Charismatic Worship and the Liturgical Renewal

I'm beginning to notice a strange thing arising in the modern church, a thread of unity in the Church, if you will. Though there are many trends and ideologies that divide Christs Holy Church (on earth anyway) this trend is strangly uniting the church in many ways.

The division in the church of which I speak is the one that has existed between those who would call themselves "Charismatic," and those considered "Liturgical."

For years now the rift between those considered Charismatic and Liturgical (respectively) has been a considerable one.

Those deemed "Charismatic" are those who place enourmous emphasis on the "gifts of the Holy Spirit" (gk: charismata). Those in this camp (ex. Pentecostal, Vineyard, Assembly of God, Church of God, etc...)are dedicated to expressive worship, individual & emotional times of prayer, spontaneous acts of worship and reception of gifts from God. Some (the more extreme) will emphasize the necessity of speaking in tongues, as well as other charismatic phenomena such as being "slain in the spirit" and "prophetic words" from God. Normally the chief end of these services is for the individual to come closer into the presence of God, and have a deep and meaningful experience with Him.

On the other side of the spectrum is the "liturgical" christians. These are those who conduct themselves in a more "traditional" fashion. These churches are on the side of placing an emphasis on order in their services. Most of these churches (which we must admit constitute the majority of churches on earth, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Orthodox, etc...) will have a written liturgical structure that they follow. The basis of their worship is centered on the Word of God, and the administration of the Sacraments; with the general idea being that the individual is not the absolute end of the service, but rather the entire body worshipping and praying as ONE.

A strange thing is beginning to happen however.

As strange and antithetical as these may sound, there is an unusual merger of these two traditions going on in our midst.

This week I spent some time at an Anglican Worship Leaders retreat in Atlanta, Georgia, and one of the main topics of discussion was the merging of the liturgical with the charismatic. All over the world, and specifically the U.S. christians in the charismatic traditions are moving toward the historical Christian practice of liturgy, while at the same time liturgical christians are embracing (albeit slowly) more charismatic traits.

What is the cause of all of this?

The only explanation I can think of is that our generation of Christians are longing for something more.

Those Christians brought up in the charismatic tradtition (like myself) are finding it's individualistic and emotional bent and lack of historical basis tiresome and shallow. While those brought up in liturgical traditions have grown tired of dry repetition, and lifeless worship.

Slowly, and extremely evidently the two are finding their way together.

The Charismatic christians are finding deep roots and a sense of stability from the addition of liturgy to their worship. While the liturgical churches are finding new life breathed into their old liturgy with the addition of charismatic traits!

We live in a strange and awesome time, when the historical church is coming alive again in the midst of modern charismatic expressions!

I really do believe with all my heart that we stand on the brink of a new Reformation, and one that will unite Christians from all traditions to stand behind the truth of the Gospel.

And uniting historical Christian worship with the fervent praise of spirit-driven people will breath new life into our Church. A new life that she so desperately needs!

I thank God that He has chosen, in His Divine Providence, to place me square in the middle of this movement! A movement that is as new and revolutionary as it is ancient and rooted in stability!

We live in a world of paradox, it's time to embrace one more!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit +
As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever. Amen.