Six Reasons Relaunching Is More Difficult Than Revitalizing or Replanting

Relaunching. Revitalizing. Replanting.

So many “re” prefixes. It gets confusing.

Let’s review our definitions. Revitalizing means an existing congregation experiences health and turnaround. Replanting typically means another church acquires a declining or dying church and starts it anew. Relaunching could be considered a hybrid approach. A declining or dying church re-starts itself. There is usually a name change, but there is not an acquisition by another church.

Of the three, relaunching is both the rarest and most difficult. Let’s look at six reasons this challenge has many obstacles.

1. Relaunching can be perceived to be a magic bullet. The congregation sometimes think they can slap a new name on the sign, have a grand re-opening, and watch growth take place.
2. Relaunching does not always address the issues and people that are barriers to church health. Church health is a DNA issue. Without changes in the essential hearts and attitudes of the people, healthy change will not take place.
3. Relaunching can divide a church. This divide can occur along many fault lines, especially worship styles and name changes.
4. Relaunching will struggle if expectations and sacrifices are not explicit and clear. Otherwise, members will have varying expectations about the changes and results of a new launch. Clarity and transparency are essential.
5. Relaunching is often a compromise. It’s the “in-between” decision between revitalization and replan There is not a total commitment to the process.
6. Relaunching…