Why Every Church Revitalizer Needs a Coach

Church revitalization is no small feat—it’s a calling that demands resilience, vision, and wisdom. Whether you’re a seasoned pastor or a first-time revitalizer, going it alone can be overwhelming. That’s where coaching comes in. Here are ten compelling reasons why every church revitalizer needs a coach by their side.

Coaching Is Biblical

The Bible is full of mentorship examples—Moses had Jethro, Elisha had Elijah, and Timothy had Paul. Coaching aligns with God’s design for growth through guidance. If Scripture models it, shouldn’t we embrace it?

Coaching Protects Us

Revitalization is a minefield of burnout, criticism, and tough decisions. A coach acts as a safeguard, helping you navigate pitfalls and protect your well-being—spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Coaching Gives Us Permission

Ever feel guilty for needing a break or questioning your approach? A coach gives you permission to rest, rethink, and prioritize without shame. Sometimes, you need someone to say, “It’s okay to be human.”

Coaching Talks Us Off the Ledge

When frustration peaks or doubt creeps in, a coach is there to steady you. They listen, reframe, and remind you of the bigger picture—keeping you from giving up when the going gets tough.

Coaching Inspires Us

Revitalization can feel like a slog, but a coach brings fresh energy. They spark creativity, share success stories, and reignite your passion for the mission ahead.

Coaching Offers Outside Perspective

You’re deep in the trenches—sometimes too close to see clearly. A coach provides an objective viewpoint, spotting opportunities and blind spots you might miss.

Coaching Challenges Us

Comfort zones kill progress. A coach pushes you to confront hard truths, stretch your limits, and take bold steps—growth doesn’t happen without a little discomfort.

Coaching Grows Leadership Capacity

A good coach doesn’t just help you—they equip you to lead better. They build your skills and strengthen your team, expanding the capacity of both you and your church.

Coaching Confronts Isolation and Loneliness

Leadership can be lonely, especially in revitalization. A coach becomes a trusted ally, breaking the isolation and offering companionship on the journey.

Coaching Gives Us an Advantage

In a complex, ever-changing ministry landscape, a coach is your edge. They bring expertise, accountability, and strategies that position you—and your church—for success.

Final Takeaway

Church revitalization isn’t a solo mission. A coach isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. From biblical roots to practical benefits, coaching empowers you to lead with confidence, clarity, and courage. So, why go it alone? Find a coach and watch how it transforms your ministry—and you.

Top 10 Roadblocks to Church Revitalization: What’s Holding Your Church Back?

In churches needing revitalization, progress often feels like an uphill battle. When a congregation recognizes the need for renewal, it’s wise to pause and examine the obstacles standing in the way. So, what are the primary components that encumber, burden, and hinder most churches from becoming revitalized or engaging in effective ministry and evangelism? Let’s dive into the top ten roadblocks I’ve observed—and how they can stall even the most well-intentioned efforts.

The “We Can’t Do It” Mentality

Too many churches and leaders approach revitalization with a defeatist mindset. They believe they’re not up to the task—or worse, they’re unwilling to stretch themselves to get there. This insecurity about their identity and God’s calling can stop renewal before it even starts. A church that doesn’t believe in itself will struggle to take the first step.

A Membership Unwilling to Work Hard

Church revitalization isn’t a quick fix—it’s a marathon. I tell every church I consult: if you’re not ready to commit to at least three years of hard work, don’t bother starting. Renewal demands effort from both laity and leadership. Anything less falls short of the New Testament vision for the Church.

Pastors Who Don’t Lead

Closely tied to the previous point, a pastor who won’t lead is a major hurdle. Seminaries must train future pastors in revitalization principles—most will inherit churches needing a dynamic leader to guide them. Without bold leadership, renewal efforts flounder.

A Church Closed to Outsiders and Visitors

Have you ever walked into a church and instantly felt like an unwelcome outsider? Many congregations don’t realize they’ve never learned to be visitor-friendly. This coldness repels newcomers and kills revitalization potential. Want a simple starting point? Teach your people to embrace outsiders—it’s a small nudge with big impact.

The “Us vs. Them” Attitude

Revitalization often threatens long-standing members, especially patriarchs and matriarchs. Including new voices in leadership can feel like a critique of their past efforts—or stir insecurity about the unknown. Wise leaders will widen the circle of influence with kindness and confidence, easing tensions along the way.

No Vision for the Future

Most pastors and seminarians aren’t trained in revitalization, making it tough to craft a compelling vision for a struggling church. Unlike healthy or new congregations, revitalizing churches face “vision fatigue”—members grow skeptical after past plans fizzle out. A revitalization coach can help pastors navigate this and rally the congregation around a fresh, believable vision.

Fear of Change and Taking Risks

Churches steeped in habit resist change. While catalytic personalities thrive on it, most members feel anxious or trapped by the idea of a new reality. To move forward, acknowledge what hasn’t worked, honor past efforts, and let go of outdated routines—without fear holding you back.

Power Cliques Within the Church

“We’ve done it this way for 40 years—why stop now?” Sound familiar? Power brokers can squash new ideas simply because they didn’t propose them. Winning their trust takes time—often 3-5 years—and a few early wins to prove your credibility. Patience is key.

Lack of Finances and Consistent Stewardship

Money troubles can cripple revitalization. Churches that were once thriving often find themselves resource-strapped by the time renewal becomes urgent. Don’t wait until the last gasp to act—starting with limited means makes the process harder. Healthy stewardship is a must to fuel growth.

Apathy and Church Burnout

Ministers burn out and so can churches. Apathy creeps in when a congregation is exhausted from chasing peaks of activity without rest. They’re not opposed to God’s calling—they’re just tired. It’s okay to take a Sabbath. Pastors, leaders, and laity all need time to recharge for the journey ahead.

Final Thoughts

These ten components can quietly sabotage church revitalization. Ignoring them risks stalling your efforts, keeping your congregation from effective evangelism and healthy ministry. But here’s the good news: awareness is the first step. Address these roadblocks with intentionality, and you’ll pave the way for renewal. What’s holding your church back today—and how will you tackle it?

One of the most important aspects of revitalizing a church is discipleship.

I find it best to think of discipleship in the church like a relay event at the Olympics.

A relay race is run by a team of four runners. The first runner carries a baton. After running a specified distance, called a “leg” the runner hands the baton to the next team member. The exchange must occur within a zone a few meters long. Timing is crucial. If the runners do not exchange the baton within this zone, the team is disqualified.

The relay race is not necessarily won by the team that runs the fastest, but by successfully passing the baton in the exchange zone. That’s right; races are won or lost in the passing of the baton. Teams can be disqualified by a bad pass. Passing the baton is essential to win the race.

That is true for discipleship in the church as well – if the baton is not passed, the church loses.

A lesson to be learned throughout the Bible is the importance of passing the baton from one generation to another. This is clearly seen (to give a few examples) in Moses passing the baton to Joshua, David to Solomon, Elijah to Elisha, Jesus to His disciples, and Paul to Timothy.

Here are some points to consider:

• It is not enough to run the race we are called to run as Christians. We also pass our mission to the next generation. We must hand off the baton, at the right time, and must do it well.
• Jesus handed the baton to His disciples. They ran a good race and passed the baton to the next generation. Timothy received the baton from Paul, and was instructed to pass it on to others (2 Timothy 2:2).
• There are people who are watching us and waiting on us to pass to them the baton.
• So we must not get caught up with the things of the world and be distracted from passing the baton (Hebrews 12:1-2).

So what is the baton we are passing?

I’ll name three but you can add more in the comments.

Baton #1: Personal Connection

This involves investing in authentic relationships with people who are of little faith, some faith and deep faith. This must be founded on trust, vulnerability, and accountability in order to thrive. When we prioritise relationships, we create spaces for growth, encouragement, and discipleship. Through genuine connections, we can learn from one another, challenge each other, and support each other in our spiritual journeys.

Baton #2: Intentional Spiritual Development

We must intentionally seek opportunities to learn and grow in our faith, through reading Scripture, prayer, attending church, and engaging in spiritual disciplines. Additionally, intentional discipleship involves actively investing in the lives of others, sharing our knowledge, and faith experience. By being intentional, we create an environment where discipleship can flourish, and lives can be transformed.

Baton #3: Kingdom Mindset

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to replicate His discipleship model. Jesus’ ultimate aim was not just to gather a few followers but to make disciples who would go and make more disciples. He imparted His teachings, empowered His disciples, and commissioned them to carry forward His message to all nations. Jesus’ vision for discipleship was not limited to a few individuals but was designed to multiply exponentially.

We are not just beneficiaries of His teachings but carriers of the Great Commission. It requires a mindset shift from personal growth to kingdom growth. When we pass on what we have learned, invest in others, and disciple them, we participate in the multiplication of God’s kingdom.

Blessings

What Leaders Must Know for Sustained Revitalization

Revitalization isn’t just about survival; it’s about rediscovering God’s vision for your church and community. Here are some thoughts to inspire and equip you for the road ahead.

Casting vision and keeping the church outward focused is a constant endeavour for the revitalization pastor.

Revitalization isn’t a one-time event—it requires ongoing vision-casting to keep the church engaged with its mission beyond its walls. Stay diligent in pointing your congregation toward the community and God’s broader kingdom.

Lasers work better than light bulbs in church revitalization! Select a target group to help your church reach out into the community. Lasers are focused.

Just as a laser beam is precise, effective revitalization requires focusing your efforts on specific groups within your community—whether it’s youth, families, or immigrant populations. This targeted approach maximizes impact.

Every Christian has a gift to be utilized in the work of ministry.

No one is sidelined in God’s plan. Encourage every member to discover and use their spiritual gifts, fostering a culture of participation and ownership in the church’s mission.

Numerical growth is the least certain mark of church growth and renewal. Yet the church is not growing without numerical growth.

While numbers aren’t the ultimate measure, they’re still a sign of vitality. Balance spiritual depth with intentional outreach to see both qualitative and quantitative growth.

Growth and health do not happen by accident. You must be intentional about both.

Revitalization requires proactive planning, prayer, and persistence. Don’t wait for change to happen—lead with purpose.

Churches who are revitalized first begin with a spiritually revitalized laity.

Transformation starts with the congregation. A spiritually renewed laity, empowered by prayer and discipleship, is the foundation for lasting change.

Give your people some tools and then get out of the way and let God work!

Equip your congregation with resources, training, and vision—but trust God to move through their obedience and efforts. Avoid micromanaging; let the Holy Spirit lead.

Spiritual disciplines are better caught rather than taught.

Model prayer, fasting, Scripture reading, and other disciplines in your own life. People learn best by observing authentic, lived-out faith, not just hearing about it.

– Stop looking for plug and play solutions (programs) and start looking for ideas that will work in your setting.
Avoid one-size-fits-all programs. Instead, prayerfully discern strategies tailored to your church’s unique context, culture, and community needs.

In the area of church revitalization and renewal, it is extremely important to realize that the goal is not to win the battles or wars, but to enable a congregation to move as united as possible into its own new future!

Revitalization isn’t about power struggles or short-term victories. It’s about unifying your church to step boldly into God’s vision for its future, together.

Seek God’s agenda first and His direction.

Above all, root your revitalization efforts in prayer and dependence on God. Seek His will first, trusting Him to guide every step of the process.

Final Reflections

Church revitalization is both a spiritual and strategic endeavour. It requires focus, intentionality, and a deep reliance on God’s guidance. As revitalization pastors and leaders, we’re called to cast vision, empower our people, and keep the church outward-focused—always seeking God’s agenda first.

Have these insights resonated with your experience in church revitalization? What challenges or successes have you faced in keeping your church engaged with its mission? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to continue the conversation!

Blessings,

Ten Best Practices in Church Revitalization

Revitalizing a church isn’t just about filling pews or updating programs—it’s a deeply spiritual, strategic, and communal journey. Whether your church is struggling with declining attendance, stagnant growth, or a need for renewed vision, these ten best practices can guide church leaders and revitalizers toward health, influence, and spiritual success. Drawing from years of experience and biblical principles, here’s what it takes to breathe new life into a local church.

1. A Commitment to the Revitalization Process

Revitalization must receive priority on the church calendar if it’s going to succeed. Ministry doesn’t stop, but it does mean prioritizing events and initiatives tied to revitalization, allowing church leadership to fully engage. Over time, revitalization becomes a known and valued experience—a worthwhile investment for both leaders and laity. When laity feel their ideas and suggestions are heard and acted upon, the process gains momentum and trust.

2. A Commitment to the Harvest

Revitalization challenges churches and leaders to pursue health and effectiveness, with a focus on making *more and better disciples*. This commitment calls Church Revitalizers to examine their local community, discovering its unique calling for ministry. It also challenges congregants to prayerfully consider their role in the harvest. As Jesus told His disciples, **“pray that the Lord of the Harvest would send out labourers for the Harvest”**—the challenge is one of labor, not just intention.

3. A Commitment to Growth

Healthy things grow, and growth requires change—which is fundamentally an issue of obedience. Revitalization calls Church Revitalizers to greater obedience and alignment with God’s will for the local church, starting with personal change. Leaders bear the responsibility to guide the church toward fulfilling scriptural mandates like the Great Commission (Matthew 28) and the Great Commandment (Matthew 22), which are foundational to this process.

4. A Commitment as Church Revitalizers to Abiding

This practice centres on deepening spiritual roots. It includes:
– Reaffirming a commitment to align one’s life and ministry with the authority of Scripture.
– Renewing a commitment to intercessory prayer and spiritual appraisal of revitalization challenges.
– Participating in leading the church toward a greater focus on the harvest and personally getting involved.
– Implementing agreed-upon initiatives from the revitalization process.

Abiding in God’s presence ensures sustainable change.

5. A Commitment to Share the Vision and Keep the Church Connected

Our call isn’t to invent the future but to discover what God is doing and align with His purposes for expanding His kingdom. Church Revitalizers must articulate a clear, practical, and transformational vision that answers, “Where are we headed?” However, leaders must also watch out for *vision fatigue*—ensuring the congregation stays inspired and connected throughout the journey.

6. A Commitment to Bringing About Healthy Change

Change is built on urgency and a vision for a new community. There must be a feeling of *holy discontent*, where the gap between current realities and God’s ideal plan becomes evident. Unfortunately, *churches are prone to insular thinking and denial of reality*. Building a sense of urgency and healthy momentum for change is critical. **Healthy preparation is directly connected to a healthy outcome—shared ownership is a prerequisite to lasting change.**

7. A Commitment to Influence the Culture: Where the Church Is Located

Revitalization isn’t just internal—it extends to impacting the surrounding culture. Church Revitalizers must commit to understanding and influencing the community where the church is located, addressing local needs while sharing the Gospel’s transformative power. This practice ensures the church remains relevant and missional.

8. A Commitment to Develop Influencers Within the Revitalized Church

Influencers —anyone exercising significant influence over people, focus, or the future of the church—are key to revitalization. Many hold power, whether through positional influence (like leadership roles) or collective influence (which often outweighs positions). Influencers can shape congregational behaviour by supporting or boycotting ministries, withholding resources, or influencing votes. Developing these individuals ensures broader buy-in and impact.

9. A Commitment to Manage the Conflict That Will Surface During Church Revitalization

Conflict is inevitable as revitalizers seek change, but there’s purpose even in tension. God causes all things to work together, building greater *spiritual authority* through conflict. While conflict and problem-solving aren’t the same, every conflict requires **problem-solving skills** at some point. Effective management of conflict keeps the revitalization process on track.

10. A Commitment to Create a Synergy of Energy

This is a time, which calls for a critical mass of transitional church revitalization leaders who will commit to creating a synergy of energy within their circle of influence so new levels of spiritual success can be reached.* By uniting leaders and congregants in a shared, energetic vision, churches can achieve breakthroughs that honour God and serve their communities.

Final Thoughts

Church revitalization is no small task, but these ten practices provide a roadmap for transformation. From prioritizing the process to managing conflict and influencing culture, each commitment builds on the last, creating a holistic approach to renewal. As you embark on this journey, lean on prayer, Scripture, and community engagement to see your church thrive once more.

Have you seen success with any of these practices in your church? Share your stories in the comments below—I’d love to hear how God is moving!

Blessings