You’re reading this book for a reason. Whether you’re studying, researching, or participating in a declining or dying church, the intent of this book is to breathe new life into the body of Christ. Hopefully, you will be able to glean knowledge and insight from the practical methods, experiences, and strategies between these pages.
There is no one size fits all cure. As well, without the working power of God all of our strategies, research, and good intentions are for naught. The apostle Paul learned that creating plans can eerily become interrupted by God (Acts 16:6–7). The revitalization and renewal process ought to implore great humility and reliance upon the Holy Spirit. Not only the revitalizer, but the people should implement much devoted and dedicated prayer. Revitalization is not about hiring someone to do the work or put people in seats. Revitalization is restoration—it is spirit renewal, reinvigoration, and redirection of a continual onward, inward, and upward mindset.
Introduction
Chapter 1 The Problem
Abuse
Enculturation
Ineffective Discipleship
Pastoral Training
Chapter 2 Transformation
Gospel Urgency
Leadership and Innovation
Community Participation
Change or Die
Liturgy and Worship
Rethinking Polity
Chapter 3 Love
Love and Congregational Toxicity
Toxic Leadership
Dealing with Pastoral Toxicity
Chapter 4 Casting Vision, Finding Mission
Primary Values
Strategies
Measurables
Direction
Finding Mission
Chapter 5 Healthy Leaders
Health Before Goals
The Biblical Foundation
The Right Tool
Spiritual Health
Emotional Health
Physical Health
Relational Health
Putting It All Together
Chapter 6 Cultivating Missional Movements
Spirit Renewal
Communal Witness
Regional Vitality
Diaspora and Beyond
Chapter 7 Attractional Strategy
Utilizing the Calendar
Surge Strategy
Renewal and Growing Pains
Chapter 8 Finding the Mars Hill
Cultural Worship, Exegesis, and Contextualization
Cultures and Subcultures
Applications
Chapter 9 ARC Strategy
Creating Disciple-Making Movements Through ARC
Cultivating Community Impact
Direct Oikos Transformation
Indirect Oikos Transformation
Reaching the Diaspora
Chapter 10 Gospel-Straight
Centered of Straight?
Preaching the Gospel
Gospel-Straight Application
Chapter 11 Replanting
Shelf life Signs
Merging
Replant and Relaunch
Kingdom Legacy
Appendices
Assessment 1—Vision Lens
Assessment 2—Emotional Health Evaluation
Assessment 3—Mars Hill: Subcultural Engagement
Assessment 4—Merger and Replanting Survey
Merger Survey
Replanting Survey
Matthew
Fretwell
Matt Fretwell is a professor of practical theology and missiology at several universities. Having served as a multiple church planter, revitalization pastor, and missionary, he’s a practitioner that is passionate about the Great Commission, reproducible disciple-making, and the Church. He earned a doctorate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Great Commission Leadership, holds an MA of Theology and Masters of Divinity.