Church Health

“My goal is to educate, equip and empower churches to declare, demonstrate and defend the gospel of Jesus Christ”

If your church is declining in attendance or plateauing for several years, there is good news: You are not alone. But the better news is you don’t have to stay that way, said Dr. Jonathan Smith, Director of Church Health Strategy for Texas Baptists.

Helping churches prepare for and position their ministries to share the gospel and make disciples in the future years.

“The church is good at huddling, but (Jesus) said, ‘I want you to go!’”

On Tuesday morning, Jonathan Smith, director of Church Health Strategy at Texas Baptists, led a workshop focused on church revitalization at the 2022 Annual Meeting. The workshop looked at ways churches can kickstart revitalization in their own, unique contexts.

“Having this knowledge can make the church relevant again in the public sphere of ideas and influence,”

“It was an exciting thing to see the students get behind it,”

“The Great Commission was given to the church, and yet we see throughout scripture that it starts at the home,”

“As soon as they step off the bus they’re asking about the next year,”

“It’s so important that we stand up and show up for children, because that’s what the Lord does for us,”

"We want to teach our students that everyone they interact with should walk away feeling like they’ve been seen, known and heard, just like Jesus would treat them,”

“It's all about including those that aren’t here yet and reaching those that are lost.”

“The generation around you is hungry for something,” he said. “Take what you’re learning here and take it to the rest of your generation.”

“There were challenges, but the blessings were so rich,”

"The gospel will come out in unexpected ways at an unexpected time through unexpected people.”

Carey Nieuwhof shares about “Why the Old Model of Church No Longer Works,” and what the future of church may look like.