Church Forward: Understanding a Few Things about the Heart of Church Revitalization

The heart of revitalization is a matter of the heart. If you are going to participate in and/or lead a process that results in revitalization, you will need to address the matters of the heart. Your heart needs to be ready, receptive, and open to learning and leading the process of revitalization. If I may borrow from the analogy of the farmer sowing seed, it is my desire to sow a few seeds from what I have learned, experienced, and have tried as a journeyman of church renewal, restoration, and revitalization. I share what I do with a prayerful hope that something you read will be helpful in your unique setting and quest to address the need for revival, renewal, restoration, or revitalization.

I am blessed to be both a student and practitioner of church revitalization. Leading the church in the revitalization of its spiritual health and ministry effectiveness was a passion God placed in my heart over thirty years ago. And like a Chinese bamboo tree, this desire has been developing below the surface for years and years, and now, I am asking God for His glory to guide me in expressing my heart and providing His church body, His pastors, and ministry leaders a helpful resource for addressing revitalization.