500 Years Is Long Enough!

M. David Bradshaw
5 min readMar 5, 2021

Introducing the 21st Century Contemplative Renewal

Why is there a need for a new, contemplative inter-spiritual renewal in the 21st century?

First, the isolation of the recent Covid-19 global pandemic has created a fresh thirst for intimacy, meaningful relationships and unconditional love.

Long before the pandemic much of the American church was stagnating.

The latest “State of the Church” survey by Barna Research documents declines in church membership, community relevancy and consistent prayer.

The reports states; “The pandemic has shifted our thinking so that the space where we get together doesn’t have to be between 9-11 AM on a Sunday morning; we can gather together in small groups in people’s homes — anytime during the week — and access content digitally.”

The early church began as a living room-centered movement, full of joyful interaction and participation, as well as sharing both needs and resources.

Could it be the people of God are coming full circle back home?

The pandemic has accelerated existing trends affecting every area of our life — and the church stands at a spiritual crossroads in 2023.

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