CHURCH CHURCH
April May 2018 Vol 5 Issue 3
THE THE
Revitalizer
“A Revitalization Retreat in Every Issue”
THE CHARACTERISTICS of A Church Revitalizer
“The only magazine dedicated to Church Revitalization.” ~ Tom Cheyney
ENOVATE R National Church Revitalization Conference
Speakers Include: Tom Cheyney Ron Smith Jason Britt Terry Rials Jim Grant Paul Smith Jennifer Bennett Chuck Lawless Walter Jackson Jason Britt Bill Hegedus Drew Cheyney Chris Irving Steve Smith Jason Cooper Rob Myers David Lema
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“The only church revitalization magazine”
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By Tom Cheyney
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When You Need Your Character to Be Your Ally
Characteristics of the Successful Church Revitalizer
Caring and Sharing for Pastors and Church People By Joel R. Breidenbaugh
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CONTENTS 28
Anointed & Appointed: The power of the Call By Ron Smith
THE LEADERSHIP LINK… Character Matters By Michael Atherton
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The Character Qualities of a Good Church Revitalizer By Terry Rials
The Essential Qualities of a Revitalization Leader By Lavern Brown
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Tough Talk for Church Revitalizers By Bill Tenny-Brittian
The Greatest of These... By John Kimball
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Revitalizer
LIBRARY
The Church Revitalizer Book Reviewer: Rob Hurtgen This edition of the Revitalizer’s Library focuses on one of Thom Rainer’s latest works, We Want You Here, and next time Becoming a Welcoming Church.
April/May | Vol 5, No 3
16 Helping Children Build Strong Faith Foundations By Bill Hegedus 18
Character Qualities of a Modern-Day Youth Pastor By Drew Cheyney
32
The Posture of a Church Revitalizer By John Tacket
35
Become a Shepherding Revitalizer By Tracy W. Jaggers
44
What Is “Ethical Character” and How Should a Turnaround Leader Use it?
By Bob Whitesel
50
Small Groups to the Max Leaders-Teaching to Change Lives By Fred Boone
52
Obedience–The Quality of the Church Revitalizer By Mark Weible
54
Being an Honorable Revitalizer By Jim Grant
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Awakening Prayer By Kenneth Priest
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You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks By: Rob Myers The Character Quality of Passion By Steve Sells 55
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THE
CHURCH
Revitalizer Volume 5, No. 3
The Church Revitalizer Is published bi-monthly by Renovate Publishing Group 1906 West Lee Road Orlando, FL 32810 Email: ChurchRevitalizer.guru
PUBLISHER Executive Editor Dr. Tom Cheyney Associate Publisher Mark Weible Associate Publisher Circulation & Marketing Tom King Brand Manager Tom Cheyney Magazine Designer & Format Editor Gerald Brown Director of Advertising Renovate Staff Web Ad Traffic Director Mark Weible Digital Media Associate Ashleigh Cheyney For subscription information contact this office at: www.churchrevitalizer.guru/subscriptions. Subscriptions donations are $30.00 per year for six issues, $52.00 for two years (12 issues). Outside the U.S. add $10.00 per year prepaid.
Stock images from ISTOCK Photo or where otherwise noted. © Copyright 2017 Renovate Publishing Group
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ChurchRevitalizer.Guru
By Tom Cheyney
Welcome to the Church Revitalizer Magazine: A Church Revitalization Retreat in Every Issue!
I get asked everywhere I go what are the things that make a good church revitalizer. I usually will discuss character qualities initially and then point them to key skill sets necessary as they develop into a successful revitalizer of churches. In this edition I want to look at characteristics of church revitalizers who have been successful and continue to be successful. Revitalization must receive priority in the church calendar if it is going to be revitalized. In this edition we are looking at the character qualities of a church revitalizer. Here are a few ideas to get us rolling. Even more important than being a revitalizer is being yourself. Be authentic. Be real. Share your weaknesses and struggles. Remind your congregation that you are a work in progress just like they are. Be true to the unique passions and giftings God has given you. Develop core values and core convictions. Put Your Family First--I limit my church-related meetings to one evening per week. Establish those boundaries early on. If there is ever a conflict between family and ministry, it’s a no-brainer. Family first. Have Fun--Church ought to be the most enjoyable hour of the week. Don’t take yourself too seriously. The healthiest and holiest people laugh at themselves the most. Let your congregation see you laugh at yourself. A lot.
The June/July edition will focus on Lessons Learned from Church Revitalization and Renewal.
Stay connected, more is coming!
Dr. Tom Cheyney is the Founder and Directional Leader of Renovate National Church Revitalization Conference and Executive Editor of the Church Revitalizer.
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Characteristics of the Successful Church Revitalizer
I
get asked everywhere I go, “what are the things that make a good church revitalizer?” I usually will discuss character qualities initially and then point them to key skill sets necessary as they develop into a successful revitalizer of churches. In this edition I want to look at characteristics of church revitalizers who have been successful and continue to be successful. Before I share my point of view, it should be declared initially that they need an active, effective and consistent prayer life. Prayer is the starting point in any church revitalization effort. Church revitalizers are patient toilers who seek counsel, and who also understand the importance of timing in renewal. They are able to take extraordinary risks in order to achieve their objectives towards revitalization. These renewal leaders keep the staff lean and prefer to utilize volunteers over hired staff. They keep the church flexible and stable by practicing lean simple forms. A church revitalizer is often identified by laity as a builder. They seek to make things better within the church they are seeking to turnaround. They believe deep down they can make a lasting difference. Church revitalizers have the ability to learn from other church revitalizers and seek to develop as much knowledge and Biblical training from experienced leaders in church
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revitalization so when they are deployed they will know how to lead a church that must rise from its deathbed vigil and get it growing spiritually and numerically once again! Their spiritual experience is living and fresh. They know they are chosen and sent. While revitalization is difficult, they possess the right skill sets for turning a church around. A final word by way of introduction is that these church revitalizers understand how to evaluate their present context and plan for the future.
So here are the characteristics of a successful church revitalizer: A Brokenness Before the Lord Church revitalizers possess a brokenness before the Lord over the situation of the church and toil daily to bless the church through hard work as a minister of the Gospel.
By Tom Cheyney
Are Openly Transparent Church revitalizers need to be completely honest with themselves and with God about their sins and the sins of the people they lead. It takes a breaking of one’s self and a repentant soul to begin the process of renewal. Church revitalizers must start with themselves before they can begin with their church members.
They Are All In Church revitalizers are passionate people who are completely committed to their Lord, the church, and the revitalization process. They are all in and ready to go to work.
A Bias for Action Not Idleness Church revitalizers have a bias for action. They encourage creativity and are willing to risk failure. A church revitalizer understands the needs of their target community and possesses a genuine interest in meeting the needs of people. Church revitalizers keep prospects close and seek to minister to them!
God’s Vision Only
They Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
Church revitalizers seek God and get their vision from Him. In a day where most declining churches have borrowed vision from the latest self-help book, these revitalizers desire a freshness from the Lord.
Church revitalizers deliver and express quality programs that provide a perceived value that participants are seeking. These renewing churches are contagious and stimulating. They generate energy rather than deplete it. Church revitalizers Continued on pg 66
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Eachandeveryweek,theRENOVATENationalChurchRevitalizationPodcastpublishesafreeaudio trainingcoveringvariousaspectsofchurchrevitalizationandrenewal.HostedbyTomCheyney,each podcastfeaturescontentforthisweek’seditionofhisChurchRevitalizationandRenewaltraining. IncludedinthisseriesofequippingtoolsareinterviewswithkeyChurchRevitalizersandin-depth commentaryandanalysisfrompastors,revitalizationcoaches,laity,andpractitionersinthefieldof church revitalization and renewal. RenovateConference.org/podcast
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“A Revitalization Retreat in Every Issue” RenovateConference.org/magazine 11