The Center for the Study of World Christian Revitalization Movements
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Scriptural Holiness and the Fourfold Gospel
Pentecost and the New Humanity
What Is Revitalization?
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Centers and Peripheries
Howard Snyder
The Wesleyan/Holiness Studies Center, established at Asbury Theological Seminary in 1991, has been reorganized and given a new name: Center for the Study of World Christian Revitalization Movements.
This change signals both continuity and change. Continuity: The new Center builds on the research, findings, and archival work of the past fifteen years and will continue to explore the history and relevance of the Wesleyan/Holiness traditions. But also change and new directions, with an expanded focus on movements of renewal, revival, revitalization. The “movemental” character of early Methodism prompts inquiry into the phenomena of renewal movements throughout church history–– and in culture generally. So the scope of the Center is being expanded in three ways: It will become more interdisciplinary, it will be global in focus, and it will cover a broader sweep of history. Yet the Wesleyan and holiness movements will continue to be important points of reference in examining renewal and revitalization phenomena in other times an places.
The CSWCRM hopes to contribute to the vitality of Christian mission and local congregations by synthesizing learnings from past and present revitalization movements worldwide, using an interdisciplinary approach. Insights from biblical studies, theology, history, anthropology, sociology, and other disciplines will be important in researching a range of renewal, revival, and revitalization movements. In light of the new focus, the former Wesleyan Holiness Studies Center Bulletin has been renamed Revitalization. This is the first issue with the new format and focus.
Thousands of “centers” exist around the world, in academia and elsewhere. We hope to network with some of these—those whose focus and interests most intersect with ours. Over time, we hope to understand more fully what revitalization, revival, renewal, reform and “reformation” are all about.One thing revivals and renewals are all about, is centers and peripheries. In 1900 the “center” of world Protestant and Protestant missions seemed to be Europe (especially London) and the United States (especially New York). But then unexpected revivals broke out in “peripheral” places: Wales, Azusa Street (Los Angeles), villages in India, northern Korea. In the century-long wake of the 1904–07 revivals, Christianity has been transformed. Renewal often begins at the (perceived) margins and sometimes its significance is recognized only later. The most promising renewals today may yet be invisible. We can learn much, however, by systematic interdisciplinary study of contemporary and earlier movements.
This issue of Revitalization begins the exploration. Brief essays by Michael Rynkiewich, Steven O’Malley, and Meesaeng Lee Choi suggest some of the ways this can occur. We will be exploring others as well through an expanding dialogue via publications, conferences and consultations, research projects, and other avenues.
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