A Real Story of Church Revitalization - Show Notes
How Pastor Tim Wilmetti Led Pataskala Grace Church From Crisis to Growth
In this episode of the Revitalize My Church podcast, host Bart Blair interviews Pastor Tim Wilmetti about his six-year journey revitalizing Pataskala Grace Church in Ohio. This real-world case study offers practical insights for pastors and church leaders facing similar challenges.
What Happens When a Church Loses Half Its Attendance Overnight
Pastor Tim shares the dramatic story of how Pataskala Grace went from 162 to 76 attendees in a single week when the previous pastor resigned suddenly after facing resistance to change initiatives. The church was caught in worship wars, with split services between contemporary and traditional music, creating division that ultimately led to mass exodus.
Key Warning Signs Your Church Needs Revitalization Help
- Leadership conflicts over vision and direction
- Congregation splitting into opposing camps over worship style
- Attendance declining from peak of 250-300 to under 60 people
- Members spiritualizing personal preferences instead of focusing on biblical matters
- Lack of new believers and baptisms over multiple years
How ASSIST Helped Prepare Church Leadership Before Hiring a New Pastor
Before Tim arrived, the remaining elders attended an ASSIST bootcamp that helped them:
- Unite around the need for change and new direction
- Prepare mentally for the challenges of revitalization
- Commit to supporting whatever changes would be necessary
- Understand their role in the revitalization process
Overcoming the Biggest Challenges in Small Church Revitalization
Dealing with Members Who Resist Change in Church Revitalization
Tim faced pushback from longtime members who wanted to return to "the way we've always done things" from the church's peak years in the 1990s. Some examples included:
- A four-page letter criticizing a sermon on Jesus turning water to wine
- Complaints about sanctuary lighting being "too dark" for theological reasons
- Objections to contemporary language used during services
Building a Worship Team When Good Worship Leaders Are Hard to Find
The church cycled through multiple worship leaders over six years, highlighting the challenge many small churches face. Tim's advice includes:
- Looking beyond just musical ability to leadership and character qualities
- Considering older, more mature believers who bring theological depth
- Recruiting from local colleges, universities, and even karaoke venues
- Being willing to invest in temporary solutions while searching for long-term fits
From Church Revitalization to Church Planting Success
After growing from 50-60 to 180-200 regular attendees, Pataskala Grace is now preparing to plant a new church in Newark, Ohio. This demonstrates how successful revitalization can lead to multiplication rather than just survival.
Essential Leadership Lessons for Pastors Leading Church Revitalization
Why Church Revitalization Pastors Need Thick Skin and Tender Hearts
Tim emphasizes the importance of:
- Not taking personal attacks personally while remaining compassionate
- Maintaining identity in Christ rather than ministry success
- Having unified elder support when facing criticism
- Learning from previous ministry mistakes
How to Measure Early Wins During Church Revitalization Process
Key indicators of progress included:
- Elder board unity and support during conflicts
- Financial stability maintained through COVID-19 pandemic
- New families joining who had never attended church regularly
- Baptisms of new believers after years without any
- Long-term members stepping into leadership roles
What's Next After Successful Small Church Revitalization
Tim discusses moving from "whitewater" growth phase to "predictable success" by:
- Developing clearer discipleship pathways
- Creating better systems for tracking and following up with visitors
- Establishing policies and structures to support continued growth
- Training more leaders to prevent pastor burnout
- Preparing for associate pastor transition during church plant launch
Action Steps for Churches Considering Revitalization
- Assess whether your leadership team is truly unified around the need for change
- Consider partnering with an experienced revitalization organization
- Prepare for the emotional and spiritual challenges ahead
- Focus on reaching your immediate community rather than trying to recreate past glory
- Celebrate small wins while maintaining long-term vision
Guest: Tim Wilmetti, Lead Pastor at Pataskala Grace Church, Pataskala, Ohio Host: Bart Blair, Revitalize My Church Episode Length: 45 minutes Release Schedule: Episodes publish on the 1st and 15th of each month
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