Reclaiming Glory: Revitalizing Dying Churches

by Mark Clifton

What is there about a dying church that brings glory to God? Mark Clifton's convicting answer is "Nothing."

Because a local church is intended to represent the work of God in a community, when that church "loses it saltiness," not only is God's work pictured as irrelevant in that community, but also dishonor and disrepute may well become associated with God's name as a result.

In Reclaiming Glory , Clifton draws not only upon his own burden for revitalizing dying churches but also upon years of church replanting experience to offer passionate counsel for how to breathe new life into a dying church . . . all for the glory of the God who is building his church upon the immovable rock of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Genres: Ecclesiology, Church, Christian, Leadership, Christian Living, Church Ministry

176 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2016

Reviews

[Caleb Stallings · Rating 4 out of 5]

One particularly helpful idea is an insistence that the local church must exist for its local community—a needed pushback against growing Evangelical entitlement.

[Knowlton Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to church revitalization. It is brief, but very practical and incredibly accessible. I started it a while ago, but really read basically the whole thing between yesterday and today. This is not a comprehensive summary, but a few things that really stuck out to me. Clifton provides tips for diagnosing a dying church and identifying common problems they face. He has six church replanting imperatives that all should be happening simultaneously: pray without ceasing, love the church's remaining members, exegete the community, simplify your strategy, focus on reaching young (18 to 35 y/o) men, make disciples who make disciples. He also has a list of eight characteristics that should typify a church replanter--he should be a man of much prayer and biblical preaching, but he should also be a visionary shepherd, have a high tolerance for pain, have a love for the local church and its history, be a resourceful generalist (able to handle all kinds of random tasks and yet do so with an eye for training others and eventually delegating those responsibilities), have an aptitude for serving in multigenerational contexts, have tactical patience, have a high emotional awareness (for himself and others), and have spousal support and clarity of call. Another idea that I love is how a dying church, even in the midst of the hard process of being revitalized, can be useful in helping ministries that will never benefit itself. Particularly, I'm interested in helping church plants. A 150 year old church with 15 members might have a gigantic building. In the midst of that dying 150 year old church getting healthy, there's plenty of space to say to a church plant in a nearby community, you guys can meet in our fellowship hall, or our chapel, or our Sunday School rooms, rent free, until you have the resources to move in the direction God is leading you. Clifton mentions that in a church he revitalized, at one point there were 4 separate churches meeting in his church's building on Sunday. Anyway, it was a good and helpful read.

[John Dube · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific.

[Mark Warnock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, easy-to-read introduction to the need, rationale and guiding principles for replanting declining churches. I'm hoping this trend accelerates, and this is a terrific book to fuel the fire.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book to read if you are in a church in need of making changes to grow instead of declining. The author provides insight as to why churches are dying and why they struggle to make changes. Church leadership refuses to include or turn over leadership to the younger generation, the location of the dying church may be in an area that will not allow it to thrive (no more people living near it anymore), they keep tons of activities going as if they are still a large church which causes volunteers to burn out, they are no longer a part of the fabric of the community, they value the decision-making process more than the outcomes of the process, they value personal preferences more than the needs of the unreached, and they blame the community for not being involved.

Six replanting imperatives are also described: pray without ceasing, love the church's remaining members, assess the community, simplify the strategy, focus on reaching young men, and make disciples who make disciples. Several church revitalization stories are provided.

I found the book very interesting since the church I attend is going through this exact process.

[Dave Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about church replanting. Taking a dying church and rebuilding it. While I don't consider the church I pastor to be dying, I do thing there are a lot of things intros book that could help just about any pastor do the hard work of reaching their community and instilling in their congregation a passion for people outside the church. Clifton is a pastor who has done this work and his book is full of a lot of real world advice. He is a Southern Baptist and there is some of that theological persuasion on display here. I didn't have any difficulty there even though I am not SBC. I bring this up only to prepare the reader who might struggle so that they don't get stuck and miss some very important points. This is an excellent book I wish I had read some time ago. Nonetheless I read it today and I look forward to putting some of it into practice.

[Ian Minielly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It is a quick read and worth the time it took to complete it. The stories of struggle are real. I have only been pastoring "full time" for about six years and I think most people in churches have no idea how other members in church behave, especially towards the pastor and his family.

Struggling churches are struggling for a reason and Clifton makes it clear that the enemy does not want to give up that ground willingly and your life will be very hard should you move in and try and take that territory back for the Kingdom of God. The struggle is real and while we may see the people doing the attacking, they are the unwitting pawns of Satan. Like the Pharisee's asking why Jesus is dining and reclining with sinners, members in dying churches will often attack any effort to reach the lost, especially when and if they start coming to services and being seen.

[James Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the Best Books on Church Revitalization
In "Reclaiming Glory," Mark Clifton puts forth the bold assertion that "nothing about a dying church brings glory to God." Tragically, 900 Southern Baptist Churches shut down and die each year. However, Clifton believes that God can call and raise up a generation of men with a mission of revitalizing a dying church. As one of those God called men, this book really touched my heart. The day to day struggles of replanting a dying church are real and great, but God is also real and God is also great. God never said that it was going to be easy. But He did promise to never leave you nor forsake you. "Reclaiming Glory" helped to give me hope and a new focus. It is one of the best books that I have read on church revitalization. If you are a seminary student, pastor, deacon, or a church leader of any kind, you need to read this book.

[Mark Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book. You can feel Mark’s passion for the local church - the people of God. You can also sense His excitement about the potential for every church to demonstrate the glory of God to the people in their community. This little book is full of powerful and profound spiritual insights, success stories and sober warnings. It’s worth the read for church leaders serving in any context: dying churches, thriving congregations and fledgling plants. Every church wants to express God’s glory to their neighbors. This powerful book can help.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest and heartfelt, but Chapter 8 should have been Chapter 1, and the epilogue and prologue switched. A solid look at the harsh and rewarding realities of replanting churches.

And, in more trivial matters, if you're going to reference Martyn Lloyd-Jones (always a good idea) then please spell his name correctly.

[Noah Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this short introduction to church revitalization and replanting. The stories and basic principles in this book would benefit the vast majority of pastors who lead struggling churches. I gave it 4 stars simply because of its introductory nature. I would love to see more stories and more depth and more insight into some of the main ideas.

[Stephen Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone called to revitalize a struggling church.

Mark Clifton gives great advise and Biblical teaching based on his experiences with replanting churches and discussions with others that have replanted and revitalized churches.

[Steve Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A needed encouragement to not just give up on the church, but to walk alongside those churches that are heading toward closing their doors. It points out the most important part of revitalization: You must guide people to fall back in love with Jesus!

[Hardie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a excellent book concerning church revitalization. Most of the evangelical church is North America is plateaued or declining. This book looks at practical and spiritual ways to lead a church into growth.

[Bryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clifton writes a book that is in depth, beneficial, and encouraging for anyone who is exploring replanting or revitalization.

I plan to use this book in the future as we assess future church replanters.

[Rev James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great primer in renewal

Very glad I found this book. It renewed my understanding of many things, but especially that church renewal will draw spiritual attack and that you deal with it in prayer

[DonniE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for Revitalization

It was refreshing to know there is away to bring life back into a church that has been on a flatlining pathway .. thanks Mark!

[Nathan Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this so highly simply due to its relevance. It’s timely and succinct and honest. Brutally honest, but brutally hope-filled.

[Andrea W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

To God be the glory. This is an amazing resource for all churches. The data alone put churches into relative context while resting on God to give the increase.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive work on revitalization! Well worth reading!

[Seth Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expect spiritual warfare. You are trying to reclaim territory that the enemy has held for years. Expect it to not be taken back easily. That’s what I learned from this book.

[Brandon Siwula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, yet challenging read.

[Roger Bryan Van Pelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Easy to read. Wise counsel. Passionate.

[Mark Hallock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!! Very important resource to help bring hope and encouragement to churches in decline. Clifton writes from experience, as one who has led effective biblical revitalization through humble, godly, biblical leadership. This book not only helps us to think through church revitalization both biblically and theologically, but it gives us practical tools on how to carry out this vital ministry. I highly recommend this book! I know I will be using it to help equip men in our church who are being trained to shepherd and revitalize dying congregations.

[Phillip Yarborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot of great insights for someone looking to replant or revitalize a local church. It's full of great testimonies and wise council for Pastors and leaders seeking to reignite the fire in an established church.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that brings hope and joy to dying churches.

[Eric Durso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stuff.