Be Revitalized Before You Revitalize Others
Revitalizing a church requires a pastor to use his head, heart, and hands. Why? Because loving God and others involves our heart, mind, and strength. The task ahead of us is accomplished through the power of the Spirit, yet it also carries practical and realistic demands. We've likely heard the saying, "God must work in you before He can work through you." To be used by God means we must do the work to prepare to be used. This sometimes involves strengthening our emotional, physical, or spiritual muscles. Sometimes, we blame the lack of change or challenges on spiritual warfare instead of assessing our blind spots or areas of sin. To address these blind spots and prepare for God to use us, we should evaluate at least these three areas of vitality:
Spiritual Vitality: You are primarily a child of God—before you are a pastor or revitalizer. If you don’t prioritize your relationship with God through spiritual disciplines, you risk becoming performance-driven in your ministry. When pastors learn to be faithful servants of God—not merely individuals who study or talk about Him—they can become instruments God uses. James urges us to be doers, not just hearers; this element is often lacking in our preaching, preparation, and ministry methods. I wonder if this shortcoming arises because we neglect to take the time to internalize what we teach others. Before a pastor can lead a church revitalization, he must ensure his heart is revitalized daily. You can evaluate this area by asking questions such as: Am I aligned with God's will, or am I pursuing success or the successes of others? Is there a broken issue or hidden sin within myself? We must confront comparisons, idolatry, secret sins, and misaligned ambitions that keep us trapped. Spend time with God daily before doing things for God.
Spend time with God daily before doing things for God.
2. Mental Vitality: Ministry demands require us to enhance our knowledge, wisdom, and experience. Revitalization pastors must not waste mental energy on excessive ministry ideas, comparisons, making excuses, or adopting a victim mindset. The grass is not greener on the other side; it is green where you nurture it. If you are disorganized, unmotivated, or constantly making excuses, God will not bless you, and you will not find success on the revitalization journey with Him. Be honest about your weaknesses and either learn something new or collaborate with someone with that missing strength. We can achieve this in two ways: through knowledge acquisition and coaching. The revitalization pastor, especially if he is bi-vocational, should effectively plan his time and prioritize studying what is currently needed in his ministry. Coaching cohorts can assist this process by providing accountability, fostering growth, and aiding in strategic planning. Groups like these at the BCNE help you transition from discussing ideas and problems to implementing and resolving them. Improving a weak area or seeking guidance from experienced peers can strengthen mental resilience. We can learn from those who have shared their experiences and find support in others who have faced similar challenges and situations.
Improving a weak area or seeking guidance from experienced peers can strengthen mental resilience.
3. Physical Vitality: A pastor must prioritize his physical health. Pastors invest substantial physical effort in their ministries, which can become challenging when they sacrifice their well-being to meet all demands. Serving others should never come at the expense of one's health. A revitalizer should care for himself physically, just as he focuses on spiritual and mental aspects. We undermine all our spiritual efforts if we aren't responsible for the primary resource God has given us: our bodies. Our physical well-being profoundly impacts longevity in ministry. Just as we nurture our souls and what we feed them, we must also take care of our diet and activity levels. Take simple steps and connect with people who can help you eat healthily and exercise regularly. Since it is a spiritual issue, you will notice a direct impact on your mental clarity, faith, and effectiveness. However, I advise against adopting a “hustle” mindset. Success should not be the goal; the goal is faithful stewardship in all the right areas. Yes, we should work hard and always do our best, but not at the cost of our spiritual, physical, or relational well-being.
Our physical well-being profoundly impacts longevity in ministry.
Revitalization starts in our minds and hearts before extending to our hands. Only then can we help others discover similar revitalization within their souls. Prioritize your spiritual, mental, and physical well-being.