The State of Church Revitalization

within Southern Baptist Churches - Part 2

As we evaluate the state of church revitalization, we first look to the group(s) tasked with leading this work; the state convention and local association. Understanding there are too many associations for this article to treat a widespread research analysis as to how they are working with churches within their respective association, therefore this article will focus on the state conventions. A request was made for each state convention to send an overview of their respective revitalization methodologies. After ample time was given to hear from respondents, the next wave was researching the websites of the 40 state conventions within the Southern Baptist Convention to determine how each state is engaged with this ministry. 35% of state conventions make-up the largest of the state conventions in the Southern Baptist network. In-depth evaluation of all 40 state convention websites shows 42.5% list steps for church revitalization while 40% do not list anything in the field of church revitalization. Another 7.5% only list replanting options. 12.5% engage a parachurch group to either handle revitalization or some element of revitalization.

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Reviewing the state conventions offering some type of revitalization process or resources, of the 42.5%, the most common method (88%) is what some would call a cohort model or peer learning. The rate of success in using a cohort-type model depends on the peer group having knowledge, skillset, or experience, which can provide more than just perceived learning, but actual learning. “The term perceived learning refers to a student’s self-report of knowledge gain, generally based on some reflection and introspection. The term actual learning distinguishes real learning from perceived learning. Actual learning reflects a change in knowledge identified by a rigorous measurement of learning.”[1]

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In pursuit of the conversation for church revitalization advancing within the SBC network, this demonstrates a great need for much more to be done. After 10+ years of the conversation being on the forefront of the minds of pastors and leaders within the SBC network, we remain limited in our response. Whereas the replant endeavors of NAMB have been beneficial, especially within the local associations being better equipped to handle needs within their association. This is simply not sufficient. Along with the terminology being somewhat muddled, many churches or pastors do not know what they are asking for with assistance.

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In 2017, the state conventions, along with NAMB, agreed upon terminology for church revitalization and replanting in an effort to reduce confusion in the work being done.

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“They defined church revitalization as ‘The supernatural work of God that restores health in a church, evidenced by submission to God’s Word, right relationships among members, and a renewed commitment to Great Commission ministry.’

?Their definition for church replanting is ‘The process in which members of a church discern God’s leadership to dissolve their current ministry and work with other churches or denominational bodies to begin a new church for a new season of ministry in their community.’”[2]

Unfortunately, because of the autonomy of Southern Baptists, these definitions were not widely adopted within the network of state conventions nor at SBC agencies resulting in leaders and conference speakers using whatever definitions they prefer instead of agreeing to a standardized definition. Over the past seven years, no continued effort has been held to maintain these definitions. Certainly, this is the intent behind the motion which was made a few years ago to the Executive Committee to task one of the national entities with this responsibility. Though I disagree with the motion, I do receive the intent well as I see the ongoing need for our cooperative group, in the midst of our autonomy, to at least have some level of agreement on simple items such as definitions. This would ensure all our seminaries involved in training, our national entities, any author writing from an SBC perspective, and of course all of our state conventions and associations, to adopt language which is clearly the same across the convention thereby eliminating much of the confusion for pastors and the local church.

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Where do Southern Baptists go from here?

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As addressed in part one, with the continued plateau and decline within churches of the SBC, the need for revitalizing churches is present and ongoing. More needs to be accomplished in offering strategies and a greater emphasis across the denomination. Much of the greatest success in church revitalization centers around a funding mechanism, which is why church planting has its greatest successes. Often, many believe a declining church does not deserve funding. Some leaders may say, “they got themselves into this mess, they can figure out how to pay to get out of it.” Unfortunately, that is not a luxury Southern Baptists have within their network of churches. We must do what needs to be done to reclaim churches for the sake of the gospel. ?In evaluating the missionary journeys of Paul in the Book of Acts, we see not only a church planter, but a church revitalizer. The point of his second and third journeys, as well as much of his writing, was to return to churches he previously planted to strengthen and encourage them, along with providing correction where needed. He addressed doctrinal and theological needs which were distracting from the mission of the church thereby restoring them to a right model of ministry as well as appropriate biblical context of ministry. In doing so, presented a model which we could honor even today. Plus, his collection to help the church in Jerusalem for their needs, demonstrates cooperative and missional giving for the support of the original church by meeting its needs.

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As Southern Baptists are approaching the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program and being confronted with unprecedented impact to SBC funding due to declined overall giving along with the present Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force needs being addressed within the denomination, we must find strategies and models for also funding church revitalization in a similar method and process as church planting.

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[1] Reporting Actual and Perceived Student Learning in Education Research ( sagepub.com )

[2] State leaders discuss church revitalization, replanting - TEXAN Online