Part 2: Renewal begins in you
Second in a four-part series on renewal in pastors and local churches.
Our God truly is a God of renewal. He loves to renew things, bringing the dying and declining back to life for His glory. Of course, this includes the renewal of struggling churches. And if there is one thing we know about genuine church renewal and revitalization, it must always begin with spiritual renewal in the life of the congregation, which starts first in the heart of the pastor leading that congregation.
Spiritual renewal in a revitalization pastor or leader isn’t going to come as a result of any man-powered method. Whether it be branding strategies, creativity and ingenuity, new programs, or updated cool buildings – as great and needed as these things might be – what we need more is for the Lord to move in power in and through our own hearts. We need Him to do what only He can do: bring life where there’s little to no life, and hope where there’s little to no hope.
Spiritual renewal is radically dependent on God moving in power. That’s why seeking personal spiritual renewal is and must be our top priority as church leaders.
I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s and, like most kids my age, I was obsessed with Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls. My room back in the day was covered with Michael Jordan posters.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve reflected on Jordan’s career. One thing that amazes me about Jordan, and other elite athletes, is their obsession with the basics, the fundamentals of their game. Jordan once said you can practice shooting baskets eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way. He said we need to get the fundamentals down, and then the level of everything we do will rise.
Jordan is right. Mastering the fundamentals is the key to being great at anything in life – including being faithful and effective leaders in our work with struggling churches.
The most important fundamental in this work of church renewal is the ongoing renewal of your love for Jesus personally. Nothing matters more in your ministry than your relationship with Jesus Christ. It was true when you got saved, and it’s true now. Nothing else even comes close.
Here’s our reality as leaders: We cannot give to others what we do not have ourselves. If we want to see our churches filled with joyful, passionate disciples of Jesus, it begins with us pursuing Christ with all we are. We must be able to say with Paul in Philippians 1:21 that “for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
I don’t know about you, but I often think about how short life is. We don’t know how many days we have left. But however many days that might be, I hope we desire to live each of them for the glory of Christ! To know Him, love Him, and be loved by Him, that these realities would fuel every single thing we do. What discouraged and declining churches need most from you and I as pastors and leaders is this kind of true love and devotion to Jesus.
Listen, you should never feel bad about taking the time you need to pursue more joy in Jesus. In fact, this must be your No.1 goal and pursuit: more of Christ in your life! We need more of His strength, His power, His comfort, and His hope each and every day that we live and minister. The truth is, it is impossible for us to serve as faithful, effective leaders in a renewal movement apart from the power of Christ within us. How arrogant of me to think I can do this on my own! I’m a joke on my own. I need Him! And so do you.
What’s so great is that God is saying, “I want to fill you with my power. I didn’t call you to this work to do it in your own strength. I called you so I might empower you to do this work for my glory.” What a promise! Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing.”
Did you hear that? Jesus says we can’t do anything of eternal significance apart from Him. But at the heart of this statement is the deep, deep love our Savior has for every one of us. Jesus is inviting us to abide in Him day by day, moment by moment. He is telling us not to trust in ourselves and our limited strength, but to trust in Him and His mighty power! What a joy that we get to abide in our Savior! To know Him and be known by Him. To be empowered by Him for all He has called us to do.
Friends, this is the power we need to love, encourage, and lead hurting people and hurting churches. Above all else, pursue Jesus – in prayer, in worship, in the Word. Pursue him with all you are by the grace and power of His Spirit that dwells within you, that you might be the revitalization pastor and leader He has called you to be.
Published April 16, 2025
