Revitalization, Identity, and Critical Faith with with Dr. Javon Caldwell-Gross

Dr. Gross’s book

"Not Just Sunday: Reimagine the Reach and Rhythms of Your Church"

In this memorable episode of the “To Be and Do” podcast, host Philip Amerson sits down with Dr. Javon Caldwell Gross to discuss the profound shifts facing churches in 2025 and beyond. Their conversation offers wisdom, encouragement, and practical theology for congregations navigating a rapidly changing landscape. Here are three key takeaways that truly resonate.

1. Revitalization Starts with Identity, Not Just Activity

One of the central themes Dr. Javon Caldwell Gross brings is the reframing of revitalization. Too often, churches consider it a last resort—resources for dying congregations to merely ‘survive’. Dr. Javon Caldwell Gross encourages a new perspective: revitalization as an invitation for every size congregation to reimagine its purpose and presence. The anchor point, he stresses, is identity before activity. Churches must first answer the question, “Who is God calling us to be?” before rushing into programs or events. He states, “The church that you had in 2019 is no longer present… The expectations of how people find community are different, how they receive and give information is different.” With this mindset, activity flows authentically from deep self-understanding, and adapts as times change.

2. Bring Theology and Resurrection to the Heart of Church Renewal

Throughout their conversation, both Philip Amerson and Dr. Javon Caldwell Gross emphasize the critical importance of theology in enabling genuine renewal. Dr. Javon Caldwell Gross asks churches to wrestle with “What do I truly believe about God?” and “What do I believe about resurrection?” It’s not budgets or demographics that define the path forward, but our core beliefs. “If you really believe that God is a provider…that will inform your approach to revitalization.” Connecting revitalization with the resurrection narrative—where death is not the end, but the beginning of renewal—challenges churches to interpret decline or change as a spiritual journey, not just a practical problem.

3. Equip and Empower for a New Landscape

The episode shares stories of small churches and communities—whether 27 members in New Jersey or bubbles of growth in Indiana—who find themselves called to adapt and equip their people for new ways of doing ministry. Dr. Javon Caldwell Gross relates his experiences: “There were leaders…they needed to be trained and equipped. There are people in there with gifts, but I needed to put time into developing them.” The key is intentional development and critical thinking. Seminary education, he argues, doesn’t have all the answers for every scenario, but it trains leaders to think deeply and discern creatively for their context. As he quips, “Jesus didn’t have people with all the skills either. That’s why he spent three years equipping them for ministry.”

Final Reflections

This episode invites us to see revitalization not as a formula, but as a journey with God—one shaped by faith, story, and critical reflection. Both speakers urge churches and individuals to share their own stories of transformation, reminding us that “stories are the currency of the faith.” From equipping new leaders to embracing theological questions, listeners leave inspired to explore identity, embrace renewal, and boldly embody faith in a “strange land.”

For follow-up, listeners are encouraged to reach out, share their stories, and check out resources like Dr. Caldwell Gross’s book, Not Just Sunday. As our communities evolve, so must our calling to be—and do—the work of faith.

More About Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross

The Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross has been a transformational ministry thought leader for 2 decades. Serving in diverse contexts, from urban neighborhoods to multicultural suburban communities. Dr. J is known for his unique ability to connect with a wide range of audiences and make the gospel both accessible and practical for everyday life.

His journey has included serving at one of the largest United Methodist churches in the country, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN, where he led as Teaching and Online Community Pastor, helping to redefine and expand the church’s digital footprint to reach people around the world.

Dr. J now serves as the Director of Church Revitalization and New Developments for the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, where he resources and supports more than 640 congregations across the state. In this role, he partners with pastors, leaders, and communities to help churches navigate a rapidly changing ministry landscape with clarity, courage, and innovation. His work includes developing strategies for revitalization, fostering new church developments, and equipping churches for effective ministry in both physical and digital spaces.

An ordained pastor, author, and professor, he is driven by a clear mission: to equip churches and congregational leaders for relevant, sustainable, and transformative ministry. He holds an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from Wesley Theological Seminary, where he focused on transformational leadership. 

When he’s not filming a mobile message or developing the next online sermon series, Dr.  J is often designing new training materials for clergy and laity, coaching pastors through revitalization challenges, or sitting across from a leader at a local coffee shop with something hot in hand, dreaming, discerning, and imagining what God might be calling the church to do next.

Not Just Sunday: Reimagine the Reach and Rhythms of Your Church"