Preparing the Revitalizer to Lead Church Revitaliza6on Dr. Terry Rials, Presenter terry@crestviewokc.org
Nehemiah 1:1-3, The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twen$eth year, while I was in Susa the capitol,
2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the cap$vity, and about Jerusalem.
3 They said to me, The remnant there in the province who survived the cap$vity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.
Nehemiah 1:4, When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fas$ng and praying before the God of heaven. 5 I said, I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and
awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, 6 let Your ear now be aven$ve and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before
now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father s house have sinned.
7 We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.
Honest with God Sins of the sons of Israel His and his family s sins Corrup$on of the people Their failure to keep statues, ordinances and commandments.
Honest with Himself He allowed the king to see his sadness Then I was very much afraid (Neh 2:2c) What kind of leader are you?
Honest with the People You see the bad situa$on we are in (Neh 2:17). About how the hand of the Lord had been upon him (Neh 2:18) You, as the leader, interpret the situa$on
Honest with the People Assess what is in front of you and ar$culate this for others. Provide an honest, public declara$on.
Honest with the Opposi6on The God of heaven will give us success (Neh 2:20a) You have no por$on, right, or memorial in Jerusalem (Neh 2:20b) Sooner or later, you will have to address the vocal minority.
Develop a Vision- Call Most callings: Salva$on, calling, surrender, training, and ministry A revitalizer s calling: Awareness of need + Intense Prayer + Convic$on + Vision = Calling
Develop a Vision- Call Nehemiah did not have a mys$cal call you may not either. Out of his awareness of the need, Nehemiah developed a convic$on. His calling came from his own vision.
Expect Opposi6on Two forms: Opposi$on to the church itself. Opposi$on to the pastoral leaders. Nehemiah s enemies opposed him and his work.
Expect Opposi6on Be careful who you trust! Gatekeepers The Great Wall of China was penetrated by the Mongols at least four $mes.
Expect Opposi6on Be careful who you trust! Gatekeepers Nehemiah told them when they could open the gates. They had to be guarded if they were
Expect Opposi6on Be careful who you trust! Gatekeepers If we don t protect what we have avained, the enemy can come in and steal it (2 John 8; Rev 3:11)
Expect Opposi6on Be careful who you trust! Gatekeepers Levites and Singers Levites guarded the gates on the Sabbath. Ensured workers rested and worshipped
Become a Student of Revival and Revitaliza6on Go to work! G. Campbell Morgan Brokenness Sec$on 1 Sec$on Honesty 2 Vision- Call Sec$on Visin 3 Opposi$on Sec$on 4 Sec$on Revival 5
You put the boat upon the lake, and hoist your sail, and wait for the wind. Now it is blowing that is a fact. You do not know whence it comes, nor whither it goes that is a mystery. But you do not sit down in the boat, and say, I decline to make any use of this thing You put up your sail Brokenness Sec$on 1 Sec$on Honesty 2 Vision- Call Sec$on Visin 3 Opposi$on Sec$on 4 Sec$on Revival 5
Dan Jarvis, Sailboats are powerless they can only claim the $tle of organized drijwood...such a boat is useless in itself But now raise the sail! Brokenness Sec$on 1 Sec$on Honesty 2 Vision- Call Sec$on Visin 3 Opposi$on Sec$on 4 Sec$on Revival 5
Pastors, Prepare for the wind! Brokenness Sec$on 1 Sec$on Honesty 2 Vision- Call Sec$on Visin 3 Opposi$on Sec$on 4 Sec$on Revival 5
What Are the Characteris$cs of Good Revitalizers? 1. Exhibit a brokenness before the Lord over the situa$on of the church. 2. Demonstrate an ac$ve, effec$ve, and consistent prayer life. 3. Seek God and get their vision from Him. 4. Are completely honest with themselves and with God about their sins and the sins of the people they lead. 5. Are pa$ent plodders who seek counsel, and who also understand the importance of $ming (Eccles 8:5). 6. Make very informed decisions and s$ck with them. 7. Are passionate people who are completely commived to their Lord, the church, and the revitaliza$on process. 8. Are hopeful, not just and op$mis$c. 9. Inspire more than mo$vate. 10. Able to take extraordinary risks in order to achieve their objec$ves. 11. Able to handle conflict, opposi$on, and personal avacks by keeping the objec$ves in view. 12. Work at effec$ve and honest communica$on. Brokenness Sec$on 1 Sec$on Honesty 2 Vision- Call Sec$on Visin 3 Opposi$on Sec$on 4 Sec$on Revival 5
Resources Email Dr. Terry Rials terry@crestviewokc.org for revitaliza6on resources, consulta6on, and coaching.