The word “revival “ has been a cultural iconography for most Americans coupled with the big tent Billy Graham-style of preaching. But since the arrival of the stay home policy, church buildings have been forced to shut down in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, there is a possibility that the next great awakening might not take the usual form of large gatherings and alter calls.
Greg Laurie also called the next generation’s Billy Graham told Faithwire that he predicts the next spiritual awakening could happen on a screen.
In his interview with Faithwire, Laurie the founding pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside said “We scratch our heads and we wonder how to reach your generation — the millennials, Generation Z — and sometimes people decry the fact that so many in your generation are glued to your phones, to your tablets,”.. “But here’s the question I want to ask: Is it possible that the next spiritual awakening could happen on a screen?”
Known for hosting massive Harvest Crusades each year, Laurie made some references to data showing how younger Americans prefer to communicate with one another via text message as opposed to actually talking to other people. Adding that those skills have been significant during this coronavirus pandemic, as the mode of communication with friends and family has been through technology.
Giving credence to his word, he said for the past six weeks churches across the country have fully transitioned to having their services online, via YouTube and Facebook where Sunday morning sermons are been streamed coupled with conducting midweek small groups and Bible studies through Zoom and Skype sessions.
In the column he wrote for Newsweek last month, he revealed that his church’s millennial viewership has increased by 235% since transitioning to exclusively online services. More than one million people tune into Harvest’s livestream each week. Laurie said
Laurie said tho physical gathering of believers cannot be replaced but revival could look different in the years to come.
Laurie said he his looking forward to meeting together in person again and worship together, as moments like that are incredible experiences.But in the meantime, “we’ve been forced to, well, close the doors of the church building. But the doors for the church as a whole have never been more open.” He added
Aphorism CITY 