RELAUNCH - a Process for Changing Church Culture
In the Scriptures, the word 'rebirth' refers to new life, a change of heart, a new beginning, a fresh start (see John 3:3,6). This is our desire, not just with individual lives but with entire congregations. Our desire is to see every congregation experience renewed life in order to carry out The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39) and the Great Commission." (Matthew 28:18-20).
Relaunch Defined
A relaunch church is a congregation “stuck” in an unhealthy mode due to a lack of knowledge and positive direction. With the goal of church health and changing church culture, a process of Prayer, following God’s Call, Orientation, Assessment, Training, Church Development Plan and Coaches & Mentors is followed, resulting in a “re-launch” of the congregation to reach new people and connect with their community. While this is a church strategy to revitalize, it uses a number of large launch church planting principles. The best time for this strategy to be implemented is during a pastoral transition. Great progress can be made when the new pastor, church board and church members all come together and make a commitment for the future of the church to be different than the past or present.
Relaunch / Restart – 4 Key Terms: “Praise be to God…He has given us 1) new birth into a 2) living hope through the 3) resurrection of Jesus Christ 4) from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)
Critical Question: "How does a church determine when it needs to relaunch its ministry, compared to when it needs outside intervention with outside resources involved to restart its ministry?"
Answer: That is based on where the church is at on the church life-cycle and how long of a period of time the church has been steeped in decline and a non-growth mode. Also it is important to assess whether a non-missional mentality has been embraced by influential church leaders and whether or not the church has the capacity to achieve what we call “critical mass” on its own. The further down on the life-cycle the church is and the longer the congregation has had a non-growth, unhealthy mode, usually the more drastic the steps are needed for a restart. A relaunch church assessment slide to illustrate what we are talking about is below.
What Steps Do We Recommend In A ReLaunch?
We recommend the District Mission Strategy Team, in consultation with the District Superintendent, develop policies and procedures to assist reaunch churches move forward toward becoming a healthy, multiplying church. Every church faces different issues based on where the church, the pastor and the congregation is at in its development. Churches also have different resources available to assist in the relaunch process.
The guidelines below are NOT the complete plan for each relaunch church. They are instead offered as a place to begin conversations with pastors and church boards. We are able to move forward more effectively when we have resources to use in relaunch church situations. We do not desire to start with a blank sheet of paper and spend hours in discussion before taking next steps.
It is important to engage ALL parties from the beginning, in the relaunch process as you develop strategies for working with a particular congregation. People are always “down” on what they are not “up” on; clear communication is important! The process of relaunch in a congregation should never be rushed. Building agenda harmony with a majority of influential leaders in the congregation will help establish the steps to be taken by the pastor, church board, District Superintendent, Mission Area Leader, Mission Strategy Team, etc.
Considerations for A Relaunch Church
1. We encourage the district to work in partnership with MULTIPLYNAZ to develop its training orientation for “Relaunch Churches,” fit to the district context. The development of the training orientation for use by the superintendent or other district leaders is what prepares the implementation of this ministry within a local church.
2. We initiate the relaunch process in a local church after much prayer and analysis by the entities involved in the process. Depending on the district, this may include:
1) the Pastor
2) the District Superintendent
3) Church Board members
4) the Congregation
5) Mission Area Leader
6) District Mission Strategy Team
3. We suggest the Pastor should be completely aware of and committed to all aspects of assessment, prayer and planning involved in leading the relaunch process in the local church. The Pastor make the Church Board aware of the process, provide initial education and lead them to invite the District Superintendent or another District Leader into the church for a relaunch presentation.
4. We suggest the relaunch process be communicated to both the Church Board and the congregation in an open meeting by the District Superintendent (or a trained district leader). All forms of questions are encouraged throughout the presentation from everyone.
5. We suggest an Intercession Team from the local church be mobilized by the Pastor and the Church Board. The entire church, led by the Pastor and the Church Board, commit to pray for God moments and spiritual breakthroughs throughout the relaunch process.
The Relaunch Plan
We suggest the Pastor then, in conjunction with the Church Board, develop a relaunch plan. This would include such items as (but not limited to):
1. Gathering and developing a relaunch team
2. Completing an assessment of all ministries regarding their level of effectiveness
3. A determination by the Pastor and Church Board as to which church ministries should be terminated and which ones should be re-launched within the relaunch strategy of the church.
4. Planning regular relaunch meetings
5. Selecting a relaunch Sunday (usually 9-12 months in advance)
6. Requiring all members of the Church Board and key ministry leaders within the congregation to attend the Relaunch Training provided by the district.
7. In developing a personalized relaunch strategy and plan, the relaunch team of the church, along with the Lead Pastor, would ask a district-qualified coach to assist them.
8. The relaunch coach would receive a copy of the relaunch plan and agree to meet with the church’s leaders on a regular basis to hold the church accountable for the implementation of their relaunch plan.
9. On some districts, contact with the Mission Area Leader would occur to keep him/her informed as to the church’s progress in the relaunch process.
The essential difference between a relaunch church and a restart church is that the relaunch church has all the necessary leadership and necessary resources it needs to achieve its goals in the relaunch process. The key things needed are knowledge, direction and accountability.
Some churches following this strategy have totally transformed their church culture in powerful ways. Some churches that have used this strategy are Lighthouse Community in Lansing, Illinois and Grace Community Church located in Danville, Illinois. The relaunch process in Danville was wonderful — here is a short video of what happened on the church’s Relaunch Sunday in April, 2021.
