Years ago, Evangelist Maze Jackson became deeply distressed at the state of weak and struggling churches. He was speaking to someone about it in a dismissive tone, lamenting their apparent lifelessness. The individual turned to him and said, “Maze, God didn’t call you to bury them; He called you to resurrect them!”
That statement holds profound truth for today’s church.
Let me ask you a question. What do you mean by "dead church?" Please put a definition on this concept. Too often, struggling congregations are written off as “dead,” with believers encouraged to abandon them for the sake of their spiritual health. Is this what God desires? This mindset is not only unbiblical but also destructive to the mission of the gospel and the hope of church revitalization.
Learning from the Churches in Revelation
The churches in Revelation 2-3 provide powerful examples of how God deals with struggling congregations. Each of these seven churches faced significant challenges—whether it was waning love (Ephesus), compromise (Pergamos), or lukewarm faith (Laodicea). And yet, Christ addressed each church with both correction and hope.
• To Ephesus, He said, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works” (Revelation 2:5).
• To Sardis, He declared, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die” (Revelation 3:2).
• Even to Laodicea, which received the harshest rebuke, He offered a promise: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock” (Revelation 3:20).
These messages remind us that while some churches may be on the brink of collapse, they are not beyond recovery. Yes, the warnings to Ephesus and Laodicea were serious—failure to repent would result in removal or being “spewed out.” But these warnings were given with the hope of repentance and restoration, not dismissal or abandonment.
The Danger of a Disposable Mindset
When we dismiss struggling churches as “dead,” we adopt a disposable mindset that undermines the very heart and mission of the gospel. Just as we are called to restore individuals overtaken in sin (Galatians 6:1), we are called to invest in congregations that need help, not abandon them.
This disposable mentality often extends to fallen Christians, who are pushed aside rather than restored. In both cases, the body of Christ is weakened when we refuse to extend grace and pursue restoration.
A Lesson from the Southern Baptists
Some years ago, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) realized that declining churches were too numerous to ignore. Rather than abandoning these congregations, they developed revitalization programs that now rescue approximately 200 churches annually. Through prayer, mentorship, and practical strategies, they’ve seen struggling churches return to life.
If the SBC can prioritize revitalization, so can we. Abandoning struggling churches is not the answer; investing in them is.
Intensive Care for Struggling Churches
It’s important to acknowledge that some churches are indeed in critical condition. Their struggles may stem from years of poor leadership, unresolved conflict, abandonment, or spiritual stagnation. In such cases, an “intensive care” approach is needed.
Church revitalization teams, composed of experienced leaders and prayerful supporters, can provide the necessary guidance and resources to help these churches recover. While this process requires significant effort, it reflects the heart of Christ, who came to seek and save the lost.
Practical Steps for Revitalization
1. Evaluate the Church’s Needs: Identify the root causes of decline, whether spiritual, organizational, or relational.
2. Equip Leaders: Provide training and mentorship to pastors and lay leaders who can shepherd the church through revitalization. True discipleship is key!
3. Build Partnerships: Encourage healthy churches to mentor struggling ones, fostering unity and sharing resources.
4. Engage the Community: Reconnect the church with its local community through outreach and service. Evangelism and targeted programmatic ephases are important!
5. Prioritize Prayer and Repentance: Acknowledge areas of failure and seek God’s guidance and renewal. Never underestimate the power of God in Revival!
A Call to Resurrect, Not Bury
The mindset of abandoning “dead” churches is a rejection of the gospel’s transformative power. It is an extremely selfish mindset. God specializes in bringing life to what seems beyond hope. As Ezekiel 37 reminds us, even dry bones can live when God’s Spirit moves.
To say that a church is “dead” is a terrible indictment. The church is not merely a building or a set of programs—it is people. Even in the Laodicean church, which received the harshest rebuke in Revelation, Christ extended a remarkable promise: “If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
If just one believer within a struggling church opens the door to Christ, His presence will fill that place. Where the Holy Spirit resides, there is life—and where there is life, there is hope. Dismissing a church as “dead” ignores this profound truth and the transformative power of God to restore and renew.
By the way, read Revelation 3:1-3
“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art DEAD. (OK - 1 church out of 7 are identified as dead - What are we to do?) 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”
There was death in the life of the Sardis Church. So much so that God identified it as "dead." The word here means no longer having life. OK. So what are we to do with a church that no longer has life?
Be watchful
strengthen the things which remain
Remember
Hold fast
Repent
I don't see abandon, Forsake, Desert, Leave, Vacate, Depart, Withdraw, Relinquish, Renounce, Surrender, Quit, Yield, Resign.
Did you know the word "dead" carries a powerful resonance in the Bible? It’s not just used to describe physical lifelessness; it points us to one of the most awe-inspiring truths of the Christian faith. This word, "dead," is applied to none other than our Lord, Jesus Christ!
Consider these words spoken by Jesus Himself:
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”(Revelation 1:18)
And again, to the church in Smyrna:
“These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;”(Revelation 2:8)
Jesus was dead—truly lifeless, sealed in a tomb—but He was not forsaken. His Father in heaven raised Him from the dead! In this act, death was defeated, and Jesus emerged victorious, alive forevermore.
This truth should grip our hearts with wonder and gratitude, not just for what it means for individuals, but also for the church. Just as Christ brings life to those dead in sin, He can breathe new life into a church that feels lifeless or stagnant. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead works to renew His people, individually and corporately.
The one who holds the keys of death and hell understands our human frailty because He experienced it Himself. Yet He overcame it, offering us hope, life, and resurrection. He not only brings personal salvation (He brings the spiritually dead back to life) but can also revitalize His Body, the church. Where there seems to be spiritual decline, He brings resurrection power. Where hope feels lost, He restores purpose and unity.
What does this mean for us today? It means that the risen Christ is actively working to transform both hearts and congregations. A church that leans into Him can rise from the ashes of discouragement, reawakened with His life and purpose. He was dead but is alive forevermore—and because He lives, so can we, both as individuals and as His church.
Maze Jackson’s reminder still resonates today: “God didn’t call you to bury them; He called you to resurrect them.” Let us embrace that calling, investing in struggling congregations with faith and compassion. The work is challenging, but the rewards are eternal—for the church, the community, and the kingdom of God.
Remember these slogans when you think you want to dismiss and bury a church.
When the Light Grows Dim: A Call to Shine Brighter, Not Surrender
Revive the Remnant: Breathing Life Into Weary Congregations
From Barely Surviving to Boldly Thriving: The Call to Church Renewal
Hope for the Hollow Church: Restoration Over Resignation
Silent Pews, Stirred Hearts: Awakening the Sleeping Church
From Fading Glory to Fresh Growth: The Path to Church Renewal
Where Faith Falters, Revival Beckons: Answering the Call to Renew
More Than Maintenance: A Call to Rebuild, Not Retreat
The Waning Church: Time to Rise, Not Retreat
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