I often hear the saying, “What we really need is
revival!” And I don’t completely
disagree, but it I also wonder precisely what people mean when they are saying
it. If they mean we need instantaneous
transformation without corresponding behavioral adjustments then I am doubtful
that “revival” will be the solution they are hoping for.
Do we need revival? Yes! Without question North American churches
need a fresh encounter with God that breaks us out of our complacent
slumber. We are as Keith Green sang, “Asleep
in the light.” Too much in
congregational life is done by rote.
There is not enough passion for eternal concerns. There is not enough death to self. There is too little New Testament stewardship in
people’s lives to say otherwise: we need spiritual renewal.
What do we really
mean by revival? Often in Baptist life
particularly, we are really talking about evangelistic meetings scheduled in
the spring and fall, but these may not necessarily be the most fertile ground
for revival. The outcome of these
meetings may be the presence of some new baby Christians (thank God!) or
increased enthusiasm (usually temporary).
While it is exciting and right for churches to engage in the task of
evangelism, the excitement new birth generates is only an element of lasting
congregational transformation.
A magic bullet, or a
long obedience? One of the people
who has mentored me from a distance* is Eugene Peterson. I am currently rereading his book on the
Psalms of Ascent titled A Long Obedience
in the Same Direction. That is his
description of discipleship (oddly enough, a phrase borrowed from Nietzsche). His philosophy of transformation is that
there aren’t any shortcuts. Christian
character takes a lifetime to form, and while there may be moments of growth
that seem spontaneous and effortless, these are definitely not the norm. More likely, our ongoing encounter with God
will often be agonizing and painstakingly deliberate. The idea is to have our responses to the
everyday stuff of life systematically honor Christ as second nature (or first
impulse). This may be a better goal than
passively hoping for a mighty wind to blow.
*That is, through his writing.
*That is, through his writing.
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