Flickering Lamps: Christ and His Church

by Henry T. Blackaby, Richard Blackaby

The majority of churches in North America today are either plateaued or in decline. Christian values are under siege. Many have concluded that the future of the Church is bleak. But what would happen if Christ came and knocked on the door of  your  church? Would anything change? Would there be renewed hope? Join the Blackabys as they examine what happened when Christ took control of a little church that was about to die.

138 pages, Paperback

Published July 12, 2015

Reviews

[Christopher Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Flickering Lamps,” by Henry and Richard Blackaby can certainly be an inspiring book for those who are thinking about or are already in a church revitalization project. There were many anecdotes of God’s leading and moving within this Saskatoon church that Henry Blackaby pastored. Throughout the pages, Pastor Blackaby would emphasize that much of what they did as a church and much of the results did not make sense. Actions were taken in and by faith and resulted in near miracles; I won’t spoil anything for the reader of this review, but he is correct; a lot of it does not make sense.
There were many quotes that I identified with as a pastor of small churches and many that were comforting as well. Here are just a couple of each:
“Sadly, the educational space had become a museum to the past rather than a training ground for the future.”
“It is possible to come to church and encounter a service than encountering Christ.”
“God is just as powerful in our midst as He was in the largest church in the world. We knew it and behaved like it, and that made all the difference.”
God stands ready to take full control of your church as well. He is not daunted by your current (or future) challenges. He knows how to take your church and make it a mighty force for his kingdom. However, He won’t accomplish His purposes by merely blessing your plans. He receives glory when His will is done.”
This leads me to my only complaint about the book. Henry and Richard Blackaby wrote so definitively about knowing God’s will. They used the “when God speaks to you” language that concerns me. I do not believe that either author believes in extra-biblical revelation, but the way they speak/write can certainly lead someone to believe they do. To not obey God’s leading/will is sin. I affirm that if we speak from Scripture, but it’s difficult when we are talking about extra-biblical revelation. I do believe that God can lead circumstances to line-up and move the hearts of his people to do things. Yet, to call these things 100% God’s leading or will is too much for me to agree with.
Otherwise, the book was good to read. I found it helpful and encouraging. I give it 3/5 stars because of the “God’s speaking” language the authors used.

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is fine, but just fine. I think if there a church or person who's been positively influenced by Blackaby's "Experiencing God," then this will be a very helpful book addressing the heart and spirit of church revitalization internally. However, beyond addressing the heart (an important step!) this book is vague on specifics and mainly based upon anecdotes from a long time ago in a place far, far away.

[Michael Wiggins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I took way too long finishing this book. "Flickering Lamps" addresses important questions, such as how to revive a failing church and how to recognize when one's church is in danger. I am a member of a church that has struggled with its identity and how best to address changes in our community and pressures on spiritual life. I picked up this book looking for answers.

Truth to tell, I'm still looking. Henry Blackaby and his son know their stuff, I'm sure, but their ability to put down details to their method is somewhat limited. Putting all of one's trust in God is great advice. Asking God for guidance and immediately doing what He tells you to do, that's great too.

The problem for me, as a believer, is that I rarely have such clarity and clearness of His voice telling me what to do. Also, there is the issue that church members are hearing voices, too, and I suspect many of them are sure that it is God's voice they are hearing.

Blackaby doesn't address this. I suspect it's not a problem for him.

Also, this book is quite repetitive, with personal anecdotes to break up the main message. The authors have good stories, so I don't mind.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depressing book since the focus is on the decline of Christian attendance at churches in America. The focus of the church should be on God and his glory and discovering what the will of God is for an individual church. I am left unsure how to determine the will of God. A lot of faith is required to step into a new or failing mission for a church. No emphasis on building great buildings as monuments to church members. To discover an outreach from the church to the local community seems to be hard to find. Not sure what to focus on and getting agreement among members is a challenge. If the church sparks joy in those attending that joy should spread throughout all the people you know. The church should be a magnet to people instead of something to be avoided at all costs.

[Andrew Ivester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flickering Lamps is not just a book of good ideas for church revitalization, but a story about a church that was revived. With the 7 churches in Revelation as the foundation, Blackaby shows that it is the power and presence of Christ in a church that makes all the difference. This book is certainly a page turner. You might find a more detailed theology, or a more defined process in other books, but this book will give you the inspiration you need to press on in revitalization.

[Paul Baker]

2025-09-19

Review 2025.08.012

Reviewers Note: It is the middle of 2025 and I am not doing a good job of keeping up with this desired goal of mine to write book reviews. I do not want to lower my expectations but I am going to so that I can catch up. This will mean short reviews on the books I read.

Flickering Lamps by Henry Blackaby
138 Pages

If your church is dying, then I recommend this book.

[Don Goforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needed insight for the church today

Being familiar with the Blackaby's ministry and books, I find this book to be one that completes the story. It is a good reminder of what faith should look like.

[Dr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging is too mild a word for the convicting and encouraging message from God. It is not God’s Will or plan that any of His churches die. The Blackaby’s take us through Revelation’s churches and one from Henry’s past to call us to return and restore our church.

[Jake Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would encourage every churchgoer to read this book and soak it in. This book has spiritually impacted me far more than any other “revitalization” book ever has. Leave the methodology books behind and seek to pursue the Lord in faith!

[Phil Weickhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the down to earth nature and candid stories in this book. Best to read after "Experiencing God" given that this is Blackaby's whole framework.

[Dennis Thurman · Rating 5 out of 5]

ENCOURAGING!

The blend of Scriptural principles and compelling illustrations provide a clear picture of how a church can be on fire for God.

[Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written to help declining or dying churches. It is full of Blackby stories of how God used him (Henry) to revive his small church in Canada and others.

The text for the book is loosely based on the Letters to the Seven Churches from Revelation 1-3.

Blackaby states that there are three purposes of the church:
1. To glorify God Eph 3:20-21, Rom 11:36
2. To make disciples Mt 28:18-20
3. To preserve and bless their communities Mt 5:13-16, Jer 29:7, Prov 11:10

He also states that God give specific assignments or a focus to local churches Act 13:1-3 p12

The church is not commissioned to do good things but God things p22

It is arrogant to assume that God seeks to be glorified and to make disciples of all nations, yet He leaves the local churches to figure out the details...He intends to be actively involved in every aspect of church life...the key to a church's success is not feeling good about what is being done, but pleasing the risen Christ. p23

...with God it is not just what you do that matters, it is how you do it. p25

I have learned that the key to honoring God is not to develop my own plans and then ask God to bless them. God already has a plan. p26

I have also learned that if you pray for God to guide you, you had better keep your spiritual eyes open so you recognize where God is already at work. p26

When you pray, it is critical to be spiritually alert so you don't miss how God responds. p29

As our congregation walked with God, He led us in specific ways. But He also taught us fundamental principles we applied to all we did....

1. Seek first the Kingdom of God Mt 6:33
2. Let God direct your steps Prov 3:5-6
3. Give yourself away Mt 16:25, Phil 2:5-11
You are never more like Jesus than when you give yourself away p36
4. Love one another John 15:12
The fastest way for a church to experience revival is when it returns to a love relationship with Christ and with each other p37

Christ does not always remove enemies of the church but He promises that His presence will be with the church to sustain them...and His presence brings victory p43
- it reflects a relationship
- it brings joy
- it transforms our service
- it brings peace
- it brings focus
- it brings accountability

Every church is equipped with spiritual senses, though many congregations have grown unaccustomed to using them. p45

The moment you choose to obey what God is telling you, be prepared to receive a host of reasons why it will be too difficult. p64

..if Christ told our church to do something, He would provide whatever was needed for us to obey. p65

***But most often, God's power is experienced through the steady grind of ordinary living as we faithfully obey the last thing God told us to do. p66 ***

The churches' problems became an opportunity for Christ to put His power on display. p70

The problem is not that small churches have few resources. The issue is that many churches fail to recognize the immensity of God's power that is readily at their disposal. If churches would open their spiritual eyes to see the immensity of God's power that is fully available to them, we would experience revival in our day. p75

Six Observations About How Almighty God Chooses to Work Among His People:
1. Christ draws people to Himself Mt 18:11, Rom 3:10-11, John 12:32
2. Christ transforms people 1 Cor 15:10
3. Christ rules the nations Ps 2:1-4
4. God rules the economy Ps 145:18
Sometimes we stress over what the economy is doing verse what God is doing!
5. Christ brings in the harvest Mt 9:37-38
6. God protects His people Dan 3:17-18 p88

Every time God places you in a position of need, He enables you to experience first hand that He is your Provider. p91

His provision is never late, it is rarely early! p93

Churches can focus on activity and neglect their relationship to God p96

God Provides...
- finances
- leaders
- what is in our hands (to use)
- new ministries

God Blesses Kingdom-Centeredness

God must be the focal point of everything p120

[Mark Reeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though Faith Baptist Church of Saskatoon will never be mentioned among the names of today's notable megachurches, it clearly avoided being yet another "closed congregation" statistic. And it did so by taking much of today's "church planting" strategies and consigned them to the trash dump where most of them belong.

One statement about some of the concerns expressed elsewhere about "God speaking to you": although there are groups who take this to excess (claiming what amounts to extra-Biblical revelation), this phrase does not necessarily mean that.

Take for example, a person living north of DFW Airport (where I live) seeking a church home relatively close to his/her residence. The Bible teaches that we should (health permitting) physically attend a congregation. We are also expected to attend one which rightly teaches the Word and proclaims the Gospel. But for one person, that may mean attending a large congregation (such as Prestonwood, where I attend), for another that may mean a mid-size one like Lakeland Baptist, and for another a small one like The Journey Church. Or many of the other solid churches in our area. The Bible doesn't criticize megachurches any more than it claims small ones are better: that is where God will speak to a person and say specifically where s/he is to go.

I deduct one star because of how his church acted toward the person who wanted to leave: their actions could easily be construed as "stalking" or "harassment". Though in this instance the person eventually did return, their actions could have just as easily driven her completely away from Christianity.

[Kyle Bueermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think of this as “Experiencing God for Pastors.” Just as they did in “Experiencing God,” the Blackabys exhort pastor to find where God is already at work and to join Him in that work. God is loving among churches of all sides and, as long as there is a soul in a pew (or chair), there is hope for a church that will repent of selfishness and short-sightedness and trust in our mighty God to do what only He can do.