RECLAIM NOVEMBER 7-9, 2017 ORLANDO

When I say the word “reclaim” what comes to mind?

To get back that which has been lost or taken away Reclaim: To get back that which has been lost or taken away

Revitalization: The supernatural work of God that restores health in a church, evidenced by submission to God’s Word, right relationships among members, and a renewed commitment to Great Commission ministry.  

Replanting: The process in which members of a church discern God’s leadership to dissolve their current ministry and work with other churches or denominational bodies to begin a new church for a new season of ministry in their community.

Reclaim Mission: Coming alongside Pastors and churches, equipping them to reclaim the power and vision of their unique Great Commission calling.

God’s Word and Reclaim 1 Samuel 30 Nehemiah Revelation 2:4-5

Spiritual Renewal: a supernatural work and movement of God where he restores, revives and refocuses his people toward Great Commission health and impact.

Strategic Initiative: the means through which a God-given vision is translated and implemented into practical action steps for the purpose of effectively fulfilling his mission.

RECLAIM: 1 – Find strength in the Lord your God (spiritual renewal) 2 – Get your visionary process/strategy from him (strategic initiative) 3 – The joy of the Lord returns among God’s people

Joshua Reclaims the Promised Land

CHURCH LIFE CYCLE

WHAT CAUSES CHURCHES TO GET STUCK? 1. Inadequate leadership (pastoral and/or lay leadership) 2. Loss of vision 3. A changing community (demographics) 4. An aging congregation 5. Inward focus (lack of outreach) 6. Resistance to change (traditionalism) 7. Power struggles (internal politics) 8. Church split (divisiveness) 9. Inadequate facilities 10. Spiritually unhealthy (no growth process) 11. Low morale (discouragement)

Essentials for the Reclaim Journey

1. God’s call on your life Joshua 1:1-3 “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”

“Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to his summons and service.” - Os Guinness – The Call

Pastor Self-Assessment of Readiness for Change Leading from Your Strengths Profile DISC Biblical Behavioral Assessment

2. God’s spiritual preparation in your life Joshua 3:5 “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Returning to Holiness by Gregory Frizzell ThePathway to God’s Presence by Tom Elliff Refresh: The Road to Revival Bible Study by Michael Catt

Develop and implement a church-wide prayer strategy: 40 Day Prayer Devotional Guide Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala The Battle Plan for Prayer by Stephen and Alex Kendrick How to Develop a Powerful Prayer Life by Gregory Frizzell Pray Like It Matters by Steve Gaines The Presence Centered Church by Bill Elliff

3. God’s presence and his leading Notice God’s promise to Joshua: “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:5, 9) Personal Life History/Spiritual Markers Exercise

Joshua 3:2-3 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.”

 Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Establish a Vision Team What is God’s vision for your church in its unique ministry context and setting? (Church history, Church Life Cycle, Church & Community Demographics, etc) What changes to systems and structures are needed? What will be the intentional strategy for making disciples in your church? How will you build a more evangelistic, outward-focused culture in the church?

Establish a Vision Team What will it look like for you to be a more praying church? What will be the on-going process for developing leaders? How will the church deal with troublemakers & opposition? (church discipline) What changes or improvements to buildings, property, technology, etc are needed?

Prayer Church Assessment Community Assessment Church History

Mission – Vision – Core Values – Goals & Objectives – Action Steps – Evaluation Simple Church by Thom Rainer Church Unique by Will Mancini Advanced Strategic Planning by Aubrey Malphurs Strategic Envisioning Workshop by The Malphurs Group “Repurposed” The Nehemiah Model by Darwin Meighan

4. God will take you places you have never been before Joshua 3:4 “Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.” Jerusalem Judea Samaria The ends of the earth

Leading Change Readiness for Change Assessment for Churches Who Moved My Pulpit? – Leading Through Change by Thom Rainer Our Iceberg Is Melting by John Kotter Change Is Like A Slinky by Hans Finzel Leading Change and Managing Conflict PPT by Darwin Meighan

5. God’s Word is central Joshua 1:6-8 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Joshua 3:9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.”  Joshua 4:8 So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them.   John 14:15 (Jesus speaking) If you love me, keep my commands.

 Joshua 3:7-8 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”

6. God’s people must move forward in the Unity of the Spirit Joshua 3:17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

John 17:22-23 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Ephesians 4:1-6 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Letter from Concerned Member (Anonymous)

Leading Change and Managing Conflict Ministering to Problem People in Your Church by Marshall Shelley Pastor Abusers: When Sheep Attack Their Shepherd by Kent Crockett Peacemaker Church: Building a Culture of Peace by Ken Sande Healing the Heart by Ken Quick

7. Pray and believe God for a successful reclaim journey Joshua 3:13-16 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. 

Joshua 3:13-16 (continued) It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

Joshua 3:17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

8. Remember God’s mighty acts and tell others what he has done Joshua 4:19-24 On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’  

Joshua 4:19-24 (continued) Worship God Remember what God has done For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” Worship God Remember what God has done Remember whose you are Make God known to everyone

CROSS – OVER PRAYING

Some Best Revitalization Resources