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Revitalize My Church

Revitalize My Church

De: Assist Church Expansion
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Hosted by Bart Blair and Nathan Bryant, two respected coaches in the field of church renewal, the Revitalize My Church podcast provides real-world advice and encouragement in each episode. In addition to insights provided by Bart and Nathan, you’ll also hear interviews with pastors and church leaders who have personally been involved in a successful church turnaround. They discuss the revitalization journey, keys to renewal, and lessons learned.© 2024 Cristianismo Economía Espiritualidad Gestión Gestión y Liderazgo Ministerio y Evangelismo
Episodios
  • Ep. 030 | A Real Story of Church Revitalization

    Ep. 030 | A Real Story of Church Revitalization
    Oct 15 2025
    A Real Story of Church Revitalization - Show Notes
    How Pastor Tim Wilmetti Led Pataskala Grace Church From Crisis to Growth
    In this episode of the Revitalize My Church podcast, host Bart Blair interviews Pastor Tim Wilmetti about his six-year journey revitalizing Pataskala Grace Church in Ohio. This real-world case study offers practical insights for pastors and church leaders facing similar challenges.
    What Happens When a Church Loses Half Its Attendance Overnight
    Pastor Tim shares the dramatic story of how Pataskala Grace went from 162 to 76 attendees in a single week when the previous pastor resigned suddenly after facing resistance to change initiatives. The church was caught in worship wars, with split services between contemporary and traditional music, creating division that ultimately led to mass exodus.

    Key Warning Signs Your Church Needs Revitalization Help
    • Leadership conflicts over vision and direction
    • Congregation splitting into opposing camps over worship style
    • Attendance declining from peak of 250-300 to under 60 people
    • Members spiritualizing personal preferences instead of focusing on biblical matters
    • Lack of new believers and baptisms over multiple years

    How ASSIST Helped Prepare Church Leadership Before Hiring a New Pastor
    Before Tim arrived, the remaining elders attended an ASSIST bootcamp that helped them:

    • Unite around the need for change and new direction
    • Prepare mentally for the challenges of revitalization
    • Commit to supporting whatever changes would be necessary
    • Understand their role in the revitalization process

    Overcoming the Biggest Challenges in Small Church Revitalization
     Dealing with Members Who Resist Change in Church Revitalization
    Tim faced pushback from longtime members who wanted to return to "the way we've always done things" from the church's peak years in the 1990s. Some examples included:
    • A four-page letter criticizing a sermon on Jesus turning water to wine
    • Complaints about sanctuary lighting being "too dark" for theological reasons
    • Objections to contemporary language used during services

    Building a Worship Team When Good Worship Leaders Are Hard to Find
     The church cycled through multiple worship leaders over six years, highlighting the challenge many small churches face. Tim's advice includes:
    • Looking beyond just musical ability to leadership and character qualities
    • Considering older, more mature believers who bring theological depth
    • Recruiting from local colleges, universities, and even karaoke venues
    • Being willing to invest in temporary solutions while searching for long-term fits

    From Church Revitalization to Church Planting Success
    After growing from 50-60 to 180-200 regular attendees, Pataskala Grace is now preparing to plant a new church in Newark, Ohio. This demonstrates how successful revitalization can lead to multiplication rather than just survival.
    Essential Leadership Lessons for Pastors Leading Church Revitalization
     Why Church Revitalization Pastors Need Thick Skin and Tender Hearts
    Tim emphasizes the importance of:
    • Not taking personal attacks personally while remaining compassionate
    • Maintaining identity in Christ rather than ministry success
    • Having unified elder support when facing criticism
    • Learning from previous ministry mistakes

    How...
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    51 m
  • Ep. 029 | Hopeful Vision and Leadership Development

    Ep. 029 | Hopeful Vision and Leadership Development
    Oct 1 2025
    CHURCH REVITALIZATION BREAKTHROUGH: Master Vision Casting & Leadership Development
     Are you struggling to energize your declining church? In this powerful episode, church revitalization experts Bart Blair and Nathan Bryant reveal the final two essentials that can transform stagnant congregations: creating hopeful vision and developing strong leaders.
    WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER:
    The 4-Component Vision Framework Every Church Needs:
    • Why Question: Defining your biblical purpose
    • Who Question: Clarifying your cultural identity
    • How Question: Building your strategic plan
    • Where Question: Painting your preferred future

    Why Most Churches Fail at Leadership Development     (and how to fix it)
    The Simple Apprentice Model     that creates exponential growth

    How to Identify Hidden Leaders in your congregation
    Biblical Foundation for Hope     using Proverbs 29:18 and Isaiah 40:31
    KEY TIMESTAMPS:     0:00 - Introduction: Fall 2025 Church Revitalization Update 5:30 - What Makes Vision "Hopeful" for Declining Churches 12:45 - The 4-Component Strategic Vision Framework 18:20 - Purpose vs Mission vs Vision Statements Explained 23:10 - Leadership Development: The Missing Ingredient 28:40 - Why Pastors Struggle with Developing Leaders 32:15 - The Exponential Apprentice Model 38:50 - Identifying Your Church's Future Leaders 42:30 - Integrating Leadership Development into Discipleship 46:20 - How Vision and Leadership Work Together
    GAME-CHANGING QUOTES:     "A manager tells people what to do. A leader inspires people to want to do it."

    "Without leaders you can't grow anything. You can't start a small group without a leader."

    "Where there is no vision, the people will perish" - but hopeful vision unifies and mobilizes your church.

    RESOURCES MENTIONED:
    • "The Vision Driven Leader" by Michael Hyatt
    • "Exponential" by John & Dave Ferguson
    • RevitalizeMyChurch.com (free resources & blog)
    ABOUT THIS SERIES: This episode concludes our deep dive into the 10 essentials for church revitalization, based on content from Terry Long and the North Carolina Baptists. Previous episodes covered dependent prayer, Christ-centered worship, gospel-centered fellowship, and joyful hospitality.
    MEET YOUR HOSTS:     Bart Blair - Director of Church Revitalization, Assist Church Expansion Nathan Bryant - Executive Director, Assist

    Both hosts have extensive experience helping struggling churches navigate change and find new life.

    READY TO REVITALIZE YOUR CHURCH? This isn't just theory - these are battle-tested strategies from the trenches of church revitalization. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or concerned member, this episode provides actionable steps you can implement immediately.
    YOUR CHURCH CAN HAVE HOPE AGAIN!     Don't let another Sunday pass wondering "what if." Every declining church has the potential for renewal when biblical vision meets intentional leadership development.

    SUBSCRIBE for bi-monthly episodes (1st & 15th of every month) LIKE if this helped your church leadership journey COMMENT your biggest vision or leade...
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    34 m
  • Ep. 28 | The Power of Church Hospitality | Mary Ann Sibley

    Ep. 28 | The Power of Church Hospitality | Mary Ann Sibley
    Sep 15 2025
    From Parking Lot to Pew: The Power of Church Hospitality
    Church Hospitality Can Transform Your Ministry
     In this episode of Revitalize My Church, host Bart Blair interviews MaryAnn Sibley, a church hospitality expert who helps declining churches build effective volunteer teams and create welcoming environments that turn first-time visitors into regular attendees.
    How First Impressions Ministry Changes Everything
     MaryAnn shares her powerful testimony of going from Buddhist background to church leadership, emphasizing how strategic hospitality volunteers in the parking lot and at church doors made all the difference in her first church experience. Learn why "the sermon starts in the parking lot" and how your church can implement this principle.

    Building Volunteer Teams That Actually Work
    Discover the key insight that revolutionizes volunteer ministry: "You don't need more volunteers, you need the right volunteers." MaryAnn explains how to:

    • Identify and recruit the right people for hospitality roles
    • Create volunteer teams that focus on discipleship, not just task completion
    • Turn Sunday service into a "spiritual gymnasium" for volunteer growth
    Practical Church Growth Strategies for Small Churches
    Perfect for pastors leading churches of 50-200 people, this episode covers:

    Parking Lot Ministry Best Practices
    • Why every church needs parking lot volunteers (even with empty spaces)
    • How to train volunteers to create meaningful first impressions
    • Making visitors feel expected and welcomed from the moment they arrive

    Creating a Welcoming Church Culture
    • The difference between greeters and ushers
    • Strategic volunteer placement throughout your church building
    • How to help longtime members connect with newcomers

    Hospitality That Covers Ministry Weaknesses
     Learn how excellent church hospitality can compensate for:
    • Less-than-perfect music ministries
    • Developing preaching skills
    • Limited children's programming
    • Small church size

    Church Revitalization Through Volunteer Development
     MaryAnn demonstrates how volunteer ministry becomes discipleship opportunity, helping both volunteers and visitors grow spiritually while strengthening the entire church body.

    Guest Bio: MaryAnn Sibley - Church Hospitality Consultant
     MaryAnn Sibley helps churches across the country develop effective hospitality and volunteer teams. With experience helping a church grow from 100 to 6,000 attendees, she now coaches church leaders in creating welcoming environments that facilitate genuine church growth.


    Connect with MaryAnn:
    • Website: maryannsibley.com
    • Instagram: Follow for practical hospitality tips and volunteer leadership insights

    Key Takeaways for Church Leaders
    • Start with a few committed volunteers rather than trying to recruit large teams
    • Focus on discipleship through service opportunities
    • Create consistent welcoming experiences from parking lot to sanctuary
    • Expect God to bring new people and prepare accordingly
    • Authenticity matters more than perfection in church hospitality

    Perfect for:     Pastors, church volunteers, hospitality teams, small church leaders, anyone interested in church growth through improved first impressions.
    Subscribe...
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    40 m
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