Articles + Podcast
Where Are We Going? Answering the Vision Question
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 227 The necessity of pursuing vision in the church cannot be overstated. Imagine deciding to go on a road trip with a friend but never discussing where to go. You get in the car together and start driving. After a...
Building a Disciple-Centric Church: The Role of Primary and Secondary Ministries
Everything your church does must be aimed at making and maturing disciples. But not everything your church does is automatically discipleship-centered. This only happens when a church intentionally defines discipleship outcomes through a process or pathway and...
Disciple-SHIFT: What Is (and Isn’t) a Discipleship Pathway?
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 225 Don’t think about discipleship as a thing the church does. Think of discipleship as everything the church should be doing. In Episode 223 of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we talked about the centrality of the Great...
Understanding the Four Types of Core Values
In the world of ministry, values aren't just about what you believe or prefer. They're the deep-rooted and passionate forces that drive and direct everything you do. Think of them as the pulse of your ministry – they keep things moving and point you in the right...
How to Evaluate Your Church’s Mission Statement
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 223 If you were asked, “What is the mandate of the Church,” what would your answer be? It’s an important question because what we believe the answer to be becomes our mission. That which we believe to be preeminent in...
Five Painful Problems SOLVED By A Leadership Pipeline
If you desire your church to reach more people, expand its resources, and amplify its impact, building a leadership pipeline is of utmost importance. Occasionally, after we share our articles or resources online, a well-intentioned individual might comment, "This is...
Building Stronger Church Teams: Eliminating Knowledge Biases
The Church Revitalization Podcast - Episode 221 You might be surprised by what your team doesn’t know. It’s an easy trap to fall into - thinking your team knows what you know or has the same level of understanding that you do. This unconscious bias of understanding...
The Uncomfortable Truth About Church Decline
In recent years, a quiet crisis has been unfolding within the walls of churches across the United States. It's a crisis that many congregations are either unaware of or are reluctant to confront. This crisis is the steady and persistent church decline in attendance...
Why Giving is UP But Pastor Morale is STILL Low
In churches across America, a paradox is emerging that's as perplexing as it is concerning. On one hand, post-pandemic church life is showing signs of financial health and decreased conflict – a beacon of hope suggesting resilience and recovery. Yet, on the other...
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...