Renewal Movement

The enlivening and spiritual reawakening of the church through prayer and a variety of ministries and programs. These programs seek to revitalize the church by increasing Christian faith, devotion, and commitment. Many participants in the renewal movement attribute its success to the active presence of the Holy Spirit. The renewal movement has included a diversity of expressions and movements within the Episcopal Church. Catholic renewal has brought liturgical renewal, the recovery of classical spirituality, and Cursillo. Evangelical renewal has placed a new emphasis on shared Bible study, personal conversion, and world mission. Charismatic renewal has emphasized the availability of the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the church. The broad church has encouraged renewal of commitment to issues of justice and peace. All these movements manifest the nature of the church as always being reformed and always in need of renewal. The renewal movement gained strength and participation in the Episcopal Church in the later decades of the twentieth century.