Sniffing Out Vitality
by Rev. Mark E. Tidsworth, Founder and Team Leader
I’m not quite sure what to do with this, risking writing this article before I’ve worked through it. Currently I have more questions than answers.
The situation at hand is that a string of vitalized clergy and vitalized churches are waltzing through our work; across the Pinnacle radar screen, so to speak. Vitalized is the best word I have for them so far… currently a word more intuitively understood than objectively defined. Oh sure, we do have some lists of what contributes to vitality. Some of them are pretty good, though they all seem incomplete as well. Vitality in the lives of clergy or churches is one of those things that’s apparent when it’s present, and noticeable when it’s absent. In other words, we know when we see it.
As I mentioned, over the last couple years, these clergy and churches have appeared in our network as clients, participants, or simply conversation partners. They are church systems and cultures with the following descriptors…
Theologically moderate to progressive
Pervasive sense of hope among them
Many, though not all, are numerically growing
Significant clarity in their identities
Boldly claiming their voices, embodying their identities
Very Christ-centric; focused on the Way of Jesus
Moving beyond fear of losing people
Not fixated on institutional metrics (building, bodies, and budgets)
Highly engaged with their local communities
Their clergy are energized and hopeful
Our response then is….
First, breathing a prayer of thanks to God. The Holy Spirit quickens, bringing life. Thanks be to God when life rises and vitality grows.
Second, we are trying to unlearn the answers. Sure, our team is knowledgeable about these things, focused on church vitality for decades. Yet, life continues to evolve and church continues to emerge as we speak. So rather than assume we know what’s best for churches, our curiosity is up and our imaginations are firing. What contributes to vitality in clergy and in churches… specifically the kind noted above, moderate to progressive churches?
Third, all of this is giving shape to a new learning community. This seems like a really good time for lead pastors in these churches to gather, exploring together what contributes to vitality; growing curious together. To that end, we are gathering a cadre of lead pastors to form a learning community focused on these three questions:
What contributes to vitality in moderate and progressive churches?
What’s the role of lead pastors toward cultivating vitality?
What contributes to vitality in lead pastors of moderate to progressive churches?
Yes, we will include the relevant content that already contributes to answers. At the same time, the Pinnacle approach has been to engage with practitioners, those who are living and doing the answers, bringing their expertise to bear. The Lead Pastor Learning Community will include interviews and dialogue as primary avenues for learning and exploration. Participants will be in Integration Groups, too, with opportunity to connect what’s relevant with their ministry contexts.
Often, there is purpose beneath surface developments. We are sensing that the emergence of these vitalized churches and clergy in our networks may be nudges by the Spirit, prompting us to inquire, listen, and engage. Please join us in prayer for the Lead Pastor Learning Community (coming February 2026)… that it will contribute to vitality in churches and their leadership.
