ReClaimed Church: How Churches Grow, Decline, and Experience Revitalization

by Bill Henard

It's no churches are dying. Tragically, thousands of churches in the United States are shrinking, some closing their doors forever. The key to reversing these trends, argues Bill Henard, is for a local church to recognize where it is in the church life cycle. Unless churches intentionally do something about it, many of them will follow the same from birth, to plateau, and eventually, to death. But if a church learns to identify its place within the life cycle and embraces the necessary processes, it can return to growth. In a day when church membership has decreased, evangelistic zeal has cooled, and budgets are disappearing, ReClaimed Church is the tool that struggling churches need. Having previously written and taught seminary courses on church revitalization, Bill Henard uses his expertise to provide all the practical insights and instructions needed to reclaim your church.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2018

Reviews

[Wes Faulk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to study under Dr. Henard for my doctorate. Not only does he know what it takes to lead a church to new life, he is an active practitioner in supporting and equipping pastors across West Virginia. This small book is an invaluable resource in equipping the local pastor to revitalize or replant the church. Read it, underline it, and put it into practice.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good reminders. Normal reminders on the life stages of a church ad the death spiral. Strategy for how to revitalize. Helpful description of the trends on both and wakeup calls of the urgency of pushing forward and not maintaining.

[James Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are going to read one book on church revitalization, read this one. The author quotes from many sources so if you have read much on the topic some parts will be redundant. I enjoyed it having read everything he quotes. It is a great manual for revitalization.

[Miles Mullin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good handbook that identifies the causes and stages of church decline as well as the necessary steps for revitalization. Recommended for anyone who is considering leading a church that needs to revitalization. Helpful for ministry leaders as well as white leaders.

[Dennis Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. Very readable and extremely practical. This is a solid plan to see a healthy church stay so, a plateaued church get back on track, and a declining church be reclaimed.

[Cory Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only real critique would be that it pulls a lot on others work. Besides that really really helpful book on walking through revitalization, identifying it, and what processes might “fix” them.

[Ashley Clubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for seminary. Thankful that repentance brings life, both individually and collectively as the Church.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were points well made, and others I disagree with. Overall, it is worth a read, if only for some thought-provoking ideas and discussion generation.