What is a "Dead" church?

[Aquila]

I often hear of churches being "dead". What constitutes a dead service or a dead church?

Are the standards by which we judge a church as being alive biblical?

Just a few questions I have.

[sandie]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I often hear of churches being "dead". What constitutes a dead service or a dead church?

Are the standards by which we judge a church as being alive biblical?

Just a few questions I have.

The very first church I ever attended was lively in it's worship, God was there, no doubt. It was trinity pentecostal, so no UPC type standards.
I think God shows up where He's welcomed, adored, and praised from a sincere group of people.
I recieved the baptism of the HG in a trinity tent meeting before I even knew what the HG was, had never heard of speaking in tongues, the people I was with had to explain to me what had happened.
So, I think it's totally a heart issue.

[acerrak]

no church growth, people leaving to go other places, no retention, nothing developing to draw more people in.


no seeds planted no harvest.

Spiritualy could be many reasons, politics in the pulpit, same stories no preaching,
people afraid of some new people comming in making a impact on there church and losing there position as though they had one.

[deltaguitar]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I often hear of churches being "dead". What constitutes a dead service or a dead church?

Are the standards by which we judge a church as being alive biblical?

Just a few questions I have.

A church where the gospel is not proclaimed and there is no visible work of the Holy Spirit.

[acerrak]

Originally Posted by sandie

The very first church I ever attended was lively in it's worship, God was there, no doubt. It was trinity pentecostal, so no UPC type standards.
I think God shows up where He's welcomed, adored, and praised from a sincere group of people.
I recieved the baptism of the HG in a trinity tent meeting before I even knew what the HG was, had never heard of speaking in tongues, the people I was with had to explain to me what had happened.
So, I think it's totally a heart issue.

amen we are very similiar, except i wasnt in a tent when i was filled. i came over to the upci because my trinity church got a new pastor and the examples i used above was what was happening in the pupit and i was spiritually drying up. though i went to both upci and trinty churches back and fourth for awhile.

I believe in the Oneness of God over trinity, but both churches had great Holy ghost revivals. both groups of people Love God

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I often hear of churches being "dead". What constitutes a dead service or a dead church?

Are the standards by which we judge a church as being alive biblical?

Just a few questions I have.

[Aquila]

I ask this because I think that some of what we call "lively" is just crowd dynamics and hype from music and prodding from the pulpit.

I've attended home groups where the power of God was very powerful, even more powerful than in church services, yet the hype wasn't present.

[Maximilian]

A church where people are not living with an active sense of the Spirit of God in their lives?

A church that is not on mission with their city/neighborhood?

A church where there is no discipleship?

A church where Jesus is no longer the focal point.

[On The Wheel]

Some would posit that a dead church is one where people do not do much of the following:

1. Run the aisles.
2. Run the backs of pews.
3. Roll on the floor.
4. Dance in an uncontrolled and jerky manner.
5. Have folks "slain in the spirit".
6. "Shuck and jive" to a "shout beat" on the drums. (to coin a Mahaneyism)

It is interesting to note, that none of these manifestations are even remotely biblical. I would have some different definitions, of course.

[Adam]

Never had a dead service when Mahaney was in attendance, now, that one's for certain.