PLYMOUTH – As 2022 was nearing the end, I reflected on the illustration a well known speaker made to a gathering of pastors. He described our life cycle in four quarters and gave some common characteristics of each quarter. Based on his analogy and the life span he used to divide the quarters, I’m in life’s 4th quarter. Ouch! Of course, the way my mind is wired, I immediately thought of making it to overtime.
Churches have a life cycle too. It’s most often pictured as a Bell Curve with the start on one side and the end on the other. At the topmost point of the curve is when the church is thriving and healthy. People are coming to faith in Christ and growing as disciples. It is a time of growth - spiritually and numerically. Vision drives everything as more and more disciples are made. Organizational structure is developing in such a way that it maximizes vision and discipleship. The focus is on reaching people with the Gospel and making disciples, not maintaining the organization. Mission and ministry go forward hand in hand as the church enthusiastically embraces the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
This is the proverbial “Mountain Top” new churches long to reach in the beginning or existing churches look backward toward during a period of decline.
As you look at the Bell Curve, where would you place your church? If your church is on the downslope, you’re not alone. The overwhelming majority of churches are looking backward toward the mountaintop. The closer your church is to the peak on the downside, the easier it is to turn things around. The further the church moves down the slope, the greater the downward momentum pulling your church toward life support. If the church doesn’t experience revitalization, it will die.
The good news is: CHURCH REVITALIZATION IS POSSIBLE.
Your church can experience renewed vision and vitality. It’s not easy. It will probably take longer and cost more than you expect, but revitalization for your church is worth what it takes.
The BSCM exists to help your church take your next step to accelerate the Gospel movement. For many churches that is a step toward revitalization. That’s why we have partnered with Dr. Rob Peters of Corpus Vitae. Corpus has a proven record of helping churches experience renewed vitality. The tools and processes Corpus uses were born out of the local church, and are rooted in Biblical principles. They come alongside local church leaders with practical resources they can use on the revitalization journey.
Let me point out two quotes from the Corpus website (https://corpusvitae.org) that capture the heart of their ministry:
“Corpus exists because church leaders need help. Leading a church through the revitalization process can be challenging and overwhelming. We are here to help.”
“Corpus is a church-based ministry. All the products and services we provide have their origination within the church and are then customized for your individual church. We are not an ivory tower of theory and experimentation. Rather, we are practitioners, and our primary calling is to serve the local church.”
Dr. Rob Peters is going to be in Michigan on Monday and Tuesday, March 27-28. to meet with pastors who want to learn more about Corpus Revitalization. We will organize his schedule based on the pastors that are interested in talking with him. Please contact mike@bscm.org so we can make the most of his time with us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Durbin is the State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before joining the state convention staff, Mike served as Church Planting Catalyst and Director of Missions in Metro Detroit since 2007. He also has served as a pastor and bi-vocational pastor in Michigan, as well as International Missionary to Brazil.
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