Revivalist sees burnout among pastors
TORONTO, ON—Henry Blackaby loves to preach about revival. "Re-vive means to bring life back," he says. "It is a fresh touch of God" for believers who long "to be living today at the highest level of relationship with God."
The Canadian born Southern Baptist minister and author was right on target with his messages at the Greater Toronto Spiritual Life Convention January 17 to 20 at The Peoples Church in Toronto.
The annual event, which attracted more than 700 people each evening, was held in conjunction with the Truth Alive conference, organized by Peoples Church. More than 200 pastors, ministry workers and lay Christians from across Canada (and at least one from India) attended plenary sessions headlined by Blackaby and Peoples Church pastor Charles Price.
"So many Christian workers find themselves weary, burnt out and discouraged. Ministry is tough, but what we sometimes fail to recognize, is that our resources are not sufficient, for our ultimate resource for Christian living and Christian service is Jesus Christ Himself. We are not in the business of merely working 'for' Him, but we are invited to be 'workers together with Him,'" says Price.
Complete dependence on God was the driving theme. Person after person at the conference spoke of being heavily involved in activities at the expense of spending time with the Lord. Words like "refreshing" and "replenishing" were on the lips of many who realized "you cannot guide others unless you're in the will of the Lord yourself."
This desire to seek the will of God through devoted times of Scripture study and prayer was music to Blackaby's ears. "You want to be a more significant believer," he says.
The famed revivalist sees burnout and discouragement among pastors and ministry workers as a lack of intimacy in their relationship with God. "You need to probe yourself to discover the source of your discouragement," he insists. "If your relationship with God is right, you won't be discouraged and you'll never burn out."
"Your life can become a highway for revival in the hands of God," Blackaby told the closing assembly. He challenged his listeners to "choose the highway of holiness to bring revival in every area of your life." It comes down to "a simple moment of decision," he says. "Don't neglect the intensity of the moment when the Holy Spirit has spoken. Decide to act on it."
Marie Daniel, a former Hindu temple worker who turned to Christ 20 years ago and now runs an evangelism ministry, came from his native India to attend the conference. He soaked up the teaching and, basking in the glow of new friends and deep fellowship, he told the assembly: "I feel like you organized this conference for me only."
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