Revitalize: Biblical Keys To Helping Your Church Come Alive Again.
Andrew M. Davis
Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Books, 2017. 224 pages.
Reviewed by Andrew R.A. Green

Joining the ranks of a number of books published over the last few years on the subject of church revitalization, Davis adds a helpful, practical, and accessible work on the subject.

At first glance, the subtitle may be a little misleading. This book does not offer a simple ‘ten easy steps’ model to revitalization; nor does it guarantee that God will revitalize the local church. Rather, Davis is careful to ensure that readers understand ultimately God revitalizes and breathes fresh life into a church, and throughout, the author provides Biblical support for principles and characteristics necessary.

Written over 17 Chapters, the first and second serve as an introduction, and the last as concluding remarks. Each Chapter has a good level of readability and brevity, yet still remaining convicting and edifying. The Chapters close with a number of practical points of advice, application, and summary. These sections will be helpful for those readers seeking the practical outworking of the chapter they have just read. Whilst the book is no ‘how to guide’, the application could be helpful for those seeking assistance what this may look like, and how and where to begin.

Whilst written to encourage those in churches ‘needing revitalization’ and especially elders (teaching and ruling), most should find this book helpful. This in part is due to the very practical and pastoral tone of the book, which is the result of Davis’s own ministry and work in church revitalization over many years. Whilst making readers aware of the types of struggles and various issues he faced, the author does not feed curiosity with gossip and stories for the mere sake of repeating. Davis draws on his experience and utilises these to illustrate his principles and convictions drawn from Scripture.

The strengths of the book lie in the commitment of the author to a Biblical model of revitalization. The temptation can be to implement a programmes-driven approach, or emphasising the social aspect as being the panacea. Davis correctly emphasises such topics as clear expositional preaching of Christ, a desire for everything to be shaped by Scripture, biblical church oversight, and a regard for the local church.
This reader found the chapters on patience (Chapter 11), discernment (Chapter 12), and discouragement (Chapter 13) of particular help and encouragement.

The book should appeal to readers of various levels and stages. It certainly highlights the need of revitalizing congregations, which may perhaps be overshadowed by church planting work. Davis certainly does not glamourize the work of revitalization, and is honest about some of his experiences. Nonetheless, the book shows the importance of the work.