I am an Executive Search Consultant with the Rukes Search Group, as well as a retired CRCNA pastor. I have had the privilege of serving congregations in both the RCA and CRCNA. When I am not working, I am hanging out with my family or reading a book or fishing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or serving as the Commissioner of the Chicago Suburban Baseball League or playing piano.
Gotcha. Though I am not sure those who embrace the "Sermon and Song" type would describe themselves as such (unless, of course, you are speaking from that context). Surely, they would grant the possibility that the role of the worship leader and preacher can and has been distorted into that of actors and performers. But, if Worship Leader magazine accuratley reflects this type, I believe they envision themselves more as prompters of worship (Worship Leader) and instruments of God's grace (Preacher).
Following on the last few points, I am thinking I could add a #6 to my original blog! As a Reformed Charismatic, I believe that both the invidual Christian (I Cor 6:19) and the local body of believers (I Cor 3:16) are temples of the Holy Spirit. And since it is the same Spirit who works in both, there will be harmony between the work of the Spirit in the individual and the work of the Spirit in community. The Spirit-filled church, then, may play an essential role in the life of the Spirit-filled individual. Or, as James just noted, there is a "check-and balance in a charismatic, Spirit-filled community."
As I write I am reminded that, on several occasions during my pastoral ministy individual members of my congregations have come to me seeking an explanation to their initial experience of speaking in tongues, an experience that came upon each one while praying privately to the Lord. On each occasion, the person called nervous and confused, seeking a meeting with me sooner than later. On each occasion, I had the opportunity to discuss this particular spiritual gift with the one who had received it.
Looking back over those conversations within the context of this one, I find that they illustrate one way in which the Spirit-filled individual may test the Spirit within the context of community.
And, I have to say, that those conversations (or "divine appointments" as my Pentecostal friends would say) are some of my most treasured memories as a pastor to God's people.
Thanks for the testimony, Richard. Also, thanks for your distinction between the Spirit who works within us and the Spirit who works upon us. It sure seems to describe my experience.
Thanks to a steady stream of comments, here's what I have learned in the past few days:
First, I have discovered some new friends as well as great resources for continued study.
Second, I have been reminded that I am a Euro-American Reformed Charismatic which means I am a white guy who has a lot to learn about the Holy Spirit from Reformed Charismatics throughout the world and from Charismatics and Pentecostals in America.
Third, in my initial blog I neglectedg the communal aspect of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives (so typically American!). Hence, I needed to add a point, one which affirms the role of the Spirit-filled church in the life of the Spirit-filled individual.
Fourth, I still don't trust my spiritual ears for I fear I will hear what I want to hear. So, I still think it good to exercise a "holy self-suspicion" when "hearing" the word of the Lord. This exercise prompts me to test the voice within against the voice of the Scriptures for, as noted above, the Spirit who inspires the Scriptures is the same Spirit who speaks today. It also encourages me to test the voice within against the context of the Christian community (The same Spirit who speaks to me speaks to you; the same Spirit who speaks to me speaks to us).
Fifth, since the Holy Spirit works in ways beyond my comprehension, I am sure I am not done learning about the Holy Spirit or experiencing the Spirit's blessing in my life, in the church, and in the world.
Thank you, David. I resonate with your concern with American Evangelicalism's strong tendency towards individualism and the need to balance it against Scripture's testimony to the communal nature of our faith. I also appreciate the Anglican touchstone of Scripture, reason and tradition as a tool towards achieving that balance (and as a tool to check the voice within). As you note, "the long-term received wisdom of our tradition" plays an especially important role in keeping individualism in check.
Your commment, however, reminded me of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral which adds experience to Scripture, reason, and tradition. It seems to me that finding a way to factor experience (both personal and corporate, of Christians like us and Christians unlike us) into the equation is essential to a conversation among Reformed folk about the Holy Spirit. And to have this conversation with the additional help of Scripture, reason and tradition seems like a good way to go.
Thank you, Randy. With you I affirm the practice of our loving God speaking specifically and individually to his children. This has been the testimony of countless brothers and sisters in Christ. With you I affirm that it is cleaner and more orderly to minimize this practice and/or marginalize those who share such an experience. Finally, with you I affirm that our ears don't always hear correctly. I would like to add that one of the best ways to affirm our disability is to insist that the received word be tested within community. We must insist on this. he witness of the Christian church has been harmed and scarred by too many individuals claiming private yet untested revelation from the Lord.
As far as my endorsement of Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM), I recognize that the ministry doesn't neatly fit into the form of Reformed theology embraced by many in the the CRCNA. But, as you probably know, and as George Mardsen noted several years ago, America has been blessed by several schools of Reformation theology, each of which affirms Calvin's soteriology while differing on other aspects of his thought. Personally, while SGM may not be a perfect fit in the CRCNA, I affirm any group that accents the sovereign grace of our Triune God, especially as it pertains to salvation.
Having said all that, I am grateful for your presence and ministry in the CRCNA. Great to "meet" another member of the tribe. And, with you, I affirm that good theology doesn't resist the Holy Spirit but seeks to understanding the mystery of the Spirit's presence and work among us and throughout the world.
David, thanks for your thoughts. Having attended a few Ligonier conferences over the years, I imagine that the event included some outstanding presentations, most-notably that of Ravi Zacharias.
First, I was not at the event in Orlando, but I am wondering if I could push back a little. Do we want to conclude that God's presence was missing from the event? Or, could would we say that the Lord was present but not always acknowledged, particularly as a source of inspiration and the reason for our worship? Or, perhaps, we could say that the event lacked opportunities for the kind of dynamic worship which naturally flows from serious reflection about the Lord? Or, perhaps the event was so structured as to leave one with the impression that the Christ-follower can disengage the heart from the heart? Or so structured as to leave little room for the Holy Spirit to have its way? Granted, my questions reflect my own experience in conferences much like the one you attended. They also lead me to affirm your suggestion that the study of the Written Word always lead us to the worship of the Incarnate Word.
Chris, thank you for your word of affirmation. I share your issue. I am not aware of a denomination that is both Reformed and charismatic. It has been easier to discover congregations with Reformed denominations which lean charismatic or independent congregations with those convictions.
With you, I appreciate the ministry of Sovereign Grace Ministries and its founder C.J. Mahanay. They do some good work and also produce some pretty good music for congregational worship. Now sure I could handle fifty minutes of singing, followed by 50 minute sermon, but it would be fun to try!
Posted in: Let’s Talk About Worship Taxonomy
Gotcha. Though I am not sure those who embrace the "Sermon and Song" type would describe themselves as such (unless, of course, you are speaking from that context). Surely, they would grant the possibility that the role of the worship leader and preacher can and has been distorted into that of actors and performers. But, if Worship Leader magazine accuratley reflects this type, I believe they envision themselves more as prompters of worship (Worship Leader) and instruments of God's grace (Preacher).
Posted in: Multicultural Worship: It’s Not Just About Style
John, thanks for your thoughtful response. I would have loved to have witnessed the 24 hour sing-a-thon!
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Following on the last few points, I am thinking I could add a #6 to my original blog! As a Reformed Charismatic, I believe that both the invidual Christian (I Cor 6:19) and the local body of believers (I Cor 3:16) are temples of the Holy Spirit. And since it is the same Spirit who works in both, there will be harmony between the work of the Spirit in the individual and the work of the Spirit in community. The Spirit-filled church, then, may play an essential role in the life of the Spirit-filled individual. Or, as James just noted, there is a "check-and balance in a charismatic, Spirit-filled community."
As I write I am reminded that, on several occasions during my pastoral ministy individual members of my congregations have come to me seeking an explanation to their initial experience of speaking in tongues, an experience that came upon each one while praying privately to the Lord. On each occasion, the person called nervous and confused, seeking a meeting with me sooner than later. On each occasion, I had the opportunity to discuss this particular spiritual gift with the one who had received it.
Looking back over those conversations within the context of this one, I find that they illustrate one way in which the Spirit-filled individual may test the Spirit within the context of community.
And, I have to say, that those conversations (or "divine appointments" as my Pentecostal friends would say) are some of my most treasured memories as a pastor to God's people.
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Thanks for the testimony, Richard. Also, thanks for your distinction between the Spirit who works within us and the Spirit who works upon us. It sure seems to describe my experience.
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Sounds like Nicaragua is a great place to visit and worship and serve!
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Thanks to a steady stream of comments, here's what I have learned in the past few days:
First, I have discovered some new friends as well as great resources for continued study.
Second, I have been reminded that I am a Euro-American Reformed Charismatic which means I am a white guy who has a lot to learn about the Holy Spirit from Reformed Charismatics throughout the world and from Charismatics and Pentecostals in America.
Third, in my initial blog I neglectedg the communal aspect of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives (so typically American!). Hence, I needed to add a point, one which affirms the role of the Spirit-filled church in the life of the Spirit-filled individual.
Fourth, I still don't trust my spiritual ears for I fear I will hear what I want to hear. So, I still think it good to exercise a "holy self-suspicion" when "hearing" the word of the Lord. This exercise prompts me to test the voice within against the voice of the Scriptures for, as noted above, the Spirit who inspires the Scriptures is the same Spirit who speaks today. It also encourages me to test the voice within against the context of the Christian community (The same Spirit who speaks to me speaks to you; the same Spirit who speaks to me speaks to us).
Fifth, since the Holy Spirit works in ways beyond my comprehension, I am sure I am not done learning about the Holy Spirit or experiencing the Spirit's blessing in my life, in the church, and in the world.
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Thank you, David. I resonate with your concern with American Evangelicalism's strong tendency towards individualism and the need to balance it against Scripture's testimony to the communal nature of our faith. I also appreciate the Anglican touchstone of Scripture, reason and tradition as a tool towards achieving that balance (and as a tool to check the voice within). As you note, "the long-term received wisdom of our tradition" plays an especially important role in keeping individualism in check.
Your commment, however, reminded me of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral which adds experience to Scripture, reason, and tradition. It seems to me that finding a way to factor experience (both personal and corporate, of Christians like us and Christians unlike us) into the equation is essential to a conversation among Reformed folk about the Holy Spirit. And to have this conversation with the additional help of Scripture, reason and tradition seems like a good way to go.
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Thank you, Randy. With you I affirm the practice of our loving God speaking specifically and individually to his children. This has been the testimony of countless brothers and sisters in Christ. With you I affirm that it is cleaner and more orderly to minimize this practice and/or marginalize those who share such an experience. Finally, with you I affirm that our ears don't always hear correctly. I would like to add that one of the best ways to affirm our disability is to insist that the received word be tested within community. We must insist on this. he witness of the Christian church has been harmed and scarred by too many individuals claiming private yet untested revelation from the Lord.
As far as my endorsement of Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM), I recognize that the ministry doesn't neatly fit into the form of Reformed theology embraced by many in the the CRCNA. But, as you probably know, and as George Mardsen noted several years ago, America has been blessed by several schools of Reformation theology, each of which affirms Calvin's soteriology while differing on other aspects of his thought. Personally, while SGM may not be a perfect fit in the CRCNA, I affirm any group that accents the sovereign grace of our Triune God, especially as it pertains to salvation.
Having said all that, I am grateful for your presence and ministry in the CRCNA. Great to "meet" another member of the tribe. And, with you, I affirm that good theology doesn't resist the Holy Spirit but seeks to understanding the mystery of the Spirit's presence and work among us and throughout the world.
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
David, thanks for your thoughts. Having attended a few Ligonier conferences over the years, I imagine that the event included some outstanding presentations, most-notably that of Ravi Zacharias.
First, I was not at the event in Orlando, but I am wondering if I could push back a little. Do we want to conclude that God's presence was missing from the event? Or, could would we say that the Lord was present but not always acknowledged, particularly as a source of inspiration and the reason for our worship? Or, perhaps, we could say that the event lacked opportunities for the kind of dynamic worship which naturally flows from serious reflection about the Lord? Or, perhaps the event was so structured as to leave one with the impression that the Christ-follower can disengage the heart from the heart? Or so structured as to leave little room for the Holy Spirit to have its way? Granted, my questions reflect my own experience in conferences much like the one you attended. They also lead me to affirm your suggestion that the study of the Written Word always lead us to the worship of the Incarnate Word.
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Chris, thank you for your word of affirmation. I share your issue. I am not aware of a denomination that is both Reformed and charismatic. It has been easier to discover congregations with Reformed denominations which lean charismatic or independent congregations with those convictions.
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
With you, I appreciate the ministry of Sovereign Grace Ministries and its founder C.J. Mahanay. They do some good work and also produce some pretty good music for congregational worship. Now sure I could handle fifty minutes of singing, followed by 50 minute sermon, but it would be fun to try!
Posted in: What is a Reformed Charismatic?
Vincent, thank you for your comment.