies associated with church revitalization, we can better understand how to navigate this transformative journey. To illustrate these concepts, we'll explore the real-life revitalization story of Life Point Church.
Benefits of Church Revitalization
Renewed Purpose and Vision
Every church is started with the goal and hope of being used by God to grow the Kingdom of God for the glory of God. Now wording differs, but if you were to sit down with most new church launch teams, this is the goal. Over time as challenges arise and difficulties reveal themselves, that goal wanes. Revitalization prompts a church to revisit its foundational mission, often leading to a clearer and more compelling vision. This renewed sense of purpose can unify congregants and direct efforts toward impactful ministry.
Example: Life Point Church in a small town about an hour from Nashville, once vibrant with around 200 members, had dwindled to about 25 elderly attendees. Recognizing the need for change before they died, the church leadership sought to redefine their mission, focusing on community engagement and spiritual growth. With laser-like attention, the small team wrote out exactly what they would spend their time, energy, and resources focused on. This renewed vision played a pivotal role in their revitalization journey.
Enhanced Community Engagement
Over time, our needs, our itches, our desires begin to dominate the conversations around the church. Our preferences trump decisions when it comes to budget and ministry efforts. A revitalized church often becomes more attuned to the needs of its surrounding community, leading to more effective outreach and service. By identifying and addressing local needs, the church can establish itself as a vital community partner.
Example: Life Point Church began assessing the needs of their small town, initiating programs that resonated with residents. Hosting monthly Mom’s Night Out events with free childcare to single moms, a support group for people dealing with the loss of a loved one, and a financial education class for people looking to create a budget and begin investing were all needs within the community that this small church knew they could help address. This proactive approach not only served the community but also attracted new members who valued the church's commitment to local engagement.
Spiritual Growth
The revitalization process can reignite spiritual fervor among members, leading to deeper discipleship and a more vibrant faith community. Emphasizing spiritual disciplines and fostering a culture of growth can transform the congregation's spiritual landscape. When the church refocuses on God and His mission, it reminds us of our need to depend on Him more. That dependence drives us to a deeper walk.
Example: As Life Point Church embraced revitalization, they prioritized spiritual development through Bible studies, prayer groups, and discipleship programs. This focus led to noticeable spiritual renewal within the congregation.
Increased Attendance and Participation
Addressing areas of stagnation can attract new members and re-engage those who have drifted away. Relationships are huge in this process. As relationships with community members grows, their comfort level with the church grows. When relational life is perceived, those who have stopped attending are often stirred to return. A revitalized church often experiences growth in attendance and active participation.
Example: Through intentional outreach and revitalized programming, Life Point Church saw a gradual increase in attendance, with both new visitors and returning members contributing to the church's renewed vibrancy. In 2016 their church averaged 25 people on a Sunday morning. By the end of 2018 that number had grown to 75. Even after COVID, in 2023 their once dying church had a weekly Sunday average of 225.
Challenges and Dangers
Resistance to Change
Long-standing traditions can create barriers to implementing necessary changes, leading to internal conflict. Unfortunately there are people who would rather die than change. Any change is seen as blasphemous and submitting to culture. Overcoming this resistance requires sensitive leadership and clear communication.
Example: At Life Point Church, some members were initially hesitant about altering traditional practices. Not offering Sunday evening services so that they could host a support group that might not even discuss the Bible much at all was unheard of! The leadership addressed these concerns through open forums and educational sessions, fostering understanding and buy-in from the majority. Not everyone was on board, but over time even they realized the impact.
Superficial Adjustments
Revitalization isn’t about bringing in a guitarist, have a pastor switch his suits for jeans and flannel, and painting the building. Focusing solely on cosmetic changes, like updating music styles or aesthetics, without addressing deeper spiritual and cultural issues can lead to temporary improvements without lasting impact.
Example: Life Point Church recognized that while updating their facilities was beneficial, true revitalization required a deeper cultural shift toward genuine community and discipleship.
Leadership Burnout
The demands of leading a revitalization effort can overwhelm leaders, especially if they lack adequate support. It's crucial to build a supportive leadership team and delegate responsibilities effectively. They need time off. They need encouragement. They need friendship.
Example: The pastor of Life Point Church ensured that leadership responsibilities were shared among capable members, preventing burnout and fostering a collaborative environment. He also met with a handful of men throughout the month to talk, pray, and decompress. Some of the senior adult ladies were sure to encourage him with some homemade baked good periodically, as well.
Misaligned Expectations
Congregants may have differing visions for the church's future, causing friction and disillusionment if not managed carefully. Aligning expectations through clear communication and shared goal-setting is essential.
Example: Before the concerted effort to revitalize, Life Point Church conducted vision-casting sessions, allowing members to voice their hopes and concerns, leading to a unified direction for the church's future.
Obstacles to Overcome
Complacency
A contentment with the status quo can hinder momentum for change. Cultivating a sense of urgency and highlighting the need for revitalization can motivate action. When most people realize revitalization is necessary, the church is already almost dead, most of the time. Change or die.
Example: The leadership at Life Point Church emphasized the importance of revitalization through sermons and discussions, inspiring the congregation to embrace change. It was a process that took months of laying the groundwork before formal discussions ever began.
Limited Resources
Financial constraints and a lack of volunteers can impede revitalization efforts. Creative resource management and external partnerships can help overcome these limitations. Is there a partner church that would be willing to support you with volunteers, finances, and/or resources for ministry? Is there a nonprofit that would be willing to partner with you in community ministries?
Example: Life Point Church sought partnerships with local organizations and implemented cost-effective strategies to maximize their limited resources during the revitalization process. A local business donated pizzas once a month to provide meals for the Moms Night Out Children. A local financial advisor developed a curriculum they were able to use for their financial class.
Cultural Disconnect
A gap between the church's culture and that of the surrounding community can reduce relevance and engagement. Bridging this gap requires intentional efforts to understand and integrate into the local culture.
Example: Despite the majority of its members being over the age of 65, Life Point Church made concerted efforts to engage with the local culture, hosting community events and adapting their services to be more accessible and relevant to residents.
Spiritual Apathy
A lack of fervent prayer and dependence on God can undermine revitalization efforts. Prioritizing spiritual disciplines and fostering a culture of prayer are essential.
Example: Recognizing spiritual apathy as a barrier, Life Point Church initiated regular prayer meetings and intentional times of corporate prayer on Sunday mornings. They reevaluated their curriculum and switched to something more engaging and challenging for the congregants. The pastor met one-on-one with every member and asked what they thought they needed to take another step forward spiritually, and then tried to help them meet those needs.
A Call to Action
If you are in a dying church, you have a choice: resign yourself to its slow decline, or take bold steps toward revitalization. It won’t be easy. It requires faith, sacrifice, and a willingness to put God’s mission above personal comfort. But as Life Point Church’s story shows, it is possible. The question is—are you willing to embrace change to see your church thrive again?
For those in strong, growing churches, the Kingdom of God extends beyond your walls. What would it look like for you to invest in struggling congregations? Could your church send people, resources, or prayer support to help a dying church come back to life? The goal isn’t just to grow one church but to see the Kingdom advance.
Revitalization isn’t about nostalgia or maintaining institutions—it’s about bringing life where there is none. It’s about ensuring that every church, no matter how small, remains a beacon of the Gospel. Whether you are in a struggling church or a thriving one, the call is the same: seek the Kingdom first. Then act in faith.