Church Renewal/Revitalization is the process by which a church becomes healthier over a period of time so that it may fulfill its purpose of bringing glory to God.

Under the umbrella of Church Renewal/Revitalization there are two categories whereby churches may go through the revitalization process:

Definitions

IRP

Repurposing – The procedure through a consultation process that helps a church to rediscover its purpose and find passion(s) for ministry.  This is done over time as the church continues its ministry.

Restarts – The procedure, through a consultation process, that helps the church to begin a new [have a fresh start].  This is done by helping an existing congregations and leaders to step back and re-examine the purpose and mission of the church.  This is usually accomplished by the church taking a few months to redream its vision and then starting fresh.

Replant – The procedure through a consultation process by which a church ends its ministry and turns the church over to a new group of leaders to begin a new ministry to the existing community.  The old congregation can continue to be a part of the ministry, but must be willing to allow the new leaders to move the church in a new direction.

Ending Well – The procedure through a consultation process that helps a church understand that its ministry life and usefulness is coming to an end.  The process leads the congregation to finish its ministry in a way that will bring glory to God.  This process may take months or years depending on the individual church.

DRP

Churches Helping Churches – This is a partnership where one church helps another church to begin a specific new ministry.

Fostering – This is a partnership where a church provides resources (people, money, material or other things) to help another church do ministry.  The fostering partnership may continue for months or years.

Shared Pastor/Dual Charges – This is when two churches share a pastor between two churches so that both churches can do full time ministry.  This arrangement can be both a blessing to the church and the pastor.

Church Merger or Blending – This is when two individual churches join together to become one church so that a greater ministry may be accomplished.

Disclaimers

1. All revitalization processes will not succeed without bathing each action in prayer. Without prayer each procedure or action is just another human based strategy.
2. Church health does not depend on size or attendance but on the spirituality, willingness and attitudes of the members.