Three Pastoral Practices of a Church Revitalizer

In an effort to further equip pastors with tools for church revitalization, Associate Director for the Center for Church Health Jonathan Smith created a Pave manual with Biblically based strategies and processes for pastors navigating church revitalization. In the manual, he shared three pastoral practices a church revitalizer should utilize, including adaptive leadership, conflict resolution and tactical patience (borrowed from the North American Mission Board).  
 

1. Adaptive Leadership 

“The destination remains the same, but the route will require constant adjustment. So what must you do? Learn and adapt.” - Jonathan Smith

Church revitalizers must learn to adapt their churches and ministries to an ever-fluid society by teaching church members new methods of sharing the gospel. You may have a clear vision of the end goal– a renewed, thriving church, but the journey of revitalization will almost never go as planned.

In his book “Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory,” Tod Bolsinger uses Lewis and Clark’s canoeing to the Rocky Mountains looking for a water route all the way to the Pacific Ocean, but being met with mountains instead as a metaphor for how to lead when the journey takes you “off the map.”   

Bolsinger recommends church revitalizers remember these four ideas to be an adaptive leader: No one will follow you off the map until they first follow you on the map; In uncharted territory, adaptation is everything; You can't lead off the map alone, but you haven't led until you've survived the sabotage; Everybody will be changed (especially the leader). 
 

2. Conflict Resolution

“Two things are certain in church revitalization: hardship and conflict.” - Jonathan Smith

Since conflict is inevitable, the best thing you can do is be prepared and have a plan for resolving it before it begins. Pastors often find themselves resolving conflicts both that they are a part of and for others. Be sure that you are sharpening tools to handle both before conflict begins.

When you find yourself in conflict, it can be easy to start blaming others, but it is essential to remember that the person is not the problem; the problem is the problem. Additionally, active listening and practicing empathy, like Jesus, can help keep the focus on the problem, not the person. Your call as a pastor is to shepherd your congregation, not win an argument.

Remember, the hard conversations and conflicts you are dealing with are always worse in your head. Pray for God to guide difficult conversations.
 

3. Tactical Patience

“Leading change at the wrong time, or in the wrong way, can set you back. But waiting seasons are not wasted seasons.” - Jonathan Smith

While leading your church toward change, it is important to lead with tactical patience by using the waiting to plan and building your revitalization strategy step by step. Set a timeline, stretch your imagination and remember that waiting on the Lord is often the truest sign of strength.

Having tactical patience can prevent setbacks by allowing you the space to make wise decisions in your revitalization journey. 
 

By adopting these three practices, you can join the many pastors who have seen successful church revitalization. Visit txb.org/pave to learn more about Pave and how it can be a resource to your congregation.