“We are losing our church.” That was Waldeen’s assessment of the year-long revival we experienced at Rainbow Baptist Church. She wasn’t wrong. The movement of God’s Spirit, which began when I confessed the sin of pride to our congregation, was one wild ride.
There were no wild and crazy charismatic expressions within our little Baptist church. No one was “slain in the Spirit.” No one ran down the aisles - except during the altar call. We saw a lot of people come to know Christ, a lot of people rediscovering the joy of serving their God.
And there was no speaking in tongues.
I do need to pause at this point and address that issue, which has been, over the years, a source of great division and debate among many.
Some time ago, I shared my experience with the gift of tongues. Because it is so often misunderstood and divisive, I want to address it briefly before I continue.
I was reading a book one evening. Frankly, I felt obligated to read it. One of my church members had given it to me. It was by Ben Kinslow. Ben was a co-host on Pat Robertson’s “700 Club.” I wasn’t a big fan, to say the least.
Anyway, I was reading his book. He described his experience seeking the gift of tongues. Ben had more hands laid on him than the Pillsbury Dough Boy. (Which I realize some of you are probably too young to know anything about. Google it.)
So, I’m reading Ben’s story, sort of shaking my head, clucking my tongue. You know, just not in the same place as ole Ben. And that’s when, unexpectedly, the Spirit of God spoke to me. It was one of those unique experiences that I can count on one hand. Two at the most.
Here’s what I heard in my spirit - “I have that gift for you.”
I got up, went to my study, got down on my knees, and said, “Lord, I don’t know anything about this gift, but I’m willing to receive it.” I opened my mouth and began speaking in other tongues. It is a gift that I possess to this day.
I’ve never talked about it from the pulpit. I've never developed a theology around it. In fact, it has only been in the last year that I have even shared this story with anyone but my wife. Sherri, by the way, does not have the gift, and I can tell you, she is one of the godliest people I know.
I take the time to share this story again because I want you to understand that what was happening in Rainbow Baptist Church was not some kind of Charismatic takeover.
It was, however, a movement of God like none I have ever experienced since that time. And that’s fine. God does what he wants when he wants, and how he wants. Our responsibility as his people is to recognize and get on board with what he is doing in our lives and churches.
Anyway, back to Waldeen. This elderly lady expressed perfectly what many long-term members of the church were feeling. There was a palpable presence of God’s presence in our church. The result was powerful life changes among many people. (You may remember the stream of ex-convicts whom I mentioned baptizing in my last post.)
But it was too much for some church members. It scared them. It angered them. And it made them feel as if they were losing their church.
I have been a pastor for forty years now. It is the joy of my life. It is also the source of some deep and painful spiritual scars. But that’s the way it is. That’s the price you pay. But let me tell you what I see in the church today.
There is a real sense of “mine” and “ours” in many churches and denominations. And, as our culture continues to transition, these religious institutions are circling the wagons. Barriers are being erected that lead to ever-shrinking circles of “who’s in” and “who’s out.” In doing so, they are closing the door on the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, who was and is a friend of sinners.
They are comfortable with their little pastors (as I heard someone describe their pastor recently) and little exclusive communities. God forbid that they should ever become uncomfortable.
Like Amos, I claim neither to be a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I heard something years ago that has stayed with me — It is the role of the prophet to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comforted.
Indeed!
There needs to be, in these days, a lot less comfort and a lot more affliction in a lot more churches.
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
Jesus’s words to the church in Laodicea are as poignant as ever. So is his advice —
“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”
What does it mean to “buy” these things from our Lord? It means that there is a price to pay, and that price involves letting go and letting God. It may be a cliche, but it’s the painful truth many Christians, churches, and denominations need to hear today.
In Christ,
Dan
You can find my most recent book, “Where is the God of Elijah? Overcoming Spiritual Drought,” here.
Love everything about this post! Thanks so much for sharing your experience of receiving the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. Love that! I also love the nod to the Pillsbury Dough Boy. 😄