Is another Great Awakening on the Horizon? This generation doesn't have to look that far to see that America could see a shift of century shaping impact in the next few years. I have been blogging for 2 years about The Teen Decade. And the influence that these 7 years could have on a culture.
Over the last two years, I have been praying for a significant revival in what has begun as The Teen Decade. It is the one time in a century that we have the teen years from 2013-2019. These seven years happened at the turn of the 20th century also during the years of 1913-1919.
This is a great time to emphasize an awakening in the teenagers of our country. America has seen probably three spiritual shifts in her history. And we are poised for another spiritual renewal soon. If you take a look at the history of spiritual awakenings, there hasn't been a significant one since 1995 in Pensacola, FL. This movement began on Father's Day and became known as "The Brownsville Revival", taken from the name of the neighboring town where a 5 year outpouring took place in Brownsville, FL. I was fortunate to visit this outpouring several times and witness the impact that it had on the church and our entire nation. To usher this kind of shift again into modern America, we have been praying for two years for A Thousand Personal Revivals that will spark the next Great Awakening. Literally, for 1,000 teenagers to experience a personal revival that will affect their world.
The American Teenager today has not experienced a significant revival in their lifetime. That is not only difficult to understand, but, it is even more difficult to accept. There is obvious need for a pandemic spiritual awakening that is undeniable. Not a work of man or a natural movement. But, a work from God that is supernatural in origin. And out of great need can come a greater work. This should be one of the most exciting times for the youth of our nation. And with this great anticipation, this should also be a great time for spiritual youth leadership to rise.
Over the next few years, if the Lord tarries, I will be writing about how Youth Leaders can help to lead the next great awakening in America. If you search this site you will see over 20 articles already. For today, let me deal with this quick thought,
As necessary as programming is, it is not time to major on programming. It is time to major on relationships.
Programming is important to a holistic youth ministry. I know that discipleship systems and programs facilitate spiritual growth. However, vital to the millennial generation is that as a church we major on relationship. Listen, I know that form and function and structure is elementary to a lot of organizational success. But, young people need spiritual icons today more than any time in history. Because there has been a vacuum of spiritual leadership role models in the teen world.
Programming and events are not the central catalyst for shifts. Study business, education, or even government and you will find that significant and lasting awakenings of corporate, university, or even nations, began often with suddenlies or through relational impact of unforgettable moments. They were then sustained by programming and systems. What does a relational suddenly look like?
We will visit these markers or traits of a generation from the past in the next few blogs. For now, pray with me for a spiritual awakening in this youth culture that will never be forgotten and will shape America for the next 100 years. For spiritual leadership in the youth of America that is thrust into the media with supernatural integrity and exploits. It is true that roller coasters and amusements do attract teens. But, students become familiar with these. And besides, it is very expensive to build a new roller coaster every year and to invent another attraction that will surpass the diminishing return of the previous roller coaster or amusement. Just ask Disney, or Great America, or Cedar Point. What doesn't go away in the life of a teenager is a mentor of relational impact.
Let's pray for a relational shift that forces this teen world out of their social media devices and into a real love for genuine spiritual leadership. There are many ways we can do that. Stay tuned to the seconds, minutes, days, weeks, months, and years ahead for insight on this timely topic of relational revival.
This is a great time to emphasize an awakening in the teenagers of our country. America has seen probably three spiritual shifts in her history. And we are poised for another spiritual renewal soon. If you take a look at the history of spiritual awakenings, there hasn't been a significant one since 1995 in Pensacola, FL. This movement began on Father's Day and became known as "The Brownsville Revival", taken from the name of the neighboring town where a 5 year outpouring took place in Brownsville, FL. I was fortunate to visit this outpouring several times and witness the impact that it had on the church and our entire nation. To usher this kind of shift again into modern America, we have been praying for two years for A Thousand Personal Revivals that will spark the next Great Awakening. Literally, for 1,000 teenagers to experience a personal revival that will affect their world.
The American Teenager today has not experienced a significant revival in their lifetime. That is not only difficult to understand, but, it is even more difficult to accept. There is obvious need for a pandemic spiritual awakening that is undeniable. Not a work of man or a natural movement. But, a work from God that is supernatural in origin. And out of great need can come a greater work. This should be one of the most exciting times for the youth of our nation. And with this great anticipation, this should also be a great time for spiritual youth leadership to rise.
Over the next few years, if the Lord tarries, I will be writing about how Youth Leaders can help to lead the next great awakening in America. If you search this site you will see over 20 articles already. For today, let me deal with this quick thought,
As necessary as programming is, it is not time to major on programming. It is time to major on relationships.
Programming is important to a holistic youth ministry. I know that discipleship systems and programs facilitate spiritual growth. However, vital to the millennial generation is that as a church we major on relationship. Listen, I know that form and function and structure is elementary to a lot of organizational success. But, young people need spiritual icons today more than any time in history. Because there has been a vacuum of spiritual leadership role models in the teen world.
Programming and events are not the central catalyst for shifts. Study business, education, or even government and you will find that significant and lasting awakenings of corporate, university, or even nations, began often with suddenlies or through relational impact of unforgettable moments. They were then sustained by programming and systems. What does a relational suddenly look like?
-IT CAN BE AN IDEA, SONG, MOVIE, OR PERSON OF EPIC INFLUENCE
-IT MAY LAST FOR ONLY HOURS OR DAYS, BUT, IT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
-IT CAN COME IN THE FORM OF A TRAGEDY OR A TRIUMPH
-IT CHANGES THE PACE AND THE FEELING OF A SETTING
-IT WILL ALMOST ALWAYS BECOME A MARKER OF A GENERATION
-IT MOST ALWAYS IS BEGUN BY A PERSON WHO DOES SOMETHING EXTREME
We will visit these markers or traits of a generation from the past in the next few blogs. For now, pray with me for a spiritual awakening in this youth culture that will never be forgotten and will shape America for the next 100 years. For spiritual leadership in the youth of America that is thrust into the media with supernatural integrity and exploits. It is true that roller coasters and amusements do attract teens. But, students become familiar with these. And besides, it is very expensive to build a new roller coaster every year and to invent another attraction that will surpass the diminishing return of the previous roller coaster or amusement. Just ask Disney, or Great America, or Cedar Point. What doesn't go away in the life of a teenager is a mentor of relational impact.
Let's pray for a relational shift that forces this teen world out of their social media devices and into a real love for genuine spiritual leadership. There are many ways we can do that. Stay tuned to the seconds, minutes, days, weeks, months, and years ahead for insight on this timely topic of relational revival.
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