Revive Us Again: Rejuvenating a movement of transformation

Would you love to see spiritual and social transformation? ‘Revive Us Again’ explores how the founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley, achieved extraordinary impact across the UK. This is an invitation to be inspired by Wesley’s message and methods and see how, by reclaiming these treasures, Methodism and the wider church may once again transform society.

Leslie Newton is a Methodist Minister, currently serving as Chair of the Yorkshire North and East District. He has previously served in circuit ministry in Barnsley, Bramhall and York. He is co-chair of the Methodist Church’s ‘New Places for New People’ Guiding Team and a Trustee of Fresh Expressions.

In this blog, Leslie shares thoughts on his book, Revive Us Again.

Would you love to see spiritual and social transformation? ‘Revive Us Again’ explores how the founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley, achieved extraordinary impact across the UK. This is an invitation to be inspired by Wesley’s message and methods and see how, by reclaiming these treasures, Methodism and the wider church may once again transform society.

It all started during my 2021 sabbatical. I chose to spend time exploring more deeply than I had previously how the early Methodist movement took root and grew so rapidly and effectively. I found my studies captivating, illuminating and inspiring. It stirred my heart in ways that I had not anticipated as I looked at ‘what was’ and began to dream afresh of ‘what could be’ in the twenty-first century.

Adopting, now, the language of the current theme of our President and Vice-President, it felt to me that I was discovering some ‘hidden treasure’ - or at least treasure that had been largely hidden from me. (This, I freely admit, is very probably because I’d not previously searched as hard as I should have done!)

So, this book is the fruit of my reading and reflections. Its title emerges from Charles Wesley’s hymn, ‘Being of beings, God of love’ (StF490) and verse 4 (which in turn is quoting from Psalm 85:6). I would encourage you to read that hymn and use it in your devotions – amazing words!

I offer the book, and its reflections, humbly, recognising there are many with richer scholarship and other views. I simply dare to hope that it might stimulate wider conversation about our future, and what ‘hidden treasure’ from our roots may be there for us to reclaim with renewed confidence.

It was just a few weeks ago that Mike Yarwood, the famous impressionist of the 70s, died. That sad news brought back memories of how his Saturday evening TV show was regular family viewing during my childhood. Some of you of similar vintage may recall that just before he sang a song to close the show he’d always say: “and this is me.”

That’s rather how I feel about this book: ‘this book is me’ - at least for now! Of course, the adventure goes on, and I look forward to what further treasure God will reveal for us all.

'Revive Us Again’, is available here:  https://amzn.eu/d/6cj8eow