Transformation or Re-engineering?

Markus Watson and I have been blogging back and forth about the Presbytery Transformation statement. One point that isn't clear from the statement, but came out loud and clear in the presentation was that transformation, true transformation, is a function of the Holy Spirit. Alice Peterson wrapped up her portion of the presentation by citing Ezekiel 37 -- the vision of the valley of dry bones. God asks Ezekiel "Son of man, can these bones live?" and Ezekiel replies "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know."

Now this is a drum I've been beating for quite some time -- that we can do all the process re-arranging in the world, but without the Holy Spirit actively working in our hearts and shaping our lives, then all the process is simply re-engineering -- it's moving checkers on the board. When the Holy Spirit moves, then true transformation happens. It's the difference between Revival (a mighty move of the Holy Spirit) and Revivalism (the tricks and techniques of rhetoric applied to preaching).

So let us continue to fast and pray for a mighty move of God in our land and in our church. (I know I've been off the resources for revival bandwagon for a while now, but the call is still urgent).

As an aside, I've been interested in the responses I've heard about presbytery to the idea of doing away with committees -- everything from fear and loathing to celebration and rejoicing. It'll be interesting to see what comes of this process.

Links of interest on this topic:
Markus' First Post
Markus' Second Post
My First Post
My Second Post

Soli Deo Gloria
Russell