Why #Reimagine..?

[Reimagine Curator]

 

 

 

 

WHY? #Reimagine...

 

 

To reimagine is not to change what we believe

But to reconsider how we think about what we believe.

 

 

 

If we are unable to differentiate between our beliefs (theology, doctrines) and thoughts (ideas, applications, systems, best practices), then we will ultimately be unable to defend our values and discern the foundations of social change and political preferences.

To reimagine, is to rethink, review and revise, prompted by a Holy Spirit revealed fresh-for-our-times application of the unchanging truth of Scripture. We  are blessed by and greatly benefit from but we are not bound by tradition. Transformation requires fresh application.

To reimagine is not to rely on human imaginations; just the opposite, it is a yielding to the revelation of the Holy Spirit that infuses human thinking with the mind of Christ which allows us to know the will of our Holy God. A  unique application to our times and our trials. 

To reimagine, individuals – cohort groups - congregations – collaborations, must employ the gifts of the Holy Spirit (especially prayer) and the resource of scripture.

To refuse to the Holy Spirit's work to renew our minds, is ultimately an act of disobedience, because we are commanded to "let God completely change the way that you think" so that we ( individually and corporately) demonstrate God's will is good for all. So that means our leadership and ministries, not just our personal moral life, must be transformed. Our disciple making, prayer, evangelism, church itself…

We should expect the renewing of our mind, a reimagination led by the Spirit, to result in great works for a great God.

 

CHURCH. THINK. DIFFERENT!

#ItSeemsToMe...Christians need to "repent" of behaviors AND beliefs that are not pleasing to God.

 

["Greek was the language of the gospels and the word “repent” was recorded as “metanoia.”

"Meta” means “after” and it bears the concept of “shift” or “change” (as in the word metamorphosis).

“Noia” translates to “mind.” “Metanoia” is a clarion call to transformational thinking. Suzette Martinez Standring]

 

Asking God to give us courage, 

Phil Miglioratti

Curator for The Reimagine.Network

 

NEXT STEPS On Your Journey

 

>>> Pursue the Holy Spirit; reimagining is not a New Age mind game but a descriptor of what we are called to do in Romans 12:2:

 

          “Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think.

Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.” Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭CEV‬‬

 

My paraphrase:

          “Don't design how your church functions based on the perspectives and preferences of this world,

but let God the Spirit change the way you think about prayer, evangelism, discipleship, communities…

so that ... you know how to do everything in ways that  are good and pleasing to God.”

 

 

>>> Get yourslef ready before you lead others ~ Begin a serious Spirit-led, Scripture-fed journey of listening prayer:

• Self-Examination: Are You a Reimagineer in Every Minsitry Role?
• Pray through this Coaching Session Interview
• Read how to reimagine like Romans 12:2 (scroll to also see guest commentary)
• Dig into Design You Church's #Reimagine Journey...   and our "Manifesto for a Reimagined Church"
• Listening in prayer

 

>>> Please open and review the "Exploration Gudies" ~brief descriptions important to your prepartation for exploration: 

Exploration Guides	What's The Question?
Why Reimagine Here on Reimagine.Network ?	How do I navigate the revamped format? Why "revamped"?
Your Journey Begins. HERE	How do I GPS this journey?
Discussion Group Guide	How can I involve my leadership team or small group?
About	What is the DNA of The Reimagine.NetworK?  Where is it taking me??

 

 
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
Jeremiah 33:3

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

The Reimagine.Network

Serves pastors, prayer champions, evangelism catalysts, disciplemakers, church planters

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Access and content are free. *  Contributions are welcomed @ √PrayerINC.org  *  Help us reach more "reimagineers!"

[Reimagine Curator]

WHY? Rethink...

 

Courses Certifications Membership Assessment Tools

Join us for a SPECIAL 90-minute webinar with Ryan Burge as we launch a NEW Certification in Church Trends. We’re answering a key question… What if your church is still reacting to a religious world that no longer exists? Many ministry strategies were built for a world that disappeared years ago. For about two decades, the religion of young adults in America was fairly stable. Then the 1990s happened. In just a few years, the lines bent: Fewer young adults identified as Christian More claimed no religion Attendance patterns shifted in a lasting way This was not a minor adjustment. It was a hinge point. 🗓️ Join Ryan Burge and Sam Rainer for a special 90-minute webinar on June 18th at 1:00 p.m. Eastern: Why the 1990s Changed Everything in American Religion We will also introduce the new Certification in Church Trends, designed to help church leaders read the data, interpret the changes, and lead with greater clarity. This webinar is built for pastors, staff, consultants, and thoughtful lay leaders who want more than anecdotes. Save Your Spot

[Reimagine Curator]

"From the 1960s through the 1990s, Kodak dominated the world of film and photography. But that success also made the company slow to accept that technology was changing. Ironically, Kodak helped invent one of the first digital cameras in 1975, yet it hesitated to embrace the future. By the 1990s and 2000s, digital cameras (and later camera phones) quickly replaced traditional film. In 2012, the company declared bankruptcy."

[theamericanfacts.com]

The Church will never disappear but your version of "church" or the "churchianity" of an era not only may disappear; it has in many times and pkaces.

[Reimagine Curator]

Reimagining begins with a look in the mirror

Guest-Post by Chuck Lawless

 

2 Critical Attitudes in Leading a Church Revitalization Effort

By Chuck Lawless on Jul 31, 2026 01:00 am

If I were to ask church revitalization pastors what attitudes are critical to their effectiveness, I’m sure I’d hear several options: hopefulness, stick-to-it-ness, faith, patience, wisdom, and so forth. All of these really do matter, but two other attitudes are just as critical—if not more so. Both are found in the book of 1 Corinthians. 

You know that the Corinthian church had more than its share of problems. They were divided. They should have been growing but weren’t. They allowed open sin in their midst. They were suing each other. They were abusing their freedoms, arguing over the best spiritual gifts, misusing the Lord’s Supper, and disrupting worship. They were even debating the resurrection. If ever a church needed revitalization, the Corinthian church was that church. 

Don’t miss, though, what Paul said about the church:

1. He thanked God for them (1 Cor 1:4-9). God had given them grace, gifted them, and established their testimony in Christ. The God who started this work in them would complete it. They were quite messy, but they were still God’s people—and Paul thanked God for them. Actually, he did it always. He did not cease in expressing gratitude for them. 
2. He loved them (1 Cor 16:24). In fact, Paul closed this letter with one of his most intimate closures: “My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.” As one writer described this ending, “Despite everything, there is not the slightest doubt that Paul regarded the Corinthians with tender affection. So he finishes his letter by sending his love to all the members of the church.”^[i] Paul genuinely loved this bunch of messy people. 

Thus, Paul “bookends” this first letter to the Corinthians with “I thank God for you” and “I love you”—and in between he says, “Y’all are an absolute mess.” The problems in the church were numerous and serious, but gratitude and affection still characterized Paul’s heart. He addressed the issues even while affirming this chaotic church in the process. 

Why do these attitudes of gratitude and love matter in church revitalization? 

• This work is hard, but it’s easier when you thank God for the church and love them, too. You’ll stay committed when you’re leading family. 
• Trying to change a church you don’t yet (or still) love is ineffective and uncaring. If you are both grateful and loving, however, you will be careful not to run over them even as you challenge them to change. 
• You will see the church as sheep who need a shepherd rather than as obstacles to growth. You will patiently disciple them rather than quickly blame them. 
• You will press on in the tough days of revitalization. Gratitude and love also produce perseverance and hope—two more attitudes that matter in revitalization. 
• You will see leading these people as a privilege, even when they’re problematic. Actually, it’s fun to watch messy church people you love grow in their faith. 

Gratitude and love. They take a pastor a long way in revitalizing a church. 

^[i] L. Morris, (1985). 1 Corinthians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 7, p. 238). InterVarsity Press.