Articles + Podcast
How You Can Make a Global Impact
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 218 We mention every week on The Church Revitalization Podcast that we are a non-profit ministry that supports churches around the world. We rarely go into detail on that work, though. Today, on Giving Tuesday, we thought it...
The Power of Saying Thank You: A Key to Church Revitalization
In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the importance of expressing gratitude. However, small gestures, like a simple "thank you," can have a profound impact. At The Malphurs Group, an organization dedicated to helping churches achieve health and vitality,...
2024 Vision: Planning for GROWTH in the New Year
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 216 As the new year rapidly approaches, it's a crucial time for church and organizational leaders to engage in thoughtful and strategic planning. The goal is to make the upcoming year not just another cycle of activities but...
Coffee in the Sanctuary? John Piper & Propriety in Worship
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 215 Is there a place for modern, casual customs like coffee-sipping within the sanctity of worship, or does it detract from the reverence owed to God? That’s essentially the question that John Piper posed on Twitter/X Back...
Rethinking Leadership: How Broken Leadership Methods Are Holding Your Church Back
The church, by its very nature, is an ever-evolving entity, yet grounded in the timeless teachings of Scripture. The challenge many churches face is not about whether they're adapting fast enough to the times, but whether their current leadership methods are truly...
Overcoming Evil: Staying Focused on the Great Commission
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 213 As of the time of this writing, we are about a week and a half into the latest conflict between Israel and its neighbors. War has been declared. The cowardly and evil actions by Hamas have been placed front and center...
Empowering Co-Shepherds: A Fresh Vision for Shared Pastoral Care
Pastoring a church shouldn’t be a solo endeavor. It's a collective call, a shared journey — and it's high time we embrace that truth in every aspect of church life, especially pastoral care. Think about it: within your congregation, there are individuals gifted by the...
Congregational Paralysis: Driving Discipleship with Clear Communication
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 211 “...if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?” 1 Corinthians 14:8 We often find pastors and church leaders lamenting the lack of engagement by their congregations.Here are just a few of...
Breaking Growth Barriers: Escaping the Small Church Syndrome
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 210 In the world of faith, there's an undeniable truth – there's nothing inherently wrong with being part of a small church. In fact, small churches often foster intimate communities where every member knows each other's...
Toxic Leadership: Controlling and Manipulative Pastors Wreaking Havoc in the Church
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 209 Controlling, manipulative, and outright abusive pastors are harming congregations across America. While exact statistics are hard to come by, some studies suggest that up to 30% of pastors may exhibit narcissistic...
How to Answer the Biggest Questions Seekers Have About Faith
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 208 Engaging with skeptics may be intimidating for many of us. But one of the most important skills that church leaders need to develop is how to answer big questions that spiritual seekers have about faith. The good news is...
Church Death Spiral: How Once-Thriving Churches Hit Rock Bottom
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 207 First Community Church once bustled with activity. Families packed the pews each Sunday while kids scurried off to crowded Sunday School classes. The budget was strong enough to maintain their historic building and offer...
Wounded and Dying: Can Your Church Recover From Scandal?
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 206 If you stay in ministry long enough, chances are you or someone you love will be impacted by a church scandal. We wish it weren't true, but sin exists even within Christ's church. In our broken world, scandals will...
An Epidemic of Apathetic Families: Curing “Sunday-Only” Faith
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 205 In today's fast-paced world, an epidemic of apathy towards faith has emerged among families. While busyness is often blamed, the end result remains the same - parents are disengaging from discipleship. The passing...
How to Grow Your Church Without Compromising Your Values
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 204 Growth is on every pastor’s mind. Compelled by the Great Commission, pastors feel an urgency to reach more people and expand the impact of their churches. But this desire can lead down an uneasy path, causing otherwise...
From Fixed to Growth: Developing a Revitalization Mindset
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 203 If you've ever tried to get a stalled car rolling downhill, you know it takes immense effort just to get the thing moving. But once you've broken through that initial inertia, momentum takes over and the car practically...
What Your Church Can Learn from Grocery Stores: Why Culture Matters
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 202 Every time I drive by my local Kroger grocery store, I look over to see how full the parking lot is. They do ok, it’s not a ghost town, but let me put it this way…they don’t need a parking lot as big as the one they...
Post-Christian America: What’s Going Wrong In Our Churches?
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 201 Welcome to the post-Christian landscape in America. It's no secret that our churches are facing a significant challenge – a decline in the adherence to a Biblical worldview, even among those who identify as Christians....
Top Five Episodes from the First 200
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 200 Time certainly has flown by! It was August of 2019 when Scott and I recorded our first few episodes of The Church Revitalization Podcast. We didn’t know what to expect or if anyone would listen. Now after nearly four...
Financial Stewardship: Cultivating Generosity in Your Church
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 199 It’s not a debatable point to say that churches need money to do ministry. So why is it so hard to talk about it? Many pastors carve out a couple Sundays each year for a sermon on giving because they feel obligated to do...
Balancing Ministry and Family: Maintaining Healthy Relationships Amidst Busy Schedules
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 198 Leading a fulfilling life as a pastor involves navigating the delicate balance between ministry and family commitments. The weight of responsibility can feel especially heavy, especially if our churches are struggling....
Six Burning Revitalization Questions
In “Burning Revitalization Questions,” Scott and A.J. take turns posing three hot-button questions each, sparking lively discussions and sharing their unfiltered hot takes.
Is Pastoral Care the Primary Role of the Pastor?
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 196 The following article is published as Appendix C in Dr. Malphurs Book, Being Leaders. God has allowed me not only to teach leadership at Dallas Seminary, but to minister in numerous churches and denominations as a...
Breaking Down Rick Warren and The SBC
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 195 It’s been said that any publicity is good publicity, but when it comes to the Church, nothing could be further from the truth. The Southern Baptist Convention has had quite a year. I’m sure most involved parties would...