Remember, then, what you received and heard. (Revelation 3:3)

• Celebrating the PAST.

• Remembering God’s original VISION for this church.

• The GOSPEL and its POWER – For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

• The Church’s relationship with the GOSPEL (Individual and corporate SPIRITUAL lives.)

• The Church’s outreach, discipleship, worship, stewardship, and service EFFECTIVENESS.

• The Church’s LEADERSHIP (deacons, elders, committees, etc.) and STRUCTURE (bylaws, processes, programs.)

• The Church’s FACILITIES and LOCATION

• The Church’s RELATIONSHIP with their surrounding community

• A strategy for BEING God’s people in this place now: Worship, Proclamation, Discipleship, Service, Community Engagement, and Stewardship.

• Discerning which PATHWAYS to renewal are likely most FRUITFUL (Revitalization, Fostering, Adoption, Merger, Replanting, Transition, etc.)

• Understanding what kind of LEADERS and leadership STRUCTURE are needed to fulfill the vision.

• APPROVE both inward and outward STRATEGIC plans.

• Get and EMPOWER key leaders and a revised leadership structure.

• PARTNER with the ReNEW team, Great Commission Association, and others for resources

• WORK the plans while TRUSTING God to do what He alone can do. (Psalm 127:1; John 15:5)

• REASSESS at planned strategic intervals (3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months.)

Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place unless you repent…Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. (Revelation 2:5; 3:3)

GCA becomes AWARE that a congregation may need the assistance of the ReNEW team.

i) A pastor or congregation REQUESTS assistance with church revitalization, assessment, crisis, etc.

ii) A GCA team member refers a congregation for ReNEW team help.

iii) A pastoral transition that needs help

a) ReNEW team member meets with the congregation weekly or bi-weekly (1-2 hours each time for 6 weeks) to study a congregational self-assessment type Bible Study such as Flickering Lamps,

b) The congregation commits to 40 days of prayer before God.

c) After 40 days of prayer, the congregation hears initial ASSESSMENT report and possible next steps.

d) Congregation votes to enter a 3–6-month formal ReNEW process per their bylaws. There is a cost of $1,000 which is used to offset mileage costs and basic expenses for ReNEW consultants.

ReNEW team representatives meet with the congregation at least bi-monthly in “town-hall” style meetings and may provide occasional pulpit supply through an intentional DISCOVERY and ENVISIONING process. The church typically forms a DISCOVERY team to work with the GCA ReNEW team. Evaluations typically include:

a) Congregational Dynamics/Relationships

b) Financial Analysis

c) Congregational demographics (e.g. - Attendance, participation, baptism, education patterns along with Annual Church Profile review.)

d) Facilities review (e.g. – strengths, weaknesses, repairs needed, etc.)

e) Community demographic research and connections

a) ReNEW team and church DISCOVERY team representatives RECOMMEND and PRESENT a proposed STRATEGY (e.g. – Refocus, Revitalize, Replant, Merger, Fostering, Replant, etc.) to the congregation based on our shared journey of discovery.

b) Following an agreed upon period of consideration (typically 1 to 2 weeks), a congregational meeting is held to vote to AFFIRM the recommendation made by the ReNEW team.

1) ReNEW team representatives work with the congregation to IMPLEMENT the recommended strategy voted on by the congregation. (Typically, 2-5 years process.) This may include assisting with:

a) Congregational training in evangelism, leadership development,

b) Equipping the congregation with the right technical tools, facilities, materials, strategies, etc.

c) Pastoral training and/or RePlant Residency

d) Developing key partnerships with other congregations and/or leaders

e) Assistance with resourcing

An intentional but more gradual process of deliberately implemented strategic change in almost every area of church life. Requires active repenting, restoring right relationships, and renewing a lived commitment to Great Commission. The church needs to be in good health financially and congregationally and they must have most members living in their community and be open to significant change. They must also be willing and capable of paying a significant price in time, resources, and change.

Relaunch as a new church (may require a formal closure). This usually involves new leadership, a redeveloped or new identity, and adopting new strategies in every major area of church life. The church must be open to major change but still desire to continue to minister to the community personally. Current leaders are willing to take a backseat to new leadership and forsake autonomy temporarily to gain outside resourcing. It requires significant partnerships and outside resources but is often the most successful model.

A stronger, HEALTHY church takes the lead as a mentor/developer congregation for a pre-determined but renewable time in a strategic covenant with the intent to release a mature congregation on their own once they are genuinely healthy and independent.

A more potent, HEALTHY church takes the lead as two churches unite.

o Marriage – Two churches, with different strengths, become fully united in a new organization where a new culture and vision emerge.

o Adoption – The healthier church adopts the weaker congregation on its own, with the healthier church’s vision, structure, strategy, and leadership becoming primary.

Brief (calendared) hospice-type care; transition of congregation members to other churches; disposition of assets in a missionally strategic manner.