Preaching and Revival

So we hear that th church is dying. Well certainly there is a feeling that something is wrong in some Churches. However, do we really have to die? I don't think so. Let me suggest first of all what will kill a church:-

1. Forgetting the basics: When was the last time you prayed for someone to be saved, when did you last pray for an hour for people to be released in their giftings in the church - PRAYER WILL transform your church. We need to get back to being a praying church.

2. Too few people doing too many of the jobs. People get exausted and tired. People should have a maximum of three jobs and ideally only one.

3. Lack of continuity - if you change a leader every five years or less - you will eventually stagnate. Yes lay leadership can help to keep the continuity but each church needs a pastor - visionary.

This lack of continuity also extends to preaching. Variety of theological opinions is not the recipe for mature christians. It can create a number of middle of the road insipid believers.

4. Lack of conviction - if you do not have a passion for preaching The Gospel, passion for The Bible and a passion for prayer - you have no place preaching. YOU WILL KILL congregations.

5. Keeping the peace at all costs (read a sermon I preached recently). You get no arguments in a graveyard. It is no shock that Paul and Barnabus and then Paul and the Council of Jerusalem involved conflict.

6.Too many chapels with hardly any lay leadership. I passionatley believe in the ministry of the whole people of God. I am completely with Wagner and his book of "Spiritual Gifts" everyone should be operating in some form of ministry, making cups of tea, photocopying etc etc.

7. Lack of vision - you can't hit anything if you are not aiming at. What do you want to do as a church - which people do you want to reach? What areas in faith do you need to grow in?

The church - does not need to die - we just need once again to connect with God. To seek His face and he will heal the church and the land.

                                Why Pastors Leave the Ministry

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