Start with people, not programs

When a pastor steps into a church in need of revitalization, the temptation is to fix things. Tweak the Sunday service. Streamline the committee structure. Build a better website. Launch a new discipleship model.

But revitalization doesn’t start with structures. It starts with souls.

In Romans 12:2, Paul says, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Transformation, even corporate transformation, begins in the inner life. And this is just as true in churches as it is in individuals.

Relational Leadership in a Distrustful Culture

In today’s cultural climate, trust in institutions is at an all-time low—including the church. According to a 2023 Gallup study, only 31% of Americans say they have confidence in organized religion. That means the people in your pews (and outside them) are skeptical of authority, change, and systems.

That’s why relational leadership is essential. As a pastor or church leader, you’re not just managing an organization. You’re shepherding people through grief, disappointment, and, often, disillusionment.

Revitalization can’t be rushed.

How to Build Trust

Be present.
Show up at community events, meals, hospital rooms, and homes. Presence communicates care. Don’t underestimate the power of simply being where your people are. Attend their kids’ games. Join them at the local diner. Sit with them in their pain. Long before they’ll see you as a spiritual leader, they’ll notice your physical presence.

Listen well.
Don’t come in with all the answers. Ask questions and learn their story. Every church has a history, and often, that history carries wounds. Make space to hear about past hurts, long-held hopes, and unspoken fears. Validate people’s experiences, even if you plan to lead in a new direction. People are more likely to trust a leader who leads by listening.

Preach the Word.
Let the Spirit shape hearts through faithful, consistent gospel proclamation. Your people don’t need cleverness; they need Christ. Keep your sermons rooted in Scripture, pointing to Jesus and applying the gospel to everyday life. Don’t just address behavior—address belief. A revitalized church begins with a gospel-revived heart.

Love your people.
Before they’ll follow your vision, they need to know you love them. This isn’t about being liked—it’s about laying down your life for them in small and significant ways. Celebrate their joys. Walk with them through grief. Serve without a spotlight. Remember their names, their stories, and their spiritual journeys. Let them see that you care more about them than about what they can do.

Over time, this builds the foundation for healthy change. Systems will change, but only after souls are stirred.

Grace & Peace