Leading Renewal in Your Church

Your journey to develop as a renewal begins here.

This quick-start guide offers simple, actionable steps for pastors and aspiring pastors who long to spark and sustain renewal in local churches. Leading God’s people through renewal requires skilled hands and an upright heart (see Psalm 78:72). Following this guide will help you develop the character and competencies of a renewal leader by increasing your awareness and focusing your development through an intentional plan.

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“Prayer is not a preparation for work; it is work. Prayer is not a preparation for the battle; it is the battle.” - Oswald Chambers

Your renewal journey must be saturated in prayer from beginning to end. As you take each step, remember Psalm 127:1: “Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain.”

Click here to learn how to create a culture of prayer in your church.

ARTICLE

Define Reality

How do I assess my church’s true condition?

1. Seek Outside Perspectives

2. Analyze Objective Data

3. Seek Subjective Evaluation

Reflect on the Fundamentals of Church Renewal
- Article:
  - "Fundamentals of Church Renewal" by Jimbo Stewart
Survey your Church Members regarding Church Health
- Surveys:
  - Church Health Assessment (Resound Network)
  - Replant Readiness Assessment (NAMB) (Online, PDF)
Interview four kinds of people: members living inside the community, members living outside the community, non-members living inside the community, and non-members living outside the community.
- Surveys:
  - Community Interview Questions
  - Community Survey Questions
Ask: What has changed? What has remained the same? What about the church doesn’t “connect” with the community? In your opinion, why is this?

Diagnose the Condition

How do I identify the critical issues to be addressed?

1. Identify Underlying Causes

Once you've gathered input, reflect on potential causes behind your church’s current state by reading one of the recommended resources.
- Books:
  - Reclaiming Glory by Mark Clifton
  - Autopsy of a Deceased Church by Tom Rainer
With your leadership team, determine whether the issues are spiritual, contextual (changes in the community), or structural (programs or systems not producing results).
- Resource:
  - The Revitalization Checklist by Sam Rainer

2. Prioritize Impact

3. Implement Deeper Solutions

Spiritual Issues: Lead the church through corporate confession and repentance.
- Books:
- Resources:
  - NAMB Solemn Assembly Worsheet
  - "A Call to Solemn Assembly" by Richard Owen Roberts
Contextual Issues: Study your community and consider new ministry approaches.
- Utilize a Community or Community Leader Survey to interview city planner, police chief, chamber of commerce, school principal, etc.
- Surveys:
  - Community Assessment
  - Community Interview Questions
- Book:
  - Rubicons of Revitalization by Mark Clifton and Kenneth Priest
Structural Issues: Reverse-engineer your current processes to identify and fix roadblocks.
- Resource:
  - "Stuck to Unstuck" by David Jackson

Develop a Plan

How do I create a clear plan to address the spiritual and strategic issues?

1. The Essentials

Call people to seasons of prayer, cast vision for and preach about renewal, and confront biblically, as needed.
- Book:
  - Falling in Love with Jesus (Again) by David Jackson (PDF)
- Guide:
  - Renew & Resound: A 40-Day Guide to Renewal (PDF, Print)
Cultivate intentionality by setting 3-4 SMART goals to pursue regarding outreach and discipleship.
- Article:
  - "Fundamentals of Church Renewal" by Jimbo Stewart

2. The Support

3. The Follow-Through

Do It!

How do I get started?

1. Prepare for Change

2. Mobilize the Congregation

3. Celebrate Victories