There’s a narrative I’ve heard too many times: a church experiences a genuine move of God, but over time, attendance dips, key people leave, and leaders are left scratching their heads, wondering if what they experienced was even real. Some conclude, “Well, that couldn’t have been revival.” Others claim revival kills churches—that it burns bright for a season but can’t sustain long-term health.
Let me say this plainly: revival doesn’t kill churches; poor leadership does.
We must stop equating numerical shifts in the midst of a revival to a lack of authenticity. A dip in attendance does not mean the Spirit of God wasn’t moving. In fact, a genuine revival often disrupts the status quo. People who love predictability, who are comfortable with tradition over transformation, may not stay when the Spirit moves in power. That doesn’t mean revival failed. It means God is reordering His Church for something greater.
Revival is not the problem. Revival is life-giving. Revival is explosive. Revival is heaven touching earth. The problem is when leaders fail to steward revival well—when they don’t lead with wisdom, courage, and spiritual depth to carry what God is doing.
My Story: Renewal at Harvest Church
I’ll never forget August 1999. Renewal came to our church, and it was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. God began to move powerfully—healings, deep repentance, spontaneous worship, and a hunger for His presence like never before. It was messy at times, and not everyone liked it. Some who were comfortable in a traditional setting quietly slipped out. Attendance dropped for a season. It would have been easy to conclude, “Maybe we missed it.”
But God had other plans.
Over time, He began bringing in new people—hungry people. People desperate for a move of God, who weren’t satisfied with business-as-usual Christianity. Our church didn’t just recover; it multiplied. Today, Harvest Church is over five times the size it was when that renewal first hit. That outpouring was a defining moment for us, a seed of life that continues to bear fruit decades later.
What if I had mistaken that initial decline as proof that revival wasn’t real? What if I’d shut it down out of fear or sought comfort over calling? Too many pastors have. And sadly, they’ve missed their moment.
Revival is Supposed to Bring Life
Ezekiel 47 paints a stunning picture of revival: a river flowing from the throne of God, bringing life wherever it goes. Ezekiel writes:
Ezekiel 47:9 (NKJV)
And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.
That’s revival! When the river of God’s Spirit flows, dead places come alive. Healing breaks out. Souls are saved. Multitudes are drawn. Growth is inevitable because the Holy Spirit is a multiplier.
If a church is truly experiencing revival, it should become a hub of life. Broken marriages get restored. Addicts are set free. Entire families come to Christ. And yes, the church should grow! But that growth doesn’t always look like overnight attendance spikes or easy metrics. Growth starts spiritually first and then manifests numerically when leaders faithfully steward what God has entrusted.
When Leadership Fails Revival
The Holy Spirit flows through order. Revival isn’t meant to be chaos. It’s powerful, but it’s also purposeful. The same Spirit who manifests gifts also produces fruit: love, joy, peace, and self-control. Leadership is about harnessing that move of God, creating structure without suffocating the Spirit, and stewarding revival so it brings lasting transformation.
Sadly, some leaders mishandle revival:
- Fear of man: They water down the move of God to keep people happy.
- Insecurity: They see revival as a threat to their control rather than a divine invitation.
- Neglect of discipleship: They let services burn bright but fail to raise mature believers who can carry the flame.
- Poor administration: They neglect systems, volunteer health, and clear communication, creating confusion instead of momentum.
When leadership fails, even the most authentic revival can stall. People leave, not because God wasn’t moving, but because leaders lacked vision or courage.
Revival is like a roaring river—it brings power, freshness, and life. But a river without banks will flood and cause damage. Leadership provides those “banks,” guiding the flow so it brings life and not destruction.
Discerning Real Revival
Of course, not everything labeled “revival” is revival. Some movements are emotional hype or human-driven efforts masquerading as Spirit-led encounters. Jesus Himself warned about false prophets and deception. Paul urged the Thessalonians to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21).
So how do we discern? Real revival is marked by:
- Transformation: People truly repent, turn to Jesus, and bear fruit.
- Hunger for God’s Word: The Bible becomes alive and central again.
- Healing and Deliverance: Broken people are restored.
- Generosity and Mission: Revival ignites evangelism, service, and sacrificial giving.
- Sustained Presence: It’s not a one-time emotional high but a deepening hunger for God’s presence.
If these things are present, don’t doubt the authenticity of what God is doing just because numbers fluctuate. Look for the fruit.
Leadership Lessons from 1999
Looking back on our experience, I’ve learned a few key lessons about stewarding revival well:
- Stay Anchored in the Word and Spirit
Revival is sustained when leaders cultivate intimacy with God. You can’t lead revival from a dry well. - Embrace the Mess
Revival will stretch your comfort zone. People may weep, fall, dance, or shout. Don’t shut it down prematurely. Lead with wisdom but don’t quench the Spirit. - Prioritize Discipleship
Don’t let revival be all about one-night encounters. Build systems to disciple new believers, mentor leaders, and equip people to grow in their gifts. - Raise a Team, Not a Celebrity Culture
Revival is not about a personality but a people. Raise a team who can carry the load so the move of God doesn’t rest solely on one leader’s shoulders. - Plan for Growth
Revival without infrastructure creates frustration. Make room for the harvest God is bringing.
Revival is God’s Heart for the Church
God loves His Church, and He longs to breathe fresh life into every congregation. Revival isn’t something to fear or resist; it’s an answer to prayer! Churches don’t die because revival came; they die because leaders failed to embrace and steward what God was doing.
When the Spirit moves, He builds the Church. The Holy Spirit is the greatest church growth strategist there is. If we’ll partner with Him—honoring His presence, building healthy systems, and raising strong disciples—revival will not only bless our churches, it will multiply them.
We’re living proof. Over 25 years after that wave of renewal hit us in 1999, our church is still thriving, still growing, and still hungry for more of God. And I’m convinced the best is yet to come.
So, pastor, don’t fear revival. Lean in. Lead well. Build strong teams and systems. Make room for the river of God’s Spirit to flow. Because wherever that river flows, there is life.
Ron Eivaz Blog 
𝒜𝓂ℯ𝓃！🔥