Church Revitalization Initiative (CRI)
About the CRI
The Church Revitalization Initiative is designed to come beside committed pastors and church leaders who are willing to do what it takes to revitalize their church. We know that we are living in difficult times; that is why we want to be of assistance to you. The regional staff and the CRI Coordinator have put together a process that we think will help you and we have also put together a team of qualified people to assist you in your area(s) of need. We don’t have all the answers, but we do have people who are willing to assist you.
The Church Revitalization Initiative (CRI) is designed to support pastors and lay leaders to use prayer, the gifts of the Spirit, written resources, and personal coaching to strengthen and revitalize churches seeking guided direction. There is no cost whatsoever to churches who choose to take part in CRI.
astors and church leaders are working very hard to help their churches go through the process of revitalization.
If you are interested in getting involved in the CRI, contact the CRI Coordinator, Wally Holt, at 217.726.7366 or by e-mail at wally@abcgrr.org
CRI Report March 2025
March in Illinois certainly has its ups and downs. Much like people doing God’s work. But one thing is always constant and that is God never leaves us or forsakes us.
Senior Pastor Rob Collins of the First Baptist Church of Peoria gives an update on Church Revitalization:
Navigating the choppy waters of today’s church leadership has taken its toll on many pastors and lay leaders. Weariness, burnout, and fatigue are real obstacles to be overcome. And while we would all prefer easy paths forward, we also know that the path is narrow. Revitalization at FBC Peoria has been it’s own journey, with more than a few storms along the way. We came out of covid lockdown expecting to find eager young ministers falling by the wayside, ready to dive into youth and children’s ministry. A team was formed, prayer and advice given from Wally Holt, and money raised from our church members and support from the Great Rivers Region provided the needed foundation. But it turns out that churches were not alone in their changes post-covid. Seminaries, Divinity Schools, and the whole landscape had shifted. To be honest, it has probably been shifting for decades, but covid certainly sped up that shift. So our team found itself needing to shift as well. To change directions and sail with the wind, if you will.
We began praying more, exploring new possibilities, and using a sandbox approach. Any idea was welcome, any path ok to consider. Just like playing in a sandbox as a kid should be a free place to imagine and dream and play; dreaming in our sandbox had to be free to. And from that came, not a new idea, but a shifting of our thinking. We stopped trying to find one person to fill all theneeds we had listed.
We empowered a staff member already on staff to do greater and more supported ministry with our children. The funds raised helped to increase her salary and our “Kids Church” and “Kids Choir” were born. We still have a need to do more with our youth (middle school and high school students) but they’re not forgotten. Not even a little. Our church has partnered with other similarly theologically aligned local congregations to do joint monthly Youth Activities. And so far, these have been wonderful experiences. The sandbox is still open, we’re still praying and thinking and hoping and searching. But we’ll work as we go.
Another major aspect to our church finding revitalization is adjusting to the new world of church finances. Churches have to do more with less. Cost of living is up across the country, new members tend to give less, and salaries cost more, as do utilities, repairs, insurance, and everything else. So how do we adjust to these winds? How can we navigate these waters?
Two years ago our leadership team, our treasurer, and myself started having really honest conversations with the congregations about the church’s finances. We had a theme, “Jump In”, challenging the congregation to invite more, to pray more, to serve more, and yes, to give more. It was slow moving, I’ll admit that. But two years later, and we are starting to see real movement. Church members are paying attention in ways they never have. Various teams, or committees, have formed to think through long term financial solutions and short term solutions. And the best part is, the church members are leading the charge. As the Pastor I have challenged them. But it was really when they started to challenge one another that the ship started to sail.
So where do we stand right now on revitalization? Our kids are experiencing a miniature version of church each Sunday in the chapel.
And the Kids Choir meets for five to six weeks at least three times per year, sometimes four times; and then they perform on Sunday mornings. The youth have chances to meet other youth from local churches (most of which have small youth groups as well); while we plan for what is next in our youth ministry. And the church leaders are actively working on creating a sustainable financial approach to ministry for the years to come. I meet with Wally as often as I can, and I know he’s praying for me every Sunday. Our current church theme is “Planting Seeds” and is focused on preparation, immediate goals, short-term goals, long-term goals, and legacy-goals. None of the work has been easy, but there is hope on the horizon. Praise God, there is hope.
Please continue to pray for our CRI pastors and their church leaders as they move their churches through Revitalization.
We also want to invite all pastors in our region who are interested in revitalization to join us for a pastors retreat that will be held at our home office in Springfield on Saturday June 21st from 9 to 3. There will be no charge for this retreat.
Wally Holt
CRI Coordinator
