On Easter Sunday in 1960, an Episcopal priest named Dennis Bennett stood before his Van Nuys, California congregation and made a startling admission.
He had experienced a personal Pentecost and had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and had spoken in other tongues as the early church did in Acts 2.
This simple event fifty years ago began the Charismatic movement, a movement that along with Pentecostals number 600 million strong. Many adherents of the Charismatic movement, unlike Pentecostals, remained in their existing denominations--Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Orthodox--forming "renewal movements." Others formed new churches under the Charismatic banner.
Houston has examples of both. The Catholic Charismatic Center is an example of a Charismatic renewal movement. Begun in 1972 and expanded in 1996 through the generous contributions of a single contributor, the Catholic Charismatic Center blends Catholic dogma with Pentecostal-style worship.
Lakewood began at the inception of the Charismatic movement. John and Dodie Osteen carried the church forward until Joel and Victoria Osteen assumed the pastorate in 1999.
The Pentecostal rebirth began at the dawn of the 20th Century in Topeka, Kansas followed by outpourings in Houston and Los Angeles. This so-called First Wave was followed by the Second Wave of the Charismatic Movement.
Some believe that the wave of Charismatic Movement has largely receded. Others frequently criticize the movement's failed aspects (1, 2, 3). But, for 50 years, the Charismatic Movement has introduced many to the Holy Spirit.
Your thoughts?
SOURCE: Houston Belief - Ken Gurley
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