A Third Great Awakening?

[Michael B. Ross]

Some threads on Naznet remind me of a recent visit by my wife and me to Cane Ridge, KY. American church historians often cite Cane Ridge as being the origin of the Second Great Awakening. Paul Conkin describes what happened there as being "the most important religious gathering in all of American history.”

The Cane Ridge church has been restored on its original site chosen by pioneer Daniel Boone. The one room sanctuary with a balcony accessible only by outside ladders propped against 2nd story window ledges was built among fields of bamboo-like cane.

In 1801, as many as 20,000 from the East, Midwest and South gathered to hear the Word of God. The Meeting House constructed in 1791 couldn’t hold even a small percentage of the folks, so preaching points were set up in the surrounding fields.

Though the multi-day event included some bizarre behaviors, it spurred the evangelism of the western frontier and resulted in the founding of several denominations.

Two things strongly impressed me as we took a short tour of the church and grounds.

First, the Cane Ridge church from its beginning received blacks into the congregation. In a state that allowed slavery but attempted to remain neutral in the Civil War, welcoming blacks into the congregation was risky business. Later, during the 1801 revival, black preachers were given full access to the church’s pulpit and to nearby preaching points.

Another powerful moment was when I asked our guide why a religious movement would begin in such a place as Cane Ridge. I assumed there would be some pragmatic reason.

“God chooses to do what he does where and when he wishes,” the guide answered.

I sense that many of us Naznetters long for our churches to have new life coupled with a greater impact on our communities. Some believe the key to effectiveness is to go back to the way we were; others feel it would be better to adapt more to the culture and its worldviews. I think about it a lot, and I suppose both groups have a point.

I don’t want to forget, however, that God could bring renewal to our churches in an unexplainable way, a way that would supersede most of our opinions and differences. Simply by choosing to do so, he could change the course of congregations and nations using forms we might not immediately recognize.

I hope future generations will be able to visit some obscure church in an out-of-the-way town because it was where God chose to begin the Third Great Awakening. I wonder if it would be a church where the congregation bucked the trends of injustice and exploitation.

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

That is wonderful about them receiving blacks. We had an outstanding sermon from our black pastor today...I Kings--Ch. 13

[Kevin Bowser]

I sense that many of us Naznetters long for our churches to have new life coupled with a greater impact on our communities. Some believe the key to effectiveness is to go back to the way we were; others feel it would be better to adapt more to the culture and its worldviews. I think about it a lot, and I suppose both groups have a point.

I don’t want to forget, however, that God could bring renewal to our churches in an unexplainable way, a way that would supersede most of our opinions and differences. Simply by choosing to do so, he could change the course of congregations and nations using forms we might not immediately recognize.

I don't know if the right thing is to go back to the way things were, or move forward to some new ways of doing things. But this much is clear. We need to do something. Because there is clearly a desire in many for something different that what is being offered in church today.

The struggle for some, myself included, is that we know some of the things that we did in the past indeed worked. We are not so sure about some of the new stuff on the horizon.

[Brad Mercer]

“God chooses to do what he does where and when he wishes,” the guide answered.

I don’t want to forget, however, that God could bring renewal to our churches in an unexplainable way, a way that would supersede most of our opinions and differences.

So, if we aren't experiencing revival today, is that because God doesn't want revival today?

Brad

[Michael B. Ross]

I don't know, Brad. But, that is my point. Despite my tendency to analyze everything and to be skeptical of what I do not understand, I have intentionally chosen to continue believing in the mysteries of God.

I spoke only for myself in my post. I choose to hope that God could interrupt what otherwise might have been and bring new life to the church. I also choose to believe it could be in a fashion which I have never imagined. I don't know.

Of course, isn't the whole Jesus thing a mystery--his birth, life, death and resurrection?

So, if we aren't experiencing revival today, is that because God doesn't want revival today?

Brad

[Brad Mercer]

Michael,

I just responded with the first thought that came to mind (bad but old habit).

I certainly agree that when great revivals happen they tend not to happen when where and how the mainstream of church thought expects.

I do think, though, that they tend to happen in cooperation with visionary individuals who have not "adapted" to the popular culture or worldview, but who understand how to communicate effectively to the popular culture and those who have the popular worldview of the moment.

How to do that and who's really doing it effectively is what we don't know until we start seeing actual revival.

I think God's always ready, though. In fact, I don't think he wants revival at all, because I don't think he wants us to die spiritually in the first place so that we need to be re-vived.

Brad

I don't know, Brad. But, that is my point. Despite my tendency to analyze everything and to be skeptical of what I do not understand, I have intentionally chosen to continue believing in the mysteries of God.

I spoke only for myself in my post. I choose to hope that God could interrupt what otherwise might have been and bring new life to the church. I also choose to believe it could be in a fashion which I have never imagined. I don't know.

Of course, isn't the whole Jesus thing a mystery--his birth, life, death and resurrection?

[Jim Franklin]

Is it time for us NazNetters as part of the Body of Christ to covenant with one another to pray for the Holy Spirit to descend on us, widely seperated in location though we may be, that this means is the very way that could be used by our Almighty God to renew our relationships with our Divne Father and Brother and to spread His gospel to our neighbors and friends?

I covenant here and now with my brothers and sisters to pray for a Holy Spirit revival among His people:

Jim Franklin

[Susan Unger]

Some threads on Naznet remind me of a recent visit by my wife and me to Cane Ridge, KY. American church historians often cite Cane Ridge as being the origin of the Second Great Awakening. Paul Conkin describes what happened there as being "the most important religious gathering in all of American history.

The Cane Ridge church has been restored on its original site chosen by pioneer Daniel Boone. The one room sanctuary with a balcony accessible only by outside ladders propped against 2nd story window ledges was built among fields of bamboo-like cane.

In 1801, as many as 20,000 from the East, Midwest and South gathered to hear the Word of God. The Meeting House constructed in 1791 couldnt hold even a small percentage of the folks, so preaching points were set up in the surrounding fields.

Though the multi-day event included some bizarre behaviors, it spurred the evangelism of the western frontier and resulted in the founding of several denominations.

Two things strongly impressed me as we took a short tour of the church and grounds.

First, the Cane Ridge church from its beginning received blacks into the congregation. In a state that allowed slavery but attempted to remain neutral in the Civil War, welcoming blacks into the congregation was risky business. Later, during the 1801 revival, black preachers were given full access to the churchs pulpit and to nearby preaching points.

Another powerful moment was when I asked our guide why a religious movement would begin in such a place as Cane Ridge. I assumed there would be some pragmatic reason.

God chooses to do what he does where and when he wishes, the guide answered.

I sense that many of us Naznetters long for our churches to have new life coupled with a greater impact on our communities. Some believe the key to effectiveness is to go back to the way we were; others feel it would be better to adapt more to the culture and its worldviews. I think about it a lot, and I suppose both groups have a point.

I dont want to forget, however, that God could bring renewal to our churches in an unexplainable way, a way that would supersede most of our opinions and differences. Simply by choosing to do so, he could change the course of congregations and nations using forms we might not immediately recognize.

I hope future generations will be able to visit some obscure church in an out-of-the-way town because it was where God chose to begin the Third Great Awakening. I wonder if it would be a church where the congregation bucked the trends of injustice and exploitation.

"God choses to do what he does where and when he wishes". My question is what if he wants to do more but people don't allow him? I base this on leaving my former church who resisted the known will of God on several things. They wonder why God didn't bless but don't seem to connect it with obedience. :basic04