“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
“What would you do, if you were the pastor of that church?” Several years ago, I asked my son, who was eleven-years-old at the time, this question as we were driving away from church on a Sunday afternoon and reflecting on our family’s ministry that day.
His insightful response reflects wisdom beyond his years, “I wouldn’t blow it up by changing everything right away.” I affirmed this by reminding him how important it is to get buy-in from key players at the church; otherwise, leading change just feels forced due to not being on the same page. He further explained that he would:
- Encourage people to reach out into their community with the gospel.
- Encourage people to be excited about what they believe.
As our conversation developed, we discussed concrete action steps that churches could take in moving forward with his advice. These included reaching out into public schools with a Good News Club through Child Evangelism Fellowship, Family Vacation Bible School with teaching for both kids and parents/grandparents from Bible Doctrines to Live By (BDTLB), as well as seasonal events like parades, county fairs, and holiday festivals. Even the simplicity of keeping the church tract rack stocked and up to date with evangelistic resources from BDTLB or Berean Bible Society (BBS) was an item we considered together.
While we were driving, we went past a laundromat which most towns have and often feature a magazine rack. Unsurprisingly, these racks seldom display the Grace Gospel Fellowship’s Truth Magazine, BDTLB’s Truth Aflame, or The Berean Searchlight from BBS unless a missionally-engaged Grace believer drops by.
As the miles passed, my son and I also discussed how a pastor could help the flock be excited about what they believe. Reading the entire Word of God annually using a One Year Bible was number one. Spending time with God in prayer by keeping a journal was also at the top of the list.
Road trips with family have a way of reminding you that we live in a big world. A friend once said, “When you’re out of your comfort zone, you have a greater sense of urgency of purpose.” In light of that, doing something radical and crazy like going on a short term missions trip to a place like Southeast Asia, Brazil, or east Africa with a ministry like Things to Come Mission, Word of Grace Mission, or Grace Ministries International would really get you excited about what you believe!
There is nothing quite like meeting people whose lives are not prioritized by Hollywood, Netflix, or the American Dream. Meeting people with a passion for the glory of God being magnified through the salvation of rebel sinners among all nations worldwide will be a catalyst toward revitalizing your church (and family).
Now that my son is a fulltime student at Berean Bible Institute, training for ministry wherever the mighty hand and outstretched arm of the Almighty God leads, guides, and directs the pathway of his life, I’m confident that he would add one more pro-tip to his original suggestions. Namely:
3. Proactively equip men to lead at home by intentionally passing on the faith to the next generation through family discipleship.
As my son is well on his way to emerging as a Christ-built warrior-poet of a man of God, he understands how important faithful men are to the spiritual vitality of the church. When men lead well and a masculine leadership culture is built in the church, the joy-filled beauty of what it means to be a woman, wife, and mother is upheld with the utmost of honor and nobility. May God’s Spirit ignite this kind of zeal in the depths of our souls as men, husbands, and fathers.
A kid’s perspective on how to revitalize a church reminds me why living on mission in Christ is urgent, not optional. This kind of dead serious urgency begins on the grassroots level right at home where we live every day.
Regardless of our season of life, the question I asked my son that day is also applicable to each of us. Decisive action is required in this world of urgent need, if we are going to take the gospel from where it is to where it is not. What will you do to intentionally make a difference for the glory of God and the good of men, women, boys, and girls among all nations worldwide?
Recommended Resources:
Family Discipleship
- “Already Gone: Why Your Kids Will Quit Church and What You Can Do to Stop It” by Ken Ham
- “Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters to Walk with God” by Voddie Baucham
- “The Most Important Place on Earth: What a Christian Home Looks Like and How to Build One” by Robert Wolgemuth
- “The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self Reliance” by Ben Sasse
- Missionary Biographies
Biblical Manhood
- “The Resolution for Men” by Stephen & Alex Kendrick
- “The War on Men: Why Society Hates Them and Why We Need Them” by Owen Strachan
- “Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family” by Steve Farrar
- “Houston, We Have a Problem: Practical Wisdom for Leadership at Home Amidst Manhood’s Modern Crisis” by Timothy Board
Biblical Worldview
- “AWE: Why It Matters for Everything We Think, Say, & Do” by Paul David Tripp
- “The Gathering Storm: Secularism, Culture, and the Church” by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
- “The Briefing: Daily News & Analysis of Events Through a Christian Worldview” at AlbertMohler.com
- Biblical Worldview Program at BBI: https://bereanbibleinstitute.org/something-every-christian-needs/
- https://bereanbibleinstitute.org/something-every-christian-needs/
