1. Charles Grandison Finney The Father of Modern Revivalism (1792-1875)
Dan Moorhead
Charles Grandison Finney The Father of Modern Revivalism ( )

2. Early Life Born in Warren, Connecticut
Studied as an apprentice to become a lawyer.
During his training he had a dramatic conversion experience and was baptized into the church.
He quit his lawyer career and became a preacher.
Emphasized the will of man and employed revival techniques that became known as "New Measures"

3. Life as a Preacher
Finney became a licensed minister in the Presbyterian Church at the age of 29.
Became known for his unconventional ways of preaching including:
Extemporaneous preaching
Instituting his “new measures”
Ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1824, Finney was soon at odds with conservative clergy
Became know for his work in defining Revivalism

4. Finney’s “New Measures”
Finney became known for his non conservative “new measures”
His “new measures” were a way to reach as many souls as possible. The New Measures included:
public praying of women in mixed-sex audiences
daily services over a series of days
use of colloquial language by the preacher
the "anxious bench"
praying for people by name
immediate church membership for converts

5. Finney’s “new measures” continued
The New Measures brought outrage to all conservative ministers in the Presbyterian church.
Finney and his followers reached a moral victory after their more orthodox colleagues held a convention at New Lebanon, NY in July, 1827
The convention was held to stop Finney's sudden change in the church
However, nothing was done to stop Finney’s influence.

6. Contribution to the pre-civil war era
Finney’s new measures became a stepping stone for more liberal thinkers in a conservative era
Finney contributed to women's suffrage
Finney defined the revival, made it clear that:
A physical change is not brought on by God, but by how to mind perceives God.
Free will is the only way to praise God.
“Finney's influence rose in tandem with that of Andrew Jackson; both addressed the issues of equality of men, and free will and self governance.”

7. Works cited
"Charles Grandison Finney." American The University of Virginia. Web. 15 Nov <
Kornblith, Gary. "Charles Grandison Finney." College of Arts and Sciences & Conservatory of Music - Oberlin College. Web. 15 Nov <