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| The Regional Board brought to the Regional
Assembly an emergency recommendation calling for revival and unity within
our church. The Recommendation grew out of a call
for revival circulated from
Peachtree Christian Church
and passed to Regional Minister Tom
Neal for the attention of the Board and Assembly. Regional Moderator
Linda Whitmire asked all
Board members to stand and then presented their recommendation to the Assembly
with the invitation for all to "stand with us" in calling for revival and
unity in the church.
The Recommendation reads: "In response to the events of
September 11 and their aftermath, we, the members of the Board and Assembly
of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia call for a revival
of faith among all members of this church and a reaffirmation of the unity
of the church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ." The response of the Assembly
was to stand in affirmation with the Board in this reaffirmation of our
oneness in Christ and the timeliness of a reunification of the church as
we respond to the painful events in our nation and the world.
The Board directed Regional Minister Tom Neal to publish
this recommendation along with the original document
submitted from the ministers and Board of Peachtree Christian Church --
and any other documents or responses others might make to the Recommendation.
Publishing will be through this web page, the Christian Messenger and the
Minister’s mailing. Each congregation is urged to consider these documents
and to what actions the Spirit of God might be calling us at this time in
our history.
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There is evidence that the majority of Americans are experiencing
a revival of patriotism and loyalty to our nation. People of all races and ages,
different political parties, and the rich and poor are uniting in support of those
values that made this land a place of freedom and justice for all. Some are saying
that we are becoming THE REUNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
I believe with all my heart that the Church of Jesus Christ needs
to experience a revival even more than America. If such a revival came, what would
be the evidence of Christians REUNITING in the Body of Jesus Christ? If we can measure
a true spiritual revival from those of past centuries, and I believe we can, the
following signs of a restored, renewed, and revitalized Church would be evident
in the lives of people:
- People in hearing the Gospel of God's Truth, Love, and Grace unto Salvation
confess Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God and receive Him as Lord and
Savior of the world. The esteem of people for Jesus Christ is elevated, and
He is proclaimed as the hope of the world. The Great Commission to make disciples
of all nations, which is given by Jesus Christ for His Church becomes the urgent
priority of the Church and the passion of every Christian.
- People repent of their wrongs and unrighteous acts, and begin seeking "God's
Kingdom and His Righteousness" before all other interests. The Holy Spirit convicts
people of their sins, and leads them into sanctification for the Glory of God.
- People are moved by the Holy Spirit to seek God's Will and Word in the Holy
Scriptures. Spiritual Revival restores His Truth and Inspired Word to the hearts
and minds of His people and His Church.
- People are empowered by the Holy Spirit to discern between the Truth of
Christ and the false teachings of secular and corrupt cultures. The Holy Spirit
enables Christians to know and proclaim the truth of God with Love, Mercy, Justice,
and Grace. The Holy Spirit also gives Christians courage and strength to deny
and reject that, which is false.
- People begin to grow in their love for God and in their love for others.
A personal and saving relationship with Jesus Christ is always an affair of
the heart. Love for God is realized and expressed in Rejoicing in the Lord always,
Worshipping God with praise and thanksgiving, and seeking God in prayer and
supplication without ceasing. Love for others is realized and expressed by joyfully
serving others with respect, kindness, patience, gentleness, and forgiveness.
Loving others in Jesus Christ is seeking community with others and together
establishing Peace and Goodwill for all.
Through the divided Church of Jesus Christ and these perilous
times of our nation and world, God is calling for a REUNITING of Christians. Only
God's spiritual revival can do this. If you and I, our Church, and others would
begin practicing the five proven marks of previous Christian revivals as listed
above, I believe God would pour out His blessings upon us.
After all, God promised when He declared, "If my people who are
called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked
ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land"
(2 Chronicles 7:14).
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