Praying for Revival in our church

This past Wednesday we began the 100 days of prayer for unity, for revival, for reconciliation among members, for the Holy Spirit to use our church.  An article by Andy Nash in the review resonated with me this week.  He writes: “In North America too many of us are apathetic, secular. Sabbath schools are sparsely attended. Half of our members don’t study Scripture on their own. Worst of all is the troubling mind-set that being correct about the Sabbath automatically means that we’re spiritual. (Does being right about your spouse’s birthday mean that you’re happily married?) The Sabbath (and everything else) means nothing outside of a personal relationship with Christ: nothing, nothing, nothing.”  And I want to add a few exclamation points at the end, but, then some may interpret it as “screaming” J

I concur with such a diagnosis after a decade of ministering here in London.  Sooooo many “former” or “nominal” “Adventists” who had not set foot in the church, besides coming to the parking lot when the veg-mobile is in town J; so many who may have had set the foot in the church, but have not supported the mission or ministry of our congregation, yet considering themselves “remnant,” saved and ready for heaven.

From a recent conversations I had many were not ready for the long haul, many hoped Jesus would have come by now, and with uncertainty of time ahead, not sure how to prepare for the “marathon” of being peculiar.  The concern about being accepting and tolerant had overtaken the responsibility to help people in need of change.  At times I wonder too if we are heading for the “shaking” time described in following words:  “The Church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out—the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place.” (Ellen G. White, Selected Messages Vol. 2, p. 380.)

 How passionate are you about our church?  I am not asking how much you know about the history or institutional story of the movement, not about loyalty to the brand name, but about your passion for the local church family.  Do you care for the Church School, providing faith foundation for the elementary students?  Do you care about Adventurers and Pathfinders ministries, which need adults’ support, funding and mentoring for the growing up generation?  What about coming out to interact with youth and teens on Saturday night vespers?  Or have you become a “nominal” member, just like other denominations, showing up for the “divine” hour once a week and then living a disconnected life the rest of the week?  Have you done anything for the Mission advancement?  Do you care to come out for the door-to-door outreach, surveying needs and prayers of community?

Does it trouble you that the large portion of the young adults in their 30s, who are members of our extended church family, do not bother to come to our fellowship at all? Will your loved be saved?  Consider whether you are firm in the time of shaking.