Ten simple ways to enhance your church’s future

Jim Farrer Jan. 7, 2025

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Simple, yes, but certainly not easy. Most pastors are already overworked with business as usual, and leading a "turnaround" is the most difficult task of church leaders. We will cover most of the issues in bringing about change in a companion article.

#1 Understanding Jesus' promise

Jesus promises that he will build his church (Matt. 16:18). However, congregations are not automatically zapped into health, vitality, fruitfulness, and more members.

#2 Resurrection is necessary

"Revitalization is a waste of time," declares consultant Bill Easum in A Second Resurrection. He continues, "…reformation, renewal, and revitalization don't get to the heart of the problem." What will it take to get eyes open to kingdom reality, hearts on fire, love for outsiders, and the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16)? Resurrection.

#3 A physical fire or the fire of the Holy Spirit

Consultant Dr. Norman Shawchuck once said that new vitality comes either through a new vision or a calamity. Another leader believes that congregations become truly motivated by a fire that burns down the building or when the fire of the Holy Spirit invades the members. Of the top 25 denominations in total membership the only two that are growing are charismatic denominations, where members have likely had a moving experience with the Living God, had their lives changed and are eager to share Christ.

#4 The role of the Bible

The Bible is our handbook for church vitality. We might begin our strategy at Matthew 22:37-40. Here Jesus summarized the first and greatest commandment. In any venture, we are to "put first the Most High God." God is to be placed above our idol of tradition: "We never did it that way before." God is also to be above our idol of fear. An early turnaround question to ask in any size/type of church is therefore: "What is God calling us to do today that in 15 or 20 years from now people will say was a smart and blessed thing to do?" Jesus' second greatest commandment is to love neighbors and outsiders as much as ourselves.

#5 The role of prayer

Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson conducted research on more than 300 formerly declining congregations across ten denominations. "Start with intentional prayer. It is not just cliche—prayer is where it starts," admonishes Stetzer in Comeback Churches (p.111).

In Turnaround and Beyond Ron Crandall reports that a national four-year study covering30,000 congregations in six denominations reveals that the few congregations that had exciting success in reaching new adults with the gospel had rediscovered prayer. However, it also indicates "a resistance to serious investment in prayer is encountered again and again."

#6 Letting our light shine

Driving past a majority of church buildings, one may discover a sign giving the church's name and hours of worship. Very few follow St. Matthew 5:16 and "let their light shine" alerting outsiders what is going on inside. Even a banner in the churchyard or along the street declaring: "Something is happening here...by God" sparks attention.

#7 The role of inviting

Consultant Thom Rainer reported that 21 percent of active churchgoers invite another person to church in the course of a year, but of those only two percent invited an unchurched person. Scott Thumma in a mega church study discovered "that in mega churches 87 percent of members have invited at least one person to services in the past year." Some churches encourage members to list family, friends and those at work on a personal prayer list with the intention of inviting them to a church event appropriate to their needs.

#8 Sending people out

Several congregations have received a burst of energy, changed hearts, and opened eyes when perhaps five percent of their memberships return from mission trips—especially to the third world. Other congregations make arrangements for church leaders to visit a similar-sized but healthier church to monitor what they did and do.

#9 A better financial future

Include at the bottom of the order of worship or announcement sheet: "Please remember the church in your will." After all we are still in the era with the greatest turnover of wealth in history.

#10 Engage an outside consultant

It takes a humble pastor to suggest an outside consultant. But these leaders often help you build on genuine strengths and rethink your ministry area. An important factor in turnaround congregations is enhancing their confidence in God and in their future.

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Jim Farrer is the founder of Vital Signs Church Consulting and a member of the Society for Church Consulting. A broadly-trained church consultant, Jim is also a veteran of ministry positions in Canada and the U.S., he has trained leaders from 18 denominations and led seminars and coaching sessions nationwide. His articles have been published in the Journal of Evangelism and Missions and the Great Commission Research Journal. You can reach him by e-mailing revup1@yahoo.com or calling 814 629-5211. Learn More »

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