The Highway Forums General Discussion ExCharisma Charismatic Friends

Caroline

I agree and I can only hope and pray that my former pastor, did eventually see the light.

Tom

I was "ejected" from a charismatic/pentecostal church and have had no-one contact my family after our departure. That was 2 years ago. I have had contact with some of the members of the charismatic movement locally and found that their friendship is quite conditional, conditional upon my attendance to their cult. I am now searching for a reformed church that preaches the true gospel. Much of the charismatics in my city have embraced other heresies such as G12 and kingdom now theology. I lead my family down a rather lonely path at this point. But praise God for He is holy and good and worthy of our praise! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/ClapHands.gif" alt="" />

This is a safe place, ProgDog. Welcome to the Highway!

Welcome to the Highway! You've come to a good place for fellowship and learning.

Take some time to explore all the resources available here on the discussion board as well as the Highway Website. You'll find a lot of food for your Christian growth!

Also, if you're looking for a Reformed Church, why don't you visit the Church Locator forum? You might be able to find something or someone here might be able to help you find a church in your area.

Kim

As I read your posts there is a common thread: the overall decrease in the charismatic population. Yes, I know that Benny Hinn still attracts his hundreds of thousands and somehow the others remain on television. But as a movement, hasn't it run out of steam? Back in the 80's when I was swept up in the fervor and enthusiasm, it seemed that nearly every denomination (historic Protestant and otherwise) had a charismatic group. And the traditional Pentecostal denominations were being invigorated while thousands of independent charismatic churches were sprouting up overnight like mushrooms. Now you have to go looking if you want to find a genuine tongues-speaking church where the members receive words of knowledge willy-nilly. They've grown up (at least chronologically), calmed down and become mainline evangelicals.

How I wish that were true! But in the "big picture" that the world sees, the vast majority of people world wide who identify as Christian is either Roman Catholic or Charismatic (as in TBN followers). The message of healing and wealth and health and personal fulfillment is far more appealing to "seekers" than the gospel call to self-denial and a surrendered life.

Not sure if that is true or not.
One thing that comes to mind however, after you mentioning Benny Hinn, is that although there are many Pentecostal Churches that warn against Benny Hinn and his type, many others have bought into him and that sort of teaching, hook line and sinker. In fact, they will not even listen if you try to show them some of the heretical teaching Hinn and others preach. I was soundly rebuked by my own sister for doing so.
Another person politely told me that, I am misunderstanding what Hinn is trying to say. When I asked what I am misunderstanding, they didn’t have a reply.

Tom

I'm actually an "Ex-Charismatic" currently going to an AOG church.

I was saved almost 4 years ago and and didn't realize that there was a difference at all in different denominations...I soon learned that there certainly is!

I'm currently looking for a Presbyterian church nearby because there are no "Reformed" Churches that are close to me at all.

My biggest problem is that I REALLY LIKE the people there...they are personally nice people for the most part...but studying scripture is NOT a hallmark of the Charismatic church! The more I learn, the more I see why everyone starts their sentences with "I think..." rather that "The bible says..."

Why not make a request in our "Church Locator Forum" with any particulars you are looking for in a church. It is possible one or more could be offered for your inspection.

From personal experience, I suggest you leave as soon as you can. Not that you should burn any bridges, of course. But if you're anything like me, the longer you stay, the more unbearable the unbiblical teaching & worship will become, & you'll start to resent these folks. Like Pilgrim says, you should put a request in the Church Locator forum. We'll be happy to try & find something in your area.

Thats a move up. For years everyone ended their sentences with 'should the Lord tarry'...

Pilgrim and Cinblood,
I'm sorry for not replying sooner...I didn't get an email alert.

I'll try the locator forum, thanks for the tip.

C-in-blood,
you are right; I'm still there and now I do feel like I resent them more. I can't even bring myself to sit in the service for the most part...

bob

I was like that too for the last several months of my sojourn in an AOG church after leaving a "Third Wave" church. The music offended me (it paid no homage to Christ nor extolled His work), the sermons offended me (very much the same "Christian witchcraft" I heard in the previous church - how to get God to do for you), and not long after, the people themselves offended me by turning on me for daring to question - let alone object to - the "word from God" that was being preached there.

Kyle is right... run like a scalded dog! You may not like what you become (even worse than a Charismatic, LOL!) if you stay and continue to harbor resentment for the deepening offenses against the truth and against your soul.

We'll do everything we can to help you.

I may be the oddball here but one of my best friends is a member of a charismatic church(The Message).Rather than being in conflict about everything we concentrate on the things that makes us brothers in Christ.We share prayer requests weekly and if either of us has a special Quiet Time in the morning we email the encouraging word to the other.
My company subcontracts work from my friends company consequently that brings us into phone or face to face contact almost daily.We can spend hours enjoying an afternoon of fishing while talking about tongues or divine healing without beind adversarial.
Years ago my "Paul" in the faith taught me that being confident in what I believe would help overcome the fear that naturally comes with discussing opposing views whether it be evangelism,cults or whatever.
Thanks for the opportunity to share.

That's great, Sojourner! It's apples and oranges, though... One is an ex-Charismatic attending a Pentecostal church. The other, your situation, is a friendship between two individuals who respect each other.

One who has come to the truth cannot help but be "offended," for lack of a better word, to hear it perverted from the pulpit Lord's Day after Lord's Day. I too have friends in the Charismatic movement that I respect, and we still share devotions and enjoy amicable debate about areas of disagreement.

It's different because my Charismatic friend and I are equals on the river in a fishing boat. In church, however, there is a clear distinction between leader and disciple (follower) so that differences matter much more because the one is expected to practice what the other teaches. It is an unequal relationship in which submission to the local authority conflicts with conscience and higher authority.

If it is possible to leave that church and remain on friendly terms as an equal with members of that church, so much the better. But such respectful breakups are rare indeed.