Episodios

  • Ep. 024 | Implement the DREAM Strategy | Brian Moss

    Ep. 024 | Implement the DREAM Strategy | Brian Moss
    Jun 15 2025
    Pastor Brian Moss of Oak Ridge Church shares his proven DREAM framework that transformed a dying congregation of 30 into a thriving church with 101% small group participation over 25 years.
    Brian, a former computer engineer who didn't grow up in church, reveals how he developed a systematic approach to balance the five fundamental church purposes: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. He breaks down his DREAM acronym - Design services for lost people, Reach with the gospel, Engage in growth, Activate in ministry, and Mobilize for missions.
    Key topics include creating guest-friendly services without compromising the gospel, systematic discipleship through small groups, and why 80% of modern church practices are more cultural than biblical. Brian also addresses the comparison trap destroying pastors and offers practical encouragement for church leaders feeling overwhelmed.
    Perfect for pastors, church planters, denominational leaders, and anyone seeking a biblical framework for sustainable church health and growth.
    Resources mentioned:

    • "The Dream Church" book by Brian Moss
    • Dream Church Conference (held annually each March)
    • Oak Ridge Church, Salisbury, Maryland
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    44 m
  • Ep. 23 | Text Based Preaching and Intentional Discipleship in Church Revitalization | Nathan and Bart

    Ep. 23 | Text Based Preaching and Intentional Discipleship in Church Revitalization | Nathan and Bart
    Jun 4 2025
    Text Based Preaching and Intentional Discipleship in Church Revitalization Join hosts Bart Blair and Nathan Bryant as they explore two essential elements for successful church revitalization: text-driven preaching and intentional discipleship. Drawing from insights by Terry Long of the North Carolina Baptist Association, this episode reveals why these biblical foundations are game-changers for struggling churches.

    Key Topics:
    • Text-Driven Preaching: Learn the crucial difference between teaching and preaching, how to strategically choose Scripture passages for your church's specific needs, and why application matters more than information transfer.
    • Intentional Discipleship: Discover why discipleship doesn't happen by accident, how to create clear pathways for spiritual growth, and Jesus' proven model for developing mature followers.
    Nathan emphasizes that God's Word has transformative power when properly applied, while Bart shares his personal discipleship experience and the "laboratory vs. lecture" approach that accelerated his spiritual growth. Both hosts stress that church revitalization happens through heart transformation, not just methodology changes.
    Perfect for pastors, church leaders, and anyone passionate about seeing real life change in their congregation. This practical episode provides actionable strategies you can implement immediately to help your church move toward a healthy, fruitful future.

    Scripture Focus: Hebrews 4:12, 1 Corinthians 11:1, and the Great Commission's practical implications for modern discipleship.
    New episodes release on the 1st and 15th of each month. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and visit RevitalizeMyChurch.com for additional resources.
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    31 m
  • Ep. 022 | Building Healthy Churches | AJ Mathieu

    Ep. 022 | Building Healthy Churches | AJ Mathieu
    May 15 2025
    Building Healthy Churches: A Conversation with AJ Mathieu of The Malphurs Group
    In this episode, we sit down with AJ Mathieu from The Malphurs Group to discuss church revitalization, leadership development, and building healthy churches. Drawing from his decade of experience in ministry and the legacy of Dr. Aubrey Malphurs, AJ shares valuable insights on how churches can move from decline to vitality.
    Key Quote     "We can't make anybody change. And we tell every single church we work with, we will lead you through this with the greatest capability and resources we have. But we cannot make you do the work. You have to want it." - AJ Mathieu

    About Our Guest AJ Mathieu serves with The Malphurs Group, continuing the legacy of Dr. Aubrey Malphurs who was a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary for 35 years and authored 26 books. The organization focuses on church health, revitalization, and leadership development.

    Key Insights from the Episode
     On Church Assessment "Ninety to ninety-five percent of churches are plateaued or declining in the U.S. and then even more broadly speaking in the West."
     The Malphurs Group evaluates churches in four key areas:
    • Mission focus
    • Current values assessment
    • Discipleship pathway
    • Vision assessment

    Common Revitalization Mistakes     "There's an illusion that us meeting and talking about things and planning is actually doing the work and it's not."
     Key pitfalls to avoid:
    1. Over-relying on cosmetic changes
    2. Implementing changes too quickly
    3. Extended planning without action
    4. Insufficient relationship building

    On Building Leadership Teams     "We want it to be a positive group of people that all feel positively about the potential for the future of the church working together."
    Recommended characteristics for strategic leadership team members:
    • Ministry leaders (paid or volunteer)
    • Future-focused individuals
    • Active church participants
    • People with godly character
    • Those who respect church authority

    Resources Mentioned
    The Malphurs Group Tools     Healthy Churches Toolkit
    • Comprehensive resource launched September 2023
    • Features training videos, assessments, and AI tools
    • Monthly workshops and new resources
    • Digital versions of Dr. Malphurs' assessments

    Book Reference
    "Advanced Strategic Planning" by Dr. Aubrey Malphurs
    • Essential resource for church leaders
    • Includes practical assessments and worksheets
    • Used in seminaries worldwide

    Connect with The Malphurs Group
    • Website: malphursgroup.com
    • Services available to churches across denominations
    • Free initial consultation available

    Final Encouragement     "No matter how alone you might feel in ministry, you're not. And there's people that want to see you thrive and they want to see you get back to that first vision you had... whenever God called you to ministry." - AJ Mathieu
    The episode emphasizes that while church revitalization is challenging, it's possible with the right approach, proper pacing, and adequate support. The key is being willing to do the work while maintaining hope and seeking help when needed.
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    42 m
  • Ep. 021 | Prayer and Worship in Church Revitalization | 10 Necessary Elements in Church Revitalization

    Ep. 021 | Prayer and Worship in Church Revitalization | 10 Necessary Elements in Church Revitalization
    May 1 2025
    Essentials for Church Revitalization - Part 1
    Episode Overview
     In this episode, hosts Bart Blair and Nathan Bryant introduce a new mini-series focusing on the "10 Essentials for Church Revitalization." They cover the first two essentials in depth: Dependent Prayer and Christ-Centered Worship.

    Introduction
    • Hosts: Bart Blair (Director of Church Revitalization) and Nathan Bryant (Executive Director) from Assist Church Expansion
    • New episodes are released on the 1st and 15th of each month
    • This episode kicks off a mini-series based on content from Terry Long of North Carolina Baptists
    The 10 Essentials for Church Revitalization
    1. Dependent Prayer
    2. Christ-Centered Worship
    3. Text-Driven Preaching
    4. Intentional Discipleship
    5. Gospel-Centered Fellowship
    6. Missional Engagement
    7. Joyful Hospitality
    8. Meaningful Membership
    9. Hopeful Vision
    10. Leadership Development
    Dependent Prayer
     Key Points Discussed:
    • Prayer acknowledges our complete dependence on God's power
    • Common issues in struggling churches:
      • Lack of personal, corporate, and intentional prayer
      • Absence of prayer for leadership during pastoral vacancies
      • Failure to pray specifically for church renewal
    • Spiritual benefits of prayer:
      • Fosters unity and healing of relational rifts
      • Addresses apathy toward evangelism
      • Renews belief that God can use the church to reach the lost
      • Aligns church leadership with God's will
    • Biblical foundations:
      • Zechariah 4:6 - "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts"
      • Psalm 127:1 - "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain"
      • James 5:16 - "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective"
    • Practical application:
      • Create an intentional prayer plan for the church
      • Involve elderly members who can contribute through prayer
      • Persist in prayer despite challenges (prayer is not a quick fix)
      • Resource mentioned: "Praying for Renewal in our Church" by Bart Blair (available on Amazon)
    Christ-Centered Worship
     Key Points Discussed:
    • Common issues in struggling churches:
      • Worship has become routine and predictable
      • Lack of clear outcomes and intentionality
      • Disconnected worship elements without flow
      • Focus on execution rather than encounter with Christ
    • Essential elements:
      • Reestablishing Jesus as the center of everything
      • Creating transformative encounters with Jesus
      • Designing worship that tells the gospel story
      • Maintaining Christ-centered (not self-centered) content
    • Warning about modern worship trends:
      • Many songs focus more on "me/my/mine" than on Jesus
      • Popular radio songs may be singable but not always worship-focused
    • Practical application:
      • Consider the journey and outcomes of worship
      • Include testimonies of life transformation
      • Ensure worship communicates that "this is a place where God is changing lives"
      • Focus on excellence without making it about performance
    Closing
    • Website: www.RevitalizeMyChurch.com for podcast archives and additional resources
    • Invitation to connect directly with Bart and Nathan via Zoom for customized help

    Related Resources
    • "Praying for Renewal in our Church" by Bart Blair (Amazon)<...
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    34 m
  • Ep. 020 | Leading Leaders in the Local Church | Jason Allison

    Ep. 020 | Leading Leaders in the Local Church | Jason Allison
    Apr 15 2025
    Episode Overview
     In this episode, Bart interviews Jason Allison about the challenges and opportunities of leading leaders in normative-sized churches. Jason shares insights from his extensive experience working with churches through multiple organizations and provides practical guidance for pastors looking to develop leaders rather than just delegate tasks.
    Guest Bio
     Jason Allison serves in multiple roles supporting church leaders:
    • Director of Church Strengthening for Converge Mid-Atlantic
    • Staff member at a church plant near Columbus, Ohio
    • Founder of the Church Talk Project and host of the Church Talk Podcast
    • Vision Day consultant for 95Network
    Key Discussion Points
    Understanding Church Leadership Development
    • Most normative-sized churches (50-500 members) struggle with leading leaders
    • Clear distinction between delegation and development
    • Biblical mandate to equip saints for ministry (Ephesians 4)

    Leadership Development Framework
    Progression of church involvement:
    1. Attender (primary function: learning)
    2. Volunteer (primary function: serving)
    3. Task Team Leader (organizing and administration)
    4. Group Leader
    5. Leader of Leaders (shepherding responsibility)

    Common Challenges in Leadership Development
    • Pastors doing everything themselves because it's "easier"
    • Focus on delegation without development
    • Lack of clear vision and values
    • Time constraints for both pastor and potential leaders
    • The "tyranny of Sunday" - constant pressure of weekly responsibilities

    Practical Steps for Leading Leaders
    1. Starting Point
    • Clarify your disciple-making vision
    • Spend time observing people in action
    • Start with just two potential leaders (not twelve)
    • Invest in your own leadership growth
    2. Development Process
    • Move beyond simple task delegation
    • Follow the discipleship journey:
      • I do, you watch
      • I do, you help
      • You do, I watch and help
      • You do, I cheer
    3. Setting Goals and Metrics
    • Define clear objectives beyond task completion
    • Establish key performance indicators
    • Regular evaluation and debriefing
    • Build accountability into systems
    Tips for Success
    • Start small and go slow
    • Honor current leaders while developing new ones
    • Focus on vision alignment
    • Don't be afraid to let people try and learn
    • Remember many people are eager for mentoring

    Words of Encouragement
    • Don't be afraid despite challenging times
    • Remember you have the message of hope
    • Focus on serving Jesus, not just people
    • Keep going even when things seem dark
    Resources and Contact Information
    • Church Talk Podcast (available on major streaming platforms)
    • Website: churchtalkproject.com
    • Email: jason@churchtalkproject.com
    • Converge Mid-Atlantic: convergemidatlantic.com
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    43 m
  • Ep. 019 | Outreach and Evangelism | The Farming Model of Evangelism

    Ep. 019 | Outreach and Evangelism | The Farming Model of Evangelism
    Apr 1 2025

    Episode Summary
     In this episode, Bart and Nathan discuss the "Farming Model" of evangelism, building on principles shared in Episode 17. They explore a strategic approach to both individual and corporate evangelism based on the parable of the seed from Matthew 13. Hosts:
    • Bart Blair
    • Nathan Bryant (Executive Director of Assist Church Expansion)

    Key Points


    The Need for Evangelism
    • A 2021 LifeWay research study found 71% of people are open to hearing someone's life story when meeting them for the first time
    • In the UK, 75% of non-Christians who had conversations with Christian friends about Jesus felt comfortable, and 33% wanted to know more
    • Only 55% of non-Christians who knew a Christian said that person had ever talked about their faith

    The Farming Model of Evangelism (Six Steps)
    1. Choosing the Field
      • Identifying who God is calling you to reach
      • Focus on relationships where ongoing connection is possible
      • Consider both individual relationships and corporate community focus
    2. Preparing the Soil (90% of the work)
      • Removing obstacles to faith through building relationships
      • Addressing sociological barriers rather than just theological ones
      • Creating connections between non-believers and multiple Christians
      • Building spiritual momentum through relational momentum
      • Listening more and talking less
    3. Planting the Seed
      • Sharing the Word of God, specifically about Jesus and the gospel
      • Creating the right environment for growth
    4. Cultivating
      • Giving time for the message to grow and mature
      • Not rushing to "close the deal" prematurely
      • Creating the best circumstances for spiritual growth
    5. Harvesting
      • Picking the fruit when it's ripe
      • Recognizing when someone is ready to make a decision
    6. Creating a "Greenhouse" Environment
      • Evangelistic Bible study approach (5-7 weeks)
      • Elements needed: Word of God, prayer, connection to believers, gifted teachers
      • Research shows significantly higher retention rates with this approach
    Corporate Evangelism Strategy
    • Churches need a clear process and strategy
    • Leveraging different spiritual gifts within the church body
    • Providing clear pathways for members to connect non-believers
    • Working as a team to reach the community
    Resources Mentioned
    • Book: "The Soul Winning Church" by J.A. Metters
    • Previous Episode: #17 on the principles of evangelism
    The Revitalize My Church Podcast releases two episodes each month with the goal of helping churches navigate change and reorient to a new and healthy future.
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    32 m
  • Ep. 018 | Lead Your Church Out of Maintenance Mode | Dan Reiland

    Ep. 018 | Lead Your Church Out of Maintenance Mode | Dan Reiland
    Mar 15 2025
    Lead Your Church Out Of Maintenance Mode

    Signs Your Church May Be in Maintenance Mode with Dan Reiland
    Episode Overview
    In this episode, Bart interviews Dan Reiland, an experienced executive pastor and church leadership coach, about identifying and addressing church stagnation. Dan shares insights from his article "Seven Signs That Your Church May Be In Maintenance Mode" and provides practical guidance for church leaders looking to move their churches forward.
    Guest Bio
    • Dan Reiland is a veteran executive pastor with over four decades of experience
    • Served as John Maxwell's first and only executive pastor
    • Spent 23 years at Twelve Stone Church in Atlanta
    • Currently transitioning to full-time coaching and consulting
    • Originally studied criminal justice and worked briefly as a private investigator before entering ministry
    • Married for 43 years with two children and three grandchildren
    • Known guitar enthusiast with a collection of 18-19 guitars
    Key Discussion Points
    Understanding Maintenance Mode
    • Definition: "An ongoing and unaddressed holding pattern in momentum or attendance"
    • Simplified definition: Being "stuck"
    • Key indicators include:
      • No longer taking risks
      • Vision isn't compelling or clearly defined
      • Working hard but not making progress
      • Not reaching new people
    Leadership Self-Evaluation Questions
    1. What's my leadership lid? Where do I need to grow?
    2. Who's my coach/mentor?
    3. How am I a better leader this year than last year?
    Common Issues in Stuck Churches
     1. Emphasizing Discipleship Over Evangelism
    • Churches naturally gravitate toward discipleship
    • Need to maintain balance between discipleship and evangelism
    • Leaders typically lean toward one or the other
    • Must intentionally fight to keep evangelism as a priority
    2. Ministry Busyness
    • Many churches try to do too many things
    • Need for a "lean church" model
    • No church can do everything effectively
    • Focus on God's specific "thumbprint" for your church
    Evaluating and Streamlining Ministries
    1. Put a moratorium on new ministries
    2. Conduct a ministry audit
    3. Evaluate productivity and alignment with vision
    4. Question why each ministry exists
    5. Consider better alternatives
    Tips for Making Changes:
    • Go slow
    • Honor people
    • Invite them into something new
    • Accept that meaningful change will create some opposition
    • "If you change something in your church and nobody gets mad, you've just changed something that doesn't matter"
    Leadership Development vs. Delegation
    • Develop leaders before delegating responsibilities
    • Start with who you have
    • Never underestimate the power of one leader
    • Development takes time - embrace the "awkward zone"
    • Focus on developing a few leaders while handling many tasks

    Final Encouragement for Church Leaders
    • Ministry is worth it - don't give up
    • What you're doing matters
    • Focus on "one more" - one new leader, one person saved
    • Progress can be incremental
    • God is pleased with faithful progress, even if it's one person at a time
    Resources
    • Dan's website: danreiland.com
    • Contains articles and...
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    44 m
  • Ep. 017 | Evangelism and Outreach | 6 Principles of Effective Evangelism

    Ep. 017 | Evangelism and Outreach | 6 Principles of Effective Evangelism
    Mar 1 2025
    Episode 17: Show Notes
    The 6 Core Principles of Effective Church Evangelism - Revitalize My Church Podcast
    What Are the Most Effective Principles for Church Evangelism and Outreach?
    In this episode of Revitalize My Church, hosts Bart Blair and Nathan Bryant discuss six foundational principles for effective church evangelism. These principles are designed to help church leaders develop a more strategic and sustainable approach to reaching their communities.

    Why Do Traditional Church Evangelism Methods Often Fail?

    Nathan shares his early experiences with evangelism, including teaching Evangelism Explosion classes where dozens made decisions for Christ but none became active church members. This led him to develop a more relationship-based, process-oriented approach to evangelism.

    What Are the Six Core Principles of Effective Church Evangelism?

    1. Evangelism is a Process, Not an Event

    • Most people come to faith through a journey rather than a single moment

    • The farming metaphor in the New Testament illustrates this principle

    • God works through multiple touchpoints and interactions over time

    • Events can be part of the process but shouldn't be seen as the whole strategy

    2. The Goal is to Make Disciples, Not Just Decisions

    • Focus on helping people understand who Jesus is before asking for a decision

    • Avoid the "get out of hell free" prayer mentality

    • Success is measured by transformed lives, not just prayers prayed

    • Biblical example: Jesus' command was to make disciples, not just converts

    3. Evangelism is Most Effective in the Context of Relationships

    • Christians need to be "salt and light" in real relationships

    • Restructure life to naturally engage with non-believers

    • Community involvement creates opportunities for spiritual conversations

    • Balance Christian fellowship with intentional outreach relationships


    4. The Primary Message is Relationship with Jesus, Not Heaven and Hell

    • Lead with God's desire for relationship rather than consequences

    • Heaven and hell are real but secondary to the relationship aspect

    • Reference John 17:3 - eternal life is knowing God

    • Focus on adoption into God's family (John 1)

    5. God Called the Church, Not Individuals, to Reach the World

    • The Great Commission was given to the disciples collectively

    • Different gifts work together in evangelism just as in other ministries

    • Team approach allows people to use their natural strengths

    • No one person needs to carry the full weight of evangelism

    6. We Are Completely Dependent on the Holy Spirit

    • The Holy Spirit works through Scripture, people, and circumstances

    • Be sensitive to the Spirit's leading in each situation

    • Methods and scripts are tools, not rigid rules

    • Prayer and spiritual sensitivity should guide outreach efforts

    How Can Church Leaders Implement These Principles?

    This episode is part of a four-part series on evangelism and outreach. Future episodes will cover:
    • Exegeting your community

    • Five pillars of effective outreach strategy

    • Engagement and assimilation in the church


    Download the Evangelism Training Workbook at www.revit...
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    48 m