Episode 29: Leading through Change. How Does Church Transformation Happen? Church Turnaround Stories: What is Church Replanting All About? Soda Review: "When I look at this can, it does not scream Ramadan to me."

Today we talk about change, transformation, church death, church renewal, church replanting and revitalization with Pastor Michael Denton of First Baptist Nipomo and Pastor Jeff Woolstenhulme of Foothills Baptist in Los Altos. A church in FBC Nipomo that had 6 members left, and a church in Foothills Baptist that had 8 members - both on the verge of death very recently- now both churches are on the road to recovery. How could that happen both spiritually and practically? God is often more concerned about our character and godliness than our mission and success. Pro tips for church leaders and pastors leading through any kind of change. 1. OVERcommunicate and continue communicating. 2. Grieve the thing that needs to go in preparation for the next thing. 3. Know your priorities and prioritize your schedule. 4. Preach to 8 people like you'd preach to 100. 5. Remember, if you are changing, revitalizing, or replanting, you are in it for the long haul and lean into slow and steady growth. How to preach through the book of Deuteronomy in FIVE sermons! If we force change, such change will be human-powered and therefore won't last. Why pastors generally lean into doing more than praying, and why that mindset is dangerous to our longterm health and the health of our church! Prayer does the work. Prayer changes people. "When I look at this can, it does not scream Ramadan to me." Kerry Goode's testimony. How can a church understand when the diagnosis is bad?