Revitalize and Replant

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock continue their conversation on how churches can effectively reach small towns and rural communities, using the Converge article “10 Ways to Reach Your Rural Community” as a springboard. If you’re a rural pastor, church replanter, or leader in a small-town church, this episode will help you think creatively about evangelism, outreach, and community engagement in your context. In this episode, they explore how to: 1. Take your hobby out of the church lobby Use your personal interests—sports, crafts, coffee, hunting, music—to build real relationships in the community. Host hobby-based gatherings in neutral spaces like coffee shops, parks, or community centers to connect with unchurched neighbors. 2. Be a good neighbor in practical, everyday ways Live out the gospel through simple acts of kindness, presence, and service in your small town. Look for opportunities to help your literal neighbors, local businesses, and community organizations. 3. Turn your church’s “wow factor” up to 11 on one thing Identify one outreach, ministry, or community event your church can do with excellence. Focus your limited resources to make a big impact in a specific area that blesses your rural community. 4. Go “all in” on building bridges to your community Invest time and energy in long-term relationships with schools, city leaders, nonprofits, and local families. Create ongoing partnerships instead of one-time projects, so your church becomes a trusted presence in town. Ideal for: Rural and small-town pastors Church replanters and revitalization leaders Churches wanting to reach their rural community with the gospel Resources Mentioned in This Episode Article: “10 Ways to Reach Your Rural Community” by the Converge Network Use this episode as a practical guide for rural church revitalization, small-town church outreach strategies, and community engagement that keeps Christ and His mission at the center.

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock unpack practical ways churches can reach small towns and rural communities, drawing from the Converge article, “10 Ways to Reach Your Rural Community.” If you’re a pastor or church leader in a small town, this episode will help you think more strategically about evangelism, outreach, and community presence in a rural context. In this episode, they discuss how to: 1. Make sure no second-time guest slips through the cracks. Create simple follow-up systems for visitors. Help guests connect with real relationships, not just programs. 2. Get your church into the local news and community conversation. Look for ways to serve that are newsworthy in your small town. Build relationships with local media, schools, and civic leaders. 3. Get “schooled” by engaging your local schools. Support teachers, staff, and students in practical ways. Volunteer, mentor, and show up consistently at school events. 4. Be offensive—in the right way. Play offense by taking the gospel outside your building. Move from a “come and see” mindset to a “go and tell” lifestyle. 5. Bust out of the Sunday morning box. Think beyond worship services to weekly rhythms of mission. Use everyday spaces and everyday routines for intentional outreach. 6. Be a regular in your community. Build a faithful presence at local coffee shops, restaurants, and parks. Become known as a pastor or church member who genuinely cares. Ideal for: Rural pastors Replanters in small towns Church leaders looking to reach their local community more effectively Resources Mentioned in This Episode Article: “10 Ways to Reach Your Rural Community” by the Converge Network Use this conversation as a practical playbook for rural church revitalization, small-town church outreach, and community engagement that keeps the gospel at the center.

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss a few reasons why pastors should be thankful this holiday season. Some Highlights: Be thankful that God called you to be a pastor. Be thankful for those who have shaped you. Be thankful for those who have had patience with you. Be thankful to God, who has not removed His calling from you.

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst record a live episode from the 2025 Replant Summit answering listeners’ questions. What decisions or circumstances help a church decide, “We can’t do this ourselves”? Why churches of 200 or less must be involved in replanting other churches. How to handle disagreements over secondary or tertiary issues in the work of revitalization/replanting.

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss an article from Kevin DeYoung for some helpful tips on preaching from the Puritans. Puritan preaching was characterized by these markers: Expository Doctrinal Orderly Plain Focused on Christ Resources Related to this Episode: “5 Preaching Tips from the Puritans” by Kevin DeYoung

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss some sure-fire ways to fail in revitalization. Some Highlights: Lack of humility Lack of patience Lack of faith Lack of perseverance Lack of love

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss some simple tips from H.B. Charles for improving your preaching. Some Highlights: Read Pray Think Write Love Rest Live Resources Related to This Episode: “7 Ways to Grow in Your Preaching” by HB Charles

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss an article from Chuck Lawless about why pastors and church leaders should feel uncomfortable in church. Some Highlights: You will be worshiping the one and only, true and living God. The Word of God penetrates to the depth of our being (Heb. 4:12). All of us have sin to deal with. Lost people should be there. A supernatural enemy will want you to ignore or deny God’s Word. You might have to deal with that person who “gets under your skin.” The command of the Great Commission is still in effect. If you’re a leader, you’ll answer for the way you care for the souls of the church (Heb. 13:17). If you’re the preacher, your responsibility is great. I say it again: None of us is perfect. Resources Related to This Episode: “10 Reasons Why Attending Church Should Make You Feel Uncomfortable This Weekend” by Chuck Lawless

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss an article from Thom Rainer that addresses why so many churches are in decline and how leadership development is key to adjusting to the changing realities of our cultural climate. Some Highlights: They don’t recognize the decline of cultural Christianity. They have many “church rules.” They have leaders who have never led in a highly unchurched mission field. They confuse tradition with the truth. They do outreach the way they’ve always done it. They are experiencing significant conflict due to frustration. They are very slow to respond. They have significant facility challenges. Resources Related to This Episode: “8 Reasons Many Bible-Belt Churches Are in Decline” by Thom Rainer

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss an article from Chuck Lawless on some areas that create tension in ministry. Some Highlights: Doing pastoral care vs. leading the organization Focusing on private study vs. doing public ministry Prioritizing new members vs. concentrating on longer-term members Doing evangelism vs. doing discipleship Budgeting for staff vs. budgeting for ministry and missions Changing things too quickly vs. changing them too slowly Spending time with family vs. being with the church family Reaching our neighbors vs. reaching the nations Honoring the past vs. preparing for the future Ministering to older folks vs. ministering to the young Extending grace vs. carrying out church discipline Hanging out with non-believers who need the gospel vs. hanging out with believers who love their church staff Resources Related to This Episode: “12 Balancing Acts in Ministry You Might Face This Week” by Chuck Lawless

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst are joined by Brandon Moore, who leads network partnerships for the NAMB Replant Team, to discuss what it looks like to raise up the next generation of leaders within your church. Some Highlights: Raising up leaders from the next generation isn’t optional. Begin to pray for God to lead young leaders to your church. Set aside resources and/or find partners to help bring a young leader on as a resident. Resources Related to This Episode: https://www.thesaltnetwork.com/ https://www.thecalvary.org/

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst are joined by Brandon Moore, who leads network partnerships for the NAMB Replant Team, to discuss ministry to the next generation of leaders. Some Highlights: The importance of inter-generational ministry for raising up next-gen leaders Why potlucks still work for community Resources Related to This Episode: https://www.thesaltnetwork.com/ https://www.thecalvary.org/

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst are joined by Colin Pugh, the urban strategist on the North American Mission Board’s Replant Team. Some Highlights: The importance of transitioning leadership to a new generation of leaders Leadership development is key The impact of a church’s “footprint” in its community Partnership with local businesses to minister to the community Resources Related to This Episode: To connect with Colin, reach out to [email protected]

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst are joined by Andy Addis, the rural strategies coordinator at the North American Mission Board, to talk about some unique aspects of rural ministry. “The Big Three” in Rural Ministry: Vocational Identity Low Resources Isolation

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst are joined by Andy Addis, the rural strategies coordinator at the North American Mission Board, to discuss transformational discipleship strategies. Some Highlights: Real disciples come away “smelling” like Jesus. True discipleship is about presence. The answer is not new discipleship material—it’s walking with Jesus. A four-step process to read Scripture: Summarize Expose Change Prepare Resources Related to This Episode: Reading It Right

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss Jason K. Allen’s book, Discerning Your Call to Ministry. Some Highlights: Do you desire the ministry? Does your character meet God’s expectations? Is your household in order? Has God gifted you to teach and preach His Word? Does your church affirm your calling? Do you love the people of God? Are you passionate about the gospel and the Great Commission? Are you engaged in fruitful ministry? Are you ready to defend the faith? Are you willing to surrender? Resources Related to This Episode: Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know For Sure and What to Do About It by Jason K. Allen  

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some ways to show Christlike hospitality to first-time guests. Some Highlights: Take initiative and pursue first-time guests. Welcome with enthusiasm. Show individual care. Be genuine and authentic. Serve people with joy. Communicate clearly.

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some ways that pastors can minister through their own discouragement. Some Highlights: Discouragements are about God’s reign—so yield to His wife and His loving providence. Discouragements are about learning spiritual consistency—so maintain spiritual disciplines. Discouragements are about the affections—so cultivate a heart of worship. Resources Related to This Episode: “Pastor, Don’t Waste Your Discouragement” by Phil A. Newton

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst talk about why churches should consider moving back toward traditional Sunday School. Some Highlights: To grow in biblical knowledge To develop teachers To foster deeper community To engage the city better To embrace the role of the church Resources Related to This Episode: “5 Reasons We Switched from Small Groups to Sunday School” by Jim Davis

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst share some insights for small groups and Sunday School from Chuck Lawless. Some Highlights: The small group’s purpose must be clear. Intentional organization matters. Workers must be trained. Concern must be focused on the lost. Pastoral care via the small group must be organized. The goal of the Sunday School class is to multiply, to “plant” another class from the current class. Space matters. The class must “go after” the lost. Resources Related to This Episode: “10 Small Group Lessons from Old-Fashioned Sunday School” by Chuck Lawless “Recapturing Flake’s Formula for Groups” by Ken Braddy

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how to minister to toxic people in your church. Some Highlights: The Gossip/Talker The Exploder The Passive-Aggressive The Cynic

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Garrett Kell, on the topic of dangerous signs in the life of a pastor. Some Highlights: Entitlement Greed Control Callousness Tribalism Unbalanced Gospel Resources Related to This Episode: “When to Distrust Your Pastor” by Garrett Kell

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Garrett Kell, discussing the danger signs in the life of a pastor. Some Highlights: Isolation Lack of accountability Defensiveness Resources Related to This Episode: “When to Distrust Your Pastor” by Garrett Kell

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Gavin Ortlund on some ways that pastors unintentionally hurt those who are already suffering. Some Highlights: Appeal too quickly to God’s sovereignty Launch into a story of how God used your suffering Minimize the wrongdoing that caused the suffering Emphasize character formation while neglecting comfort and compassion Resources Related to This Episode: “How Not to Help a Sufferer” by Gavin Ortlund

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some ways to help inject new life into the weekly worship gathering. Some Highlights: Make sure the gathering is truly God-centered, not man-centered. Help people feel the weight and joy of worshiping God, not shallow and joyless. Let theological conviction shape every component, not pragmatism. Preach the Word with precision, passion, and application, not sloppy, dull, and impractical. Celebrate the Lord’s Supper consistently with intentionality, not as an afterthought. Do what you can with excellence, not what you can’t and not half-way. Keep it simple, not unnecessarily complex. Choose songs that are singable and sound in doctrine, not simply what is popular. Encourage congregational singing, not disengaged observing. Make sacrificial giving a worship opportunity, not something to be avoided. Regularly cast vision for how our worship of God must fuel the mission of God to make disciples, never assuming people drift toward the mission.