By: George Conger.
“Signs and wonders” should become the mark of the Anglican Church in Africa, the Archbishop of Lagos, Dr Ephraim Ademowo said last month at service marking the collation of two archdeacons.
He urged a “return to apostolic tradition practiced in the early church characterized by miracles, signs and wonders;” saying it should become “the new direction of the Anglican Church today.”
The Anglican Communion’s largest church with an estimated 18,000,000 active members, the Church of Nigeria has been challenged by the equally fast-growing Pentecostal churches of West Africa. In recent decades it has taken on board many of the elements of the charismatic renewal movement as well embarking on a programme of African enculturation, drawing upon African resources for liturgical renewal.
One of the pillars of the Gafcon movement for the reform and renewal of the Anglican Communion, the Church of Nigeria’s cultivation of charismatic gifts, critics charge, will lead to splits with Gafcon’s Anglo-Catholic and conservative evangelical wings.
The idea that Anglo-Catholics and Charismatics automatically are at odds is false theology. They are actually a perfect blend when both groups understand they believe that divine intervention is at the heart of both the sacraments and the gifts and ministries in the Spirit. I’ve headed such a parish and those who were against one or the other were basically members who “held to the form of religion but denied its power.” As an example, among some I was expected to visit parisherers in the hospital and have a nice prayer with them but lo and behold if any of them actually reported getting well without further medical intervention!
The “biblical” basis for dispensationalism is found in Dr. Scofield’s notes and not in scripture. The history of the 20th Century has shown that Calvin was wrong. More Christians today have their spiritual roots in the Azusa Street revival than the entire protestant reformation. The early church did not have this perceived problem.
I attended a Charismatic Mass at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church on Singer Island (Palm Beach County) for many years. I loved it.
I attended the last “All Florida Charismatic Conference” in St. Leo, Florida way back when. The Mass was a high point of the weekend for me and for most who attended.
So, no, Anglo-Catholic, Charismatic and Evangelical are NOT at odds with each other, but as David+ wrote, compliment each other perfectly, once the egos get out of the way and let the Spirit work.
I would recommend [url=http://www.renovare.org]Richard Foster’s[/url] book “[i]Streams of Living Water[/i]” for more on this theme. It would make a great Lenten read!