Church Revitalization Resources

Young or old, small or large, rural or urban, your congregation is vital — it has life.

There is vitality wherever God’s Word is proclaimed in purity and the Lord’s Sacraments are rightly administered. This Christ-centered vitality is the focus of re:Vitality, a suite of resources developed by the Office of National Mission to help you equip your congregation for carrying out God’s mission in your context.

The re:Vitality suite of resources includes practical and productive workshops that address serving your inactive members (Shepherding Our Strays), consensus-based strategic planning for your congregation (Serving in God’s Mission), how to share the Gospel with your community through effective outreach (Connect To Disciple), and providing a roadmap for helping people find a meaningful role in their congregation’s mission (Members of One Body – Coming Soon).

Re:Vitality resources are available to LCMS congregations at no cost from the Office of National Mission.

The recommended starting point for re:Vitality is the no-cost, no-obligation congregational self-assessment (CADDS).

For more information or to get started, please email us at WOR@lcms.org or download the quick guides below.

Quick Guides

Re:Vitality provides action-oriented training for a congregation based on its assessed stage of vitality.

Training modules are deployed based on the needs of the congregation and on actions likely to provide the greatest benefit.

Congregational Assessment

The Congregational Assessment of Development/Decline Status (CADDS) is a survey-based self-assessment tool that relies on input from people within your own congregation to evaluate your congregation’s well-being.

CADDS uses a scientifically-developed 100-question survey to measure three critical elements of congregational well-being: sustainability, adaptability, and balance of outward-inward focus.

Serving Inactive Members — Shepherding Our Strays

Shepherding Our Strays, a module of re:Vitality, gives congregations practical tools to address the challenge of engaging members who have separated themselves from the spiritual life of the congregation.

Through a Bible study, a self-directed workshop, and post-workshop implementation, Shepherding Our Strays helps congregations develop and implement a realistic, effective plan for engaging both short-term and long-term inactive members.

Strategic Planning — Serving in God’s Mission

Serving in God’s Mission (SGM), a module of re:Vitality, guides congregations through a strategic planning process tailored to the unique needs of Lutheran congregations.

Through SGM, your congregation will work together to develop a Strategic Ministry Plan that addresses how to faithfully carry out your part in God’s Mission within your unique context.

Congregational Outreach — Connect to Disciple

Connect to Disciple, a re:Vitality resource, provides congregational leaders with a practical process and useful tools for improving the effectiveness of their congregation’s outreach efforts.

Through a congregational Bible study and a self-directed workshop that integrates the actual work of the congregation, Connect to Disciple equips participants with resources for engaging the nonchurched people in their community through the four-step process: “Build Awareness, Create Connections, Build Relationships, Make Disciples.”

Videos

CADDS Info Video (before using CADDS)

Would you like to learn more about Congregational Assessment of Development/Decline Status (CADDS)? This video provides a brief overview of CADDS, including the details of what is being measured and reported. It is especially helpful for congregational leaders who are considering making use of CADDS.

CADDS Report Explanation Video (after completing CADDS survey)

The CADDS report is a single page graphical report that contains a great deal of information. In this video, the Rev. Dr. Mark Wood explains the elements of the CADDS report, including the ten factors that are assessed and the resources available for addressing “disabling” factors.

re:Vitality Overview Video (more detailed)

Are you looking for a detailed description of re:Vitality? This video goes into the details of the re:Vitality suite of resources. It is especially helpful for congregational leaders who are making decisions about making use of re:Vitality resources.