Saturday, July 14, 2007
THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT FROM THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT
For the past 100 years the charismatic movement has swept the church and the world. Something specific in history happened at Azusa Street, but I also believe many of those same things were happening prior to that, there just wasn't a vocabulary. There are many things that can be debated about it - but as I was running yesterday I was thinking to myself there are two incredible gifts the charismatic movement has blessed the entire church with. I think it goes beyond the supernatural expression of the miraculous.
First, because of the emphasis on the Holy Spirit I believe there came a strong passion for worship. The charismatic movement has taught the church to worship in ways that are profound and deep that impact mainline churches today. The freedom of the Spirit afforded by the charismatic church spread in music, expression, and a desire for spontaniety that even mainline churches emulate in many ways. I'm so so grateful for that. I can go in most churches and sing worship songs, lift my hands, and worship regardless of the denomination. I would also be quick to say, that as one who discovered the joy worship, when we discover the object of worship - we can "worship" in the highest of the high or the lowest of the low.
Second, because of the emphasis on the Holy Spirit - anything is possible - even outside the realm of human engineering. I am very grateful the charismatic movement has impacted the world as it has. We've all heard the stats that 75% of the church globally is charismatic. There are reasons for that - yes sociologically, culturally, identification - but you cannot minimize the belief in the power of the Holy Spirit that makes anything possible - even taking the Gospel to the most difficult places on the earth.
The lines between "charismatic" and "non-charismatic" have blurred dramatically since the 70's and they will continue to. So, how do you reconcile some of the differences? I don't - they're there. Like the debate about free will and human responsibility - it's a tension that will exist. But I woudn't want to do away with a God that is in total control - neither would I want to follow a God that made me a robot. Excesses? Yes. Need for more excesses out of some who never get enough steam up to even come close to making a wrong turn so don't do anything at all? Yes. What's the answer? Learn from one another, bless one another, work with one another, and even challenge one another. BUT for God's sake and his kingdom - don't villify one another or isolate ourselves from His Body - something we have no right or perrogative to do.
First, because of the emphasis on the Holy Spirit I believe there came a strong passion for worship. The charismatic movement has taught the church to worship in ways that are profound and deep that impact mainline churches today. The freedom of the Spirit afforded by the charismatic church spread in music, expression, and a desire for spontaniety that even mainline churches emulate in many ways. I'm so so grateful for that. I can go in most churches and sing worship songs, lift my hands, and worship regardless of the denomination. I would also be quick to say, that as one who discovered the joy worship, when we discover the object of worship - we can "worship" in the highest of the high or the lowest of the low.
Second, because of the emphasis on the Holy Spirit - anything is possible - even outside the realm of human engineering. I am very grateful the charismatic movement has impacted the world as it has. We've all heard the stats that 75% of the church globally is charismatic. There are reasons for that - yes sociologically, culturally, identification - but you cannot minimize the belief in the power of the Holy Spirit that makes anything possible - even taking the Gospel to the most difficult places on the earth.
The lines between "charismatic" and "non-charismatic" have blurred dramatically since the 70's and they will continue to. So, how do you reconcile some of the differences? I don't - they're there. Like the debate about free will and human responsibility - it's a tension that will exist. But I woudn't want to do away with a God that is in total control - neither would I want to follow a God that made me a robot. Excesses? Yes. Need for more excesses out of some who never get enough steam up to even come close to making a wrong turn so don't do anything at all? Yes. What's the answer? Learn from one another, bless one another, work with one another, and even challenge one another. BUT for God's sake and his kingdom - don't villify one another or isolate ourselves from His Body - something we have no right or perrogative to do.
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Bob,
Right on here....I've long felt that when the history of the church is written, the Charismatic movement (in which I have many gloriously wonderful friends) will have made a singular contribution to the church in worship...do you remember evangelical church worship pre-1970's? I do...yes I was very young, but I do!
Secondly, I also believe that the Charismatic movement equips us to move beyond the "normal" and into the supernatural on a regular basis...we see and experience with new eyes and heart.
One other thing...I think God is messing with our "categories". For instance, there is a strong emerging movement of what Mark Driscoll calls Reformed-Evangelical-Charismatics....that's a hoot...like picking a card from 3 different decks--love it! Also, I've done some work with the Anglican Church in America...they are sacramental (liturgical) and evangelical...and about 1/2 of them are charismatic. Gotta love it!
Thanks for your continuing leadership....you get it--and thanks for "giving it" to us!
John Jackson
www.pastorpreneur.com
Right on here....I've long felt that when the history of the church is written, the Charismatic movement (in which I have many gloriously wonderful friends) will have made a singular contribution to the church in worship...do you remember evangelical church worship pre-1970's? I do...yes I was very young, but I do!
Secondly, I also believe that the Charismatic movement equips us to move beyond the "normal" and into the supernatural on a regular basis...we see and experience with new eyes and heart.
One other thing...I think God is messing with our "categories". For instance, there is a strong emerging movement of what Mark Driscoll calls Reformed-Evangelical-Charismatics....that's a hoot...like picking a card from 3 different decks--love it! Also, I've done some work with the Anglican Church in America...they are sacramental (liturgical) and evangelical...and about 1/2 of them are charismatic. Gotta love it!
Thanks for your continuing leadership....you get it--and thanks for "giving it" to us!
John Jackson
www.pastorpreneur.com
# posted by 
: 9:27 AM
: 9:27 AM
i think that you make some great pts about the charismatic movement impacting the rest of the church. there is no question that there has been a huge shift in the way that almost all "churches" "worship". and for sure there are other great things about how the church continues to mature.
however, i have to make a couple points about "worship". one, worship isnt synonymous with singing and music. there are so many ways to worship God. worship in hebrew has the connotation of obedience, rather than singing or such. two, many people prefer to sing old hymns and not newer praise songs. there are many reasons for this. some because they are traditional. but others love the older hymns because of their theological depth and their music. some people, believe it or not, prefer hymns with light acoustic guitar or piano, etc, rather than a big band.
so are there great things the charismatic movement have brought to the church? absolutely. there are also some things that are truly an issue of preference.
besides that let me ask one question. try to honestly answer this to yourself:
would someone who has never been to church desire to come to a service where everyone was "praising", etc, or a meeting where people actually talked with him and dialogued about life, the sermon, his family, etc?
peter
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however, i have to make a couple points about "worship". one, worship isnt synonymous with singing and music. there are so many ways to worship God. worship in hebrew has the connotation of obedience, rather than singing or such. two, many people prefer to sing old hymns and not newer praise songs. there are many reasons for this. some because they are traditional. but others love the older hymns because of their theological depth and their music. some people, believe it or not, prefer hymns with light acoustic guitar or piano, etc, rather than a big band.
so are there great things the charismatic movement have brought to the church? absolutely. there are also some things that are truly an issue of preference.
besides that let me ask one question. try to honestly answer this to yourself:
would someone who has never been to church desire to come to a service where everyone was "praising", etc, or a meeting where people actually talked with him and dialogued about life, the sermon, his family, etc?
peter
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