Can A Renewal Movement Be Renewed

Does ecumenism have a future? -- What would it mean to take the "next step" in ecumenical and interfaith relations -- Is the ecumenical movement a movement for peace? -- What can the churches say together about the church? -- What can the churches say together about the environment? -- Can the tension between unity and justice be overcome? -- Has the ecumenical movement become too "political"? -- What is the way forward for Catholic-Protestant relations? -- How can the Orthodox help others understand them better? -- How are interfaith relationships as challenging as they are necessary? -- How can we deal with the tough issues in Jewish-Christian relations? -- Are councils of churches a thing of the past? -- What does it take to be an ecumenical leader? -- What will it take to revitalize the ecumenical movement? -- Why care about Christian unity when there are so many other things to worry about?

Personal renewal or sanctification belongs to the heart of the Christian life and is becoming more important in our present-day culture. Listening to Scripture and in conversation with a variety of theologians from the protestant tradition, the author presents an up-to-date concept for a theology of personal renewal.In this concept the spiritual union with Christ (unio mystica cum Christo) is taken as the starting point in order to consider the way in which renewal obtains form in relation to God, our neighbour, ourselves and the world. To place this concept into a historical perspective, van Vlastuin begins his study with an investigation of Luther and Calvin's theology concerning the relationship between the union with Christ and personal renewal. The concept is developed within the current theological debate, with particular reference to the eschatological character of the Christian life.An important issue concerns the measure of renewal, especially in relation to the sinful heart of the believer. In this context the author also deals with the question of sanctification as a position or a process, and the relation between the two.In addition the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the human soul in the process of renewal is discussed. Another important issue concerns the abiding significance of the law and the way in which it functions in the Christian life. The exploration of several theological positions leads to a modern concept by which to understand law.The study concludes with an investigation of the relationship between the eschatological Christian life in this present life and the complete revelation of the eschaton.

In Receptive Ecumenism and the Renewal of the Ecumenical Movement, Antonia Pizzey offers a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the approach of Receptive Ecumenism, which is widely regarded as having the potential to revitalise contemporary ecumenism.

The RENEW idea was born out of this experience, our reluctance to accept the status quo and the understanding that the American institutional church of our fathers is crumbling. While we admit some church expressions are thriving, many are only the result of transfer growth of those who are discontent. While the 'cool' factor may bring them in, we know there's not a fog machine, a strobe light, a celebrity pastor or a worship band that can reverse the decline. The time has come for a wholesale change. The group we believe has done the greatest investigation and learned the most through practical application is the Forge Network. Michael Frost, Alan Hirsh, Lance Ford, and Hugh Halter have been championing movement to extend God's Kingdom and reign through solid orthodoxy, proxy and pathy. The American culture has made it clear to those gathering on Sunday: The good news is only good if you are willing to proclaim it and live it daily. Forge provides a host of residencies and training across the world. RENEW is a missional expression in a great sea of expressions to authentically reach, teach and create true followers of Jesus. Anything less taints the message and enforces the American Christian hypocrite stigma. RENEW encompasses the best of all great expressions and heralds back to the original movement of Jesus. We are part of the larger movement seeking to discover a life worth living which truly offers a foretaste of heaven. We are focused on reaching the "none, done and undone" in every context. The "nones" are those individuals with no religious context, the "dones" are those individuals who have been in the belly of the current American church and "undone" are those who have all but checked out of this life because of what they have or are currently enduring. The following fifty-two chapters are the discussion primers. They represent an effort to synthesize orthodox theology with cultural conundrums to help individuals and groups become more thoughtful in the practice of the Christian faith. We believe all the topics lead the group to a more orthodox understanding of Jesus. We subscribe to the Christian theological mainstream. Our book is meant to be read, wrestled with and discussed. We suggest this book be a group project with multiple levels of spiritual maturity present during the discussion. Our first RENEW group consisted of over fifty individuals. We are now in the second year of meeting together on weekday evenings. We have seen all types of people and viewpoints. We have laughed, cried, argued and even agreed to disagree. The process has been life giving.

Worship. Small groups. Community outreach. Prayer Evangelism. Political action. Missions. Signs of renewal are springing up everywhere. How can we encourage and sustain this spiritual vigor? How can we make renewal a way of life? Spiritual growth, says Richard Lovelace, depends on grasping and applying certain key biblical principles. We need to understand how the forces of evil work against us and what God has done for us in Christ. Lovelace begins by focusing on our need to develop a God-centered, kingdom-centered life. He then details the dangers and strategies of the world, the flesh and the devil. Individually we are renewed as we grow in Christ, who accepts us, frees us from bondage to sin, and lives in us through the Holy Spirit. Corporately we are renewed as we pray, participate in community life, increase our theological depth, and reach out with the gospel in word and deed. This book incorporates insights from seven years' thought since Lovelace's earlier Dynamics of Spiritual Life. Its shorter length and added discussion questions make it ideal for small group study as well as for individual reflection. This is a guidebook for all who desire spiritual growth.

Although many churches act as sponsors of 12-Step meetings, there is usually little direct connection to the life and spiritual development of the church. This hope-filled book chronicles the history and development of the recovery movement and encourages those involved to move 12-Step meetings from the basement of the church to the sanctuary.

Pittsburgh Theological Monograph Series General Editor - Dikran Y. Hadidian

A Concise Global History of the Stone-Campbell Movement

For almost the entire period of its existence, the Church has fought to stay spiritually alive. Now, we face a faith crisis of global proportions - particularly for our youth who are meant to lead us in the future. Re:New - A Case for Spiritual Renewal in the 21st Century explores the critical need for examination and spiritual renewal at all levels. This renewal will repair the leakages in our wells, filling us afresh with the life of Christ and of His Spirit, which will then overflow to transform the world. This is the Renew Movement! In the first book of the Re:New series, Pastor Jervis Djokoto explains the urgent call to action for all spiritual leaders and Christians to launch a spiritual revolution grounded in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Discover how you can join in at a Renewal Hub to spark the journey for you as an individual and your entire Church community. REVIEWS "As the Western Church is in decline and the Global Church is exploding, the question before us is how does renewal take place in both contexts long-term? This book is one of many being written by the next generation of global Christian scholars that is so encouraging and needed right now. Jervis has brought together biblical insight, robust theological reflection, has used his personal journey to give a strong way to move forward in the power of the Holy Spirit in both directions. This conversation is key for us as we try to see the kingdom of God grow, especially in globally influencing multicultural cities like Toronto, where I serve." -- Dr. JON THOMPSON, Senior Pastor, Sanctus Church, Canada and author of Convergence: Why Jesus needs to be more than our Lord and Savior to thrive in a post Christian world. "Churches in the Global north are in a period of spiritual decline as believers get pulled into formal religion or abandon the faith all together. But Jervis Djokoto, a Canadian millennial pastor and Doctoral student of Ghanaian descent is out to change that. In a hope-filled compelling fashion, Djokoto's Re:New - A Case for Spiritual Renewal in the 21st Century Church argues that the same experiential, Spirit-centered, communal and embodied movement of God that shifted the center of Christianity to the global south is available to all countries and communities. Joel 2 speaks of the Holy Spirit being poured out on all flesh. That means in these last days there are renewal catalysts everywhere being moved by God to personal revitalization. Djokoto shares his personal story of transformation and then invites other change agents to join him in local networking hubs that prioritize spirituality over structures and have a willingness to wait as long as it takes for the Spirit to come. The result will be a creative contextualized gospel where Jesus the ultimate cure reverses the signs of sickness in our culture. Here is a clarion call to be taken very seriously." -- JAMES PENNER, Lethbridge-based speaker, sociologist and lead author of Hemorrhaging Faith: Why and When Canadian Young Adults Are Leaving, Staying and Returning to Church. "In his call for spiritual renewal, Pastor Jervis is not offering a new formula but instead is suggesting we slow down and pay attention to the work the Spirit has been doing all along. Jervis makes his point via a survey of church history, theology and global Christianity. Spiritual vitality has consistently emerged as God works through the church's weakness and frailty. This book rings true because it emerges from the author's own spiritual journey as he has learned to listen and discern the voice of the Spirit." -- REV. DAN SHEFFIELD, pastor/church-planter, adjunct lecturer at Tyndale Seminary and author of The Multicultural Leader.