Church Health/Revitalization Archives - Page 14 of 14

Beyond The Boardroom: Other Ways In Which We’re Too Nice In Church

September 15, 2026 By Brian Thorstad

My parents wanted me to be nice in church. My mother taught Sunday School for many years and for one of those years she was stuck with me as a student and I was stuck with her as a teacher. We fully agreed that she didn’t think I was a nice student and I didn’t […]

Five More Ways We’re Too “Nice” In Church

September 21, 2026 By Brian Thorstad

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:15 I won’t continue this series of posts forever. I don’t want to be responsible for any church completely forsaking “niceness.” In fact, I’m really big on the […]

"I was a part of one of Brian's Revitalization Cohorts and an old saying is appropriate, Brian helped me to “get out of the rut." Brian understands the struggles found in ministry and, like a football coach, he helps design plays that correspond to the needs of the church and within the gift set of the pastor...in the 18 months before the cohort we had lost 19 members who moved on, in the right way, but it still hurt. During the cohort, and now a year after we started the cohort, we have had some of the best attendances for the last 20 years. For myself and our church the key was corporate prayer because of a book Brian had recommended by Dee Duke. For other pastors or churches, it may be something else and Brian is a gifted coach to come alongside each pastor to design a strategy for their calling and skill set in their place of service."

Pastor Ned Sutherland

"I found Brian's coaching to be very practical. I'd previously been through a similar cohort but it was mostly theoretical. I can honestly say that Brian's Revitalization Cohort taught me more than I ever dreamed it would and I'm excitedly putting these principles into practice in my life and church."
Pastor Mike English

I wanted to send you an update. We are two years removed from your [comprehensive assessment] visit to us. Half the church is 18-30 years old. We are reaching a wide array of hurting people. The Lord has been kind to us! We have more ministry than we know what to do with. Thanks again for all you did for us! We have a really great church!
Pastor Josh Brown

I am so grateful to God for Brian, his ministry, and his friendship. As a result of his assessment and coaching, my church has experienced unmistakable, God-given renewal. We are increasingly living out our church's mission which is to love and glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ. This is clearly showing in terms of spiritual depth (i.e. more people are maturing as Christian disciples) and spiritual width (i.e. more people are becoming Christian disciples). Our communication is clearer, our structure is stronger, our leadership development process is better, our facility stewardship is more proactive, and our cultural mindset is now set on eagerly advancing the kingdom of God. I strongly recommend the Church Whisperer to you.

Pastor Darin Kirkman

I wanted to let you know that we have really made some huge changes in the last few months. We are seeing new people every week and we had a leadership meeting with 23 in attendance. Pastor ______ is doing well and God is doing amazing things. Thanks for your support, prayers and love for the church!
Elder Jim

...thank you for your messages at [our church] over the past weeks. I just started going to _____________ while you were there and hadn't been to church in decades. Your messages kept me coming back... Thank you for helping me find my way back to God.
A New Church-Goer

"Brian is an experienced and insightful investigator of church systems. He has real skill in looking at and diagnosing some areas needing attention. I benefited greatly from his insight. As a result, our church is benefiting greatly. The process Brian took us through gave it the encouragement it needed to begin coming out of the 2020 difficulties. We will work on the insights Brian provided as a roadmap back to better health."
Pastor Trey Turner

I've appreciated so much Brian's very practical coaching as he's guided me and the leadership of our church as we've sought to become more effective for God's kingdom. His extensive experience in assisting churches navigate a variety of issues makes him highly qualified to help lead churches through congregational change.
Pastor Greg Lund

"Our church is extremely grateful for the insight, adaptability and wisdom Brian so graciously contributed to our needs as we transitioned. Our pastor transition was from Father to Son, which is by definition, difficult. Yet Brian was able to foresee issues, feelings and responses with high accuracy. Brian is personable, yet can direct when he needs to help us be reasonable and vision-oriented."

Pastor Bruce Jahnke

I had the privilege of co leading a pastor’s training group with Brian. Brian’s wealth of knowledge and practical experience was an asset to all of us. The interaction with the group and the relationships built was a great value. I highly recommend having Brian facilitate a group to provide invaluable resources and practical knowledge.
Andy Shanholtz

Leadership development within cohorts and peer groups has become increasingly popular, and rightfully so. Being involved in Brian’s leadership training group allowed me the opportunity to work through challenges, develop strengths and learn from both reading and peer development.

Pastor Jed Manders

"I have been so privileged and encouraged to be ministered to by Brian Thorstad as I have served as an Interim Pastor here in central Wisconsin.  He has been such a help and encouragement to me and especially, to this church I have served - Faith Community Church of Waupaca.  His leadership in helping us develop the “Journey Wall” enabled us to look back on the church’s history, the high points as well as the difficulties faced, especially in recent years.   Brian has helped FCC recover from a very difficult time…  Brian was such an encouragement to us, especially in the early months of recovery and preparation."
Pastor Mark Pitroff

“I enjoyed getting to know the guys in the group [and] I appreciated the thought, mind and spiritual challenges presented… I found many things that I was able to immediately apply, and I am still developing next steps that much of the discussion and training of this class helped to build a foundation for. [The handouts on strategic planning] will continue to be helpful in trying to guide our church to being more intentional. This [was] exactly what I was looking for at exactly the time I needed it.”
Pastor Dan Norman

"This course showed me that I, as a solo pastor, have to do things that don’t come naturally to me and has given me some tools to do the hard things.”
Pastor Steven Boyd

“I found value in our meetings and am grateful you invited me to be part of it as a ‘future senior pastor.’ I enjoyed being able to be part of the conversations and glean from those beyond me. Thanks for your leadership with the group and your heart for pastors!”
Pastor Brian Schley

"It was a privilege to have been a part of a pastors group led by Brian Thorstad. It's always great to learn from other pastors, and someone needs to provide leadership to make that happen. I'm thankful that Brian was willing to do that, and to share from both his successes and failures in ministry. He's honest, humble, and cares about people."
Pastor Todd Sauve

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Beyond The Boardroom: Other Ways In Which We’re Too Nice In Church

Five More Ways We’re Too “Nice” In Church

Testimonials

Brian A. Thorstad

Testimonials

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Brian A. Thorstad