Persevering in Church Revitalization: Trusting God Through Growing Pains

Opening Scripture: Nehemiah 4:6, 10-14

"So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work… Then Judah said, 'The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.' And our adversaries said, 'They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease.'… Then I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, 'Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.'"

 Are You Feeling the Tension?

Church revitalization is a labor of love, but it is also a process filled with tension. Some are eager to move forward quickly, frustrated by the slow pace of change. Others feel hesitant, concerned that what is familiar is being altered too much, too fast. And sometimes, if we are honest, we don’t realize where we stand in that tension.

Which do you lean toward?

• Do you find yourself frustrated that people “just don’t get it” and wish they’d embrace the vision immediately?
• Do you feel overwhelmed by change, longing for things to settle down so the church can feel familiar again?
• Are you weary, wondering if any of this effort will actually bear fruit?

The people of Nehemiah’s day felt these same tensions. At first, there was excitement with the work progressing, and the wall rising. But as the process continued, opposition increased. Some were exhausted and wanted to slow down. Others were afraid of external threats. Some doubted if the work was even worth it. But Nehemiah called them back to the Lord’s faithfulness: “Do not be afraid… Remember the Lord, great and awesome.”

Revitalization requires us to step back and ask: Am I responding in faith or in fear?

Are You Growing Weary or Impatient?

"Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9)

Weariness and impatience are two sides of the same coin.

Some grow weary because they have poured themselves into the work and see little visible fruit. They have prayed, labored, and hoped, but change feels slow. They wonder: Why aren’t more people stepping up? Why are the same issues resurfacing? Is it supposed to be this hard?

Others grow impatient because they see where things need to go and feel hindered by those who resist. They feel like they are dragging people forward and want to push through obstacles. They wonder: Why can’t others see this is what’s best? Why are we waiting? Why does every decision take so long?

Both weariness and impatience can lead us to rely on our own wisdom rather than trusting in God’s timing.

Galatians 6:9 speaks to both groups: Do not grow weary in doing good. God is working, even when you don’t see it. In due season, we shall reap if we do not lose heart. The timing belongs to Him.

So, ask yourself:

• Do I trust that God’s work in this church is not dependent on my personal timeline?
• Am I willing to labor faithfully, even if I do not get to see all the results?
• Have I been pushing too hard, expecting people to change faster than they are ready?
• Have I been dragging my feet, resisting change that God is calling me to embrace?

Instead of seeing growing pains as obstacles, view them as God’s way of shaping both the church and your heart.

• Pray before reacting: When frustration rises, ask God whether your concern is rooted in wisdom or impatience.
• Examine your own role: Are you slowing things down out of fear? Or are you forcing change without patience?
• Encourage someone on the other side: If you tend to resist change, encourage those pushing for it. If you tend to push too fast, encourage those feeling left behind.