"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
