Revival in

Fayette County has about as much chance as a snowball in hell. That may

be hyperbole, but it hits at the truth more than it misses it. If God

were to send a revival, indeed it would have to be manufactured in heaven,

not here on earth. We just don't have the time, energy, or passion for

a revival.

Let's get it

straight what revival means. Charles G. Finney, renowned evangelist of

the 19th century in America, said revival is "nothing else than a

new beginning of obedience to God. Just as in the care of a converted

sinner, the first step is a deep repentance, a breaking down of heart,

a getting down into the dust before God, with deep humility, and a forsaking

of sin."

If you know

Fayette County and its environs, you also know the forces at work to prevent

even the people of God a la Christians from even getting close to revival.

First, we are

too busy for revival and consequently too busy for what God really wants

from us and for us. Too many churchgoers brag on their pastor by saying,

"he lets us out on time." Truly that's one of the serious issues

in church life in Fayette. We are so busy that if a series of revival

meetings broke out at the church house, we wouldn't be able to make but

a fraction of the meetings because our calendars are already filled with

other commitments.

But we have

time for other things. The average American watches an equivalent of 52

days of TV per year. That's 24 hours a week. Bottom line: we have time

for TV but we do not have time for church whether it's a second worship

service, a Bible study, visitation, or planning meetings.

Second, revival

would be hard to find a home in Fayette because of our secular responsibilities

that are more important that spiritual cares. I have seen parents break

their necks to get their kids to soccer practice, but actually become

too lazy to take them to church. I have seen "important" Christian

business leaders in this community look down upon the calling of a pastor

as merely that of a "hired hand" but then grovel at the feet

of a corporate president.

The spiritual

needs of the community and the daily needs of the church take second or

third place to the needs of personal businesses and households. That the

church has outdated computers and broken down vacuum cleaners seems the

way it should be according to some.

Third, revival

will only come at a great cost because Christians in Fayette County actually

fear a church in revival. They fear that things could get out of hand

and that people would start confessing sins and become transparent with

their past. They fear a "shouting joy" would break loose in

their country club churches. They fear the preacher may become a focus

for preaching of righteousness. They fear that they themselves will catch

fire and become in fact a "Holy Roller", which they have ridiculed

all their lives.

Lord knows

we need a revival if for no other reasons than those enumerated above.

Perhaps we need a revival because our spiritual lives smell more of dust

and death than anything else does. Even if my initial statement of hyperbole

is more truth than fiction, I still am one to believe that what's impossible

with man is possible with God. I pray that God would send a great revival

in spite of our resistance. Amen!

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher

is pastor of

River's Edge Community

Church

1091 South Jeff Davis Drive

Fayetteville, Georgia 30215

770-719-0303

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