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Christianity Today, December, 2007 |

Young, Restless, and Ready for Revival

On-campus Christians are seeking holiness in unexpected numbers.

Becky Tirabassi | posted 12/28/2007 08:59AM

While preaching at Rockharbor, my home church in Costa Mesa, California, where thousands of students and young adults attend, I quoted the old Puritan John Owen on the need for personal holiness—not ...

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James

Posted: January 11, 2008 12:50 AM

For the past 2 years local Korean-American Churches have been coming together in fellowship, unity, and worship through an event called FUSE. This past month we joined together for the first ever DFW youth retreat. Over 600 were in attendance and let me tell you that God showed up! I am greatly humbled and profoundly amazed by the glory of God that was revealed through His word, in prayer, in worship, and in unity. Each night was above and beyond our expectations and each night was even better than the night before. On the last night students began to pray and intercede fervently even before the service began. The Spirit of God was so heavy upon the worship hall that we decided to drop the games and other activities and straight into worship. While we were worshipping we felt such heaviness of the Spirit that we finally had to stop leading songs invite everyone to get on their knees and we just began to pray.

Candace

Posted: January 02, 2008 8:49 PM

I would like to thank Becky for speaking the heart of this generation because I am one of those who is seeing the need for a revival. Before reading this article God laid it on my heart to pray for a revival in the hearts of the young Christians of this generation. We are the hope for the future Church and if we simply write off such things as public confession as simply an emotional episode that shouldn't be given the time of day because it may not result in lasting change we have written of grace and mercy itself. Lasting change does not mean sinlessness but an exchanged life and though we will fall again we now strive against sin as we have never done so before. I have seen God work though such events at were spoken of in this article and I pray that more will be coming. I call now to the fathers and mothers of my generation, PLEASE PRAY FOR US!!! We need your help and wisdom to guide us, not your cynicism.

Mark	Posted: January 02, 2008 7:14 PM

I'm surprised by the synicism of the comments. I welcome any and all sincere confession and repentance. Yes, many may be false conversions but that doesn't mean we should complain and criticize what this author describes. Remember, that few will find the "narrow gate". I encourage all to rejoice in all sincere attempts at revival and live extraordinary holy lives as the Holy Spirit grants to all you true believers. Yes; have personal devotions. Yes; read and memorize as much Scripture as you can. Yes; pray fervently for others' salvation and for those being persecuted for Christ's sake. Yes; tell everyone you know about the "narrow gate". Yes; tell everyone about the fires of Hell and yes, tell everyone about the glory of Heaven. Just don't forgot to live out the joy of your salvation with fear and trembling. "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart; I have overcome the world." Jn 16:33

F K M

Posted: January 01, 2008 12:31 PM

Amen to the news! & Amen, amen to the comments. What passes for repentance is often only remorse. Remorse is feeling dreadfully sorry for the sin...Repentance is turning from it, going in the opposite direction and keeping on going. The Thessalonians turned from their idols to God, not just to convenience, or a clean feeling or a better reputation, but to the God who has given to us all things which relate to life and godliness.

Lawrence

Posted: December 31, 2007 12:33 PM

I am deeply concerned when I hear church leaders say it is time to abandon evangelism because they feel it does not work. Take a look at the Mormon Church and one will discover evangelism done with ferver and commitment works very well! In America we expect people to come to our churches so we can convert them. They hear about our churches in the neighborhood gossip or in the newspaper. Why should they come to a church where there is strife and squables in leadership? We really need to get our act together.

Matt	Posted: December 31, 2007 11:24 AM

Same old, same old...I was a Christian college student nine years ago, when a wave of so-called revivals, driven by students publicly confessing their sins, was thought to be sweeping Christian schools. I was present at a regular Tuesday morning chapel service that grew into a 5-hour confess-a-thon. It was shallow, emotional, and manipulative. Getting college kids to feel bad about themselves is like shooting fish in a barrel; coercing them into sharing their deepest darkest secrets with two thousand strangers in a public setting is simply cruel.

Dick	Posted: December 31, 2007 11:18 AM

Again, the authors at CT continue to publish articles from the self absorbed among us. Recent studies indicate followers of Jesus Christ are not keeping pace in numbers with the population growth in the USA yet we continue to hold up the inward lookers as the ideal. That does not sound like compassion for the lost. It's hard to make people feel guilty for individual responsibility to the "go make disciples" mandate in our evangelical culture. We tend to do it with money. Jesus clearly taught our gaining eternal life had much to do with how we are our brothers keeper. With self centered personal piety issues we try to hold people to any number of standards, convenient "Christian" cultural adaptations, created to hold people to certain contemporary measurable standads of discipline (and sell books).

Tsadhe

Posted: December 29, 2007 7:58 PM

When the rains of revival first arrive they are not happy happy joy joy showers of blessing. They come with cold harsh winds that catch us exposed in the middle of the picnic ground and make us want to run for cover. Encounters with the Holy God of scripture usually began with a "woe is me" when His holiness flushed out impure ways and blew away excuses. I believe revival starts when the Holy Spirit overwhelms us by exposing our need. We can only run away or fall on our faces and in pain and agony confessing and repenting. It ain't always pretty.

Ken	Posted: December 29, 2007 6:33 PM


Great article Becky! Keep spurring on the Church to live for JESUS with a wreckless abandon! For the Fame of Jesus, Ken www.MissionaryRoad.com

Edie Marie

Posted: December 29, 2007 5:19 PM

I joined the Orthodox Church ( a 2,000 yr. history ) 12 yrs ago realizing that something was missing . They have the sacrament of confession administered by a priest . You can make an appointment or just before the service stand in front of the altar with the priest , both with backs turned to the congregation . Even with this formality it is best to have an older man who really has this gift as all priests do not . A good Father Confessor has the gift of discernment and can read the state of your spiritual condition . This person has developed a close relationship with God and if you find such a person you are to take the words that come out of his mouth as if they were from God . I found such a person inside a monastery . You have to accept responsiblity for your sins and if you are given a penance you must do it . You are counseled about your behavior out in the world where you can go and what you can do . Most importanly the obtaining of virtues is your goal in counseling .

Bob G New York

Posted: December 29, 2007 11:43 AM

Anglicanism (Episcopalianism) has always had mass confessions built into our liturgies. The opportunity is offered, but only between God and the individual is known whether the confession is taken advantage of and whether it is sincere or not. The confirmation of forgiveness is announced. Christianity in this country has lost its humility and has taken upon itself the lust for power reflected in its insecurity with respect to the rest of society. We need to repent of our pride and arrogance and return to living such lives that the world cannot deny that there is something different in this life in Christ - not by our words but by our lives and not just through laws or regulations. It isn't just personal holiness or individual confession, but sincere, mass, and common confession all together.

Fred J. St. Louis

Posted: December 29, 2007 4:36 AM

Only a religious blind person(Pharisee type) would doubt a sincere move of the Holy Spirit like this. These are the last revivals you will see in this land(read Revelations). They are small and personal and will stay that way. In our culture there is Nothing to compel people to repent. Everything can be fixed by doctors, therapists, intellects and pills. The average church looks so much like the world it is unnoticed and powerless to help people who truly would repent. The Gospel is not complicated and not compromised by interpretation. Confess, Repent, be born again(saved) and start your eternal life with Baptism and keep the sacraments(commanded by Jesus). Read the Bible. Many are called, but few are chosen. Professed Christian... you are either doing your reasonable service and helping with the Kingdom work or critically hurting\hindering the Kingdom. A tree is known by it's fruit. Septics, doubters, naysayers, critics and unbelievers... Repent, for the Kingdom of God Is At Hand.

jackie

Posted: December 29, 2007 3:22 AM

My conversion about 15 years ago commenced with my sorrow for my sins. I was aware of them through the power of the Holy Spirit. I confessed my sins...sobbing to a kindly priest for about an hour. He told me that when I was a saint, I would look back on this moment as the point at which I turned the corner, so to speak...to break from the path I was on and go a new way. I could not imagine myself being a saint....but I remembered his words. Since that time I have not stopped being grateful, to God for my awareness of my sins and to the ministers of His Holy Spirit, in the Church...for hearing my confession...bringing me into the place where I was able to come to God in prayer and find a life of indescribable beauty , in Christ. ..every day..rain or shine

Ephrem Hagos

Posted: December 29, 2007 2:20 AM

The quick-fix of "revival", in any form, is no substitute whatsoever for the posssibility of knowing firsthand and personally who Jesus Christ is through His teachings and special works of crucifixion and death! Those to whom the LORD will say, on Judgement Day, "I never knew you; get away from me, you wicked people!" (Matt. 7:21-23) are exactly the same as those who today are ashamed of Him and His teaching (Mark 8:38). We have been sufficiently forwarned!

Isukapati vidyanadh

Posted: December 28, 2007 10:36 PM

www.onlytruegodministries.com Most Holy and warm greetings in the most Holy name of the only true God and the Lord and savior Jesus Christ and the Holy sprit. I received your mail. I thank God for ur generosity. I invite u heartily to our country INDIA for ur personal consideration about our personal activities If you r interested in preaching Gospel. I can arrange general convention in provincial level. You can also have a personal view about our performances, Social and biblical [Gospel preaching] .I will make all necessary arrangements in our place [lodging and boarding]. You can freely manage with us. But one thing I want to tell you point blank I am running the Divine Grace Orphanage& Destitute Welfare Center and Spiritual Churches witch r guiding by the Holy Spirit. I have been receiving ur prayerful mail continuously. I would like to continue my friendship and fellowship with u. Here I

A.Yeshuratnam

Posted: December 28, 2007 8:39 PM

Teenagers can easily blinded by pride. Wealth, status, education and youth give them a sense of pride. But soon depression sets in. A sudden illness, humiliation by a girlfriend, failure in an examination, a lost opportunity and such similar circumstances make them realize they are vulnerable. Their long cherished pillars collapse. This is the time they think of God. They want a supernatural foce to help them. This weak situation is being exploited by pagan spiritual leaders -Swamis and Gurus - by promising quick happiness. Soon the teens realize these Gurus, Swamis and Yoga Pundits are fraudsters. So they turn to Jesus, the God of their forefathers. They find peace and mental happiness. Many experience miracles too. A.Yeshuratnam Trivandrum India.

jtn	Posted: December 28, 2007 6:16 PM

i'm with Dave P...maybe. a "mass confession of sin" occurs daily at every mass around the globe. these sins are not be confessed out loud, but each Christian is asked to recall his/her recent sins and confess them to God (yes, believe it or not...Catholics DO confess directly to God! amazing, huh?). additionally, traditional Christians (now mostly just Catholics) confess to a human being, who has been given the authority to forgive or retain sin, as outlined in scripture. it is during this private confession to a priest that a person gets to hear the words, "go, your sins are forgiven." pretty amazing stuff! growing up Protestant, i was taught to confess only in the privacy of "my prayer closet" and never was taught the ancient and biblical sacrament of confession to a priest. how glorious it is that our Lord left us with such beautiful sacraments. feeling the human need to confess to a person, i think modern denominations are trying to fill this void with "accountability groups".

John Cannon

Posted: December 28, 2007 5:40 PM


Is it too much to expect that when we are able to see the Kingdom, our only acceptable response is to fall on our faces and cry Holy, Holy, Holy. The only thing that does not compute for me is how anyone can stand erect and claim in silence that he too is holy. I cried as I read.

where is the root of corruption in the first place

Posted: December 28, 2007 3:27 PM

"the Lord said..people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me..Their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote." Isaiah 29:13 The nation and the western world and CHURCH has generally decended into emptiness and lawlessness based on its corruption and the felt absence of God; the holy presence of God in the national mindset is not experienced as "ongoing", instead religion is a set of man- made rules and episodes. It is however important for God to break the whole cycle of sin by ongoing teaching and guidance and not for people to just be sad after every sinful episode, sorrow according to religion and religious fervor but without ongoing guidance by God. Only God and his continuing guidance can break the cycle of sin. Only ongoing repentance and ongoing improvement can break the cycle of national sin, breaking the zeitgeist of the nation and western world.Discipline is needed for renewal, not just episodes!

Dagny

Posted: December 28, 2007 2:03 PM


I have to admit that I am very skeptical about emotional confessions. The contradiction alone is enough to make me gag. Last sermon I heard was that we weren't supposed to trust our emotions. Unless your getting saved, then you can trust your emotions. Good to know.

Dennis

Posted: December 28, 2007 1:55 PM

The problem I see is that these student revivals are on Christian college campuses as I read it. I'm a little skeptical about how much actual difference this kind of emotional confession has in the long run. At the same time these events are going on, Barna's group confirms a dramatic downturn in the reputation of Christianity. A recent report says, “in just a decade, many of the Barna measures of the Christian image have shifted substantially downward…a decade ago the vast majority of Americans outside the Christian faith, including young people, felt favorably toward Christianity’s role in society. Currently, however, just 16% of non-Christians in their late teens and twenties said they have a "good impression" of Christianity.” “A New Generation Expresses its Skepticism and Frustration with Christianity” Barna Update

Bestemor

Posted: December 28, 2007 1:40 PM


I do believe confession of sin is important. In my church we have corporate public confession every Sunday as part of the liturgy, and for many this is a deeply meaningful confession. But there are certainly also times when private confession to someone is very important. I also think repetance is an ongoing thing, not a once-a-time event.

Steve Y.

Posted: December 28, 2007 1:20 PM

As a fifty something Christian man I find this article very encouraging. I have recieved an indescribable burden to pray for the those born since the sixties. I've been praying for years for God to restore a reverent fear of God in the hearts of young people that will produce pure hearts and clean hands to the Glory of Jesus Christ. I believe this article is a confirmation that God is hearing and answering the prayers of all of us who fervently desire revival in the Church and spiritual awakening in the nation. Thank you for the encouragement.

lionslucy

Posted: December 28, 2007 1:07 PM

Iknow what Becky says about the levels of sexual activity among young evangelicals is true, as I have seen it myself among them. I don't understand why this is. I do know, however, that the move to confession is also accurate. I hope that it is preceeded by repentance and followed by deep inner healing. My heart cries out for our good Father to set these dear ones free. Similarly, their parents and should-be-mentors must pursue wholeness and holiness in a new way, with a willingness to face their pain and stop playing at being Christians. Perhaps here lies the reason for this wayward generation. Oh, dear God, please set your people free!

Hollywd

Posted: December 28, 2007 12:53 PM

Yes, the Bible does say to confess your sins to one another. So, there's the simple answer. You bring sin out to the light, it is easier to shed. Do we tell each other what we should focus on? Or are we all different parts of the body with different gifts? We need to hold up each other's arms and try hard to love instead of criticizing each other. The Bible gives us the guidelines we need to make changes and continue to grow closer to Him every day. Pablo, it is not up to us to determine true repentance. I think it possible as we say these things, we can in fact harm someone's intention to truly repent by our attitudes. A lot of what is done in muslim countries is not necessarily brought out into the open because of the danger to the people. I do know that there is a lot of evangelizing done. Seek it out, and support it, it will bless you. God bless you all.

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