There is no doubt that most of us want to be members of a live, growing church. Most of us can easily tell the difference . . . and so can the Lord! Live churches have all kinds of problems: parking problems, lack of classrooms, teachers, etc. They always have more work, programs, mission opportunities, and other things than they can take advantage of; dead ones don't! Live churches make constant demands on time, talent, and money. There are fellowships, services, and classes to attend. There are people to visit, delinquents to reclaim and drifters who need encouragement and admonition; dead ones don't! Live churches are filled with people who are weak, neglectful, forgetful, and who need attention, but they are growing. They are concerned, prayerful, and giving; dead ones aren't! Live churches have preachers who are book and people oriented. They have preachers who preach hard, exhort often and know what's going on in the world, in the church and in the lives of many brethren-dead ones don't! Live churches have elders who stretch the budget yearly to help the congregation to grow. They have programs, sermons, classes, papers, missions, plans, and hope to take every member to greater heights of service, sacrifice and finally heaven. Dead ones don't! Live churches have members that respond to challenge. The challenge of new programs, budgets, missions and always the Word! They have people who evangelize rather than fossilize, dead ones don't! Live churches fight error and know where it is found. They are compassionate and kind. They are not only gentle and loving, but also bold and brave and afraid of nothing. They love God and hate sin; dead ones don't! Robert Notgrass