Much discussion within evangelical circles have focused on church revitalization. For good reason, numerous articles have been written and now even conferences center on this hot topic. As a pastor who has been in churches that needed revitalization, I am very grateful for the attention and resources that are becoming available for churches and their pastors. The purpose of this article is not to argue why revitalization in general but to explain why this pastor is excited about church revitalization.
If you have been in tune with topics of discussion circulating throughout much of evangelicalism, you know that numerous topics have been about the gospel. This is a good thing for the Church, as it brings the glories of Christ to the front and center of all we do as individuals and as local churches. In fact, we would argue that all that we do must reflect the beauty of the gospel (i.e., how our families are structured and relate to one another). This is also true for the local church. For instance, as the gospel is declared behind the pulpit, elements of the gospel are lived out by the people who are in the pews. Within the life of the church, followers of Christ are agents of God’s love, mercy, peace, forgiveness, patience, etc.
The local church is to manifest the beauty and majesty of Christ’s kingdom (the gospel) as his ambassadors and as the body of Christ. However, if a local church is on life support or on the brink of closing its doors, what does that church convey to a world that is already dying and full of darkness? That Christ’s kingdom/gospel is impotent? That it cannot invade and conquer the gates of hell? That Christ, who is the light of the world, has indeed not chased out darkness? If Christ is the resurrection and the life then surely his ambassadors in the local church should manifest that truth in what they proclaim and in how they live. This is achieved as they march forward under the banner of Christ, proclaiming in their community and world that the King and his kingdom have come.
Though there is reason to celebrate the movement of God in revitalizing and planting churches throughout North America, reports of the hundreds of churches laid to rest breaks my heart. If the gospel is ultimately about Christ making all things new, it is a contradiction when the local church bears more of the foul fragrance of death than the sweet fragrance of life. What is the cure? It is not a particular program or a particular style of worship, adopting some cookie-cutter church model. But it is to bring the gospel to the front and center of that church. As the gospel breathes life into the church, the church will receive its vision of Christ as King and will then move forward under his banner to know how to announce his kingship and his kingdom in their community. Finally, the reality of Christ’s words to the Church will be manifested: “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it,” as the Spirit of God breathes new life in that church once again. That is why this pastor is excited about church revitalization, to see the dying church once again proclaim and live out the gospel that transformed it.
Kevin Griggs has been in ministry with his wife, Kim, for 15 years, 9 of those years have been in senior pastoral roles in both Georgia and North Carolina. They have two sons, Jaden (9) and Ransom (4), and they currently live in north metro Atlanta.
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