Perspective

The problem with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal
By Bob Van Cleef

During the years that I have involved with the Charismatic Renewal, I've listened to many people comment, or rather complain, about the health of the Charismatic Renewal. They talk about the “ good old days” when prayer groups were large, loud, and jubilant. They lament that lack of enthusiasm expressed by people at the various prayer group meetings and liturgies that they attend. One leader was asked at a national conference to write down what is good about the Renewal in his diocese. He answered, “Nothing!”

Why are the prayer groups too small? Why is the attendance at Charismatic functions and liturgies so light? Why don't we have volunteers like we use to? I've heard dozens of opinions as to the cause of all these “problems.” Some blame the Church; “The bishops and priests don't support us like they should.” Some blame the liaisons; “They are too busy with their ‘real' jobs to pay any attention to our needs”. “If we only had a priest assigned to us ‘ full time' everything would be OK.” Others point to the failings of lay leadership, the lack of a renewal center, the lack of committed volunteers, improper advertising of events, competition between events, and rivalry between groups. All these explanations point to symptoms of the problem, but have nothing to do with the real problem itself. You could cure any one of these symptoms and the problems would remain. Nothing would happen. The Renewal would not grow. Revival would not come.

The Lord has spoken for many years, in many forums, telling us what is wrong and what we need to do. Those who hear these words agree that they sound right, but then, many assume that the real problem is with someone else.

“My children, I live in sorrow because you have refused to open the gifts that I have placed before you. I've given you all that is needed to bring new life to this world of pain and suffering, but those gifts sit, still in their wrappings, unused and unappreciated. People are in desperate need of your help, but without those gifts, those talents, those charisms still wrapped in their packages, they will never receive the help that they need, there will be no revival.”

It is all a matter of focus

A while back , I listened to a group of leaders lament that their pastor had instituted a Charismatic Mass without their involvement. They complained about the fact that the prayer group at that parish had been faithful to the Renewal all these many years, but that they had been ignored when their pastor decided to have a parish sponsored Charismatic liturgy. Sadly enough, their problem was solved. Their pastor is no longer at their parish and the parish sponsored Charismatic liturgy has been discontinued.

Instead of rejoicing in what the Lord was doing, they couldn't get past their personal disappointment that they were not involved, consulted, in charge! God had blessed them with a chance for a parish wide renewal, and they complained about their personal feelings. Thus, it appears that God withdrew that blessing. Their focus was on themselves and not on the needs of the Lord or of their parish.

It is all a matter of style

For over six years we have had a Charismatic liturgy once every two months at a parish whose pastor does not welcome Charismatics. For at least five years this Mass did not have the same priest two months in a row. The two lay leaders have successfully recruited priests from all over the area. Some were very “Charismatic”' and some were not. The music ministries and the style of music have changed many times. The only things that have remained constant are the anointing, the prayer focus and commitment of the two leaders who do all the work, the consistent reports of healings--especially inner-healings, and the focus on our Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who attend readily testify to the anointed nature of this liturgy. Yet, from the very beginning, the Charismatics have stayed away. Less than twenty percent of those who attend are involved in the Charismatic Renewal in any fashion. Why? Because the style of the Mass is not “jubilant” enough, or they don't sing enough at the Gloria, or they don't sing in tongues long enough, or. the list goes on. The Mass just isn't done the way a Charismatic liturgy is supposed to be done according to their standards, so the Charismatics don't come. Of course it is the absence of those who practice the gifts of the Spirit that has led to those gifts not being manifest on a regular basis, but that is not “their” problem. For those Charismatics who do attend on a regular basis, the anointing is clear and the blessings are powerful.

It is all a matter of commitment

There was a prayer group that was led by an older couple. They had faithfully led this gathering every week for over seventeen years. They always lamented about the small size of the group -- average attendance between ten and fifteen people. They were also disappointed that many people joined the group, stayed for a couple of years, and then got so involved in parish ministries that they stopped attending. The leaders understood that the group was being used of the Lord to raise up new leaders in the parish, but still they looked back to the good old days of large prayer groups. Nevertheless, they were faithful!

Finally, however, the member of the prayer group who changed the transparencies for the music during the praise and worship portion of the meeting had to leave. The leaders asked for someone else to step into that role and no one volunteered. Out of the ten people who consistently attended every week, not one would make that commitment. Every week they had to draft someone to do it “just this one time.” Finally, given this and many other minor frustrations, they gave up and shut down the meeting. Everyone was willing to attend, but no one was willing to take on any commitment, no matter how small. Now, years later, people still lament the loss of that prayer group, but don't seem to understand that they were part of the reason it shut down.

It is all a matter of leadership

A few years ago, I shut down a local ministry that provided monthly teachings around the area, because of the lack of attendance at the events that we were sponsoring. The anointing appeared to have been removed, and without God's anointing we struggle in vain. (John 15:5) I asked the central leadership team to discern God's vision for the Renewal in our area, so that we could focus our efforts on doing His will and meeting His needs. That question was never answered. We are still a people in a “ night without vision.” (Micah 3:6)

It is a matter of attitude

The most visible thing wrong with the Charismatic Renewal today is the attitude of many of its members. They are proud and arrogant, knowing the “ they”' have the truth. They are ready to forgive themselves and the members of their little cliques for many things, while they sit in judgement of those outside their clique. They are ready to complain about the lack of commitment and faithlessness of others, but are faithless themselves. They joke about being on “Charismatic Time” when they are simply late, rude, and inconsiderate. And, most importantly, they don't believe that they need more time for prayer and repentance, either individually or as a community. Leaders talk of prayer and healing, but only for others. They talk of days of renewal, but only so they can teach, not listen. At any event, everything must be done in accordance to their wisdom, knowledge and understanding or they condemn everyone involved. They cannot trust God's Spirit to make things right, they must do it for Him. I've heard leaders teach their own understanding of the validity of the different spiritual gifts; rejecting those gifts and ministries that do not fit their own, private revelations and ignoring the teachings of the Church.

In a recent discussion, one leader said, “There are too many divisions, you must work for healing.” He was immediately contradicted by another leader who answered, “No, all we need is a full time priest, assigned as Liaison.''

Let me rephrase that statement the way it sounded to me in the context of that meeting. “Sorry, you are wrong. There is nothing wrong with us. We do not need healing. There are no divisions. Give us what we want and everything will be all right.'' Putting it that way makes it sound rather arrogant, doesn't it? Yet, that is what I hear, time and again, from leaders; “We know what is wrong. Give us what we want and we will fix everything.”

“My children, I do not need your help to ‘fix everything' ! I want your hearts, so that I can fix them. Full time leaders will not guarantee the success of a ministry, a full time commitment to serving my Son, Jesus Christ, will.”

It is a matter of waiting

The real source of trouble is impatience. The Lord has placed us in a “holding pattern.” What I've seen are dozens of ministries that are called to faithfulness and patience. (Psalm 27:13-14) Those that have been patient and faithful have grown to a point where they are carefully sustained and held there. Those who are not patient, who cannot wait for the revival, struggle, experience fluctuations in support, and may or may not survive. The problem is in how they've responded to being placed on hold.

The periodic Mass may finally be discontinued, after over six years of receiving practically no support from anyone outside of the original two people who were called to serve. They prayed, they stayed, and hundreds have been served. On the other hand, the parish sponsored Mass did not last six months.

The prayer group lasted almost 20 years before the leaders lost heart. During that time hundreds of people were introduced to the Renewal, grew in the Gifts of the Spirit, and have gone on to serve the community.

The ministry that I shutdown is still inoperative and will most likely never be resurrected. We needed to spend time in prayer, as a community, seeking for the Lord to show how we are to serve in this time of waiting. (Psalm 37:7, 8, 34) That time was never spent and the sponsoring community has since fragmented down to almost nothing.

Getting back in focus

What is your focus in life? Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV) Are you willing to let God renew His church using His methods? Are you willing to spend time in prayer, repenting your arrogance and the arrogance of your community? (Luke 6:27-28) Are you willing to spend time in prayer interceding for those who you believe have hurt you and your community? (Daniel 9:3-19) Are you willing to forgive them and embrace them as brothers and sisters? (2 Corinthians 2:9-11)

You are a child of the Most High God! (1 John 3:2) Your big brother, our Lord Jesus Christ, is interceding for you at the right hand of the Father. (Romans 8:34) Do you live that revelation? Do you fellowship with those who will exhort you and help you grow? (Hebrews 3:12-13) Do you walk in the righteousness of God, trusting Him with all things, including the attendance numbers at prayer meetings? (1 John 1:6-7)

Postscript

The faults and concerns I've described are not remote or isolated events. Many are things that I have seen, felt, and done! I write of these concerns from my own sense of culpability and I realise that my own leadership has been flawed. I pray that God will grant us the grace to ask forgiveness from those that we have hurt. We are all part of the problem. I pray that God will allow us all to be part of the solution.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.'' (2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV)

[Taken from Catholic Charismatic Center ]