Have you ever faced a tragedy that tested your faith? Or, maybe you know someone who lost faith in the midst of a crisis? Similarly, churches have wavered in their faith because of pressure to compromise. The amazing thing is how often in history churches undergoing persecution have actually grown stronger.

     In our last post we noted that 65% of churches are at a plateau, and 20% of churches are in stagnation and could be dying. The obvious conclusion is that we need revitalization in the majority of churches. Some churches may actually need to be replanted. The letters to the 7 Churches in Revelation give us reasons why churches need revitalization and give 7 Essentials in the Revitalization of Churches. 

All living things have a life cycle. Churches are a living organism. The life cycle of a church depends on the church’s ability to reproduce itself. Only 15% are estimated to be healthy growing churches. Unfortunately, it is estimated that 65% of all churches in the USA are not growing. In addition, 20% of churches are actually in serious decline and facing death. I relate those churches as to being in the ICU and/or on life support. 

Most of us try to prepare for retirement. We try to put at least a little something away. Unfortunately, many of us get to retirement age and realize we are not prepared to finish well. Additionally, those of us in career ministry often have made our ministry our life. The result is we are often not ready financially, personally, and even spiritually for the next step in life. We have no succession plan for ourselves or for the church.