Is there a Movement Afoot to become Charismatic

[Earth Wind and Fire]

This is scary...Im seeing all these baptist churches moving away from being Baptists & renaming themselves Bible Churches & transforming to being Charismatics. Now I live in the NE so Im not familiar with other areas of the country but this is becoming epidemic!

Are you folks seeing similar & why oh why go down this path?

 

[Amy.G]

Yes. I've been seeing this for a few years now. I live right in the middle of the Bible Belt, in a very small town, and have attended Baptist (SBC) churches that unofficially call themselves "bapticostal". I have even heard members speaking in tongues during the service. Some still have "Baptist" in their name, others do not, but claim Baptist doctrine.
I know of several people who love the TBN heretics such as Kenneth Copeland, John Hagee, Joyce Meyer, and even Joel Osteen.

Preachers these days do not want to preach against false doctrine. It's sickening.

 

[Zenas]

Maybe it’s because charismatics have more fun? I don’t know but this seems to be happening all over. I went for maybe 55 years and never saw anyone raise a hand in a Baptist church. The services were orderly, quiet and somewhat liturgical. Nowadays the service begins with “praise songs” and you will see hands raised all over the place. Then there is the five minutes of chaos where everyone runs around shaking hands with everyone else like a Chinese fire drill. Also, the attire has become quite casual. I see men and women wearing blue jeans and tee shirts to church who normally wear business suits to work on week days. Should you really approach worship more casually than you approach your day job?

Tis a sign of the times, my friend.

 

[Revmitchell]

I have not seen it anywhere in Baptist churches.

 

[webdog]

I don't think a name change means much. Westboro has baptist in their name

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

I have not seen it anywhere in Baptist churches.

Nor have I. The charismatic movement would love for you to believe they are growing, and they may actually be more visible, what with a down economy and people turning to God for "miracles." These churches are more than willing to attempt provision of what can actually only be given by the hand of God.

The lower the economy, the more active the "signs and wonders" churches become. During the Depression, these churches flourished as people sought "divine intervention" to get them a job, save their farm, get food on the table and clothes on their back. But the movement quickly declined during the war years as the economy rebounded in the effort to defeat fascism and hegemony. It shouldn't come as a surprise that, today, as the uncertainty of life grows daily, people turn to "houses of worship" that claim to provide answers through the "prosperity gospel" and other false teachings that abound during difficult times.

I wouldn't worry about it. The truth will prevail, and though some good and faithful people may be temporarily led astray, the revival that will come prior to the Lord's return will bring them back to His path.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Nor have I. The charismatic movement would love for you to believe they are growing, and they may actually be more visible, what with a down economy and people turning to God for "miracles." These churches are more than willing to attempt provision of what can actually only be given by the hand of God.

The lower the economy, the more active the "signs and wonders" churches become. During the Depression, these churches flourished as people sought "divine intervention" to get them a job, save their farm, get food on the table and clothes on their back. But the movement quickly declined during the war years as the economy rebounded in the effort to defeat fascism and hegemony. It shouldn't come as a surprise that, today, as the uncertainty of life grows daily, people turn to "houses of worship" that claim to provide answers through the "prosperity gospel" and other false teachings that abound during difficult times.

I wouldn't worry about it. The truth will prevail, and though some good and faithful people may be temporarily led astray, the revival that will come prior to the Lord's return will bring them back to His path.

You wouldn't worry about it....really?!? 3 churches Ive spoken to in the last few weeks (previously Baptist) have become Charismatic.....and where I live, there isnt a glut of Baptist churches anyway. Therefore it creates a noticeable void in ones ability to find any Baptist Church (Reformed or Non Reformed). They are in effect killing off Baptist Churches in this area.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Yes. I've been seeing this for a few years now. I live right in the middle of the Bible Belt, in a very small town, and have attended Baptist (SBC) churches that unofficially call themselves "bapticostal". I have even heard members speaking in tongues during the service. Some still have "Baptist" in their name, others do not, but claim Baptist doctrine.
I know of several people who love the TBN heretics such as Kenneth Copeland, John Hagee, Joyce Meyer, and even Joel Osteen.

Preachers these days do not want to preach against false doctrine. It's sickening.

"Bapticostal" Oh no......now Im nauseated

And taking Christians to absurd levels is just fine I suppose. What next, bringing in snakes to dance with!!!:laugh:

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

You wouldn't worry about it....really?!?

No, I wouldn't. As I said (and the Rev noted) we haven't seen this trend in our areas. It is probably localized. Obviously your are greatly concerned, and I sympathize with you if you have been displaced from the ability to worship by the change of doctrinal focus by one of these churches. If that is the case, perhaps you can help replace those churches with church plants. The SBC's North American Missions Board is very active and involved, and has an objective to counter this kind of loss of true bible-teaching churches in any given area.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

No, I wouldn't. As I said (and the Rev noted) we haven't seen this trend in our areas. It is probably localized. Obviously your are greatly concerned, and I sympathize with you if you have been displaced from the ability to worship by the change of doctrinal focus by one of these churches. If that is the case, perhaps you can help replace those churches with church plants. The SBC's North American Missions Board is very active and involved, and has an objective to counter this kind of loss of true bible-teaching churches in any given area.

OK....Who is the SBC Representative in NJ that I could appeal to?

 

[Tom Bryant]

Maybe it’s because charismatics have more fun? I don’t know but this seems to be happening all over. I went for maybe 55 years and never saw anyone raise a hand in a Baptist church. The services were orderly, quiet and somewhat liturgical. Nowadays the service begins with “praise songs” and you will see hands raised all over the place. Then there is the five minutes of chaos where everyone runs around shaking hands with everyone else like a Chinese fire drill. Also, the attire has become quite casual. I see men and women wearing blue jeans and tee shirts to church who normally wear business suits to work on week days. Should you really approach worship more casually than you approach your day job?

Tis a sign of the times, my friend.

That's not charismatic. Clothes don't mean a casual approach to worship since worship is a matter of the heart.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

OK....Who is the SBC Representative in NJ that I could appeal to?

I'm not familiar with the personnel in that area, but found the Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania/South Jersey in Harrisburg. Here's the link:

http://www.brnonline.org/

There's also the Baptist Convention of South Jersey, with offices in Voorhees. It appears to be affiliated with the Harrisburg offices, but it isn't unusual, particularly along the east coast, for states to have more than one SBC-affiliated state convention or association. There are differing views of doctrine of a minor nature that still manage to lead some churches to not affiliate with one group or another. Here is their website:

http://www.brnonline.org/southjerseyregion.asp

 

[annsni]

Maybe it’s because charismatics have more fun? I don’t know but this seems to be happening all over. I went for maybe 55 years and never saw anyone raise a hand in a Baptist church. The services were orderly, quiet and somewhat liturgical. Nowadays the service begins with “praise songs” and you will see hands raised all over the place. Then there is the five minutes of chaos where everyone runs around shaking hands with everyone else like a Chinese fire drill. Also, the attire has become quite casual. I see men and women wearing blue jeans and tee shirts to church who normally wear business suits to work on week days. Should you really approach worship more casually than you approach your day job?

Tis a sign of the times, my friend.

The Baptist church I've been attending since '96 has been like this since before we came. Yes, some dress casually, some dress more formally but we have praise songs (because we praise our Savior), greet one another, and we have serious study of the Word of God. I don't see that as a bad thing.

So what is the OP's definition of "Charismatic"? I think that will help the discussion.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

The Baptist church I've been attending since '96 has been like this since before we came. Yes, some dress casually, some dress more formally but we have praise songs (because we praise our Savior), greet one another, and we have serious study of the Word of God. I don't see that as a bad thing.

So what is the OP's definition of "Charismatic"? I think that will help the discussion.

Their Claim to be.

 

[Gib]

I saw the thought of a charismatic movement come and go in the late 80's & early 90's in several SB churches throughout south Alabama, NW Florida.

From my own experience, it was nothing more that a few SB church music leaders listening to Don Moen and the Maranantha Singers. Some SB churches were afraid folks were going to sing "What a Mighty God We Serve" and start waiving hankies in the air; People were going to start laughing uncontrollably and pass out under the Holy Spirit's leadership; choir members were going to run down the isles waiving banners and shouting "Shekinah Glory!".

Okay, so they made some banners. But that was it!

 

[Amy.G]

I wouldn't worry about it.

Well you should. Complacency is how wolves sneak into the flock. How do you contend for the faith if you have this attitude?

The truth will prevail, and though some good and faithful people may be temporarily led astray, the revival that will come prior to the Lord's return will bring them back to His path.

What revival? The Bible says there will be a great falling away from the faith before the Lord's return, a great apostasy not revival!

 

[Bob Alkire]

Yes, I've see Pentecostal style music in many of the Baptist Churches, and that hand raised as well as the swaying back and forth. Most of the songs written by Pentecostal folks.
Even have a Baptist church with the Pentecostal music and prayer language in their prayer closet. I don't know how long it will take to get the tongues out of the closet and into the service.

 

[Amy.G]

Well I guess because some of you haven't "seen it, then it doesn't exist or it's so isolated it just doesn't matter.

I see it a lot in my area. We have one church here called "Church B53". It claims Baptist doctrine, but is FULL of charismatics!

If you want to know the story behind the name, I'll be glad to share that too.

 

[Amy.G]

I don't know how long it will take to get the tongues out of the closet and into the service.

Oh it's already in the services in my area. I've heard it with my own ears.

 

[annsni]

Their Claim to be.

That they say themselves that they are Charismatic? Hmmm - I've not seen any Baptist churches on Long Island that have gone this way.