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In short, even when a church has a faithful preacher of the Word, the Elders are administering the sacraments aright and church disciple is being practiced, any fruit that results is ultimately determined by God and His mercy and grace. (1Cor 3:7) Reformation, i.e., returning to the "Old Gospel" is the responsibility of the churches. (Hos 4:6) and the people to walk accordingly. (Jer 6:16) But revival is at the sole discretion of the Living God Who saves according to His own will. (Eph 1:4-13; Rom 8:29, 30; 9:6ff; et al)

I think that this is not often said and only half believed even among the reformed. It's so easy ask the question "what must we do to impact the community with the gospel?" and then immediately fall into the mindset of "how do WE make this happen?" and start thinking of outreach programs instead of going before the Lord, confessing our sins, the sins of our church, and the sins of our community and praying for refreshment from the Lord and revival.

I've just read the Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards which gives an account of the Great Awakening in America. What I noticed is that God raised up men who preached the whole counsel of God with passion, conviction, and expectation (and without compromise) in the power of the Spirit and the people's response was much like that of the men of Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. The preaching of the Word was received with conviction and awe because of the work of the Spirit.

I think if we want our churches to be "influencial" we need to pray for our pastors to be filled with the Spirit and so be enabled and equipped to preach the Word of God without compromise and for Him to send His Spirit make effectual the preaching of His Word in the ears of the listeners. And that He would make us faithful servants of God.

Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence." - St. Augustine
Hiraeth