Ep. 030 | A Real Story of Church Revitalization

Update: 2025-10-15

Description

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

Subscribe to the Revitalize My Church podcast on your preferred platform or YouTube channel to receive notifications of new episodes featuring real stories and practical advice for church revitalization.