"Charismatic"....And Why I HATE The Word

Barely a Sunday goes by where I don't get the question in some form or fashion....

"Is this a 'charismatic' church???"

They honestly arent exactly sure what to think, which is something we like and embrace and are intentional about.  They can't pigeon-hole us into 'pre-cast molds'.

Of course, this question is NEVER asked by all those coming in from non-churched backgrounds.  It is only asked by.. 1) those who are wanting it to be so....and, 2)those who are NOT wanting it to be so!  ...(and all that 'it' implies..)

Now dont get me wrong.  I understand why this question is asked. 

First of all, our worship is kickin and the presence of God is almost always very strongly felt.  Add to that the fact that in a former life,... in a world far, far away,....in another place and another time.... (...uggh....give me a minute to choke it out...)....I actually allowed myself to be labeled as such myself.

Now, for all of you who just got your pants all up in a wad and are about to pick up the spears....you can your spears down.... 

....Stop.  Take a breath.  Chill out......and just hear me out for a minute.... 

I still embrace the gifts of the spirit as defined in I Cor and as displayed by the apostles, believers throught the centuries and JESUS HIMSELF!  I just have grown to utterly despise the "'label'" that to me is so counterproductive, even destructive.

A few reasons why:

1.  It carries tons of "baggage".  When you say the word 'charismatic' to define a church, people (including myself) immediately have a mental picture of your basic 'free-for-all' church service (ie, 'swinging from the chandeliers'). 

No thanks....I'll pass.

2.  It is divisive.  Once the label is embraced, you just cut out all those who the word scares the bejeebers out of, due to either bad past experience, previous teaching, or just plain D it scares the crud out of them....!

3.  ....and my biggest reason by far.....IT IS NOWHERE, LET ME REPEAT, NOWHERE found in the Bible!  Why in the world would I want to embrace a label that stigmatizes, divides ....and worst of all, is found (again) NOWHERE in the Bible???? 

So.......whenever I am asked this 'LOADED' question, I simply reply that "we are a church that is passionately seeking to pursue Jesus and all the Bible teaches.  And, yes, we embrace the gifts of the spirit, but within proper Biblical confines and boundaries." 

I like what Mark Driscoll said when asked same the question: "We consider ourselves 'charismatic with a seatbelt on'..... 

I again repel from the label 'charismatic' because of the above, but I thought this was a pretty good restatement of I Cor 12-14.  The gifts are supposed to flow naturally and in a non-scary way , within the 'boundaries' of LOVE (ie, sensitivity to those who may not understand).

With all that said, our Lead Teaching Pastor, Craig Walker, shared the best message I have yet to hear on the subject of "The Place of Prophecy" in the "Hearing From God" series we just started this past Sunday.  Mature, balanced.......just plain solid.

A great starting place from which to learn about the subject if you havent been exposed to it or were taught against it.....or have had negative experiences with it..

If you have the 38 minutes to spare, listen to it here......http://www.myharvest.tv/ .  Just go to the "media' section up top, then to messages.  That simple.

If it isnt one of the best messages you have heard on the subject, ......I dont know what we will do,... but we'll give you something...!  :)

Off to the gym for some 'treadmill time'...!

PB

Comments

[gin]

I know exactly what you mean! There's
probably a half dozen other "christianese"
words that just make me cringe.

[Vicky]

It was a very good message and I wished I knew that 9 years ago.:O)

[Honoray]

Pastor B,
Anita and I were just talking about knowing when someone has truly been led by God to tell you something. Literally before getting ready to come to church were talking about it. My old pastor used to say you "know in your knower". Pastor Craig hit it dead on especially that whatever is shared with you should be used with common sense

Blessings