The Emerging Charismatics

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

- Dorothy, The Wizard of OZ

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to attend the SACCRE Coreteam meeting at IHM church. The topic of discussion was "How to foster greater collaboration between the adults and the youths." What really interest me was the short address on this topic by Father William Goh.

Father pointed out that before there can be collaboration between the young and the old, there must first be an understanding of the nature of both parties. He admitted that he used to hold the impression that the young charismatics were like their older counterparts and could share the same environment in which to live out their spirituality.

But of late, he said he is starting to realise that the nature of the older charismatics and the emerging ones, though look the same on the surface are vastly different on the inside. I surmise that he sees the older charismatics regarding the spirituality as an event i.e. a prayer meeting or a LISS, as oppose to the emerging ones who see it more as a movement.

Fr William's words articulated some thoughts I have had on the emerging generation of charismatics catholics of which consider myself a part of. In this entry, I would like to add to the conversation.

In the climate of post-modernity that I highlighted in my last entry, it is not surprising that an evolution of the charismatic spirituality has and is taking place. Like with any living thing, in order to stay the same, they have to change. In this aspect, change becomes indicative of the Spirit's continual work in the Renewal.


Terminology Informs Theology
Firstly, I would perceive that the emerging charismatics would be less keen to consider themselves exactly that - 'charismatics'. Bad rep aside, the terminology may be an inaccurate description of the type of spirituality that is emerging. 'Charismatic' comes from the word 'Charismata' which means 'gifts of grace' or the popular association would be the 'Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit'. The reason why this term is becoming increasingly inaccurate because it seem to connotes a spirituality centred around the Gifts. And terminology informs theology.

Perhaps, given the supernatural improvished climate of the church back when this move of God started, the new re-appearance of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Charismatic Gifts i.e healing, prophesy etc. warrant the term 'Charismatic Movement.' People have hardly seen the display of supernatural manifestations, much less through the faith of ordinary people and were intrigued by them, rightly so.

But 39 years and several generations of charismatic renewal later, as the gifts of the Holy Spirit become a normal part of life, a new perception is springing out of a gift-centred mindset. I suggest it may be for the following reasons:


1. The Dichotomy between the exercising of Charismatic Gifts and Christian Character.
St. Paul points out that 'If I have faith to move mountains but if I have no love, I am nothing".
It has become evident to me that the ability to minister the charismatic gifts doesn't necessary mean one's character is becoming more and more like Jesus. This is evident from some of the abuses and excesses that have ensue in the course of the history of this movement. People can be wow-ed into the faith by great charismatic leaders but they may soon find out what they are really like on the inside and get turned off.

I feel that this is greatly evident from the suspicion of the clergy and non-charismatic catholics towards the charismatic renewal. Admittedly, many a time, our love for God is not substantiated by our love towards others.

Charismatic Gifts can demonstrate the power and reality of God and produce a bust of faith in a new believer. But real discipleship is produced by people of authentic Christian character and love. This brings about real and continual transformation not just a conversion experience.

The emerging generation is less impressed with gifts and more interested in people who would walk the talk and by their very lives incarnate the love and life of Jesus. Keeping in mind what St. Paul said, "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts" 1 Cor 14:1



2. The Emergence of Community as the new Witness
The individualistic 'meet my needs' orientation of the previous generation is giving way to the formation of communities. Fr William pointed out that adults attend charismatic prayer meetings because they want to get healed, be ministered to and then go home. The emerging generation however is recognising that the gospel is a call to community. The Holy Spirit not only draws us to God, He also draws us to each other.

The climate of postmodernity is producing a generation that is relationally starved. In a world of technological quick fixes and religious pluralism, the Miracle of Community is becoming a more powerful witness than charismatic gifts. It is the new apologetic. The emphasis will be on building faith communities, doing life, rather than running prayer meetings.



3. The Charismatic Gifts as one of the means to fulfilling the Mission of Christ
For too long the charismatic renewal have faced inward - its mission, getting more people charisma-tised. and brought into the fold of the renewal. Many in the emerging generation is rejecting the dichotomy between mainstream church and the charismatic renewal. The cry is not for more charismatics but for more catholics who are passionate about Jesus and love the church, laying their lives for both.

The charismatic gifts have become so much a part of our lives that it is no longer central in our consciousness rather its the mission of Jesus on the earth to make disciples. (to which the gifts are a means to that end - not an end to themselves.) The emphasis is on partnering with the Holy Spirit and making a difference in the world in every way possible. (including excising the charismatic gifts) The emerging generation will measure its success not by how many people sit at their prayer meetings but how many they are sending out of it.


A Way of Life
In summery, my observation of the the emerging generation of (for want of a better term) 'charismatics' is that they will be:

Incarnational - more known by love than by gifts. Character rather than Charisma.

Communal - more community life than prayer meetings. People rather than Program.

Missional - more sending than keeping. Fishers of Men than Keepers of Aquariums.


In short, its becoming more a way of life rather than an event. The emerging generation will see itself more at the heart of the church rather than an appendix.

These are just some of my thoughts. It is of course still too early to tell what this spiritual evolution will completely be like. But one thing's for sure, the Spirit will prepare the church, with each generation, for each generation. Much like what He has been doing for the last two thousand years of church history.


"Follow the way of love and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts" 1 Cor 14:1

Leo

The Emerging Generation


We live in a world that is dominated by postmordernity and if we say that we want to reach out to this emerging generation, we are essentially reaching out to Postmoderns.

The more I know the mission field of the postmoderns, the more I feel drawn to it. I see a vision of a Team of Postmodern Missionaries, crossing the border of the Christiandom and entering a culture that is seeking for authentic Faith, who are seeking for great meaning in Life and hope for their future. Both, which our God provides.


Know the Past, Experience the Future

In order to be Missionaries to Postmodernity, we must redefine and re-adapt ourselves. We need to move from what is now being practiced in our church - a series of theological propositions to providing environments where people can have a genuine encounter with God. We have exchanged that and substituted it with a rational understanding only.

Oh how easy to say "Yes, we have a relationship with God" and to pay lips service. Yet many mistake, having "gone though through everything", and that everything about the Christianity seem logical to them that we mistake that for having a relationship with God.

There must be a move from the didactic (educational, knowledge-based) to the experiential. Many people know the truth but don't care a thing about it. You can believe in something without caring about it but you cannot care about something without believing in it. Our Churches are loaded with people who know the 'right stuff' but don't care a thing about them. For mere knowledge don't move people, experience with a Living God does. We have placed such a large premium on Knowledge of the Faith and downplay Experience of God that the emerging generation are going away unfulfilled and Spiritually starved.

The Emerging Generation is a Spiritual People. We are slowly departing from the Enlightenment Age, where knowledge, propositional truths and logic used to move people. Now this rising generation is beginning to sense a spiritual void inside of them and they are seeking for something bigger then they. They are not going to stop searching for an authentic spiritual experience just because the church cannot provide it. And this should be a sobering thought for us all.


The Future Ain't The Way It Used To Be

Postmodernism is closing in whether we like it or not. It is a mistake for us as church to ignore and to turn a blind eye to a reality that could well be sitting in our very pews - and maybe not for very long. We have to realize, the world as seen from this Emerging Generation is very different from that of our forefathers. Now change happens in a pace faster than before.

A phenomenon known as globalization is taking place around us and for the first time, cultures, ideas, religions and mental modes converge together. A 'Global Tsunami' as one writer puts it, is about to overtake us and cause us for the first time in History to be confronted with a million world views available right in the comfort of our own homes. Traveling through the entire world on the veins of Internet and Television, young people more savvy in accessing information technology, are confronted with a myriad of convictions, cultures and contradictions. This pluralism is causing a massive shift in the way people used to see the world and their reactions to it.

A kind of relativism is emerging and previous models, symbols and authorities are losing their meaning and effectiveness faster than the church is reacting. Religious educators and shapers of our ecclesiology must realize this or we would find an Exodus of the next generation out of the church.

As this wave (read: flood) hits us, can we like Noah, build new structures, new shelters, new designs to stay afloat and be a Lifeboat to a generation that is virtually drowning in a relativistic, media-mad, God- starved world?

We must change. We must ENGAGE. Get out from the illusionary safety of being in the middle of the road, cross the street, embrace the edge, engage the world or risk being knocked off by the incoming traffic of world culture... "

The Race of Time is more of a cross-country than it is a Round track event. From the very hands of Jesus, the Church through the centuries has been passing the Baton of the Gospel from one generation to the next. Each generation is responsible to run with it through it's own terrain before passing it on. That's why our Church is always one generation away from extinction.

Today, that same Baton is in our hands. It's a race to the finishing line. The Heavens and the Earth are watching.

Are we ready?

Leo

How to stay Fresh and in Love with Youth Ministry

I have been involved in youth ministry since 1995. Been throught more ups and downs than a korean drama but it remains today the passion of my life next to Jesus.

Just want to share some thoughts on setting yourself for the long haul because that is really what it takes to build a lasting work of God.


1. Remember that harvest takes time.
There are seasons to ministry. No quick-fix-just-add-water shortcuts. People, like plants growing from seed takes time. Pace yourself.


2. Realise that hurts will come
Hurts, disappoints and offense are part of the landscape. Decide that you're going to be bigger than all that. People will abandon, backstab and disappoint, rise about it.


3. Don't be a babysitter
Don't just entertain young people, watch behavior. Don't let youth ministry be just babysitting. There has to be life-change. This takes relational investment and sometimes, the courage to make those difficult conversations.


4. Don't take yourself too seriously.
If you can laugh, you can last.


5. Persistence is more valuable than giftedness.
Youth Ministry is not a 100 metre sprint. It is a marathon. Doesn't matter how fast you start, its having the endurance to last the distance that counts.


6. Don't make excuse, make a start.
We are in youth ministry not because its easy but because its hard. And worth doing whatever it takes.


7. Keep it about the 'Why' not the 'What'.
The end of ministry is 'discipleship', transformed lives. Not running programmes but leading people in a growing relationship with God. Don't be caught up in the form and forget the function.


8. Keep developing your role and grow yourself.


9. Have a Vision that is bigger than you.


10. Don't compare yourself with other ministries.
Be inspired by others but don't compare. Run your own race. Ask yourself 'What am I doing with the opportunities and lives that God has given me?'


11. Maintain healthy challenging friendships



12. Above all, Stay in Love with Jesus.



Seriously, in the end, its simply this:

"Stick around long enough to bear fruit"

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Gal 6:9

Cheering you on!

Leo