Deus Misereatur

Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive by Thom S. Rainer My rating: 4 of 5 stars In so many different ways death is a grievous event to be part of, whether it’s a pet, a parent, a companion or a congregation. But it is even graver when it is a death that might have been avoided. Thom S. Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, describes the postmortem he performed on fourteen congregational corpses in his 112 page hardback, “Autopsy of a Deceased Church: 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive”. This little work moves quickly through fifteen concise chapters, keeping a reader engaged and deliberating. The book comes out in two uneven parts, the first eleven chapters cover the autopsy and the final three encompass hope. In the first section of “Autopsy of a Deceased Church,” Rainer takes the reader through the trademarks of decline that he has culled from interviews with previous church members. The pattern becomes speedily obvious: slow, almost imperceptib...

{In this prayer we're being guided by Psalm 4} Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer (Psalm 4.1)! We know, O God, that you are near to all who call upon you, to all who call upon you in truth (Psalm 145.18); and we have been assured with your strong promises that if we ask in Jesus’ name you will hear us and answer us for his sake (John 14.12-14). Therefore, in your Son’s name, answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness. O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him (Psalm 4.2-3).  Holy God, we ask you to give strength, protection, stability and proficiency to your Church in all places, including this congregation; Shield of Faith Missionary Baptist Church; Shields Boulevard Baptist; Siloam Baptist; Southern Hills Bapti...