Lee University Revival

My last post Lee University’s Statement About the “Revival” On Its Campus has garnered a good deal of interest. Since that gathering is “just around the corner” and my situation in the Church of God and Lee is strong, last evening my wife and I ascended up to the chapel on campus and experienced what is taking place.

Pentecostal churches have had to rise to meet the pastoral challenges that come with worship in the Spirit, and have done so since the beginning of the movement over a hundred years ago. Those lessons were not transferred to many Charismatic groups in the 1960’s and 1970’s, which is one reason why the movement had structural and leadership problems. Some of that was made worse by the stand-offish attitude of some Pentecostal churches and ministers. One notable exception was Paul Laverne Walker, long time pastor of the Mt. Paran Church of God in Atlanta (not far from the Church of the Apostles) and later Presiding Bishop of the Church of God. His son Mark is now President of Lee, and that background has held him in good stead in this situation.

Because of this heritage, as a Church of God institution Lee is better positioned than most to have such an event in its corporate life. That was evident when you walk into the chapel. Although many reports emphasise the spontaneity and lack of structure in the event, underneath the surface things are well in hand, something you don’t always see in a denomination which isn’t much on “organised” religion. Lee’s Campus Pastor, Robert Fultz, is best described as its facilitator, keeping things on track. Ushers find and direct you to an available seat, just like in church. As a result of this the flow of the Spirit is very smooth and not sidetracked by organisational problems.

Since this is an event where the students have taken the lead, Lee has some advantages there too. Many were raised in the Church of God, product of its youth group system. That has been disparaged but in this case its products have risen to the occasion. They all know the same worship choruses and some older hymns, they’ve worshiped like this before in one form or another. Making things better is the fact that Lee has a very deep bench of musicians, many of which have done so in church. What is special about this gathering is that people who have been prepared for this without having the opportunity to lead suddenly step out and do it. In a society which tends to hold adulthood in abeyance, this is really important.

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If the praise and worship aspect sound like the big thing here…well, it is. There’s an altar open for prayer (for more of what this is about, click here) but in reality it’s an extended praise and worship session. Every so often someone will get to give his or her testimony of how God has moved in their life. Beyond all of that the whole object of a gathering like this is to experience God, and that’s something one does during this meeting. The Spirit is very sweet here.

In his message to the “Lee family,” Dr. Walker was reluctant to call this a “revival.” After having been there, I can see why. There are many different ideas of what constitute a revival, but one element is conspicuous by its absence: a leading preacher. From the days of Finney to the Toronto and Pensacola revivals, most–but not all–have been preacher and sermon led. In a church where “bishops and other clergy” rule the roost, what’s going on is exceptional, and that may in part explain Dr. Walker’s reluctance.

From my own standpoint, the problem with things called revivals is that the rhetoric surrounding them always ends up with a “Pickett’s Charge” mentality: starting with this event, we’re going to mount our spiritual steeds, rush and wipe out God’s opponents, and win the victory. The problem with this is that, like the last war we fought with cavalry, it’s too easy for the enemy to “empty the saddles.” What this needs to be is the beginning of a marathon. We didn’t get into the mess we’re in overnight and there’s no reason to believe it will be solved in a short period of time. In men’s ministries, one of our biggest challenges was to transition from an event-driven ministry to a sustainable discipleship based one. That’s what’s in front of us here: we need to move from an event to spread the joy through discipleship and Christian living.

What is happening at Lee is beautiful, and my prayer is that this beauty can be poured out on the earth.

Lee University’s Statement About the “Revival” On Its Campus
Following is a statement sent to Lee University’s friends about what’s going on at the Chapel from its President, Dr. Mark Walker. I put “revival” in quotes because the administration hasn’t definitely characterised it as such. It is reproduced without change.

Hello Lee Family,

You may have heard that Lee University is having revival. I don’t know if that’s what’s taking place, but it appears that God is doing something special on our campus. I’ll attempt to provide you a brief account of what has been occurring.

On Monday morning, February 13, a group of students from a School of Theology and Ministry class had a desire to pray for Lee. They joined with their professor around 11:00am in The Chapel and throughout the day many other students joined them until out of this organic student led prayer vigil about 150 people were gathered in The Chapel praying together into the early morning hours. Most of those in attendance were students accompanied by faculty, staff, and administrators. A few community people began to gather as well.

Since Monday, there has been a steady gathering of people in The Chapel praying, meditating, and worshipping. There have been a handful of people praying in the morning and throughout the day the gathering gradually grows to fill The Chapel by the evening. A rotation of Lee leadership and security are always present at these gatherings. While these prayer vigils include many students, more church groups, local pastors, and community people have started attending, especially at night. Many Lee faculty and staff are also present.

Lee administration is providing guidance and support to the prayer vigils, working to ensure the safety of all participants, and that the prayer and worship are orderly and proper. There are periods when prayer and worship are loud, and there are also periods when there is silence and reflection. Praying for needs of people also occurs at different times and there have been demonstrations of the spiritual gifts. All these expressions are biblical and in order. However, these gatherings are not programmed worship services with an official start time like a chapel or convocation service, and there is no livestreaming. There is not a sound system being used and the only instrument is an electric piano. These are gatherings devoted to prayer.

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Lee has not promoted the prayer vigil and has not called it a revival. Media and social media have dubbed this a revival. Perhaps it is, yet in our hearts we believe it to be a student led prayer vigil for the heart of God. We are not attempting to manufacture anything nor are we attempting to compete with what are being called revivals at other colleges and institutions. We are attempting to follow what God is uniquely doing here. We do not know how long it will last. We will do everything within our power to discern, lead, and guide as it continues.

Some of the Lee family may not understand what is occurring and that’s ok. Attending these meetings is not required, nor is it a sign of one’s spirituality. There is no judgment on anyone who attends or does not attend. God is very present and at work at Lee outside of what is currently taking place in The Chapel. Classes are continuing as scheduled, Conn Center and Dixon Center chapel services are taking place as scheduled, and other campus events are also ongoing as scheduled. Should you have questions regarding The Chapel prayer vigils, someone from campus ministries or administration is available to speak with you.

Thank you for your prayers as we walk through this special and unique time together at Lee University.