Charismatic- But not really!

[rockytopva]

Someone has built a new church about five miles from the house and has called it The Northstar Church. I had union business to attend to Sunday and passed this place around 11PM. The place looked like it had 500 cars with vehicles parked on unpaved lots. They have two services on Sunday mornings and I have desired to check out a service sometimes. I have thought of this as one of the many "Worshiping Churches" arising in our area that seem to have done quite well. Like so many of these churches I have to dig before finding out who they are affiliated with...

Northstar may be called “contemporary” by some, but that is not our goal as a people of God. Rather, we implement purposeful structures and strategies in order to:
• bring all people to a knowledge of God through Christ Jesus
• help them mature in their faith as a disciple
• equip them to proclaim the truth and joy of life in Christ to others - Northstar Church - Who We Are

And a little farther down I read...

Northstar Church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, and our theological beliefs are in harmony with those of most other Baptist churches. We appreciate and love people of other traditions and denominations.

We also partner with other agencies, churches and ministries. The work of the kingdom is too big for any one church to accomplish. We are a church that is “on-purpose” about strengthening ministry and reaching our world with the life-affirming message of Jesus Christ. Here are a few of the organizations and individuals that we partner with:

Denominational

• Southern Baptist Convention
• Baptist General Association of Virginia
• Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia

Collegiate Ministry

• Baptist Collegiate Ministry – VT
• Cru (Campus Crusade) – VT

I am a member of the Pentecostal Holiness church and finding their more successful churches doing the same thing. They identify themselves as a Worshiping church and one must dig to find their affiliations.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

I am a member of the Pentecostal Holiness church and finding their more successful churches doing the same thing. They identify themselves as a Worshiping church and one must dig to find their affiliations.

What your talking about has been going on since at least the 90s, probably earlier. Rick Warren's first successful "Purpose Driven" book, was the "Purpose Driven Church" in 96 where he advocated doing precisely this kind of packaging etc. And the same is true for other kinds of "Church Growth" books put out by people like Barna, C.Peter Wagner etc.

I also think other people also influence this sort of thing, like Joel Osteen etc.


But this kind of thing was originally done to encourage the unchurched Baby Boomer's to come back to church.

 

[seeking.IAM]

Although I don't know the definition of "worshipping church" used in this context, I find churches of all kinds of denominations that are trying to hide their affiliations behind some neutral non-denom sounding name. I had a co-worker go through membership classes and join a church without ever knowing it's affiliation. I realized I spoiled it all one day when I saw the curious look on his face as I said, "I didn't know you were a ___." He didn't know either.

If you have to be embarrassed about your identity maybe you're doing it wrong.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

in the 1990s, charismatic was a general hypen label that applied to all denominations and traditions that accepted charismatic manifestation. When it stopped being the new thing, it then became a denomination.

Thus the ability to have situations where it's "charismatic - but not really"

 

[seeking.IAM]

Looking further, I'm not sure I understand the problem. Their website pretty clearly claims their identity as Southern Baptist.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I am a member of the Pentecostal Holiness church and finding their more successful churches doing the same thing. They identify themselves as a Worshiping church and one must dig to find their affiliations.

Yes. I suppose in all fairness many genuine Charismatics including myself are not specifically identifying with a denomination these days either, though in many cases it's simply because there's no denomination that they fully line up with doctrinally, not because they are deliberately trying to conceal their denominational affiliation.

It does seem deceptive IMO, and Baptist churches in my area have been doing the same thing for years. Maybe Catholic churches can start adopting Baptist-sounding names and modifying their liturgical style, and the Baptist folk can get a taste of their own medicine. I mean, after all, we're all Christians.

 

[Blade]

Do they preach Jesus came in the flesh died on the cross for the worlds sin and was buried rose the 3rd day is the only way to the Father?

 

[Hidden In Him]

Do they preach Jesus came in the flesh died on the cross for the worlds sin and was buried rose the 3rd day is the only way to the Father?

If they don't, they'll likely be hearing about it from the Southern Baptist Convention.

 

[rockytopva]

Maybe Catholic churches can start adopting Baptist-sounding names and modifying their liturgical style, and the Baptist folk can get a taste of their own medicine. I mean, after all, we're all Christians.

Charismatic Catholic... It is interesting to find Father Cedric on Charismatic TV!
Father Cedric Pisegna Ministries- Houston Texas - www.frcedric.org

 

[Hidden In Him]

Charismatic Catholic... It is interesting to find Father Cedric on Charismatic TV!
Father Cedric Pisegna Ministries- Houston Texas - www.frcedric.org

I've noticed him on TV before, but I didn't know he was charismatic.

 

[rockytopva]

I've noticed him on TV before, but I didn't know he was charismatic.

I did not say he was Charismatic, but that he was on Charismatic TV. His intro…

Welcome to Fr. Cedric Ministries!

All about the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ, Fr. Cedric Ministries is an expression of the "New Evangelization" called for by our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.

As a preacher, writer and producer for television, Fr. Cedric endeavors to help people come to know Jesus in a personal way. God has also called him to make known the imperishable riches of the Holy Spirit. The salvation and new life that comes from the Cross of Jesus is a major part of his proclamation.

 

[Pioneer3mm]

Charismatic Catholics.
I met some of them..many years ago.
- They told me.."we are born again & spirit-filled (are into/accept spiritual gifts)."
- We had an interesting conversation.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I did not say he was Charismatic, but that he was on Charismatic TV.

If one is on Charismatic TV, I wonder if this automatically makes him a "charismatic" personality.

The plot thickens...

 

[rockytopva]

If one is on Charismatic TV, I wonder if this automatically makes him a "charismatic" personality.

The plot thickens...

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you... - Galatians 4:19

Always nice to see Christ likeness in the movement. I would not recommend that guy,

 

[Hidden In Him]

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you... - Galatians 4:19

Always nice to see Christ likeness in the movement. I would not recommend that guy,

Father Cedric, or the guy in my pic? LoL.

I don't know either one of them well enough to make an informed comment.

 

[rockytopva]

Father Cedric, or the guy in my pic? LoL.

I don't know either one of them well enough to make an informed comment.

I believe good and evil can arise from any Christian based movement. Especially when they get the feeling that they arrived. I am not supporting any denomination, merely suggesting that many churches are getting a Charismatic feel and it is harder to find their true colors.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I believe good and evil can arise from any Christian based movement. Especially when they get the feeling that they arrived. I am not supporting any denomination, merely suggesting that many churches are getting a Charismatic feel and it is harder to find their true colors.

I think time will bear out who the truly Spirit-filled are, Rockytop. They will provide manifestations of it through signs and wonders following. Those who are merely subtly purporting themselves to be graced with the charisms will not.