Hello, BRN Family! It’s good to be with you today!
Every church within the Baptist Resource Network has had the unexpected experience of rethinking its future, thanks to the worldwide pandemic. In truth, every church can benefit from such inspection because every church has a normal lifecycle from her birth to her unfortunate death.
But in God’s economy, there is always hope after death as Jesus’ resurrection proves! Churches facing uncertain death do have other options, including starting new churches, reproducing new disciples, leaders and ministries, revitalize the existing church, or if necessary, allowing your church to die a graceful death and restart with new vitality and direction with a new congregation.
At every stage, the BRN is willing to help. Here are the areas where we can come alongside you and assist:
CHURCH MULTIPLICATION
The BRN has a strong system in place to recruit and train new church planters. First-year church planters focus on the healthy behavior of missional engagement. Second-year planters focus on intentional discipleship. Third-year planters focus on leadership development. By the time they are stable churches, they are accustomed to practicing these healthy behaviors.
CHURCH REPRODUCTION
A stable church teaches disciples to make other disciples who make other disciples. Their pastors are planning for reproduction through leadership development. Their ultimate desire is to reproduce disciples, leaders, new ministries, and new churches. These outwardly-focused behaviors prevent a church from slipping into “self-preservation mode,” which is unfaithful, and ultimately unfruitful. The BRN can teach you to stay on mission.
CHURCH REVITALIZATION
A healthy church is always looking for ways to maintain a strong connection to missional engagement, intentional discipleship, and leadership development. When a church starts to decline, they are likely neglecting one of these key behaviors. The BRN can help you identify and address these issues at the first signs of decline so that your church might be revitalized before it dies.
CHURCH RESTARTING
A church that fails to revitalize or reproduce can still be an effective tool for the Kingdom by choosing to close their doors and invest their remaining people and assets into a new church. By intentionally closing and passing their assets on to a new congregation, they are leaving a legacy of faith within their community that may sprout new fruit in the next season. The BRN can help you close well.
Where do you fit on this lifecycle? How can we help you? Contact us through the Helpdesk at helpdesk@brnunited.org to find out more! Thank you and God bless you!
