Church Revitalization: A Wake-Up Call in Northern Nevada
By Neat Randriamialison
Bill McClendon challenges leaders to lead boldly and proactively for church growth.
On Sabbath, March 8, members from across Northern Nevada gathered at the Nevada-Utah Conference Office in Reno for a much-needed and deeply impactful Church Revitalization Weekend. Led by Bill McClendon, NPUC Vice President for Administration and Evangelism Director, the afternoon event drew in pastors, elders, and local leaders with one central focus: “What does it take to bring our churches back to life?”
Drawing from Scripture, real-world experience, and practical case studies, McClendon outlined seven core traits that set growing churches apart:
They know why they exist — Their mission is clear: to carry the gospel to the world (Matthew 28:18–20).
They are externally focused — They prioritize reaching people outside their walls rather than only serving those inside.
They believe growth is possible — They lead with a mindset of faith, not fear.
They are intentionally led — Leaders are proactive, not reactive.
They act decisively — They don’t wait around for perfect conditions—they move forward with urgency.
They deal with challenges — Instead of avoiding problems, they confront them with courage and clarity.
They are praying churches — They rely on supernatural strength, not just human strategy.
“If your elders or leaders are not willing to lead the church, the devil will,” McClendon warned, reminding everyone that passivity is not a strategy.
“This is the wake-up call we needed,” one of the leaders from the Truckee SDA Church shared.
The session wasn’t just theory, it was practical and urgent. Using a case study from a church in Ellicott City, Maryland, McClendon walked attendees through a simple process:
Get honest about where the church is
Cast vision for what it could be
Rally leaders around that vision
And pray like the future depends on it because it does
He challenged every leader in the room to be an agent of change, reminding them that revival doesn't happen by accident. It’s sparked by vision, sustained by action, and fueled by prayer.
