Yesterday we began our fall revival at Seddon UMC. Now, many people believe the traditional revivals are archaic rituals of the past, and I must admit that I would have to agree (with some qualifications). If you are talking about a revival as the sole evangelistic event of a church, then yes they are outdated. However, if you are speaking of an event that can motivate the church to leave behind the walls of the sanctuary and invite people to a relationship with Jesus Christ, then no revivals are just what we need.
On the day of Christ's resurreciton he returns to the disciples and breathes on them telling them to "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22). It is a simple and straighforward statement: "Receieve the Holy Spirit." So often we make ministry so complex with forms, studys, assessments all of which can be valuable tools. However, without the Holy Spirit ministry becomes lifeless and void of meaning. If that's not a reason for revival in our pressumed "post-modern" world that yearns for meaning I know of none better.
"Renew Thy Church, her ministrieis restore
Both to serve and adore.
Make her gain as solt throughout the land,
And as light from a stand.
'Mid somber shadows of the night
Where greed and hatred spread their blight,
O send us forth wtih power endued:
Help us Lord, be renewed!"
--Kenneth Lonre Cober
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