Tim Keller and Revival
April 30, 2008 by joelkurz
I had the privilege of listening to the great Tim Keller at the Exponential Conference in Orlando. My friend Brad also gifted me with an invitation to the Keller breakfast where we were able to listen to him in a more intimate setting. Before he led one of the workshops the band played Tim a flaming introduction. Chris Elrod thankfully captured it…here it is:
Keller spoke of revival. Over the next few days I hope to blog about a few of his “dynamics of revival” which stuck out to me. They were:
- Recovery of the Gospel as opposed to religion
- Extraordinary Prayer
- Creativity
- Nominal church members get converted
- Sleepy Christians wake up
- Outsiders attracted in remarkable numbers
- Lots and lots of church planters
- Social healing
Keller emphasized that true revival only comes when the spirit of God moves. For the past few years I’ve been increasingly uncomfortable with planned “revivals.” Pastors preach, “We need revaaavaal…” and they plan one the second week of June, but does it come? Do you believe that our revival events (week long meetings with a preacher and choir) may actually hinder true revival?
