Reviving the Church!

by BJ Armstrong

The word "Revival" tends to leave a bad taste in the mouth of many Lutherans. Well, hold your breath... Lutheran Ministries of Southwest Oklahoma is holding a "Revival!" Yes, that's right! Beginning Sunday evening August 13th, our Altus church will host this four-day event entitled "The Game of Life Revival."

Beginning at 6:30pm each night we will be entertained by a live band. Unlabeledok, formally known as Barefoot, will kick off the festivities the first night. This is the band of young men and women who played at our Confirmation Camp celebration a little over a year ago. Following the band, at around 7:30pm, we will worship with our usual form of service (it will be a little different). We will have congregational singing, the message, and then close with a few more songs by Unlabeledok. Oh yeah, and did I mention the theme of all four messages . . . Different Strokes – The Game of Life, which will relate our Christian lives to the experiences of the game of golf. Each night will follow this format, but with a different band playing. Be sure to put this on your calendar. You do not want to miss it!

You may be wondering if it is appropriate for Lutheran Churches to hold such an event. In one word the answer is "YES!" Many people associate Revivals with Baptist and Pentecostal churches, as well as altar calls and healing miracles. However, this was not the original purpose behind Revivals.

The word Revival literally means, "a reawakening of religious fervor brought about by evangelistic meetings." Initially, the altar call was not identified with a conversion experience but was an occasion for inquiry and prayer as reflected by the various names employed--'mourners' bench,' 'anxious bench,' 'praying pen' and others. However, increasingly throughout the nineteenth century, the altar call became institutionalized and tantamount to a conversion experience. Many churches today that stand within the revivalistic tradition (i.e., Baptist, Pentecostal) maintain the altar call as a frequent, if not weekly, experience. This is NOT the purpose of our revival in August! Our purpose is to revive our current fellowship community, as well as reach out to others with the message of Salvation. We hope to revitalize the excitement that all Christians initially feel when God pours out His grace on them, and increase the Lutheran awareness throughout Southwest Oklahoma. By our prayers and God's grace, we have confidence that this Revival will be a success. It will certainly be unlike any other Revival held in Southwest Oklahoma in some time!

Beginning this week, offering bags will be placed in the back of all of our churches to support this ministry effort. Expenses will include paying the bands (gas prices make it difficult for bands to travel), water, and other costs. If you feel moved, please bless this effort with your offerings. Also, anyone wanting to help with preparations are certainly welcome to do so. If you want to help, contact any of the staff.

Finally, we ask that you would pray fervently for this ministry effort. By our human effort, this will never fly in our Southwest Oklahoma community. We believe our Lutheran Churches have something to offer if given the chance. This is our chance!