Somewhere along the line, the idea of “revitalization” has gotten a negative reputation. The strands of self-criticism (“We must be doing something wrong”) and fear of change (“We’ve never done it that way before so it won’t work”) can wrap themselves around our throats and seem to suffocate us.
What if “revitalization” is a healthy and necessary component of the Kingdom of God?
The first part of John 15 presents a “revitalization” process called “pruning.” It happens every year in a productive vineyard. The old branches are removed so that new branches can develop and produce fruit. If the old branches don’t come off the new branches have no place to start.
The roots and trunk of the vine remain intact and continue to fill the vine with life. The old branches give way to new branches and even better fruit. What “old branches “ in our congregation need to be taken off so that even greater fruitfulness can occur?
Isn’t that the central task of revitalization?