Revival The Missing Link?

[Hoovie]

Yes. Though, the Amish may be very culture driven, and one might exist there for benefits aside from dedication to Christ, surely the same might be said of all church denoms.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

the point is, percentages really aren't all that impressive when viewed against the larger picture.

Meaning their numbers are insignificant considering the overall size of the Amish?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Baron1710

At what point does inbreeding become a major problem in a group that has no new blood introduced?

Originally Posted by Praxeas

I read an article once stating it was already a problem

I think it depends on how big that pool is and what preexisting diseases are dormant.

In the case of the Amish, they have developed a few uniquely Amish diseases. Nevertheless, the Amish are considerably more healthy than other Americans including a lessor likelihood to develop diseases like cancers.

[Baron1710]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I am puzzled. Are babies born into the families of Christians somehow of less value?

Impressive? Perhaps. But if he stays for a lifetime and multiplies by five to ten during that time you would have numbers that rival anything being produced by UPC AOG or the Southern Baptists.

I don't see how birth rate equals revival.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Baron1710

I don't see how birth rate equals revival.

LOL! True it does not. I was using it a bit TIC but the same way most are using it today, meaning "church growth".


It does assume the Christian parents teach the child in the ways of the Lord and bring him to salvation not unlike any other convert that is "added to the church".

[SRM]

Revival is not adding new members..it is reviving one's self..preachers look at the numbers..Church is a business..some have become cash cows..

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by SRM

Revival is not adding new members..it is reviving one's self..preachers look at the numbers..Church is a business..some have become cash cows..

I think we here all understand that - but it's a point well taken. I was making a play on the word, according to it's most frequent use.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Here is an Amish that would like to change evangelism.

Part one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhoz_...eature=related

Very good video, it is thinking like the young man at the end that will change the Amish forever. "If what the leaders say, goes against the Word of God, it is the word of God that is the way to go." "The Amish are reading the Bible in English and are beginning to understand what it means, and questioning."

When folks start thinking for themselves and studying for themselves things begin to change. It is happening all over.

[Jason B]

I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but some of us grew up in the world, and remember this spoof. Pretty funny stuff. Its not that far off from a "pentecostal paradise"

"Amish Paradise"
As I walk through the valley where I harvest my grain
I take a look at my wife and realize she's very plain
But that's just perfect for an Amish like me
You know, I shun fancy things like electricity
At 4:30 in the morning I'm milkin' cows
Jedediah feeds the chickens and Jacob plows... fool
And I've been milkin' and plowin' so long that
Even Ezekiel thinks that my mind is gone
I'm a man of the land, I'm into discipline
Got a Bible in my hand and a beard on my chin
But if I finish all of my chores and you finish thine
Then tonight we're gonna party like it's 1699

We've been spending most our lives
Living in an Amish paradise
I've churned butter once or twice
Living in an Amish paradise
It's hard work and sacrifice
Living in an Amish paradise
We sell quilts at discount price
Living in an Amish paradise

[Jason B]

In a more serious post, I watched all 6 of the videos Hoovie posted. Pretty intersting stuff.