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Coaching, mentoring, consultation and speaking engagements are currently available on a limited basis.
Hearts for Revitalization (H4R) was born out of a deep interest in and concern for the health of the local church. I have served in several local church ministries since 1983, mainly in The Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC), the churches being:
- Stockton, CA (est. 1915)
- Wakefield, NE (est. 1888)
- Lakebay, WA (est. 1924)
- Princeton, IL (est. 1863)
- Steilacoom, WA (est. 1883)
All of these churches continue to exist in various states of health.
Over the years I have been engaged in church renewal efforts but have been frustrated by ineffective and inconsistent approaches to renewal. In the past my use of a variety of denominational and other church development resources resulted in only minimal success in accomplishing measurable health or growth.
Whereas some pastors and congregations seem to have had some success in revitalizing their stagnant and declining ministries, others have not. This reality raises questions in our minds as to the reason for the mixed results experienced by those who make use of the same principles.
What is the difference? Is it the pastor? Is it the people? Is it the process? These are the questions with which many churches struggle and are, in part, questions that stir my passion to understand church vitality and church revitalization.
The pastorate is my first calling and I have been serving the Bride of Christ since 1983.
While ministry with the local church is my full-time calling, I have recently been encouraged to offer my unique experience and pastoral insights on revitalizing churches to others who serve in similar settings.
My perspective on the work of vitality/revitalization is uniquely pastoral.
The ministry of maintaining/restoring the church to a healthy, missional existence is a special task, requiring special skills and sensitivities to discern God's direction for the church.
Coaching, mentoring, consultation and speaking engagements are currently available on a limited basis.
A Word of Affirmation
Though thirty-something when he began as pastor of our church, I felt he had an old soul. I don't think he'd like to hear the word "old," but it's meant in a complimentary way. He was very wise beyond his years, and still is. Pastor Chuck's messages and style of preaching were different than what I was used to, but I must say, very insightful and challenging. Still more, they were a refreshing change.When I do have the opportunity to visit his newest church and hear him speak, or listen to one of his online sermons, it is like being sent back in a time capsule. Well grounded in the Scriptures and able to challenge us to live in a manner worthy of the calling of God, Pastor Chuck's unique style can make me feel like I am hearing a message from the Bible in a way I've never heard it before. One of Pastor Chuck's greatest gifts as a minister is his ability to match up people with their spiritual gifts. He often challenged us to find our spiritual gifts and if we didn't know what to do with our gifts he provided lots of direction. He was truly an equipper of the saints. And lastly, both he and his wife Jan are great encourager's. They both saw my gifts and strengths and challenged and encouraged me to use them for God's glory. Even more wonderful is that they encouraged and challenged me to allow God to work in my weaknesses so that I might help others with the similar issues.
-L. Colbos
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