Charismatic & Seeker Inclusive?
I have a problem. God is doing something pretty intense in the midst of our community and I am gearing up for a fall of some pretty radical God adventures and the more I think about what God is doing the more I am presented with this question: How do I balance a charismatic expression of God with maintaining a seeker-inclusive worship experience? How do I challenge students to pursue God (whatever it looks like) while not creeping new people out? I don’t have answers but I do have a question to wrestle with. On one hand I know that God is moving, he’s doing something new in our community and he’s calling people to step out of apathy into passion. On the other hand, I’ve got a great community of people who are still trying to figure out who this Jesus guy is and whether he is going to be in their lives or not. I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Corinthians about orderly worship and I guess if they could figure it out, so can I. It’s a good question though, is it possible to be charismatic in expression and seeker inclusive? Acts 14:32 reminds us that those who prophecy are in control of their spirit and I think that’s a good reminder. The prophetic doesn’t have to be weird. A charismatic expression of worship to God doesn’t have to be weird or uncontrolled. In fact, Paul reminds us to be in control, to make sure that our worship is orderly so that all may contribute and all will get something out of it.
I think Mark Batterson is becoming an emerging voice in this area. He has managed to balance being in the Assemblies of God and being involved in The Origins Project. As I read more of his blog and get a sense of who he is, I am liking him more and more.