Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

College

Barnett College of Ministry & Theology

Department

Department of Christian Ministries and Religion

Primary Advisor

Dr. Jamie Stewart

Second Advisor

Dr. Thomas Keinath

Third Advisor

Dr. Jeremy Sims

Abstract

Suburban communities are experiencing demographic and socioeconomic shifts that have presented challenges for the local church. These changes have correlated with the decline and plateau of many suburban churches within the U.S. Assemblies of God. This dissertation explores which successful models of church revitalization can be adapted, learned from, and created for suburban church contexts within the U.S. Assemblies of God. Using a qualitative research approach utilizing interviews, this study examined seven suburban churches and the pastors who successfully led through a revitalization process. Each pastor was interviewed concerning their leadership approach, strategies that were employed, contextual realities, funding models, and challenges. The interview data was then synthesized into themes that might serve as best practices for future church revitalizers. The data revealed six themes that were consistent across all seven church revitalization efforts:

1. Each church began their revitalization process through relational transformation where trust was essential amongst existing congregants and the pastor. Without leveraging trust and relationships, the revitalization process would have stalled.

2. There was a clear vision for engagement where each church developed a compelling vision and then sought to engage their community at their pain points within government and school systems.

3. Systems and governance structures were examined and found to be aligned with the churches’ vision.

4. Intentional systems for discipleship that included leadership development, small groups, bible studies, and assimilation processes were employed by the revitalized churches.

5. Financial and facility renewal noting that the renovation of facilities and stabilization of finances marked a pivotal moment in each church revitalization effort was also a key factor.

6. Pastoral resilience where each pastor carried an emotional and personal cost to the revitalization process and yet chose to be adaptive and lead their church to health was pivotal to church revitalization success.

These themes affirmed and helped bring greater definition to the existing academic literature on church revitalization. Adapted from these themes is a revitalization model that can be implemented within suburban churches in the U.S. Assemblies of God. This dissertation contends that intentional training systems, denominational resourcing, and mentoring structures can change the outcomes of revitalization within suburban U.S. Assemblies of God churches.

Download


Share

COinS