At the Exponential Conference this year, Tim Keller gave a talk in one of the breakout sessions talking about perhaps one of the least talked about and possibly more uncomfortable topics out there… revival. Keller was unapologetic about the use of the word revival and even said that “Biblical, Spiritual Revival is what is missing in the modern church planting movement” and even perhaps the church today. Revival is a topic that is not currently being written about, talked about, or even being mentioned very much in many circles—yet Keller asserts that it is an essential component if church planting is to move from action to a movement.
I’ve been reflecting over Keller’s 16 characteristics of revival the past couple of days and although listed below I want to begin really wrestling through them in community. So, for the next several weeks I’ll be posting them individually with some reflection and hope to really begin understanding what revival truly looks like and how unpredictable and possible it really is.
The 16 Crucial Dynamics of Revival
1. Recovery of the difference between Gospel & Religion
2. Extraordinary Prayer
3. Creativity/Innovation
4. Nominal Church Members are converted
5. Sleepy Christians wake up!
6. Unbelievers are drawn in, in numbers that programs cannot produce
7. Edifying/Dynamic Worship
8. Great Teaching/Preaching
9. Life-changing Community
10. Evangelism –> Outward Focused
11. Passion for Justice/Poor
12. Cultural Engagement
13. Always a loony fringe
14. Always a backlash
15. Always a lot of churches planted
16. Real Social Healing
Related posts:
- exponential 08
- Keller on leadership…
- so i went to see the “prophet” the other day…
- the tangible kingdom: creating incarnational community (pt. 1)
- the tangible kingdom: creating incarnational community (pt. 2)
it’s funny the connotations I think of when I hear the word, revival. And then as I read his list, I see that the supernatural/miraculous is nowhere to be seen on there.
I hear you Eric, Revival is such a creepy sort of word… and man oh man does it give me the chills. But after listening to Keller talk about it, I was blown away at the fact that true revival, not the ones we make up, happens very rarely and is a once in a lifetime opportunity/chance to be a part of, experience and witness.
In the list, although it’s not spelled out (supernatural/miraculous) it is blatantly obvious in how he talked about it. He broke the list down into groupings of what we can control, and what we have absolutely no control over. It’s pretty interesting, and hopefully I can do a good job of drawing that out as we look through some of these in more depth.
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