‘It is only a matter of time before declining churches will have closed their doors for good because no one sounded the alarm.’
Our culture is becoming increasingly hostile to Christianity, and despite church planting becoming more popular; our churches are dying more quickly than we can plant new ones. We are struggling to reach our communities for Jesus.
In this timely and much needed book, John James urges us to wake up to this crisis. John argues that if we are to build up existing church members and reach new ones for Jesus then we can’t simply pull the plug on dying churches in favour of planting new ones. John honestly and warmly shares his own experiences of revitalisation and his passion to see churches transformed by the God who delights to resurrect the dead.
This book is an essential read for those considering this kind of ministry, or for those who want to understand the role revitalisation can play in the re–evangelisation of our nation.
Whilst the recent upsurge in church planting is hugely encouraging, church revitalisation has all too often been neglected as a vital strategy for re–evangelising the nation. In this new book John James makes a compelling case for the importance of church revitalisation. Written with a pastor’s heart, and drawing on his experience as a practitioner at Crossways Church in Birmingham, he explains the theological foundations for revitalising churches, presents an inspiring vision of the gospel potential of revitalisation and shares practical wisdom for those leading church revitalisations. Written in a lively, accessible and engaging style, and drawing on case–studies of successful church transformations from across the country, this book will challenge present and future church leaders to reconsider their attitudes towards declining and dying churches. I hope this book is a great success – it deserves to be. I look forward to promoting it.
John Stevens – National Director, FIEC
Wish I’d have had this 3 years ago. I’d have stuffed up considerably less! Excellent stuff from John James & @10ofthose pic.twitter.com/LavJw5k4G5
— Graham Thomson (@goldenpthomson) November 24, 2016
John James’ book is a passionate call to consider the option of Church revitalisation as part of our evangelism strategy. It is grounded in life experience but it contains much more than the story of a Church that was close to death and then experienced new life. Running through this book is a heart for the lost, a desire to reach out to our marginalised communities and a commitment to work hard in tough unglamorous settings. John’s book is full of practical hard learnt lessons which have application far beyond the situation he is describing, much of this was directly relevant to my own situation Church planting in Lancaster. At every point he directs our gaze at God, His word, His work and His strength. I thoroughly recommend anyone considering pioneering a new work to read this book.
Karen Soole – Chair of the Northern Women’s Convention
John captures both the joys and pain of taking a church from sickness to health. This book born out of a personal faith in what God can do, will inspire and encourage you to see revitalisation as a God–given opportunity for the spread of the gospel in the UK. John is to be commended for his honest appraisal.
Phil Walter – Church Revitalisation Coordinator, FIEC
