Revival Meetings
With this in mind, evangelical meetings and revival meetings are often combined. For example, among the Holdeman and most Amish Mennonite churches here in Belize, revivals are a time when baptized members step out of their cosy comfort zones and invite neighbors and co-workers to evening preaching services held during the week.
To put it bluntly, it appears as if among the more modern, well-to-do Kleine Gemeinde and some older Beachy Amish congregations, it has become a regular custom, another Mennonite tradition which simply serves to identify their religious affiliation if nothing else. But the conservative side of the Kleine Gemeinde seem to treat the revival meetings for what they really are. It is from these conservative ones that I have recieved warm invitations to attend.
Then we turn to the Conservative and Holdeman Mennonites, and the event takes on an evangelistic tone. In fact, some of these churches even gear up for the occasion by stocking up on chairs, lights, extension cords, drinking water and even tents if necessary. Members might go out on the streets of the local community and extend invitations.
So now the stage is set, the lights are all on, expectant faces and a solemn hush fill the building. What all happens during a revival meeting? Much the same as a regular Sunday service except Sunday school classes are skipped and singing time shortened. The recurring theme throughout the week is repentance (for everyone), new birth (for the sinners), a return to first love (for the baptized members). The three topics may be incorporated into a single message or preached on different evenings. In the Holdeman and Amish Mennonite churches, the preaching is often followed by a variation of the "altar call", most likely borrowed from the Pentecostals during the last century. Responders are asked to either stand up or raise their hands. Instead of soft background music, slow songs are often sung either by a choir or the congregation during this time. Someone begins crying. Is it an emotional moment of grief and remorse, or merely a nervous breakdown? With all due respect, I prefer to believe the former although to be honest I have personally experienced both many years ago.
The meetings are usually wrapped up in less than a week, during which time two or perhaps ten new converts have been added to the flock. And… that's it for revival meetings.
Interesting facts:
usually, preachers at revival meetings have only their travel expenses paid by the host congregation, depending how far they had to travel. Food and board are provided by the local members but time away from their jobs is not covered which often leads to scheduling and re-scheduling before the meetings actually take place.
many Amish Mennonite churches bring in only one "outside" affiliated minister for the preaching. The Holdeman custom is to bring in two or three from separate congregations.
some churches hold yearly revivals. Conservative Mennonites sometimes have two per year; Holdemans may have one a year or none at all, based on the decision of the congregation.
in some churches, a members' only communion service usually follows revivals. Others treat communion as separate from revivals.
