What’s up with those crazy Charismatic Christians anyway?

A lot of “mainstream” Christians just don’t understand the charismatic movement, though it has been around since the events recorded in the book of Acts.  The term charismatic took hold in the 1960’s as a revival began to occur in some Protestant denominations.  I believe that is because they are more conscious of what other people think than what God wants… so well schooled in the doctrine of their church that they do not have the capacity to let go and let God!  I just love hanging out with the charismatic crowd because when the spirit moves them, they are not conscious of what anyone thinks.  It is all about God and what he is doing in them in that moment – that is all there is.

The charismatic movement has touched all of the predominant denominations in one way or another, as young Christians are seeking a more experiential spiritual life. More conservative worshipers resist change, and because of the actions of some tent meeting con men, may be doubtful when they see the Spirit move upon an individual in a manner that is anticipated in a charismatic worship environment. What this is all leading up to, is something my pastor said to the congregation a couple of weeks ago that really took me by surprise.

The Cuban Methodist Church is far more charismatic than the Methodist Church in the U.S.

While we were in Cuba, my pastor and I attended a service at our sister church.  The pastor there is in his early 20’s, quite young in comparison to U.S. pastors, and has brought a strong charismatic influence to his congregation.  At the end of the service, he invited the congregation to come forward for prayer.  EVERYONE in the congregation came forward!  Reinier prayed over each and every one with one hand upon their shoulder and the other upon their forehead.  Each of them reacted physically in some form, swaying, twitching, dancing, speaking in tongues.  The Holy Spirit did His work in them.  When Reinier prayed with me, I felt it for sure.  I was light headed for a few moments and nearly lost my balance, but Marta, a wonderful woman who cooks for the pastor and looks after the church, she was fully slain in the Spirit.

I was one of several people who caught her as she began to fall back the first time. I was immediately reminded of times I spent in charismatic churches where this was commonplace. She caught herself just for a moment, then down she went, and for a long time all she could say was “Gracias Padre”, over and over as she trembled on the floor.  She was down for quite a while, and when she finally did get up, tears of joy streamed down her cheeks.  God the Father had filled her up!

What my pastor said just 2 weeks later, as she related this charismatic event to our conservative congregation on Sunday morning, was that she had never witnessed the Holy Spirit work in this way first hand before.  Having come from a charismatic church, I had, but I had never stopped to consider in over 8 years with my current congregation, that most of the people I now worship with have likely never witnessed this first hand a charismatic event like this either, and that is a shame.

The good news is that my pastor is looking at things a whole new, and possibly charismatic way.  God has changed her and it is well evidenced by the fire in her eyes and the new charismatic strength from which she preaches.  God has stirred something up in her that is about to boil over and I pray that it remains both charismatic and contagious.

If it is looked upon as crazy to be charismatic, then I suppose I must be crazy!  If I am not experiencing God in my worship, then what is the point of worship… to be seen and recognized?  Sorry, that just won’t work for me because I have seen first hand what God can do with a willing spirit.

Blessings & Adventure,

Lynn “lynnibug” Rios

If you have stopped trying to redefine God, and allowed God to redefine you, you might be a charismatic.

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