An Open Letter to the Charismatic Movement

Dear Charismatic Movement:

Your beginning is generally thought to be around 1959 when an Episcopal Priest, by the name of Dennis Bennett, experienced the gift of tongues and subsequently began preaching to his congregation what many might label Pentecostal theology. From this Episcopal church, the renewal experience (and various other miraculous experiences) began manifesting in all kinds of denominations and fellowships in remarkable ways all through the ensuing decades. Much of it was needed and genuine. Some of it was fleshly and fake. But no one can deny that in the last 60 years you impacted the face of Christianity globally for both better and worse.

I did not start my Christian journey as one of you. God chose the Church of the Nazarene in 1978 as the vehicle to apprehend me for His Kingdom and the ministry. I was dramatically born-again by His Spirit in this denomination and owe a debt of gratitude to it’s educational institutions in training me for the ministry and also properly understanding the Scriptures. I am a Bible-believing Christian because of their diligence in those days.

It was in 1989, when I transitioned out of the Church of the Nazarene into your circles. I have previously written concerning the reasons for that transition, but I want to state clearly at this point that my reasoning was not solely based on my personal experience with the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of tongues speaking, but also (and perhaps more importantly) because I saw in you a people deeply committed to the Scriptures and the pursuit of everything God had made available for the believer. I can assure you, that in the early days of the movement and the environment in which I worshiped and fellowshipped, there was a passionate commitment to the Scriptures, character, and integrity in the ministry.

But somewhere along the way…

You lost your way…

And it is my opinion (and with great fear of the Lord), that you (we) are at a watershed moment…

I don’t say this as a John MacArthur, cessationist, sycophant who simply delights in showing 30 second video clips of unbiblical, crazy moments in some of your churches to which many in the movement (including myself) also cringe and find distasteful. But rather I say this as a self-identified Charismatic who has defended the orthodox, historic, Christian Faith in numerous hostile environments as well as defended you and the distinctives of being a theological continuationist. I write this blog as an unashamed Spirit-filled, minister and educator. I am not your adversary. I am a friend, an adherent, a sympathizer and I am just about fed-up with our inability to get ourselves in proper biblical order.

The last couple of weeks new allegations have surfaced concerning the ministry of Todd Bentley. Bentley was the voice of the “Lakeland” Revival (Florida) in 2008, which was ultimately derailed due to his sexual improprieties. Now the methods, ministry, and message of that revival has its own inherent problems which could be critiqued as well, but that will have to be set to the side for the purposes of this letter. I am choosing not to rehash all the facts, details, and allegations of Bentley as his problems are easily researched through an Internet search engine, plus, they are simply disgusting. At that time, his life and ministry were submitted to a group of seasoned ministers in order to “restore” him. I knew there would be problems in this initial restoration process because there was never a clear outline as to what were the priorities of Bentley’s restoration. Was he being restored to God – his first wife – or the work of the ministry? All we know is that a short time later he is endorsed and released to continue the work of the ministry.

Now…we are subject again to numerous documented allegations that Bentley has clearly disqualified himself from the ministry, and we are hearing notable leadership from our movement obfuscate and defend this egregiously dysfunctional minister. I have read and listened to numerous social media commentaries regarding this moment. Most are compassionate and attempting to communicate their sadness and hope for the healing of Todd’s soul. No one would pray for anything less than a full expression of repentance and a full manifestation of deliverance for this young man. Whatever is broken and scattered inside of Todd Bentley, I pray with untold others that he experiences wholeness from the Cross which he says he clings to.

All that being said, this is your watershed moment.

A watershed moment is a turning point, the exact moment that changes the direction of an activity or situation. A watershed moment is a dividing point, from which things will never be the same. It is considered momentous, though a watershed moment is often times recognized only in hindsight.

If we, as a movement, are to retain any semblance of credibility (and it is close to exhausted now), then this incident MUST BE HANDLED RIGHTLY. If our national “Spirit-filled” leaders who bask in the notoriety and celebrity of their ministries cannot use their influence to address this situation, then we better not be surprised if the word of the Lord is “Ichabod” (the glory has departed) to our movement.

Hear me, I desire the things of the Spirit. I want a real-deal expression of revival, awakening, and renewal. I am open to the reality of signs, wonders and miracles. I believe, according to the Scriptures, that there are apostles and prophets to lead us into the full stature of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16). But I am done being an apologist for your carnal, religious side shows. I am done being embarrassed at your ministers who simply cannot keep their pants on. I am dismayed at those of yours who claim to be prophets but prophesy of things completely disconnected from any scriptural principle. I am tired of a movement which spouts more flattery and divination than it does scripture and revelation. It is time the word “repentance” was declared loud and long, because we have drifted far away from how this movement started.

You say, “But other denominations and fellowships have these problems too”. I am well aware of that. They need to repent as well. God is not looking for a group which aspires to the lowest common denominator of carnality. He is looking for a pursuing people who value holiness, integrity, and character because it befits a King. This is the crossroad my friends. Call me what you want, but this is the moment we corporately say, “Enough”.

And if you cannot summon the courage to clean up your own circles, then you have no message for a lost and needy world. They laugh and mock you, not because of righteousness, but rather your silliness and hypocrisy. It’s time we all sat down, opened our Bibles, and said, “God, help us to re-dig the old wells of Your ways and when we find them, empower us to walk in them and demonstrate them so that we might make Your name great again”. If you do that, then you may yet see the glory. If you keep this present trajectory, it’s most certainly, “Ichabod”.

Sincerely,

A Spirit-filled friend who prays this embarrassment becomes a catalyst for true revival.