Subject: what is a charismatic church |
Bible Note: Justme Your probably right most do consider themselves Charismatic. The term Pentecostal and Charismatic have become almost synonymous. Again let me explain, Pentecostal is basically the belief that the gifts of the Spirit function today as they did in the first church. Charismatic is basically a form of behavior in the a Pentecostal church. In the early days of Pentecostalism, since is was birthed in the Holiness movement, very thing was done quite proper and very orderly. A Pentecostal meeting comprised of some really good “whole” Gospel preaching and often a message or two with interpretation in tongues, and a lot of prayer. Prayer was the most important thing and tarrying at the altar for hours was the norm. Women wore very long dresses and no makeup and never cut their hair. Men dressed for the most part normally but would never wear ties. Neither sex wore any jewelry except wedding rings. If there was any dancing or such it was done only under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Later as people started to seek more of the sensational rather than the supernatural things did happen. People looked for manifestations and they became more frequent. It stated with Jericho marches (walking around the church worshipping God) going out in the Spirit, prayer lines, healing lines In some churches there were those that ran the pews (jump from the back of one pew to next the length of the church.) and Holy rolling (somersaulting up the aisles). People claimed this was done under the influence of the Holy Spirit and many of the more outlandish actions quickly got the Pentecostal movement labeled as Holy Roller. Eventually most of this sort of activity stopped although some churches still have Jericho marches and dancing in the Spirit. Most have prayer lines and going out in the Spirit. In around the 60’s a phenomena started with choreographed dance and flags and ‘spirited’ singing of choruses. This all lead to the what we could call the Charismatic movement. Soon a church was judge on how “alive” it was, how upbeat the music. Organs were replaced with keyboards and Pianos with drum, guitars and such. Soon a service contained 30-60 minutes of chorus singing, followed by 30 minute – 2 hours of preaching. Dancing or physical movement and waving of the arms became accepted and soon a church had to conform to the new or die. Today there are Pentecostal churches that have an order of service very similar to Presbyterian or Methodist churches in that they sing from hymnals, have responsive readings, and almost a liturgy. Then there are others very Charismatic, where the senses and emotions are stimulated into worship. They play the latest music, have upbeat praise and worship singers and usually full praise bands, laser lights, smoke machines. Most people 50 and over in Pentecostal churches call themselves Pentecostal those younger tend to think of themselves as Charismatic Pentecostals. Although the Pentecostal aspect is getting shoved back Unfortunately in many churches prayer, holiness, and much more is getting left behind. I hope this sheds more light EdB |