Most Pastors would like to see their churches renewed. But, what do we mean by Church Renewal? Do we mean more people coming to church? More money being contributed? New buildings? These could be signs of renewal. But true renewal of a congregation means that the congregation is radically transformed so that it gives a visible manifestion of Christ. People who do not know the Lord see it in operation and are led to say, "There is Jesus!" The letter to the Ephesians says that we are to grow to the "stature of fullness of Christ." The Church goal is the fullness of His character and ministry. In terms of the goal, we certainly all have a long way to go. Personal renewal is the foundation. How can a congregation be renewed unless individuals are first renewed? That means their coming to a personal faith in Jesus Christ, knowing Him as Savior, Lord, and Baptizer in the Holy Spirit.
The task of helping people in the Church come into a personal, living relationship with Jesus Christ might take years. But before it is accomplished, you do not have much of a foundation to build on. Conversion is first base. If you try to go to second base before you get to first base, what happens? You are out every time.
The question to ask ourselves about renewal is the Holy Spirit is not so much "Do we have the Holy Spirit?" as "How much of us does the Holy Spirit have?" I used to think that if everybody in our Church had a certain spiritual experience all our troubles would be over. I think differently now. We need differences in temperament, gifting, background, and experience. In fact, the more diversity we can bring together, the greater the richness the Church will have, so long as everything is founded on Christ and His Word, and people are united in worshipping and serving Him. We have much work to do in the Church, and evangelization is on the top of the list.
We have a lot of people with titles and positions, but the motors are not running. So, God is pouring out His Spirit, getting the motors running. When He does, we will need steering wheels. In fact, we need them more than ever; but steering wheels that are guided by the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord!
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