Fire in our hearts - Jesus Army

15
Into the Eighties
1980
As the church in Britain entered the eighties, many felt that
the renewal movement had lost steam. The charismatic ship
launched in the sixties was running aground in shallow waters.
Enthusiasm had waned and pioneers had become settlers.
‘Have all dug in?’ asked Arthur Wallis in The Radical
Christian 54 . The renewal began to reflect on itself and look
for direction. Clearly the church needed to rise up and go on
the offensive.
‘There is a scent of spiritual warfare in the air,’ wrote Denis
Clark in Renewal. ‘Only now is the concept of God’s people
being an army taking on proper significance. Psalm 110 could
become the vital focus for the eighties:
‘“The Lord will extend your mighty sceptre from Zion; Your
troops will be willing on your day of battle.”’ 55
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