Quote:
Originally Posted by Pastor Keith
From a historical perspective I agree, but sometimes by improper usage, words loose their original meaning, I meant by what in UPCI circles revival has come to mean. Souls being saved, church growth, finances up, goals being met, etc.
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I have a problem with this and I will tell you why. First of all my problem is not with what you have said. I agree with you. From what your church is experiencing I say "FANTASTIC".
Unfortunately, you are correct in that this is what most call revival and when we accept this as revival then our faith accepts church growth, finances up, goals being met and a major victory. But what this world, especially America, needs is a REAL revival. Where the Spirit of God is so prevalent that man's heart is changed, that it brings change to our culture, and that the glory of the Lord is manifested in a way where no one gets the credit except for God and God alone.
However, if we don't view this as "revival" then when we talk about revival all we focus on (or release our faith in) is a bigger church and more money. I am all for that, but that should be a result of real revival not the goal that we have set.
As for me, I could care less about church growth for church growth sake. I would rather have a small group of people that hungry for the Presence of God and a desire to get the true Word (not man's doctrinal interpretation of holiness nor this watered down seeker sensitive stuff that has emerged) spread throughout this world.
I believe that we as Christian "settle" for too much that is way below what God intends. Example, someone gets in a bad car wreck and lives but their body doesn't work like it did before. We are claiming victory over this when part of our covenant is total healing. There are too many instances where we have dumbed-down what God has said and we accept that a good.
Real revival will change a nation and this nation needs God's manifest Presence back in it like Topeka, Kansas and Azusa Street.