Seven Tips for Navigating a Church Replant
The post-COVID era has brought changes to just about everything we know and the church is no exception. In this new season of ministry, church revitalization which was once attempted by calling a visionary leader to pastor a church is often accomplished through partnerships. In fact, there is a spectrum of options for churches seeking renewal. One of those options is a church replant. At the BMBA, we define a replant as the process by which a legacy church passes their facility and resources through the association to a new work in that same location. This means that a church planter or a church plant will move into the legacy church and begin a new work which is built on the foundation of the legacy church.
If you are exploring replanting as an option for your ministry or your church, I would like to take a minute to share a few things that we have learned as we have helped numerous churches in the Birmingham area be replanted. Here are a seven essential tips for pastors exploring replanting.
Manage your expectations about the legacy members
In the early discussions between the Replanter and the Legacy Church, the members may get excited about the new direction and vision and begin to express some interest in participating in the new church. It is very plausible that a few of the members will remain, but many of the members will move on. As the Legacy Church members progress toward the vote to be replanted, the final service, and the passing of the torch, they will also be emotionally processing the loss of something that they love. There will be moments where they will have doubts and second thoughts. There will be moments of anger and blaming. There will be grief over the end of this season of ministry in the church. For many of the members, that grief will eventually subside and become release as they begin to realize that they are no longer duty-bound to the church and they begin to think about other opportunities. Some will finally be able to enjoy worshipping with their children or grandchildren or to attend a church in the community in which they live. This is an opportunity for the Replanter to shepherd those members toward the healthiest future for them, which may be another church. Weep with them when they weep and rejoice with them when they rejoice, but hold them loosely knowing that there is a good chance that they will not continue their journey with the new church.
Save some money for the hidden things.
Sometimes there are financial resources for church replanters that are granted by an organization or the Legacy Church. The BMBA encourages legacy churches bless the replant by designating resources for the new work. It is tempting to plan to use those funds for cosmetic and/or technological upgrades, but replanters should be careful to set aside a large portion of those funds in a contingency/emergency fund. Yes, everyone wants to get rid of the panelling and the marigold carpet, but not at the expense of air conditioning or plumbing. As the new church uses the Legacy building more, it is very possible that hidden flaws will be uncovered. Small water leaks, faulty plumbing, vintage wiring, or HVAC problems are to be expected. It would be a shame to have a remodeled sanctuary with a great sound system that is unusable because there are no funds left to repair a necessary system. One church spent $50,000 on plaster in the sanctuary and new flooring in their education space only to find a chronic roof leak which destroyed all the improvements between Sundays.
Speak gently about the legacy facility.
An eager replanter once walked through a Legacy facility with me and the key leaders from the Legacy church. As we walked, he pointed out all the things that he would change or that needed to be improved. The discussions had been moving along well, but after this incident, the legacy members began to back away. When they heard all the negative comments, they took offense and perceived it as ingratitude and criticism of their stewardship. Eventually, they did agree to be replanted, but this miscommunication almost derailed their revitalization. As a Replanter, it is important to guard our mouths. How our words are heard is more important than what we say. Many Legacy church leaders take great pride in their care of their church. For decades, they have supported and maintained those buildings, sometimes giving sacrificially of their time and money. Yes, there is probably deferred maintenance. Yes, the church may look like a time capsule buried decades ago. Yes, there is a long list of things that should be improved, repaired, or removed. However, this is the place where the legacy members were saved, baptized, married, and worshipped. This is where they came to be encouraged, to worship our Creator, to celebrate life’s victories, and mourn life’s losses. When you speak, you are speaking about one of the most sacred gifts that God gave to them, and when they eventually hand you the keys, they are entrusting you with something precious.
Wait to move in.
After the decision to be replanted has been made, things begin to line up for the replanter. You will have a long list of projects, areas to clean, and things to do which all require access to the building. Completing the paperwork for the legal transfer of the facility takes 30-45 days. You can also expect that the legacy church will want to have a final service at some point in the future. It is best to give them space and allow them to process the emotions of the decision that they have made to be replanted. The legacy church will have waves of regret, sorrow, joy, excitement, release, and much more. All of this would be compounded by an eager Replanter moving things, throwing things out, or changing things. Out of respect for the legacy church, give them time and space to enjoy their last few weeks of worship together before you begin remodeling or moving in.
Remember the Legacy church in your story.
Every church has a story and your replant is no exception. God has given your leadership and core team a vision for ministry. You have probably shared that vision with the legacy church. When they agreed to be replanted by a new church, they did not vote to die. Instead, they voted to become a critical part of your story. Their legacy will be passed on to you and your church will sit under the shade of the trees that they planted. Your stories are forever intertwined. As God blesses your ministry, you will have opportunities to share your story. When you do, please remember the legacy church. God used them to bless you and to give you an amazing resource as your church launched. When you remember them and share their faith with others, you are opening doors and planting seeds in the hearts of members of churches that may need to be replanted. You are also celebrating the grandness of a God whose plan for His church in your community stretched beyond any single church, but instead endures from generation to generation from season to season and from their church to yours.
Remember that revitalization, even replanting, is slow work. (It won’t look new soon)
Pastors involved in church revitalization are often visionaries who have a clear picture of what things could be. This vision is good because it drives us forward, motivates us to overcome obstacles, and infuses passion and clarity into our congregations. However, our desire to see this vision become a reality can bring disillusionment and can persuade us to do things sooner than they should be done. Revitalization and Replanting is slow work. Your church or your replant will probably not look new soon. The good news is that valuable ministry and spiritual growth can happen as you move toward your vision. Yes, lives can be changed and churches can be healthy even when the ministry is happening surrounded by marigold carpet and paneled walls. It will take time to suit the facilities to the new church’s tastes. It will take time for the community to realize that there is something new happening in that space. It will take time for the legacy church members (if they remain) to accept the new way of doing church. Strive to press forward toward your vision while you make disciples. Remember that God did not call you to remodel buildings, He called you to make disciples. Be busy making disciples and trust that God will provide the renovations and upgrades in His time.
In a replant, there are some improvements that are important enough to prioritize. This doesn’t mean that you have to do them all on day zero, but there are strategic areas that should be priorities for improvement. The children’s areas and bathrooms have long been proven to be critical points for guests in our churches. If these areas are in need of updating, the church will benefit from doing this sooner than later.
Count the cost
Replanting a church is hard work. The promise of a new location and a permanent home for a church plant is exciting. However, this building is probably not the solution to all the church’s problems. In many cases a new facility can be the source of new problems. If you have accepted the call to replant a church in a location for any reason other than the clear direction of the Holy Spirit, you will never see true success. God has a plan for your church and the legacy church and everyone involved in the replant should be sure that they are seeking God’s plan and not their own. Additionally, the physical, spiritual, and emotional toll on a replant pastor can be daunting. Pastors in general must be aware of the personal toll leading ministry can have on our lives and our relationships. If you are not emotionally and spiritually prepared for the work, take some time to pastor yourself and to prepare yourself to be a healthy husband, father, pastor, and man. The success or failure of your replant will either inspire others or discourage them. The church down the street or around the corner may be the next replant in your area and the members there will be watching to see how things progress. There is a reward for the hard work or replanting. A community will see God bring a dying church back to life. Christians will be reminded of purpose and calling. Unsaved people around the church will be impacted by the gospel. Running the race well is a reward in itself, so prepare yourself for the race and strive to finish well.