Tuesday, July 18, 2023

How to Tell a Live Church from a Dead One

Bible Reading: I Peter 1:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 1 – “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,”


Key Words: scattered throughout


I Peter was written to the church of Asia.  They were scattered abroad going through much persecution but very much alive (verse 6).  


Most churches today are announced as being alive simply by their numbers and their music.  I submit to you that those are not the signs of a live church.  A live church will have the following.

  1. LIVE churches have many people who bring their Bibles and use them; DEAD churches do not.
  2. LIVE churches are filled with praise and sounds of joy and thanksgiving; DEAD churches are apathetic and lifeless.
  3. LIVE churches usually have parking problems; DEAD churches never have to worry about this.
  4. LIVE churches are moving out by “faith;” DEAD churches creep along by sight.
  5. LIVE churches have lots of children and young people and “noise;” DEAD churches are as quiet as tombs.
  6. LIVE churches center on serving people; DEAD churches focus mainly on problems.
  7. LIVE churches are filled with a spirit of love for each other; DEAD churches are filled with suspicious, critical, and bickering people.
  8. LIVE churches are always emphasizing evangelism, discipleship, and involvement; DEAD churches ask for little and get it.
  9. LIVE churches have many sacrificial givers; DEAD churches have people who only “tip” the Lord.
  10. LIVE churches are always discovering ways to grow; DEAD churches are plateaued or declining and have little or no concern about the problem.

 What kind of church do you want your church to be?  Are you willing to allow God to use you to help it be a GROWING church?


What to do:  

Help your church be a LIVE church through your faithfulness to its services and participation in its ministries.


                                                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse

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