When God Breaks In, Everything Else Breaks Open

A reflection on revival, reformation, and the urgent conversation we need right now.

Jul 16, 2025

Imagine sitting in a chapel service, the air thick with shared faith and anticipation, as the presider humbly clarifies over the Lord’s Supper:

“We’re not a church.”

It made sense for an institution focused on Christian training—they don’t marry, bury, or claim shepherding authority. It was a statement of humility, not evasion.

But then came the follow-up:

“But we are a Christian community.”

That’s when the unease hit me harder than expected. It was meant to affirm our shared faith, space, and hunger for Christ that compels us to pray and worship together and even partake of the table of the Lord. Yet, I couldn't shake the question bubbling up:

What is the Church, if not the place where Christ is worshipped, discipleship deepens, calling is discerned, mission is embraced, and belief is reinforced?

This phrase lingered because it felt like a symptom of something unraveling—a grip loosening on long-held truths. It's not just about one school searching to distinguish its role; it's a sign of deeper shifts across the Body of Christ.

We're stepping into a generation of awakening. But it's not just revival. We're entering a new era of reformation. And with my webinar happening tomorrow—Thursday, July 17, 2025 7pm CST—there's no better time to dive in. Register here.

The Pattern of Revival and Reformation

History shows the Church undergoes seismic shifts every so often. They're painful, controversial, and rarely feel like revival at first. But they become one. My research dove into this "underbelly of revival," as D.A. Carson calls it—the hidden challenges beneath the glory. I mean think about The Protestant Reformation that forever reshaped the Church, The Great Awakenings that confronted sin and stagnation, or The Jesus People Movement that redefined missions, music, and spiritual hunger, revitalizing a weary Church. All of these have really good things about them, but reading into the stories a bit will reveal that there were many negative dynamics during these powerful times in church history.

These movements disrupted traditions while unveiling deeper truths. We've prayed for glory, but are we ready for the grief? We cry out for fire, but can we handle the refinement?

We often romanticize revival as God's surprising visitation: miracles, conviction, His overwhelming nearness. What's not to love?

But the full story is messier. The Bible doesn't sanitize it either. Church history's major revivals reveal not just heaven's power, but humanity's pressure points: burnout, disputes, moral failures, confusion, and splintered leadership.

Revival isn't just spiritual highs; it's a sociological disruption demanding preparation we're rarely taught. That's why I've spent seven years researching the "dark side" of revival—not to diminish it, but to equip us.

My Research: What Happens When God Breaks In

In my doctoral work at Asbury Theological Seminary, I studied the problems and challenges that emerge during times of revival by looking specifically through the lens of two recent outpourings:

The IHOPU Student Awakening (2009–2010)
The Asbury Outpouring (2023)

I analyzed them through Scripture, historical revivals (like the Toronto Blessing and Brownsville), interviews with six key leaders who've stewered renewal for 35+ years, experience-based surveys, and firsthand testimonies.

The findings? Revival is life-giving, but it introduces complex challenges. It's a sudden shift in the spiritual ecosystem—and without formation, we might resist what we've prayed for.

Curious? Tomorrow's webinar is your chance to hear it all firsthand.

Join Me Tomorrow at The Awakening Table—Spots Are Limited!

If this has piqued your interest, don't wait. Join me for The Awakening Table, a live Zoom webinar tomorrow, Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 7pm CST. It's free, but intentionally small for real dialogue—RSVP now before it's full. Register here.

I'll share:

The 5 greatest challenges every revival faces
A framework for spiritual formation during outpourings
Why we're entering a "new wineskin" moment in Church history

Final Word: This Is the Moment—Act Now

Let's prepare not just for what God might do, but for what He's already doing. See you tomorrow?

If this post stirred something in you, hit the heart button, leave a comment below, or share it with a friend who's hungry for revival. Your thoughts could spark the conversation we all need.