Quote
from John Ed Mathison, Senior Minister, Frazer Memorial United Methodist
Church, Montgomery, Alabama
Live churches have
lots of noisy youth and children.
Dead churches are relatively quiet.
Live churches
are planning for the future.
Dead churches focus on programs.
Live churches
present an unchanging Christ in forms of ministry that are changing.
Dead churches do things the way they have always
been done.
Live churches
are filled with tithers.
Dead churches are filled with tippers.
Live churches
are friendly and receptive to newcomers.
Dead churches wonder why they have no visitors.
Live churches
focus on "what is right with the church."
Dead churches look for what is wrong with the
church.
Live churches design
worship in which the worshipers are participants.
Dead churches have worshipers who are spectators.
Live churches
have worship that celebrates.
Dead churches have worship that is endured.
Live churches
support missions heavily.
Dead churches keep the money at home.
Live churches
dream God's dream.
Dead churches relive nightmares.
Live churches
focus on power.
Dead churches focus on problems.