What is a Revival?
We like the way Mark Labberton put it: “Revival can be a loaded word. But it almost always shows itself in two interconnected ways: personal experience of spiritual renewal marked by lament and hope, and social transformation marked by justice and righteousness.” A revival is a dedicated series of gatherings that combine inspiring worship, compelling teaching, honest faith-sharing, intensified prayer, and some form of engagement with the mission of God – all for the sake of the spiritual renewal and transformation of people and of society.
What makes Episcopal Revivals “Episcopal”?
Episcopal Revivals seek to fulfill that age-old purpose, in a uniquely Episcopal way. From California to Georgia, Missouri to Honduras, Pittsburgh to New England, these gatherings will take on different shapes, depending on the hosting diocese(s) and the diverse contexts where we share the good news of Jesus Christ and welcome people into the Jesus Movement. Thanks to vibrant partnership between hosting dioceses, the Episcopal Church’s Evangelism Team and many more partners, we’re organizing a series of Revivals that do much more than fire people up. Each revival seeks to …
- Proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in the language of the people
- Share faith and open space for others’ stories about God
- Organize people to embody good news through reconciling action and justice
- Engage in intensified prayer and preparation before, during and after the “event”
- Gather a diverse body that crosses lines of age, race, culture and class
- Equip and send people to share, celebrate and embody the good news in daily life
How is this part of the “Jesus Movement”?
As Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has announced, we are the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement. Together, we are following Jesus into loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God, with each other and with creation. That first part – welcoming people into loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God – is the heart of evangelism. Evangelism is listening for Jesus’ movement in our lives and in the lives of others, giving thanks, celebrating and proclaiming this good news out loud. Then we welcome the Holy Spirit so that God’s will might be done in all our lives.
That’s a different kind of evangelism, and it’s especially relevant right now. Jesus said, “I have come to bring life and life in abundance” (John 10:10). In this moment, Episcopalians and many of our neighbors yearn for more of this gift. We yearn to draw near to God who has drawn near us in Jesus, whose way is loving, liberating and life-giving, who sets all of creation free.
Where are the Episcopal Revivals and how can I join?
Five Episcopal Revivals are slated for 2017 and 2018, with more tentatively set. Any individual or group is welcome to join these gatherings. Some diocesan host teams may provide travel and lodging recommendations; otherwise please stay tuned to this site and the links below for more information:
- February 3-5: Diocese of Pittsburgh – Pilgrimage for Reconciliation, Healing and Evangelism in Southwestern Pennsylvania
- May 5-7: Diocese of West Missouri – Awakening of the Spirit
- September 17-18: Diocese of Georgia – Big Tent Revival at Honey Creek
- November 17-19: Diocese of San Joaquin – The Call to Renewal
- April 6-8, 2018: Diocese of Honduras – Province 9 Revival
- (in progress) July 2018: Church of England – Joint Evangelism Mission with the Archbishop of Canterbury
- (in progress) Fall 2018: Dioceses of New England – The Next Great Awakening
Is an Episcopal Revival a one-time event?
The Episcopal Revivals are not an end in and of themselves. The hope is that each revival will spark greater passion to be part of the Jesus Movement and to join in ministries of evangelism, reconciliation, care of creation, church planting, formation, youth outreach, justice in our local communities and beyond.
Episcopal Revivals are preceded by months of planning and training for local teams learning about evangelism and listening for the Spirit among their neighbors. Following the Revival, each community will follow through on plans to water the seeds the Spirit planted: hosting workshops and trainings, engaging in mission experiments, planting new churches, Mission Enterprise Zones or Jubilee Ministries; forming new global mission relationships with partners who teach us about evangelism and mutuality. The possibilities are endless.
If your diocese is in interested in learning more about hosting a revival, please complete the form found here.