attending a dead church

[Child of JC]

Is there any value in attending a dead church? If yes, what? If no, then why do we continue attending?

(For the purpose of this thread: If it's dead to you then it's dead. We don't need to debate if it's really dead or not. )

 

[Faulty]

Is there any value in attending a dead church? If yes, what? If no, then why do we continue attending?

(For the purpose of this thread: If it's dead to you then it's dead. We don't need to debate if it's really dead or not. )

I don't know what would make it "dead" to me. Apostate maybe? Then I'd have to leave if I had no influence over their teachings.

 

[Big Drew]

Is there any value in attending a dead church? If yes, what? If no, then why do we continue attending?

(For the purpose of this thread: If it's dead to you then it's dead. We don't need to debate if it's really dead or not. )

I stayed in a dead church for almost a year...I was a deacon and the music minister there, and continued going out of obligation...eventually I just couldn't deal with it anymore, I needed to be in a church that was thriving, so I could thrive...

On the other hand...God led us to a really big church where we could be part of the crowd, for a season...but then he led us to the church we're at now...When we got there 4 years ago it was barely hanging on...someone had come in and stolen about half the congregation, the half that stayed were depressed...there was a new pastor, first time ever pastoring, and it was draining the life out of him..I didn't understand why God would lead us to someplace that was nearly as dead as what we had just come from...but he was restoring life into the church...not only through us, but through others that came...eventually the young pastor stepped down, and we got a pastor with over 40 years of ministry experience...The church still isn't where it once was, as far as numbers go...but there's life, there's people there with the desire to serve God and to see others lives changed...besides, numbers don't matter. As one of my old pastors said, "I'd rather have a congregation of ten sold out believers than two hundred hypocrites."

 

[Always in His Presence]

The first question I would ask is if I was just sitting in the pew, or actually an active part of the church

 

[Strong in Him]

Is there any value in attending a dead church?

Attending - probably not. Though you won't know it's dead until you have.
Being a member, having a position of responsibility, being part of the ministry team or simply being so burdened for the people that you pray continually for them - absolutely.
In fact, I think the latter is the best indication that you are meant to either stay in a church, or go back to one, (and I think I've just talked myself into something!)

 

[Child of JC]

The first question I would ask is if I was just sitting in the pew, or actually an active part of the church

How would this make a difference for you?

Attending - probably not. Though you won't know it's dead until you have.
Being a member, having a position of responsibility, being part of the ministry team or simply being so burdened for the people that you pray continually for them - absolutely.
In fact, I think the latter is the best indication that you are meant to either stay in a church, or go back to one, (and I think I've just talked myself into something!)

If you were burdened and prayerful, you'd feel the (even small) life; it wouldn't be dead to you because you'd be carrying whatever God has put in your heart for those people. You'd be operating in your gift. You'd see God move, or at least you'd be waiting to see Him move. Right?

I'm talking dead. No Life. Routine. Playing church with no power. Leaving the same way as when you came in, week after week. No room for change.

Of course, a dried up plant might come back to life if it's watered. We never know if something is truly dead unless God let's us know.

 

[Always in His Presence]

It makes a huge difference, no one is ever called to be only sitting in the pew. The very reason foe the church is for preparing the saints for the work of the ministry. Churches die,( IMO), because the saints aren't working, they arE just sitting.

 

[Big Drew]

How would this make a difference for you?


If you were burdened and prayerful, you'd feel the (even small) life; it wouldn't be dead to you because you'd be carrying whatever God has put in your heart for those people. You'd be operating in your gift. You'd see God move, or at least you'd be waiting to see Him move. Right?

I'm talking dead. No Life. Routine. Playing church with no power. Leaving the same way as when you came in, week after week. No room for change.

Of course, a dried up plant might come back to life if it's watered. We never know if something is truly dead unless God let's us know.

That's exactly right...and it's why I left my old church...I knew it was just a matter of time before they closed the doors...and within six months of us leaving that's exactly what happened...there was no life left, and everyone was sick of going through the motions.

Where as, the church we were led to the people were hungry, and not being fed...they were discouraged...but they still had hope, and they still had a little life left in them...they just needed help going in the right direction...and the church is once again thriving.

 

[gratefulgrace]

There is only value in listening to the Holy Spirit and staying or going according to His direction whether you judge a place dead or not. I speak from experience. As for doing the work of the ministry I had more opportunity to do so in the 'dead church' than the on fire one I attended after we moved and my hubby got saved.

 

[Strong in Him]

If you were burdened and prayerful, you'd feel the (even small) life; it wouldn't be dead to you because you'd be carrying whatever God has put in your heart for those people. You'd be operating in your gift. You'd see God move, or at least you'd be waiting to see Him move. Right?

I'm talking dead. No Life. Routine. Playing church with no power. Leaving the same way as when you came in, week after week. No room for change.

Of course, a dried up plant might come back to life if it's watered. We never know if something is truly dead unless God let's us know.

Ah, ok.
Well that's how I feel about my former church, which is why I'm probably going back there (even though I might regret it.)

But I think you'd to find out how the leadership feel. If God has told them that the church will close soon, and there was no one there who was prepared to pray, ask for revival, or felt burdened for it - then that would probably be the answer.
There are times when I've thought that it might be best if my former church did close, and we even had a minister who felt the same. But he got moved on, I left, and it's still there.

 

[lismore]

I don't know what would make it "dead" to me. .

You keel over with boredom every meeting you go to!

When the pastor announces his last homily, everyone shouts 'AMEN!'.

The pastors young son is up front throwing peanuts at people to keep them awake.

 

[Faulty]

You keel over with boredom every meeting you go to!

When the pastor announces his last homily, everyone shouts 'AMEN!'.

The pastors young son is up front throwing peanuts at people to keep them awake.

So a boring church is a dead church? I don't know. I usually rate a church based on what is coming out of the pulpit not how it's coming out of the pulpit.

IMHO, a dead church could have a carnival atmosphere with everyone dancing in the isles, but if the word that is delivered are not the words of life, then to me it is a dead church.

 

[Always in His Presence]

To me a dead church is one where people only go to sit and listen. The BODY is all of us, not just the man/woman in the pulpit.

WE are His hands, not just the one behind the pulpit.

WE are the ones who are to go and share the Gospel, not just the one behind the pulpit.

WE are the ones who are to be doing the WORK of the ministry, not just the one behind the pulpit.

I don't grade a church by just what happens in a service, but what happens after the service. The ONE behind the pulpit is responsible for leading and training the MANY for the work of the ministry. If you're church is dead, then it's because the ONE and the MANY are dead. If the MANY get up off their best intentions and do something besides what they are currently doing, the church is very much alive.

Regardless of style.

 

[Child of JC]

It makes a huge difference, no one is ever called to be only sitting in the pew. The very reason foe the church is for preparing the saints for the work of the ministry. Churches die,( IMO), because the saints aren't working, they arE just sitting.

My "dead church" did not allow most to do what they desired to do. One wanted to do the books, but another (who didn't want to do it) was offered the position. This is just one example, but it happened a lot. It's been frustrating to try and fit in. I was actually accepted as a worship leader, but I was expected to be the same kind of worship leader as what we already had. I couldn't be myself.
I'm still at that church, but we have a new Pastor now. His heart is pure, but the old influences are still there and still in charge (behind the scenes).

 

[benny_MD]

well....sometimes a 'dead' church needs to be resurrected, and the person to do it could be you...so pray over it and see if God will use you in that church....or you might just have to start thinking of other options...

 

[Big Drew]

My "dead church" did not allow most to do what they desired to do. One wanted to do the books, but another (who didn't want to do it) was offered the position. This is just one example, but it happened a lot. It's been frustrating to try and fit in. I was actually accepted as a worship leader, but I was expected to be the same kind of worship leader as what we already had. I couldn't be myself.
I'm still at that church, but we have a new Pastor now. His heart is pure, but the old influences are still there and still in charge (behind the scenes).

If the church is supposed to stand, and the new pastor is a Godly man, order will be restored.

 

[Seeking Him]

So a boring church is a dead church? I don't know. I usually rate a church based on what is coming out of the pulpit not how it's coming out of the pulpit.

IMHO, a dead church could have a carnival atmosphere with everyone dancing in the isles, but if the word that is delivered are not the words of life, then to me it is a dead church.

Words of life can revive a dead church. Words of Spirit and life, will bring just that. People are hungering for this. And if everyone in the pews started ministering to one another, not just the pastor doing all the work, the life of God can return.

 

[Seeking Him]

To me a dead church is one where people only go to sit and listen. The BODY is all of us, not just the man/woman in the pulpit.

WE are His hands, not just the one behind the pulpit.

WE are the ones who are to go and share the Gospel, not just the one behind the pulpit.

WE are the ones who are to be doing the WORK of the ministry, not just the one behind the pulpit.

I don't grade a church by just what happens in a service, but what happens after the service. The ONE behind the pulpit is responsible for leading and training the MANY for the work of the ministry. If you're church is dead, then it's because the ONE and the MANY are dead. If the MANY get up off their best intentions and do something besides what they are currently doing, the church is very much alive.

Regardless of style.

We are His hands, yes. Paul spoke about body ministry, this will certainly bring a church to life. We are all royal priests and God has given each of us the grace of a ministry, however unseen or small it may seem, to God it is important.

 

[Always in His Presence]

My "dead church" did not allow most to do what they desired to do.

There's a difference between the desire to serve, and the desire to obtain a position. Often times positions are not available, but opportunities to serve are all around us. I started by cleaning floors and cutting the lawns. It was amazing how welcomed I was.

Have you tried asking what they are in need of and just jump in?

One wanted to do the books, but another (who didn't want to do it) was offered the position.

I wouldn't let just anyone do the books - why would the church do any different? Perhaps one was more qualified or more trust worthy than the other. That's why I said there is a difference between a position and an opportunity. If they didn't get the books, do they help usher?

I was actually accepted as a worship leader, but I was expected to be the same kind of worship leader as what we already had. I couldn't be myself.

Every leadership comes with expectations. Why didn't you take the position and submit to the leadership until they grew to know you r ministry better and then slowly introduce changes.

I'm still at that church, but we have a new Pastor now. His heart is pure, but the old influences are still there and still in charge (behind the scenes).

Sounds like you are in the middle of a political power play. That pretty much squeezes out the Holy Spirit, IMHO -

That power play (us against them) will kill a church because it makes people hirlings instead of servants.

Good luck!

 

[Peaceful Dove]

well....sometimes a 'dead' church needs to be resurrected, and the person to do it could be you...so pray over it and see if God will use you in that church....or you might just have to start thinking of other options...

You beat me to this one.

When God healed me of lung cancer he told me he saved me to start a Charismatic Prayer Group in one if the deadest Catholic Churches in the entire area. I argued with God until he told me to be quiet and stop arguing with him. He told me if I obeyed him, he would open every door. That was about 7 years ago. He was true to his word and this Church was "raised from the dead". We now have two young vibrant Priests and have had 3 prime time Sunday Charismatic Masses. Have had many Spirit Filled services. We have Prayer Meetings every Friday night and a First Friday Healing Mass the first Friday of every month.

God chooses folks like you to obey him and go raise the dead.