20 Relics of the Church’s Past: Which Ones are Returning?: Part 1

Are some church traditions from the past making a comeback? In this episode of the Revitalize & Replant podcast, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss insights from an article by Thom Rainer that examines historical church practices that may be re-emerging in today’s ministry context. This conversation helps pastors and church leaders think critically about tradition, culture, and ministry effectiveness—distinguishing between meaningful practices and those that may hinder church revitalization. In this episode, Mark and Mark discuss church practices that may be returning, including:

1. Sunday evening worship services
2. Stand-and-greet moments during worship
3. Suits and ties in church attire
4. The use of organs in worship services
5. Printed church newsletters
6. Prolonged and frequent business meetings
7. Referring to small groups as “Sunday School”

Whether you’re leading a traditional congregation, revitalizing an aging church, or navigating cultural change, this episode offers helpful perspective on how churches can honor the past while staying mission-focused. Resources Related to This Episode: “Twenty Relics of Church Past” by Thom Rainer