What is a Charismatic Episcopalian?

[shayes51]

There is such a church in our town, and I have been wondering what it is all about. Guess I'm a little reluctant to go and see. I am a liberal Methodist. Maybe that also sounds strange to some.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. Charismatic Episcopalians are Episcopalians who speak in tongues

and basically go into trance under what they say is the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Within the Episcopal Church they're tolerated as long as their priest doesn't do dodgy things like tell parishioners that anyone who objects to his style is "blaspheming against the Holy Spirit" and therefore committing "the one unforgiveable sin."

One of my cousins was attending such a church, and I actually heard her priest say that in his sermon. My jaw stayed on the floor for the remainder of the service.

Fortunately, someone reported him to the bishop, and he was kicked out of the Episcopal Church. I hear that he went off and founded his own church, but he is no longer recognized by the official Episcopalians.

If the church doesn't have its "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You" sign out, it's probably one of the wayward ones.

And I find nothing odd about the notion of a liberal Methodist. Most Methodists I know are liberal, but then, I do live in Minnesota.

[IrishBloodEngHeart]

2. that's a bit of a broad brush

I am an Episcopalian, and comfortable in charasmatic circles, although I go to a more quiet traditional Episcopal church.

Charastmatic people are generally people who use more modern worship music, believe in things like God healing people, and things like that. They believe that God speaks to people today in pretty direct ways. Sometimes they speak in tongues, but this is usually quiet rare. Pentacostals are more likely to do that on a consistant basis. Not all charasmatics are conservative, although they do trend that way.

Traditional Episcopalians believe God can speak to you, but it is more through silence, meditation, the sacraments and other more medatitive ways. Charasmatics believe God speaks more through worship and larger group experiences.

I really think a lot of it is based on how people hear from God. I tend to do better in a quiet more reflective church, but some people like the louder stuff.

I always recomend going somewhere and checking it out. If you don't like it, you don't have to go back, and if you do, you found a place that you enjoy, which isn't always that easy.

[shayes51]

4. Thanks!

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[On the Road]

5. That's Right, There Was a Whole Pentecostal Movement

that started in the late 60's and spread from the traditional uneducated Pentecostals (like the Holiness churches and Assemblies of God) to mainstream denominations. There are charismatic (Pentecostal) groups within most Christian churches -- Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopalian, etc.

What distinguishes a Pentecostal or charismatic is belief in two things:

1) Acts 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

2) 1 Corinthians 4: He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. (The passage goes on to describe other gifts of the spirit including healing.)

These beliefs tend to draw followers toward beliefs that God speaks directly to and through them, and concentrate on feelings more than theology. They can coexist within existing churches partly because there's no overacrching theology beyond the gifts of the spirit.

There are some attractive things about charismatic congregations, but personally I think it's a dead end. I was part of the movement for several years in the early 70s.

[pelagius]

6. The Pentecostal movement started in the 19-teens...

...and the focal point was the "Asuza Street Revival" in Los Angeles. The "classical" Pentecostal denomoninations -- such as the Assemblies of God, Church of God in Christ, and so forth -- grew out of that movement.

The "charismatic" movement came later, as you correctly identify.

[bobbieinok]

8. was told the charismatic 'renewal movement' began with Oral Roberts'

tent ministry in Tulsa in 1949

[pelagius]

7. There's Episcopalians who are charismatic and Charismatic Episcopalians

There's a denomination called "The Charismatic Episcopal Church". If this is the name on the sign of the church you mention, it's likely they're members of this denomination:

http://www.iccec.org/main.htm

This group is not "in communion" with the Archbishop of Canterbury, so it's not an official Anglican body. The Episcopal Church USA (with the "Welcome" sign) is the American branch of the Anglican Communion.