Revival Through Compassionate Ministry to the Poor
Revival services are a fast declining tradition in the church. Yet, we live in an age when most local churches desperately need a renewal and long for a revival in their congregation.
Some of the steps to a successful revival campaign used decades ago are still in literature today. They include: humility, perseverance, unity, holiness, and change.1 Linked to the cry for current day revival are often references to past leaders such as Charles Finney, John Wesley, Phineas Bresee, and others. However, it cannot be denied that one of the unique aspects of these men's contribution to revivalism was their obvious understanding that social consciousness and community outreach to the poor is necessary as a prerequisite to any renewal in the church. This is not to suggest that Finney, Wesley, and Bresee did not include the issues of humility, perseverance, unity, holiness and change. They did! However, they correctly linked them through scriptures to a social awareness of the needs in the community and especially of the poor.
Renewal (or revival) in the church begins with understanding the scriptural mandates. Out of that should evolve a clear vision of the needs of the community and especially of the poor. Through this, renewal and revival should begin. It may not be an outburst of emotional services running each evening for weeks at a time. But, it certainly will include a renewed drive to assist the poor in their time of need.