Leading churches in revitalization has been the heartbeat of my entire ministry. I have had the joy of standing before the people of God for more than four decades. I also have observed how often pastors tend to migrate to the New Testament when they discuss the idea of revitalization. Allow me this opportunity to share with you some powerful reasons why the Old Testament is a critical component of revitalization preaching.<\/p>\n
The best way to understand the health of a church is to examine it through the lenses of the congregation\u2019s own narrative. Every church is, and has, its own story. Revitalization involves helping a congregation understand the story they are living and writing. The reality is that many congregations fail to appreciate the impact that decline has exacted in their story. When a church is in decline, the story that is most often told is all about the \u201cgood old days.\u201d This story is filled with grief and nostalgia.<\/p>\n
Revitalization is the reclaiming of vision when dreams become the storyline.<\/p>\n
A good story has several parts: the characters, the plot, the conflict, and the conclusion. Just as there are multiple characters that make up each Old Testament story, many members influence the life cycle of the local church. When you examine the patriarchs of the Old Testament, you will see the amazing work of God in and through individuals. Preaching from the Old Testament affords you the opportunity to both cheer the heroes and boo the villains. In the revitalization process, both types of individuals will be apparent.<\/p>\n
The plot, or theme, of every Old Testament story is that God is actively working in the lives of people for the purposes of redemption and for His glory.<\/strong>\u00a0He leads people to a new land. In true revitalization, many people will make a journey they have never made before. God declared to Joshua that He would lead the people to a place they had never been before. Many in the local church today have experienced the decline of the church, but sadly few have personally experienced revitalization. A great way to illustrate the steps necessary for revitalization would be preaching on the crossing of the Jordan in Joshua 3 and 4. I am convinced that revitalization is a journey, not merely a destination.<\/p>\n