Throughout history Christianity has experienced seasons of magnificent renewal. By “renewal” I am referring broadly to periods when the faith experienced a renewed vitality, expansion, influence, or resurgence after a time of inactivity or decline. Examples of renewal include the rise of the Modern Missions Movement initiated by William Carey in the 1790s and the emergence of Evangelicalism and its robust educational institutions shortly after WWII. These seasons of renewal resulted not only in conversions, but also in society’s spiritual, ethical, educational, and economic flourishing. During these periods those created in God’s image prospered as their Creator intended for them to prosper.

I long to see this kind of renewal in our state and beyond. Not just conversions—but also the transformation of society in all areas, including morality, relationships, law, government, education, business, and medicine, to name a few.

How can renewal take place in our time? In truth renewal only comes when God decides that it will come. Even the best intentions and the most thoughtful plans do not result in seasons of renewal. Renewal begins with God. Nevertheless, there are steps that believers can take that, under God’s sovereignty, can promote renewal.

Come together and begin discussing the need for renewal.

While there are pockets within South Carolina where believers are working together for change, regrettably many labor in isolation or with no real focus on renewal. For renewal to take place we must come together and start having thoughtful discussions about the need for gospel transformation in the church and the larger society. Conversations need to take place not just among pastors but all believers in diverse vocations (e.g., business, medicine). Discussions should be marked by a deep faith in our great God, rather than hopeless hand-wringing sessions of gloom and despair. They should also include prayer.

Grasp the essentials of the faith and ground your efforts on them.

Believers must have a good understanding of the essentials of the faith as presented in Scripture (e.g., gospel, a love for God and others). Grasping the basics of Scripture is so important because they serve as the foundation for one’s goals, efforts, and strategies. All truly great periods of renewal have included a call to get “back to the basics” of Scripture.

Identify the most pressing problems of your world and apply Scripture to them.

Salvation (conversion) is, of course, humanity’s most pressing problem. Nevertheless, past seasons of renewal have entailed God’s people seeking not only the salvation of others, but also their flourishing as humans created in God’s image. Indifference toward suffering, crime, poverty, pornography, children and the elderly is contrary to biblical Christianity. A faith that cares only for personal salvation is a pathetic faith indeed. We must love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Develop realistic strategies for renewal.

Past periods of renewal have been marked by the articulation of clear strategies. Renewal never took place where people spoke in generalities without providing some realistic plan for change. In my view this is an area where we need more work. Those of us in leadership positions (and I include myself here) have not always done a very good job of providing realistic strategies marked by specifics. For instance, we need more coherent strategies in regard to education and missions, two areas where historically renewal has begun. We need better articulated goals, a clearer sense of what we are trying to accomplish.

Engage your world with basic Christianity for its good and God’s glory.

Despite what our surrounding culture believes, the world’s chief problems are spiritual in nature (not economic or educational). A spiritual sickness thus requires spiritual medicine. It is basic Christianity lived out and proclaimed in humility that will heal. We must therefore engage our world with Christianity and its basic principles, seeking humanity’s good and God’s glory. Renewal will never come if we retreat within our Christian sub-cultures or traditions, individual churches, or immediate family. Rather, renewal comes when we move outward on mission for God in order to reach the world with his gospel.

Conclusion

Renewal begins with God. Nevertheless, his people must not wait for a dramatic sign from heaven. Rather, they should take the initiative and seek the renewal of their world as God allows.