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.
    Subscribe...
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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
  • Ep. 25 | Gospel-Centered Fellowship and Missional Engagement | Nathan and Bart

    Ep. 25 | Gospel-Centered Fellowship and Missional Engagement | Nathan and Bart
    Jul 1 2025
    Gospel-Centered Fellowship and Missional Engagement for Church Revitalization Episode Overview
    In this milestone episode marking one year of the Revitalize My Church podcast, hosts Bart Blair and Nathan Bryant continue their series on the 10 essentials for church revitalization, based on insights from Terry Long of the North Carolina Baptist Association. They explore two critical elements that struggling churches need: gospel-centered fellowship and missional engagement. This episode reveals why surface-level community isn't enough and how churches can become truly missionary-minded in their local context.

    What Is Gospel-Centered Fellowship and Why Surface Level Community Isn't Enough
     Gospel-centered fellowship goes far beyond potluck dinners and social gatherings. Nathan Bryant explains that many revitalizing churches function primarily around Sunday morning experiences and may have meaningful relationships, but lack the "deeper fellowship of interconnectedness that allows for true deep community where real discipleship takes place."
    Key Characteristics of Gospel-Centered Fellowship:
    • Vulnerable community: Creating safe spaces for confession, accountability, and real spiritual conversations
    • Life-on-life ministry: Moving beyond listening to teaching toward discussing application together
    • Biblical accountability: Where people confess what God is telling them to do and follow up on obedience
    • Transformative engagement: Relationships that actually change how people live out their faith

    The Problem with Traditional Church Community:
     Most churches focus on large group experiences (Sunday worship, Sunday school) where relationships remain surface-level. While these relationships may be meaningful and long-term, they don't provide the intimate context needed for true spiritual transformation.

    How to Move Your Church Beyond Surface Level Relationships to Deep Community
     Creating gospel-centered fellowship requires intentional steps and cultural change, especially in churches where people have known each other for decades but haven't experienced deeper spiritual community.

    Practical Steps for Pastors and Church Leaders:
    1. Visit and participate in churches that are successfully doing gospel-centered fellowship
    2. Create an incubator group with 4-5 solid families rather than trying to implement church-wide immediately
    3. Experience it yourself first - leaders need to understand the value before asking others to participate
    4. Teach the biblical foundation through preaching before launching programs
    5. Start slow but intentional - focus on quality relationships over quick expansion
    Essential Elements for Success:
    • Smaller group contexts where vulnerability is possible
    • Regular spiritual conversations about how God's Word applies to daily life
    • Accountability structures that encourage obedience to Scripture
    • Prayer and confession as normal parts of community life
    What Does Missional Engagement Mean for Churches Going Through Revitalization
     Missional engagement focuses on what churches do outside their building to connect with their community. Nathan defines it as "what we're doing with our lives in the corporate nature of the church, the group nature of the church, and the individual lives...
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    27 mins
  • Ep. 024 | Implement the DREAM Strategy | Brian Moss

    Ep. 024 | Implement the DREAM Strategy | Brian Moss
    Jun 15 2025
    Pastor Brian Moss of Oak Ridge Church shares his proven DREAM framework that transformed a dying congregation of 30 into a thriving church with 101% small group participation over 25 years.
    Brian, a former computer engineer who didn't grow up in church, reveals how he developed a systematic approach to balance the five fundamental church purposes: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism. He breaks down his DREAM acronym - Design services for lost people, Reach with the gospel, Engage in growth, Activate in ministry, and Mobilize for missions.
    Key topics include creating guest-friendly services without compromising the gospel, systematic discipleship through small groups, and why 80% of modern church practices are more cultural than biblical. Brian also addresses the comparison trap destroying pastors and offers practical encouragement for church leaders feeling overwhelmed.
    Perfect for pastors, church planters, denominational leaders, and anyone seeking a biblical framework for sustainable church health and growth.
    Resources mentioned:

    • "The Dream Church" book by Brian Moss
    • Dream Church Conference (held annually each March)
    • Oak Ridge Church, Salisbury, Maryland
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    44 mins
  • Ep. 23 | Text Based Preaching and Intentional Discipleship in Church Revitalization | Nathan and Bart

    Ep. 23 | Text Based Preaching and Intentional Discipleship in Church Revitalization | Nathan and Bart
    Jun 4 2025
    Text Based Preaching and Intentional Discipleship in Church Revitalization Join hosts Bart Blair and Nathan Bryant as they explore two essential elements for successful church revitalization: text-driven preaching and intentional discipleship. Drawing from insights by Terry Long of the North Carolina Baptist Association, this episode reveals why these biblical foundations are game-changers for struggling churches.

    Key Topics:
    • Text-Driven Preaching: Learn the crucial difference between teaching and preaching, how to strategically choose Scripture passages for your church's specific needs, and why application matters more than information transfer.
    • Intentional Discipleship: Discover why discipleship doesn't happen by accident, how to create clear pathways for spiritual growth, and Jesus' proven model for developing mature followers.
    Nathan emphasizes that God's Word has transformative power when properly applied, while Bart shares his personal discipleship experience and the "laboratory vs. lecture" approach that accelerated his spiritual growth. Both hosts stress that church revitalization happens through heart transformation, not just methodology changes.
    Perfect for pastors, church leaders, and anyone passionate about seeing real life change in their congregation. This practical episode provides actionable strategies you can implement immediately to help your church move toward a healthy, fruitful future.

    Scripture Focus: Hebrews 4:12, 1 Corinthians 11:1, and the Great Commission's practical implications for modern discipleship.
    New episodes release on the 1st and 15th of each month. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and visit RevitalizeMyChurch.com for additional resources.
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    31 mins
  • Ep. 022 | Building Healthy Churches | AJ Mathieu

    Ep. 022 | Building Healthy Churches | AJ Mathieu
    May 15 2025
    Building Healthy Churches: A Conversation with AJ Mathieu of The Malphurs Group
    In this episode, we sit down with AJ Mathieu from The Malphurs Group to discuss church revitalization, leadership development, and building healthy churches. Drawing from his decade of experience in ministry and the legacy of Dr. Aubrey Malphurs, AJ shares valuable insights on how churches can move from decline to vitality.
    Key Quote     "We can't make anybody change. And we tell every single church we work with, we will lead you through this with the greatest capability and resources we have. But we cannot make you do the work. You have to want it." - AJ Mathieu

    About Our Guest AJ Mathieu serves with The Malphurs Group, continuing the legacy of Dr. Aubrey Malphurs who was a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary for 35 years and authored 26 books. The organization focuses on church health, revitalization, and leadership development.

    Key Insights from the Episode
     On Church Assessment "Ninety to ninety-five percent of churches are plateaued or declining in the U.S. and then even more broadly speaking in the West."
     The Malphurs Group evaluates churches in four key areas:
    • Mission focus
    • Current values assessment
    • Discipleship pathway
    • Vision assessment

    Common Revitalization Mistakes     "There's an illusion that us meeting and talking about things and planning is actually doing the work and it's not."
     Key pitfalls to avoid:
    1. Over-relying on cosmetic changes
    2. Implementing changes too quickly
    3. Extended planning without action
    4. Insufficient relationship building

    On Building Leadership Teams     "We want it to be a positive group of people that all feel positively about the potential for the future of the church working together."
    Recommended characteristics for strategic leadership team members:
    • Ministry leaders (paid or volunteer)
    • Future-focused individuals
    • Active church participants
    • People with godly character
    • Those who respect church authority

    Resources Mentioned
    The Malphurs Group Tools     Healthy Churches Toolkit
    • Comprehensive resource launched September 2023
    • Features training videos, assessments, and AI tools
    • Monthly workshops and new resources
    • Digital versions of Dr. Malphurs' assessments

    Book Reference
    "Advanced Strategic Planning" by Dr. Aubrey Malphurs
    • Essential resource for church leaders
    • Includes practical assessments and worksheets
    • Used in seminaries worldwide

    Connect with The Malphurs Group
    • Website: malphursgroup.com
    • Services available to churches across denominations
    • Free initial consultation available

    Final Encouragement     "No matter how alone you might feel in ministry, you're not. And there's people that want to see you thrive and they want to see you get back to that first vision you had... whenever God called you to ministry." - AJ Mathieu
    The episode emphasizes that while church revitalization is challenging, it's possible with the right approach, proper pacing, and adequate support. The key is being willing to do the work while maintaining hope and seeking help when needed.
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    42 mins
  • Ep. 021 | Prayer and Worship in Church Revitalization | 10 Necessary Elements in Church Revitalization

    Ep. 021 | Prayer and Worship in Church Revitalization | 10 Necessary Elements in Church Revitalization
    May 1 2025
    Essentials for Church Revitalization - Part 1
    Episode Overview
     In this episode, hosts Bart Blair and Nathan Bryant introduce a new mini-series focusing on the "10 Essentials for Church Revitalization." They cover the first two essentials in depth: Dependent Prayer and Christ-Centered Worship.

    Introduction
    • Hosts: Bart Blair (Director of Church Revitalization) and Nathan Bryant (Executive Director) from Assist Church Expansion
    • New episodes are released on the 1st and 15th of each month
    • This episode kicks off a mini-series based on content from Terry Long of North Carolina Baptists
    The 10 Essentials for Church Revitalization
    1. Dependent Prayer
    2. Christ-Centered Worship
    3. Text-Driven Preaching
    4. Intentional Discipleship
    5. Gospel-Centered Fellowship
    6. Missional Engagement
    7. Joyful Hospitality
    8. Meaningful Membership
    9. Hopeful Vision
    10. Leadership Development
    Dependent Prayer
     Key Points Discussed:
    • Prayer acknowledges our complete dependence on God's power
    • Common issues in struggling churches:
      • Lack of personal, corporate, and intentional prayer
      • Absence of prayer for leadership during pastoral vacancies
      • Failure to pray specifically for church renewal
    • Spiritual benefits of prayer:
      • Fosters unity and healing of relational rifts
      • Addresses apathy toward evangelism
      • Renews belief that God can use the church to reach the lost
      • Aligns church leadership with God's will
    • Biblical foundations:
      • Zechariah 4:6 - "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts"
      • Psalm 127:1 - "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain"
      • James 5:16 - "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective"
    • Practical application:
      • Create an intentional prayer plan for the church
      • Involve elderly members who can contribute through prayer
      • Persist in prayer despite challenges (prayer is not a quick fix)
      • Resource mentioned: "Praying for Renewal in our Church" by Bart Blair (available on Amazon)
    Christ-Centered Worship
     Key Points Discussed:
    • Common issues in struggling churches:
      • Worship has become routine and predictable
      • Lack of clear outcomes and intentionality
      • Disconnected worship elements without flow
      • Focus on execution rather than encounter with Christ
    • Essential elements:
      • Reestablishing Jesus as the center of everything
      • Creating transformative encounters with Jesus
      • Designing worship that tells the gospel story
      • Maintaining Christ-centered (not self-centered) content
    • Warning about modern worship trends:
      • Many songs focus more on "me/my/mine" than on Jesus
      • Popular radio songs may be singable but not always worship-focused
    • Practical application:
      • Consider the journey and outcomes of worship
      • Include testimonies of life transformation
      • Ensure worship communicates that "this is a place where God is changing lives"
      • Focus on excellence without making it about performance
    Closing
    • Website: www.RevitalizeMyChurch.com for podcast archives and additional resources
    • Invitation to connect directly with Bart and Nathan via Zoom for customized help

    Related Resources
    • "Praying for Renewal in our Church" by Bart Blair (Amazon)<...
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    34 mins