Greetings Linda,

Let us not forget what is, IMHO, one of the greatest assets to church's future potential for Gospel victory, which is the faithful nurturing of her covenant children. I believe the 20th century evangelical church placed far too much energy in church growth programs while neglecting the emphasis of biblical education and an integrated Christian life and worldview. I, for one, am excited and optimistic with the explosion of Christian homeschooling and other opportunities for parents to be better equipped for training their children. Besides that, there are positive things happening in different areas. Thirty years ago, our church was the only Reformed witness in NH, and one of just a few that were preaching the Gospel. Today there are about a dozen Reformed churches in NH. Though none of them being real big, the momentum is still very positive. If the Lord shall bless the faithful nurturing of our covenant seed, as it seems He is doing, then I believe we have reason for optimism without sensational revivals. This is not to say I would not welcome a powerful conversion of those who are "outside", but as Pilgrim noted earlier, I believe the church must itself reform before such blessing can be expected.

As a side note, and this may not be a very popular statement here, I would not look back with too much longing to have another "Great Awakening." Though there was certainly good that happened there, at the same time there is compelling evidence to believe that an apparent short-lived excitement became a long-term drought after producing many false-converts (read, for instance, "The Great Revival of Religion, 1740-1745" by Charles Hodge). I believe that is a real danger, though not a necessary one, of harboring revivalistic longings. I would lean towards having a patient faithfulness in the means that God has given us, with our greatest attention as individuals towards growing in sanctification in every area of life into which our vocation brings us as parents, employees, employers, teachers, etc. If we concentrate on faithfulness to live exemplary holy lives in our ordinary vocations, diligently studying God's Word so that we may always have an answer to unbelievers, and promoting and supporting the Reformed churches who faithfully preach the Gospel, and pray for the Lord's blessing on all of this, then we can have a measure of satisfaction that we are faithful servants who can rest on the Lord and His timing for any increase He would be pleased to yield.

My $.02 my2cents grin

Sincerely in Christ,

Jason