Read this week's article at malphursgroup.com/285

his week, hosts Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive deep into a topic that might make some church leaders uneasy: the reasons why some churches fail in their revitalization process. They outline three key types of churches that struggle – the poorly pastored church, the timid church, and the lazy church. 

Through their candid discussion, Scott and A.J. provide insights into why these barriers arise and how to overcome them. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or congregation member, this episode offers valuable takeaways for ensuring your revitalization efforts lead to success, not stagnation. 

Growth is often celebrated in church circles, but what if your success is hiding deeper problems? In this episode, Scott Ball and AJ Mathieu tackle the rarely-discussed challenges that growing churches face. They reveal three common pitfalls: becoming complacent with your current success, not understanding why you're actually growing, and expanding too quickly without the leadership foundation to sustain it. Whether your church is experiencing modest or explosive growth, these insights will help you build a healthier, more sustainable ministry that values depth over mere numbers. Because not everything that grows is healthy – and sometimes the most dangerous time for your church is when everything seems to be going well.

Read the full show notes at malphursgroup.com/284

In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu discuss the essential roles and responsibilities of elders within the church. They outline three critical things that elders should never do: getting too involved in the minutiae of church operations, acting unilaterally without the consensus of the elder board, and neglecting the spiritual care of the congregation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of defined roles, collective authority, and the need for elders to focus on higher-level oversight and spiritual nourishment for the church community.

Read the full show notes at: https://malphursgroup.com/275

A spiritually unhealthy church may find short-term gains, but sustainability only comes when people, and church leadership in particular, are right with God and others.

Beginning a revitalization process in the church should first include an introspective look at the spiritual condition of those working on the revitalization plan.

As a part of this week’s episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we’ve provided a free download of our Spiritual Formation Worksheet.

To read today's show notes or download the Spiritual Formation worksheet, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/185

Church leaders serve various functions within the church, but there are certain capabilities or competencies that are essential to leaders at any level and of any function. One of these core competencies is spiritual mentorship.

This week on the Church Revitalization Podcast, we'll go deeper into what it means to be a spiritual mentor and explore how the core competency of spiritual mentorship manifests at various levels of leadership within the church.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/184 

Being elevated to a leadership position does not make anyone immune to being emotionally unhealthy. Likewise, leadership promotions should not be taken as an affirmation of a clean bill of emotional health.

This week on the Church Revitalization Podcast, we talk through five common emotional disorders that can hold people back from excelling as a leader and leading effective teams.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/183

This week’s episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast takes a little lighter tone.

We explore the diverse landscape of American evangelicalism by taking a quiz based on an article by Mere Orthodoxy called "The Six Way Fracturing of Evangelicalism."

Of the six categories outlined in the article where will we end up? You’ll hear it unfold in real time as we go through it and anxiously await the results of the quiz.

Mere Orthodoxy article: "The Six Way Fracturing of Evangelicalism" - https://mereorthodoxy.com/six-way-fracturing-evangelicalism/

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/182

One of the most common hurdles as churches begin to grow is how to transition from one to two services. If your church has outgrown its capacity for a single service, it may be time to start considering the possibility of moving to two worship services.

In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we'll explore the reasons why this transition can be beneficial for your church, as well as key factors involved in making the move.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/181

We haven’t done the hard work for you, just given you a path.

A common question that we as Malphurs Group Guides get from pastors that we work with is “Do you have any suggestions for sermon topics that will help with revitalization?” Generally, the answer is to preach through the primary topics of a healthy church: Great Commission mandate, building up mature disciples, and having a compelling future-focused vision. For this week’s episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, though, we’ve zoomed out to some broader themes and given you five sermon series outlines to take your congregation deeper into the truths of Scripture.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/180

Leading and directing are both crucial functions of effective church leadership, but they involve different approaches and goals.

Our goal is to help you better understand the difference between leading and directing and how to apply each approach depending on the situation. 

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/179

What does “revival” even mean? Is that what is happening? That is what we are diving into on this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/178 

Dying churches are stagnant, and thriving churches are full of life. The difference is action, animation, movement, and even the dreaded word….change.

This week on the Church Revitalization Podcast, we talk about the basics of working through an action plan.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/177

#TheMalphursGroup #revitalization #actionplan #churchculture #churchhealth #churchrevitalization #churchgrowth #churchpodcast

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The news has been filled with stories of the amazing things that artificial intelligence (AI) can do. It can write song lyrics, give you advice on what to do on your next vacation, and even write business plans.

As artificial intelligence grows in prominence and ability, pastors might start to wonder: exactly how good is an AI sermon? Beyond this question, is AI something pastors should embrace or reject? How will artificial intelligence shape ministry in the years to come?

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/176

Ministry silos can cripple a church's effectiveness, creating competing calendars, duplicated programs, and territorial mindsets. In this episode, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu break down the common symptoms of siloed ministries - from calendar conflicts to information hoarding - and provide practical solutions for unifying your church's vision and systems. Learn how to identify whether your church has fallen into the silo trap and discover actionable steps to break down walls between ministries to create a more cohesive, effective church.

Show notes: Visit malphursgroup.com/274 for the full article and resources mentioned in this episode.

Honesty is always the best policy.

In this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we’re not really accusing any church of actively lying. We certainly understand the motivations behind this list of things churches tell themselves. We try to make things sound better than they really are. That doesn’t help anyone. It's better to face the facts and do the work of establishing where our church is today, and working towards a better, healthier future.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/175

More churches articulate a vision than reach one. In fact, the number of churches that actually make progress toward their goals is small. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by obstacles to change, the tyranny of the urgent, and other roadblocks to actualizing your God-given vision. But you shouldn’t give up!

In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we’re going to focus on how you can use systems thinking to reach your church’s vision.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/174

We are starting off the new year with a recap of the top 5 topics we covered last year on the podcast. What would you add to this list of top topics?

Download the free pdf, Top 10 of 2022: https://malphursgroup.com/173

Learn about the 2023 Church Check-Up Challenge! In this 7-day challenge (beginning January 9), you'll get practical tools and training to optimize your church's health for the upcoming year. Each day, you'll receive an email, a short video, and one actionable tool that focuses on a critical aspect of church health. Plus, one church that signs up for the challenge will receive a free Church Ministry Analysis--which includes a custom-written report and virtual report consultation with one of our Certified Guides.

Sign up for the free 2023 Church Check-Up Challenge here: https://malphursgroup.com/challenge2023

Love runs deep in God’s plan for humanity as we are made in His image, and love is at His core.

As we move into the fourth week of Advent, celebrating the birth of Jesus and His imminent expected return, love should be the feeling we share towards him and one another. How should that manifest itself in a revitalized church?

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/171

Joy doesn’t exist because things are healthy. No. The opposite.

Churches that want to experience revitalization need to get serious about becoming a place filled with joy. This joy is available to all churches—but it takes hard work to tap into the source.

In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we’ll explore how your church can experience joy and how it can transform your church.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/170

*This week's episode of the podcast was written and recorded prior to the passing of Dr. Aubrey Malphurs. You can read a statement from our TMG team here: https://malphursgroup.com/press

As we continue through advent, we’re talking about peace. There are dozens of references to peace in the New Testament alone. Peace is certainly a key theme in the coming of the Messiah, and in His imminent return. With the birth of Christ we gained an option of peace never before seen. When Jesus returns we will finally gain the peace promised, once and for all who are in Christ.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/169

When we celebrate Advent, we remember the fulfillment of God’s promises in the birth of Jesus–but we also embrace the sense of expectation for Christ’s imminent Return. In reflecting on this season on our team at The Malphurs Group, we realized that there’s a clear connection between Advent and church revitalization.

Over the next four weeks, we’ll tackle each of the traditional four topics: hope, love, joy, and peace. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we will dive into how hope plays a critical function in empowering your church for revitalization.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/168

In this short episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we're reflecting on Thanksgiving and what we're thankful for on our team.

To view the video of this episode, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/167

It’s not news that the Church is declining in the United States and that fewer people are identifying as Christian, but Pew Research recently released the findings of a study showing the trendline of Christian decline along with future projections.

So what is the takeaway for the Church? In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we are focusing on a few things to consider about the future of Christianity in America.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/166

In this episode, Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu dive into “4 Things Your Church Consultant Doesn’t Want to Hear You Say.” They tackle common phrases like “We’re the friendliest church” and “People leave other churches and come here to heal,” unpacking why these statements might not mean what you think. From addressing misconceptions to offering practical advice on leadership and community engagement, this conversation challenges churches to rethink their perspectives.

Plus, hear about the free Church Checkup Challenge and how it can help your church assess its health for the year ahead: https://malphursgroup.com/challenge

Tune in for honest insights, biblical wisdom, and actionable steps to strengthen your ministry. Read the show notes at malphursgroup.com/273.

Change isn’t easy. Yet change in the church has never been more critical than it is right now.

We believe that your church wants to change. More than that, we believe that your church can change. We believe it because we’ve seen it.

So what do you do when your church commits to change, but some in the church resist? In this episode of the Church Revitalization podcast, we're listing what you need to do to keep your church on track.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/165

Making plans is fun. Following through is hard. Most churches fail before they even begin the implementation journey because they did not account for the barriers.

Our team at the Malphurs Group has guided hundreds of churches through strategic planning, and on this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we are addressing four common barriers we’ve noticed.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/164

Perhaps it’s in the wide reporting about the loss of Christian influence in the world that we’ve all just had it in our heads that people don’t want to talk to pastors about things. But according to a recent poll by the Barna Group suggests that a majority of U.S. adults trust Christian pastors.

On this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we are looking at easy ways that you can leverage the trust the public may already have in you.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/163

Seminary is a wonderful place to learn how to preach a sermon and study Scripture. But historically, most pastors learn their leadership skills from the school of hard knocks.

On this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we want to help you sidestep common potholes and give you a clear picture of four skills you need to develop that seminary might not have taught you.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/162

Before a church is revitalized, its life dwindles, and death looms. These churches have a fading view of a once bright past, and it gives way to robotic monotony, apathy, and stress.

But your church can be revitalized and enter into a new season of effectiveness.

On this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we are giving you six biblical signs of a revitalized church. To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/161

It seems like everyone has a podcast these days! While starting a podcast isn’t for everyone, there is still plenty of room in the so-called “market” for your church to start a podcast.

You don’t need to make the “new and noteworthy” or top charts for your podcast to be successful. You simply need to set the right goals, and put in the work to achieve those ends. On this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we are giving you five steps for starting a church podcast.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/160

Finding the right candidate for a church staff opening is difficult. Whether you’re trying to find a new senior pastor or a part-time children’s ministry director, the cost of hiring the wrong person is steep.

But getting the right hire doesn’t need to be impossible. On this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, We are diving into some key principles your church can apply to hire good church staff.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/159

It’s the heavyweight title fight of church discipleship ministries.

Perhaps second only to church “worship wars” between traditional and contemporary music, the battle between Sunday School and Small Groups has been waging for a few decades now too.

In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we discuss the best possible method for church discipleship.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/158

A team or board of qualified senior leaders is an essential component of a healthy church leadership culture. That said, when church boards are dysfunctional, they can do more to single-handedly run a church into the ground than just about any other factor.

n this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we outline the five most common dysfunctional habits of unhealthy church boards.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/157

The thought of talking about pastor compensation makes many people uncomfortable. From the pastor’s point of view, he never wants to be seen as greedy or ungrateful, so most do not initiate a compensation discussion with the powers that make those decisions in the church.

This is damaging to the whole church when a pastor is in a position that may distract him from his primary ministry and even communion with God due to external pressures.

This week on the Church Revitalization Podcast we looked at why we should pay competitive salaries and some ways in which to consider doing so.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/156

Is your church quietly drifting from the Great Commission to what we call "The Comfortable Commission"? In this episode, Scott and A.J. explore how well-intentioned churches can gradually shift from mission-focused to comfort-focused ministry - often without realizing it. 

You'll discover:
- Warning signs your church might be choosing comfort over mission
- How "good stewardship" can become an excuse for playing it safe
- Practical ways to evaluate your current reality
- Steps to break free from comfort-driven ministry

Plus, learn about the upcoming Church Check-up Challenge, a free 7-day journey to assess and improve your church's health.

Sign up at https://malphursgroup.com/challenge

Read the full show notes at https://malphursgroup.com/272

Church doesn’t need to be complicated, but sometimes it ends up that way. Having a few primary ministries that are well thought out and intentional can be much more successful than a large menu of options.

We refer to the ministries beyond what are primary as secondary ministries. It’s in the secondary ministry space that church can get confusing, complicated, and distracting. And that is what we are discussing on this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/155

No two churches are the same any more than there are any two people who are the same. The Body of Christ is diverse, and God is sovereign over all things and His will is done in His timing and through those of His choosing.

Still, humans are human and do human things. And with that fact, we find common themes in church dysfunction. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we are discussing the three most common reasons that we find churches contact a consultant.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/154

Every leader has to make decisions, and good decisions are made from good information. The helpful things every pastor should know every week, we call the pastor’s “dashboard.”

So what should be on your dashboard? This week on the Church Revitalization Podcast, we will tell you some of the best things to include in any pastoral dashboard.

Read the full show notes at malphursgroup.com/153

Shout out to our friends at GrowingHealthierChurches.com for their great dashboarding tool for users of Planning Center and Elvanto/Tithely.

Millennials are the most religiously unaffiliated generation in American history. But they’re not atheists or agnostics. A study by Barna Group found that 74% of Millennials believe God exists, and almost half say they pray daily-yet many young adults don’t identify with a specific denomination or church.

Why are Millennials leaving their faith? And what can the church do about it? That is the subject of this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast. 

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/152

Throughout the country, churches of all sizes and denominations experience a bump in fall church attendance. Congregations benefit from people wanting to get back into the rhythm of “normal” life after the summer and to establish good habits for a new season.

However, this isn’t just a chance to hop back into the status quo of the spring. In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we are giving you 10 ways to maximize the fall church attendance bump.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/151

The leaders of change must be proactive; they must act while the window is open. They must understand the process of change and be ready to implement that process as God opens windows to the future. But how do you start that process of change?

Is your church frozen in the status quo? We are going to help you thaw it out on this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/150

Poor worship music during a Sunday morning service is difficult to overcome. While music and worship style are not the primary factor in determining if a guest returns or not, bad music is still likely to keep guests from coming back–and to keep your existing congregation from inviting friends and family.

So how can your church improve your worship music? That is what we are talking about in this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/149

Leadership development is a key element that highly effective churches have in common. If you want to increase the quantity and quality of ministry that your church is capable of doing, build leaders.

So how do we help people grow in their leadership skills, and perform at higher and higher levels of effectiveness? In this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we are looking at three things…Assess, Train, and Launch.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/148

What are the early signals that your church needs revitalization? God designed your church to accomplish a specific purpose. Whenever a congregation begins to slow down in accomplishing that purpose, or starts to pursue its own agenda, the church begins to need revitalization.

This week on the Church Revitalization Podcast, we are discussing 5 warning signs your church needs revitalization.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/147

Friday, June 24, 2022, will be a date long remembered as the nearly 50-year precedent of upholding abortion as a constitutional right in the United States was overturned. 50 years. That’s a long time. So long, in fact, that it may be a case in which most never really thought the day would come.

This week on the Church Revitalization Podcast, we looked at three areas of response that the Church must take now to show that we truly do care about people and not just winning an argument.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/146

In this episode of The Church Revitalization Podcast, we tackled the top seven reasons that pastors consider quitting the ministry.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/145

In this episode, we'll dive into some of the unique challenges and opportunities created by ministering as a couple with our guests, Pastors Matt & Heidi Messner.

Matt is a certified consultant with The Malphurs Group, and Heidi is a Regional Pastor with the Foursquare Church, overseeing 50+ churches in Northern California, Utah, and Nevada.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/144

The purpose of your worship service is to lead people to live in awe and obedience to God. Are your worship services declining and failing to accomplish their purpose?

You don’t need to be cool or have the most innovative worship service in your town. Every church, regardless of tradition, style, or liturgy can work hard to eliminate worship service mistakes, and in so doing, lead people into worship with intentionality and excellence.

In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, we're discussing the top 5 mistakes to avoid in your worship service.

To read today's show notes, visit: https://malphursgroup.com/143