Page 13 - God Got His Hands Dirty

God Got His Hands Dirty

The First Church of the Almost Dead

Timeline: 120 days before the start date of scheduled revival

Perspective on revival:
Most pastors/churches/denominations are much like the
woman who went into her doctor’s off ice to get the report of her
recent X-rays. The report wasn’t good. She needed surgery but
couldn’t aff ord it. So the doctor touched up her X-rays. This made
her feel better temporarily, but it was disastrous in the long run.
I am afraid that is true of most pastors/churches/denominations
when taking an honest look at the condition of our church. We
would rather have the X-rays of our diagnosis touched up if the
diagnosis is not good. It may make us all feel better, but it is tragic
for days, years or generations to come. It’s pay now or later.
Proposal: Be honest with the diagnosis of the church, accept
the findings and fix the problems. The answer is: revival now!

“The First Church of the Almost Dead” is not a flattering name.
Few people, if any, would be attracted to it. Unfortunately, it can
be applied to many churches today. They haven’t put a padlock on
the doors and they are still going through the motions, but they are
lifeless, listless, and languishing away. Everyone knows they are
almost dead. Everyone but them.
In American society, there are 9 churches closing every week.
Church leaders are faced with the pressure of turning a church
around with limited resources to reach new people, hire eff ective

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