A Model of Continuous Renewal by Dr Richard Lovelace

In his book Dynamics of Spiritual Life, Dr. Richard Lovelace gives a summary outline of what our understanding of the “process of revival” could look like.  As a doctoral candidate of his during the ‘90’s I was privileged to examine a wide array of historical revivals through this lens.  It deeply enriched my understanding and leadership as a pastor in the local church setting.  Dr Lovelace's model equipped me with an ability to see points at which people experiencing any particular “moment of revival” could move forward into a deeper fruit-bearing work of the Spirit, or else diverge from God’s leading and eventually find themselves a mere passing footnote in the history of the Father’s redemptive plan.  With this model, we could hope to give our lives to being part of the process of revival working itself out with more fruit. 

 As a pastor, this perspective has guided my prayer and ministry in the local church as we pursue faithful renewal as well as seek to discern the times in which we live.

Here is Lovelace’s outline, more completely developed and wonderfully illustrated in the book:  I am using the term “revival” and especially “authentic revival” interchangeably with his term “renewal.”

• Preconditions of Renewal: Preparation for the Gospel
• Awareness of the Holiness of God
• His Justice
• His Love
• Awareness of the Depth of Sin
• In Your own Life
• In Your Community

• Primary Elements of Renewal: Depth Presentation of the Gospel
• Justification: You are accepted in Christ
• Sanctification: You are Free from Bondage to Sin in Christ
• The Indwelling Spirit: You are not Alone in Christ
• Authority in Spiritual Conflict: You have Authority in Christ

• Secondary Elements of Renewal: Outworking of the Gospel in the Church’s Life
• Mission: following Christ into the World, Presenting His Gospel
• In Proclamation
• In Social Demonstration
• Prayer: Expressing Dependence on the Power of His Spirit
• Individually
• Corporately
• Community: Being in Union with His Body
• In Microcommunities
• In Macrocommunities
• Disenculturation: Being Freed from Cultural Bonds
• Destructive
• Protective
• Theological Integration: Having the Mind of Christ 
• Toward Revealed Truth
• Toward Your Culture

From Dynamics of Spiritual Life, Richard Lovelace, Inter-Varsity Press, 1979, p. 75

This outline is taken from the section entitled A Model of Continuous Renewal on pp. 72-81