It’s interesting how the church has chosen to avoid certain words in an effort to relate better to culture. Revival is one of those words. Many churches are now holding their typical “revival” services under a different name, as if that churchy sounding word has been driving people away! Why would that be?
I am from the south. Revivals hold a specific meaning for those of us who are from the south. It’s like other southern peculiarities like fatback counting as a meat and macaroni and cheese being a vegetable! Every church I knew growing up would have a scheduled revival each year (usually in the Fall). I’m talking about 7 nights a week and twice on Sunday!
YES – you better be there for all of the services!
YES - you better “pack your pew” (bring as many visitors as you can)!
…Here’s the problem: Revivals became little more than a pep rally that served a similar purpose as confession for the Catholic.
In other words, revival became the planned time (this was a scheduled event) each year when the church people, who acted like anything but, would say “I’m sorry God for living every day of my life like it’s all about me“, then sing some stirring versions of some of the “old and faithful” songs, all the while hoping to see how many new people they could get to join their church
…But sadly the routine of revival produced very few lives that were permanently changed. The lasting effects had about as much staying power as a pack of cheese crackers for lunch.
That’s because the routine of revival can’t produce life change – only the Reviver can do that!
Chuck taught recently in our Downpour series at Washington Avenue Church that “revive” comes from two words: vive (to live) and re (again). Revival happens when God breathes life into the spiritually dead corners of our heart! It’s deeper than emotion. It’s longer lasting than excitement. True revival is EVIDENT when it falls on an individual because God is the author of it!
Sadly, the world has seen far too many of the “planned revivals” and frankly…they ain’t buying it anymore! Perhaps, if The Church of today experiences an actual revival, we would focus less on semantics and more on being the salt and light that God has called us to be.
Regardless of what you call it, people far from God are seeking authenticity from those around them who claim to be followers of Christ.
Posted by Chris Lewis 
My Nana 