Factors in Revival and Renewal Movements by Dr Paul Pierson

Here are some interesting factoids (or observations) about renewal movements.  If you are reading this from a Cru perspective, think about if from the perspective of us needing renewal as an organization.  Often times I think we believe we are still new and cutting edge, when in fact we are a 50+ year old organization that tends to operate out of an old denominational hierarchical methodology – how we formed was pretty cutting edge, but how we continue to function seems very to be from the tried and true camp – not from the new and risky.  (Possibly the best way to make these observations is to replace the words ‘church’ with ‘movement’ and see where it takes you).

Here are Pierson’s observations:

- They always begin on the periphery of the institutional church

- They are motivated by a transforming experience (grace) of God by an individual or group. The result is the desire for a more authentic Christian life that often leads to concern for the church and world.

- Face to face groups for prayer, Bible study, and mutual encouragement are important.

- New methods of selecting and training leaders become important. These are less institutional; more grass roots and lay oriented.

- There are theological breakthroughs, that is, rediscovery of aspects of the Biblical message that have been forgotten or overlooked by the Church; usually they involve a focus on the gifts of every believer.

- There is a leveling effect, distance decreases between clergy and laity, social classes, races, men and women, and denominations.

- The movement is countercultural in some ways, often because it reaches out to those who have not been valued by their society.

- Consequently there will be opposition by many in the dominant culture and church.

- There will often be manifestations of spiritual warfare. Such movements sense the reality of evil and the need to recognize the victory of Christ in the cross and resurrection.

- At times there will be unusual manifestations of the power of the Holy Spirit; healings, visions, glossalalia, miracles. etc.

- More flexible structures of church and mission will be needed and often emerge, different from traditional structures.

- The movement will be led to significant recontextualization of the Christian message, which will be communicated more widely by lay persons to those outside the church.

- New music is often a characteristic.

- Biblical concepts ignored by the traditional church but relevant to the hearers are often discovered.

- There will be a growing concern for the marginalized, often expressed in ministries of compassion.

- At a later stage this often leads to concern for broader social transformation.

- As the movement matures there will be concern for the renewal of the broader church.

- As the movement continues to mature many will see themselves not only as part of the particular movement but as citizens of the Kingdom of God, transcending their own movement.

- Finally, every movement is less than perfect and often messy at the edges and sometimes, at the center. This is inevitable as long as sinful humans are involved.