Revitalization Resources

Love Accept Forgive Articles

Revitalization Suggested Reading

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There is an excellent selection of resources available today for study in the ministry of revitalization. Balance your selections, reading both those who speak from the spiritual perspective and those that are more pragmatic and managerial in their approach to bringing new life within a church. The following books are in no particular order but include both the spiritual and the leadership themes.

“What Jesus does for individuals, he also does for the church, the assembly of saved individuals. If we believe any person is worth saving, we must also believe that the church is worth saving.” ~ Sam Ranier

Fresh Encounter – Henry and Richard Blackaby
Old Paths New Power – Daniel Henderson
In The Day Of The Thy Power – Arthur Wallis
Can These Bones Live? – Bill Henard
Revitalize – Andrew Davis
From Embers To A Flame – Harry Reeder
Reclaiming Glory – Mark Clifton
The Church Revitalization Checklist – Sam Ranier
Fan The Flame – Jim Cymbala
Rut, Rot Or Revival – A.W. Tozer
Renovation Of The Church – Kent Carlson and Mike Lueken
Renewal For The Twenty-First Century – Waldo Werning
Anatomy Of A Revived Church – Thom Ranier
Disappearing Church – Mark Sayers
Reappearing Church – Mark Sayers
Lead To Revitalize! – Kentucky Baptist Convention
Waking To God’s Dream – Dick Wills
To Dream Again – Robert Dale
There’s Hope For Your Church – Gary McIntosh
The Church Revitalizer As Change Agent – Tom Cheyney

Missional Church Suggested Reading

An aim of revitalization is to restore a church in her role within the missio Dei, the mission of God. Understanding the role of the church from a missional perspective contributes much to leading a church forward into health because it emphasizes that there is a place for every church in every place. Health can be measured by our taking part in God’s mission to the people around us.

A church which pitches its tents without constantly looking our for new horizons, which does not continually strike camp, is being untrue to its calling…[We must] play down our longing for certainty, accept what is risky, live by improvisation and experiment.” ~ Hans Kung

*Be My Witnesses – Darrell Guder
*Missional Theology – John Franke
*Missional Church – Darrell Guder
Creating A Missional Culture – J.R. Woodward
*The Present Future – Reggie McNeal
Missional Renaissance – Reggie McNeal
The Tangible Kingdom – Hugh Halter
Shaped By God’s Heart – Milfred Minatrea
*The Shaping Of Things To Come – Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch
Rejesus – Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch
*Missional – Alan Roxburgh
*Introducing The Missional Church – Alan Roxburgh

Notes:

Books marked with an asterisk (*) are foundational texts. Read these first if you are new to missional ecclesiology.

Books in bold are must-read, fundamental to understanding the missional church.

Kingdom Gospel Suggested Reading

The good news that Jesus announces has much wider boundaries than his dying so we can go to heaven. When the Lord announces the kingdom has drawn near, He is communicating that the redemptive mission of God has moved into the reality of the world in Him. It is good news of hope for those who will vest their faith in Him. The gospel is also an invitation for those saved women and men to invest their lives in serving their king, in being a part of the mission themselves. Churches in decline need to hear this gospel, again and again. This gospel needs to shape their souls and their actions. That this redemptive truth is a reality needs to be the fuel of the church’s witness.

“The gospel story… defines the life of the Christian and the life of the church, while the life of the church and the life of the Christian is, correspondingly, a retelling and reinterpreting of the gospel story. The world has no access to the gospel story other than as it is narrated in the life, worship, and proclamation of the church… Through its service and being as witness, the church is a rendering of the gospel to the world.” ~ John Colwell

* How God Became King – N.T. Wright
Simply Good News – N.T. Wright
The Gospel Precisely – Matthew Bates
Why The Gospel? – Matthew Bates
Gospel Allegiance – Matthew Bates
* Embracing Grace – Scot McKnight
The King Jesus Gospel – Scot McKnight
*The Divine Conspiracy – Dallas Willard
The Gospel Driven Church -Jared Wilson
Gospel Wakefulness – Jared Wilson
*Gospel Fluency – Jeff Vanderstelt
* Becoming The Gospel – Michael Gorman

Notes:

Books marked with an asterisk (*) are foundational texts. Read these first if you are new to studying the kingdom gospel.

Books in bold are must-read, fundamental to understanding the King Jesus gospel.

The Revitalizer Cohort

If you would like to join in Zoom meeting of other NAB revitalizers, use the link below to email me your contact information. The day and time have not been set yet so we will be in touch. This can be a valuable time of prayer and sharing and learning so please consider joining and inviting others who would also benefit.

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