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Revitalize My Church

Revitalize My Church

By: Assist Church Expansion
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 Hosted by Bart Blair and Nathan Bryant, two respected coaches in the field of church renewal, the Revitalize My Church podcast provides real-world advice and encouragement in each episode. In addition to insights provided by Bart and Nathan, you’ll also hear interviews with pastors and church leaders who have personally been involved in a successful church turnaround. They discuss the revitalization journey, keys to renewal, and lessons learned.© 2024 Christianity Economics Management Management & Leadership Spirituality
Episodes
  • Ep. 28 | The Power of Church Hospitality | Mary Ann Sibley

    Ep. 28 | The Power of Church Hospitality | Mary Ann Sibley
    Sep 15 2025
    From Parking Lot to Pew: The Power of Church Hospitality
    Church Hospitality Can Transform Your Ministry
     In this episode of Revitalize My Church, host Bart Blair interviews MaryAnn Sibley, a church hospitality expert who helps declining churches build effective volunteer teams and create welcoming environments that turn first-time visitors into regular attendees.
    How First Impressions Ministry Changes Everything
     MaryAnn shares her powerful testimony of going from Buddhist background to church leadership, emphasizing how strategic hospitality volunteers in the parking lot and at church doors made all the difference in her first church experience. Learn why "the sermon starts in the parking lot" and how your church can implement this principle.

    Building Volunteer Teams That Actually Work
    Discover the key insight that revolutionizes volunteer ministry: "You don't need more volunteers, you need the right volunteers." MaryAnn explains how to:

    • Identify and recruit the right people for hospitality roles
    • Create volunteer teams that focus on discipleship, not just task completion
    • Turn Sunday service into a "spiritual gymnasium" for volunteer growth
    Practical Church Growth Strategies for Small Churches
    Perfect for pastors leading churches of 50-200 people, this episode covers:

    Parking Lot Ministry Best Practices
    • Why every church needs parking lot volunteers (even with empty spaces)
    • How to train volunteers to create meaningful first impressions
    • Making visitors feel expected and welcomed from the moment they arrive

    Creating a Welcoming Church Culture
    • The difference between greeters and ushers
    • Strategic volunteer placement throughout your church building
    • How to help longtime members connect with newcomers

    Hospitality That Covers Ministry Weaknesses
     Learn how excellent church hospitality can compensate for:
    • Less-than-perfect music ministries
    • Developing preaching skills
    • Limited children's programming
    • Small church size

    Church Revitalization Through Volunteer Development
     MaryAnn demonstrates how volunteer ministry becomes discipleship opportunity, helping both volunteers and visitors grow spiritually while strengthening the entire church body.

    Guest Bio: MaryAnn Sibley - Church Hospitality Consultant
     MaryAnn Sibley helps churches across the country develop effective hospitality and volunteer teams. With experience helping a church grow from 100 to 6,000 attendees, she now coaches church leaders in creating welcoming environments that facilitate genuine church growth.


    Connect with MaryAnn:
    • Website: maryannsibley.com
    • Instagram: Follow for practical hospitality tips and volunteer leadership insights

    Key Takeaways for Church Leaders
    • Start with a few committed volunteers rather than trying to recruit large teams
    • Focus on discipleship through service opportunities
    • Create consistent welcoming experiences from parking lot to sanctuary
    • Expect God to bring new people and prepare accordingly
    • Authenticity matters more than perfection in church hospitality

    Perfect for:     Pastors, church volunteers, hospitality teams, small church leaders, anyone interested in church growth through improved first impressions.
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    40 mins
  • Ep. 027 | Joyful Hospitality and Meaningful Membership | Nathan and Bart

    Ep. 027 | Joyful Hospitality and Meaningful Membership | Nathan and Bart
    Sep 1 2025
    Episode 27 - Joyful Hospitality & Meaningful Membership
    Episode Details
    Podcast:     Revitalized My Church
    Episode: 27
    Hosts: Bart Blair & Nathan Bryant (Executive Director, Assist Church Expansion)
    Release Date: September 1, 2025
    Topic: Church Revitalization Essentials #7 & #8
    Episode Summary
     After a brief hiatus in August, Bart and Nathan return to continue their series on church revitalization essentials based on a framework from Terry Long and the North Carolina Baptists. This episode focuses on two critical elements that can make or break a church's revitalization efforts: creating an atmosphere of joyful hospitality and establishing meaningful membership that goes beyond just having your name on a roll.
    Main Topics Covered
    1. Joyful Hospitality: Three Levels of Welcome
     Why Hospitality Matters:
    • First-time visitors are often scared and uncertain
    • Many haven't been to church in 15-20 years or ever
    • People are looking for connection and acceptance
    • We represent Jesus and "the joy of the Lord is our strength"

    Three Levels of Hospitality:
    1. Front Door Experience
      • Genuine, joyful greeters (not just going through motions)
      • Warm welcome without being overwhelming
      • Clear directions for newcomers
    2. Corporate/Building Hospitality
      • Thinking like hosts in our own home
      • Clean, welcoming physical environment
      • Clear signage and navigation
      • Thoughtful preparation for guests
    3. Personal Hospitality
      • Leaders modeling hospitality in their homes
      • Inviting people into your life beyond Sunday
      • Building real relationships and community
      • Cultural shift that starts individual, becomes corporate

    2. Meaningful Membership: Beyond Names on a Roll
     The Problem with Current Membership:
    • Many churches have 60-80 members but only 25-50 in attendance
    • No clear expectations or obligations
    • Membership becomes a finish line instead of starting point
    • People commit more to little league than to church

    What Meaningful Membership Looks Like:
    • Covenantal commitment both directions (pastor to members, members to church)
    • Clear expectations and benefits
    • Active participation requirements
    • Integration into church family as team members/partners

    Key Components of Membership Expectations:
    • Regular attendance
    • Serving in ministry
    • Participation in small groups
    • Financial support
    • Investing in relationships with non-believers
    • Respecting church leadership and authority
    • Commitment to church mission and values

    Key Quotes
     "When you actually are thinking about how we gonna grow this thing, how we're gonna move forward, well, the primary way you're gonna do that is through relationships and connecting with people." - Nathan Bryant


    "If you're not committed to one another, in my opinion, you're not a church." - Nathan Bryant


    "The moment that they say yes to being a disciple of Jesus, a follower of Jesus, that's not the end game. That's the beginning of the race." - Bart Blair


    Practical Tips & Action Items
     H...
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    39 mins
  • Ep. 26 | Revitalizing Children’s Ministry | Lisa Rowland

    Ep. 26 | Revitalizing Children’s Ministry | Lisa Rowland
    Jul 15 2025
    Revitalizing Children's Ministry: Essential Strategies for Churches Ready to Welcome Families
    Is your church struggling to attract and retain families with children? In this comprehensive episode, host Bart Blair interviews Lisa Rowland, a seasoned children's ministry leader and consultant with Life Catalyst Consulting, who shares over 20 years of practical experience helping churches of all sizes build thriving children's programs.
    Lisa's unique journey from corporate business management to children's ministry leadership provides valuable insights for church leaders looking to create welcoming, safe, and effective programs that partner with families in discipleship. Whether your church hasn't had children in years or you're preparing for growth, this episode offers actionable strategies you can implement immediately.
    Key Topics Include:
    • Essential safety protocols and background check requirements for children's ministry
    • Creating inviting spaces for families on any budget
    • Proven volunteer recruitment strategies that work in small churches
    • Curriculum selection guidance for different church sizes and volunteer capacity
    • Building sustainable ministry teams vs. relying on solo teachers
    • Simple check-in systems that don't require expensive technology
    • Effective partnership strategies between church and family discipleship
    • Leadership skills needed to oversee vs. teach in children's ministry

    Perfect For:     Church planters, pastors of aging congregations, volunteer children's ministry leaders, church revitalization teams, and anyone interested in effective family ministry strategies.


    About the Guest:     Lisa Rowland serves at Bridgeway Church in North Texas and consults with churches nationwide through Life Catalyst Consulting. Her corporate background provides unique organizational and leadership insights that translate powerfully to ministry settings.
    Resources Mentioned:     Life Catalyst Consulting (lifecatalyst.com), church management software options, design tools, and curriculum resources for churches with limited budgets.

    This 40-minute conversation provides practical, immediately applicable strategies for churches ready to welcome families and build children's ministry programs that make a lasting impact.
    Subscribe to Revitalize My Church Podcast     for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month, featuring practical ministry insights and transformation stories from churches successfully reaching new families and growing younger.
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    44 mins
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