Across California, pastors and leaders are leaning into one of the most ambitious ministry initiatives the California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC) has ever launched. Remember this name:
ReNew California.
Led by the CSBC Church Matters Team and birthed out of months of prayer, collaboration, and planning, ReNew California is not another “one-size-fits-all” revitalization program. It’s a Spirit-led, Scripture-rooted, Great Commission-centered movement designed to strengthen churches by fostering spiritual and organizational health.
The measurable goal: revitalize 500 CSBC churches over the next decade.
“Finding a pathway to renewal and revitalization in the church today is desperately needed,” said Roger Byrd, CSBC Church Matters Team member. “There are so many programs and tools out there. Where to start? What to begin with? Since churches are different in culture and style, they will need a unique pathway that is right for them.”
A United Front for Renewal
This is not just a CSBC initiative; it’s a network. More than 50 leaders from every region of the state, alongside national SBC partners, have been involved in shaping the effort. These include pastors, associational leaders, church planters, seminary staff, and ministry practitioners.
The ReNew California invention team has already met twice in person for two intensive two-day gatherings (March 31–April 1 and July 22–23, 2025), supported by numerous subgroup meetings. The group is divided into four focus teams:
- Definitions Team – Clarifying mission, vision, values, and what it means to be a “healthy church.”
- Systems Team – Designing the network structure and strategy, leveraging all SBC levels—local, associational, state, and national.
- Resource Team – Curating tools and materials for renewal efforts.
- Engagement Team – Developing strategies to invite CSBC churches into the network.
Howard Burkhart, CostaMeda Baptist Association DOM and member of the Resource Team, says the approach is unlike anything California has seen. “There is significant input from pastors, lay people, association leaders, state leaders, and national leaders. The team includes younger voices to bring a generational perspective, and many practitioners who have successfully led churches to renew and revitalize. This is more well-rounded and systemic than others in the past. Realistic hope and help are on the way.”
Why Now?
The urgency is undeniable. “Approximately 80% of our churches are plateaued or declining,” Burkhart noted. “In today’s world, churches have to add new people and grow just to maintain. In order to gain ground, serious growth must happen.”
Greg Kilgore, DOM/AMS for Mid Valley Southern Baptist Association, puts it plainly, noting, “We are about 10 years behind in assisting churches in need of revitalization. A dying church that has turned inward does not bring the Lord glory. But a church that was once declining, yet renewed in its vigor to reach the community, brings Him glory!”
Kilgore appreciates that ReNew is not a program chasing numbers. “Too many approaches in the past focused solely on budgets, baptisms, and attendance. Numbers can be helpful, but they don’t tell the whole story. We must help churches get spiritually healthy before we focus on numbers.”
Defining Health, Not Chasing Trends
For Pastor Rick Brady of Woodward Park Baptist Church, the Definitions Team’s work is critical. “This approach will define a healthy church as one with:
- A Healthy Foundation of the Gospel, Scripture, and Prayer,
- Healthy Structures of biblical leadership, membership, and discipleship; and
- A Healthy Identity as worshippers of God, united in Christ’s family, and serving as ambassadors for Christ.”
“There is a desperate need for healthy churches,” echoes Patrick Mathers, Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Oroville. “Spiritual decline often happens a decade before the financial decline is felt. A program like this should be seen as an outside aid to help facilitate church growth and health. Jason has put together a very diverse and wise team. We get to stand on the shoulders of good revitalization work already being done and curate the best of it for the whole of California.”
Mathers says the CSBC Annual Meeting in October will mark a major moment. He believes Californians can look forward to the “first look at the program” with clear steps and next moves. “We are excited to roll out the program.”
Grassroots, Not Top-Down
Cliff Jenkins, Associate Director for Gateway Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program, affirms the effectiveness of the design: “This is a grassroots approach that capitalizes on existing local leaders who have already experienced various levels of church health where they serve.”
For J. Ballard of Feather River Baptist Mission Network, the timing is right: “Church turnaround is nothing new, but we have new resources, new methods of distributing information, and a new generation to remind of the mission.”
The Spirit of the Team
Jason Robertson, CSBC Church Matters Team leader, says the unity in the room has been remarkable. “From the start, it was clear that the team was spiritually prepared and highly motivated to help every church in the convention network together for the Great Commission.”
Given the challenges many California churches face, such as aging congregations and declining momentum, the task is daunting. But Robertson is encouraged: “The team dedicated a full day to honestly assess the need and immediately began work, trusting in God’s will and power. Progress has exceeded expectations, with some associations and local churches already in the network’s beta phase.”
Looking Ahead
At the 2025 CSBC Annual Meeting in October, the invention team will unveil a foundational structure for the California renewal network. Churches will discover:
- How to explore the network’s possibilities.
- Immediate resources available for their revitalization journey.
- Upcoming events planned for spring.
Robertson says the goal is to create an irresistible movement that churches at every stage of health will want to join. “We want to see the gospel advance in every California community through healthy, multiplying churches.”
A Call to Every California Church
This is the moment for California churches, large or small, rural or urban, thriving or struggling, to step forward. As Mathers reminds us, “Jesus is revitalizing His church across the nation—from Denver to the Carolinas, from Florida to Montana, from Missouri to California. It’s exciting to be part of it.”
And the ReNew California team wants every church in the state to be part of it, too.
As Kilgore puts it, “If we truly want to reach California, then we need our established churches to not lose their gospel witness in their communities.”
Burkhart adds, “Stronger, healthy churches need to know the tremendous capability they have to help other churches. Helping others often strengthens the helper.”
In other words, don’t sit this one out.
California’s churches are poised for a Spirit-led renewal, and October is just the beginning.
