Charismatics

[MadParrotWoman]

What are your thoughts on the Charismatic movement? The whole thing which can include lively worship, tongues, people being slain, laughing, crying, rolling about - you know the whole thing. My church is Charismatic but I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable with some of the "goings on" there, it's not as bad as some but it seems to be becoming more Charismatic. I love the lively worship, I believe that worship should be spontaneous, heartfelt and enthusiastic and at times I do get emotional but it's more personal for me - I don't feel the need to let everyone know. Some of the other stuff that goes on at times I'm not so enthused about. I have spoken to like-minded people at the church and we all seem to feel that we aren't "spiritual" enough but then at other times I wonder if it's all real. I think it can be but for sure not always and not everyone is always being real.

Please I respectfully ask to respect the opinions of all and keep this thread on topic and civilised, thank you.

 

[Willie-T]

I agree. Even at my own church, I do think people sometimes add too much of themselves into what they might be experiencing.

 

[shotgunner]

Think about David and how he danced before the Lord, how his wife criticized, and the consequences.


Having said that, the word must also go forth without hindrance.

 

[kaylagrl]

What are your thoughts on the Charismatic movement? The whole thing which can include lively worship, tongues, people being slain, laughing, crying, rolling about - you know the whole thing. My church is Charismatic but I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable with some of the "goings on" there, it's not as bad as some but it seems to be becoming more Charismatic. I love the lively worship, I believe that worship should be spontaneous, heartfelt and enthusiastic and at times I do get emotional but it's more personal for me - I don't feel the need to let everyone know. Some of the other stuff that goes on at times I'm not so enthused about. I have spoken to like-minded people at the church and we all seem to feel that we aren't "spiritual" enough but then at other times I wonder if it's all real. I think it can be but for sure not always and not everyone is always being real.

Please I respectfully ask to respect the opinions of all and keep this thread on topic and civilised, thank you.

Oh boy,I hear the can of worms,opening now!! Well you're going to get a lot of people tearing up the charismatics. As Ive mentioned before here I use to travel and sing.I come from a Pentecostal background myself,AofG. But there are no name brands of Pentecostals and they kind of go hog wild.Not all,but some.For instance Benny Hinn was kicked out of the AofG fellowship because of some of his practices.

I grew up in a church in Canada that was AofG. We believed in tongues,we were lively in worship,once in a long while you'd see someone slain in the spirit but pretty normal.Well we had a pastor voted in that had a more charismatic view,less doctrine.Well talk about hog wild! People came from all these other churches and invaded our church.They were rolling on the floor,laughing like hyenas,they call it drunk in the spirit.They would lay on the floor acting like they were giving birth,which they called birthing something spiritual.We were stunned!! They were even praying for gold in their teeth.Needless to say the pastor was voted out after that debacle. Ive been all kinds of Pentecostal services and seen all kinds of things I tell ya.If they are independent you are usually going to see strange things going on. Sounds like your church may be the independent sort.If people are focusing on themselves and carrying on as you say I think you should find another church to worship in.Not all of us are nuts.

 

[crossnote]

They are the heart part.
Reformed are the head part.
The two need to get back together to form a middle ground...Spirit AND Word
(Was charismatic for about 10 years).

 

[MadParrotWoman]

Oh boy,I hear the can of worms,opening now!! Well you're going to get a lot of people tearing up the charismatics. As Ive mentioned before here I use to travel and sing.I come from a Pentecostal background myself,AofG. But there are no name brands of Pentecostals and they kind of go hog wild.Not all,but some.For instance Benny Hinn was kicked out of the AofG fellowship because of some of his practices.

I grew up in a church in Canada that was AofG. We believed in tongues,we were lively in worship,once in a long while you'd see someone slain in the spirit but pretty normal.Well we had a pastor voted in that had a more charismatic view,less doctrine.Well talk about hog wild! People came from all these other churches and invaded our church.They were rolling on the floor,laughing like hyenas,they call it drunk in the spirit.They would lay on the floor acting like they were giving birth,which they called birthing something spiritual.We were stunned!! They were even praying for gold in their teeth.Needless to say the pastor was voted out after that debacle. Ive been all kinds of Pentecostal services and seen all kinds of things I tell ya.If they are independent you are usually going to see strange things going on. Sounds like your church may be the independent sort.If people are focusing on themselves and carrying on as you say I think you should find another church to worship in.Not all of us are nuts.

Yeah that is going way too far IMO. Is that really spiritual? I think not. Does it bring people to God? Well let's put it this way if I walked into that I'd do a 180 degree turn out of the door again. My church is nowhere near as bad as the antics you describe - I wouldn't have stayed as long as I have but having said this I am considering worshiping elsewhere.

 

[BarlyGurl]

I have been to some very "unusual" services. Corporate worship is supposed to be ORDERLY, God is a God of ORDER. I have been in services where a woman literally WAILED on the floor during the entire corporate worship and prayer... but sobbed quieter while the pastor spoke. I have seen people leaping and racing around the isles... and to me... their faces looked fiendish and crazy... people speaking in tongues like a crescendo of gibber.... all the stuff paul specifically said NOT TO DO... I beat feet outa there.

1Cor. 14:33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace--as in all the congregations of the Lord's people.

The NT is full of instructions about being "orderly" with our conduct. 2 Thes.3

SO... while not intending to say "charismatic" is wrong... it can be disorderly and that flings the door open wide for other serious problems...IMO. I am guessing that this is what is bothering your spirit MPW, there is nothing wrong with leaving your church to find another... on that basis alone... not that you hate them... but if you have no peace, joy or true fellowship regarding the worship "behaviors".. go somewhere else.

 

[Willie-T]

Yeah that is going way too far IMO. Is that really spiritual? I think not. Does it bring people to God? Well let's put it this way if I walked into that I'd do a 180 degree turn out of the door again. My church is nowhere near as bad as the antics you describe - I wouldn't have stayed as long as I have but having said this I am considering worshiping elsewhere.

I can see leaving if you need to because you are uncomfortable, but just be sure you understand that leaving to find God elsewhere almost never works.

 

[HQ]

Oh boy,I hear the can of worms,opening now!! Well you're going to get a lot of people tearing up the charismatics. As Ive mentioned before here I use to travel and sing.I come from a Pentecostal background myself,AofG. But there are no name brands of Pentecostals and they kind of go hog wild.Not all,but some.For instance Benny Hinn was kicked out of the AofG fellowship because of some of his practices.

I grew up in a church in Canada that was AofG. We believed in tongues,we were lively in worship,once in a long while you'd see someone slain in the spirit but pretty normal.Well we had a pastor voted in that had a more charismatic view,less doctrine.Well talk about hog wild! People came from all these other churches and invaded our church.They were rolling on the floor,laughing like hyenas,they call it drunk in the spirit.They would lay on the floor acting like they were giving birth,which they called birthing something spiritual.We were stunned!! They were even praying for gold in their teeth.Needless to say the pastor was voted out after that debacle. Ive been all kinds of Pentecostal services and seen all kinds of things I tell ya.If they are independent you are usually going to see strange things going on. Sounds like your church may be the independent sort.If people are focusing on themselves and carrying on as you say I think you should find another church to worship in.Not all of us are nuts.

It kind of seems that in part it's a sign-based belief system. "Show me a sign so I can believe". And then when you hear about or see people doing bizarre things it makes the casual observer think that perhaps this isn't of the Lord. I've thought that many times (based on what I've seen on TV) but to be honest I have no personal experience with the Charismatic movement. I'd like to learn more just to understand what these folks think about things like works-based salvation vs faith-based salvation and whether they believe they must be physically "touched" by the Holy Spirit in a personal way in order to be saved.

 

[BarlyGurl]

I can see leaving if you need to because you are uncomfortable, but just be sure you understand that leaving to find God elsewhere almost never works.

I am glad I remember you have had a stroke when I read some of your posts....

 

[skylove7]

When I was a child I attended a church where since I was a new person..about a dozen of the members took my arm without permission and led me to the alter for the anointing.
I wouldnt had a problem...was the act willing on my part.
I couldnt even see the ceiling for people hovered over
The more I cried from fear
The more they said it was the devil making me cry
People screaming

I know praising God can be very charismatic

But this was borderline frightening
I didnt know if the pastor was going to play with a snake

My stepmother forced me to go
I never went back.

But yes I do believe we all should be allowed to praise Jesus how we like. We all love Jesus! But you would had to see it. I believe we attended a borderline cult or something.
No love...only I dunno condemnation...weirdness.

 

[Willie-T]

I am glad I remember you have had a stroke when I read some of your posts....

Are you saying you feel you will find God only in certain places? And that you have to go there to find Him?

 

[MadParrotWoman]

Oh boy,I hear the can of worms,opening now!! Well you're going to get a lot of people tearing up the charismatics. As Ive mentioned before here I use to travel and sing.I come from a Pentecostal background myself,AofG. But there are no name brands of Pentecostals and they kind of go hog wild.Not all,but some.For instance Benny Hinn was kicked out of the AofG fellowship because of some of his practices.

I grew up in a church in Canada that was AofG. We believed in tongues,we were lively in worship,once in a long while you'd see someone slain in the spirit but pretty normal.Well we had a pastor voted in that had a more charismatic view,less doctrine.Well talk about hog wild! People came from all these other churches and invaded our church.They were rolling on the floor,laughing like hyenas,they call it drunk in the spirit.They would lay on the floor acting like they were giving birth,which they called birthing something spiritual.We were stunned!! They were even praying for gold in their teeth.Needless to say the pastor was voted out after that debacle. Ive been all kinds of Pentecostal services and seen all kinds of things I tell ya.If they are independent you are usually going to see strange things going on. Sounds like your church may be the independent sort.If people are focusing on themselves and carrying on as you say I think you should find another church to worship in.Not all of us are nuts.

Oh and I don't consider Benny Hinn as the real deal!

HQ, Pentecostals do not believe in works-based salvation, their doctrine is actually pretty solid...it's all the other stuff that makes me uneasy.

 

[keepitsimple]

What are your thoughts on the Charismatic movement? The whole thing which can include lively worship, tongues, people being slain, laughing, crying, rolling about - you know the whole thing. My church is Charismatic but I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable with some of the "goings on" there, it's not as bad as some but it seems to be becoming more Charismatic. I love the lively worship, I believe that worship should be spontaneous, heartfelt and enthusiastic and at times I do get emotional but it's more personal for me - I don't feel the need to let everyone know. Some of the other stuff that goes on at times I'm not so enthused about. I have spoken to like-minded people at the church and we all seem to feel that we aren't "spiritual" enough but then at other times I wonder if it's all real. I think it can be but for sure not always and not everyone is always being real.

Please I respectfully ask to respect the opinions of all and keep this thread on topic and civilised, thank you.

I am of the mind that you have good reason to feel uncomfortable with it MPW. God's Holy Spirit bears witness with ours. He is telling you something. I genuinely like and respect you sis' so please don't misconstrue my words. I looked into the Charismatic Movement in the early 70's when the Pentecostal Church first introduced the "gifts of the spirit" to the Catholics. Attended some prayer meetings ... and never once did I sense the presence of God in any of it. Even more so today after much study on the matter. Nothing trumps the peace of God in Jesus Christ in one's heart. One doesn't require a "heavenly prayer language" to experience it either. It gets a "not real" stamp from me, clearly and decisively. I'd walk away from that church and never look back.

 

[BarlyGurl]

Are you saying you feel you will find God only in certain places? And that you have to go there to find Him?

Um NO... I said I am glad I remember You have had a stroke. YOUR comment alluded to what your are now attributing to me.

 

[Willie-T]

Um NO... I said I am glad I remember You have had a stroke. YOUR comment alluded to what your are now attributing to me.

Do you think you could run that by me in English? I've had a stroke, ya know... it affected my clairvoyance capabilities.

 

[crossnote]

Seeking gifts is one thing, seeking the Giver of gifts is another...that's why I stepped back.

 

[peacefulbeliever]

What are your thoughts on the Charismatic movement? The whole thing which can include lively worship, tongues, people being slain, laughing, crying, rolling about - you know the whole thing. My church is Charismatic but I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable with some of the "goings on" there, it's not as bad as some but it seems to be becoming more Charismatic. I love the lively worship, I believe that worship should be spontaneous, heartfelt and enthusiastic and at times I do get emotional but it's more personal for me - I don't feel the need to let everyone know. Some of the other stuff that goes on at times I'm not so enthused about. I have spoken to like-minded people at the church and we all seem to feel that we aren't "spiritual" enough but then at other times I wonder if it's all real. I think it can be but for sure not always and not everyone is always being real.

Please I respectfully ask to respect the opinions of all and keep this thread on topic and civilised, thank you.

I agree and understand what you are saying . . . I see anything that goes above an beyond the directions given concerning things done in the church in 1 Cor. 14 - "out of order" as in - Let all things be done decently and in order.

 

[Galahad]

Whatever happened to "I was slain in the spirit"? or, "I'm on fire for the Lord"? "BEEEE HEEEEEALED!" Is that charismatic? I don't hear those things anymore.

Charismatic, from Charis. And then Charisma. Gifts.

 

[Willie-T]

I agree and understand what you are saying . . . I see anything that goes above an beyond the directions given concerning things done in the church in 1 Cor. 14 - "out of order" as in - Let all things be done decently and in order.

I think some things do get a bit out of hand, but I don't think I ever want to go back to a church that limits God to only what they have decided He is allowed to do. Been there, done that, and I don't want the "T" shirt.