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Revive 07

Written by R.J. Perkins
Date added: 4/2007

Revive is the annual weekend gathering for the Co-Mission Initiative congregations. The weekend takes its name from the Psalms. In these ancient songs the writer frequently expressed his dependence upon God to sustain his spiritual life. It’s therefore a fitting name for a weekend designed to do just that.

Many of you will be aware that I’m responsible for the organisation of Revive though in reality Rosie Dunn does all the hard work. Nevertheless it therefore has a special place in my heart. I have to say that the programme for this year is our best yet.

Revive actually takes place on the University of Portsmouth Campus once the students have left. The cost is £130 per adult but I’m guessing that since most of us have known about the weekend since October we’ve been putting £15 away each month to save up! If money is the reason you can’t attend please speak to me and if I’m at all persuaded that your excuse sounds legitimate we’ll see what we can manage!

Let me give you three reasons why you should come on Revive.

1. it’ll satisfy your physical appetite

Whether you have an insatiable appetite for play, rest or entertainment we’ve got it all for you.

• If your thing is play then there’s a range of sporting activities available on the Saturday afternoon, there’s the tug of war on the Sunday afternoon [which we characteristically lose] and impromptu games of cricket spring up wherever there’s a stray chair, a tennis ball and a group of grown men.

• If there’s nothing you like more than to rest then there are plenty of lovely green areas, the beach is within easy reach and there’s lots of down time between the main sessions. The accommodation is perfectly acceptable and you can disappear for an afternoon nap if needs be.

• And if on your weekend you’re looking for entertainment your search has come to an end. There’s an evening reception for CCB on the Friday night and though the curry has gone down well in recent years we’re planning something a little different this year, there’s events in the big top which may well be an 80s disco night and a singer in the bar on Saturday night. Once again CCB will be sponsoring and executing the firework display.


2. it’ll satisfy your relational appetite

If you’ve got an insatiable appetite for relationships then we’ve got it all for you.

There’s lots of opportunity to chat over coffee and over meal times. Some of us will have friends in other congregations and it’s a great time to catch up with them. Others of us will know only friends at CCB. Whichever situation best describes ours there’s lots of scope in the programme for doing nothing but relaxing and chatting with the people we’d like to.

People sometimes worry about the big crowd since we’ll be about 500 in total but because CCB are accommodated in the same area and we can eat together there’s no reason to find yourself isolated with no one to talk to.

It’s a great way to spend some time with the people you’ll be spending eternity with!

3. it’ll satisfy your spiritual appetite

If you’ve got an insatiable appetite for spiritual input then we’ve got everything you need.

• The main teaching sessions will be led by Mike Cain who has just launched a Church plant out of Christ Church Clifton in Bristol. He is writing a book on John’s Gospel and so he’s just the right man to deal with the chapters in that gospel on the Holy Spirit. The music is no better than what we’re treated to here but the preaching is!

• There’s a book and seminars that tie in with each of the chapters. There’s a rumour circulating amongst the Co-Mission staff that Ed was so pleased with his chapter that he forwarded it to a few friends under the subject title: my brilliant chapter. The seminars aim to cover the doctrinal issues thrown up by the Spirit’s work. We’ll be looking at spiritual gifts, being born again, being led by the Spirit, speaking in tongues, spiritual warfare, baptism in the Spirit and so on.

• As a special treat this year we’re delighted to welcome the Australian singer/songwriter/children’s entertainer Colin Buchanan. Colin will be known to many of us and mention of his name is sufficient reason to sign up. For those of less familiar with his work I’ll let Ed or Jenni fill in the blanks.

There are three good reasons to come. But of course we’re Christians so we’re not only driven by our appetite for consumption. There’ll be a host of other perhaps more persuasive reasons to attend. I’ll save those up for another time if you’re not able to work them out over a swift half at the Blithe Spirit.