Wow Greg... I hear you, but I don't think my experience in the UCA has been quite the same.
I agree that we often seem to take a pretty intellectual approach to how we talk about our faith, but I really want to share my joy at the Holy Spirit stuff that I have seen and been a part of. Christian Educator, James Loder identified five types of Christian learning: learning interpretation and responsible action; learning to face and embrace appropriate conflict with perseverance; learning to celebrate; contemplative wondering and learning from convictional significance. These types could also be described as: learning to apply; growth through challenge; appreciation of learning; reflection; and experiencing spiritual awakening. Loder went further to describe the tasks of Christian education as follows, "Christian learning tasks, then, are intentionally fostered forms of learning by which one comes to participate in the ongoing transformational Spirit of Christ." Here, he identified a key expectation in Christian education: that there is an involvement of the Spirit of Christ. "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you." - John 14:26 This has been recognised in the statements of the Church, "Through human witness in word and action, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ reaches out to command people's attention and awaken faith." - Basis of Union, Para 4 Another educator, Charles Lindbeck wrote, "It is best if pastor and flock are formed by basically the same means of grace and devotional disciplines. Yet when the general spiritual level is low. this can be disastrous." My point - yes I am getting to it - is that people have the "Spiro" experiences when they intentionally learn the Spiritual Disciplines. That is why people who go on the Walk to Emmaus (UCA sponsored in Australia) and participate in the Companions in Christ program (Mediacom) often claim to have significant experiences of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Both these educational programs allow participants the time and space to actually practice prayer, Bible study and worship - not just talk about them. Both were originally written by Upper Room (United Methodists, USA) and just look like educational programs on paper. Why then, do people talk about the Holy Spirit more when they have done them (and talk about the increased impact the HS seems to be working in their lives)? I believe it is related to the disciplines of discipleship - we are transformed by prayer, study, Christian community, acts of service, ... even singing! Do I call myself charismatic - sure thing - I may not have all the spiritual gifts, but I know that I have experienced healing, transformation, empowerment and many other symtoms of grace - how else can I describe this but a spiritual experience? Warmly... - AKB PS - Terry and I once went into a Christian booksale and picked up a "spirit-filled bible" which then got tossed up and down the ailse - it was too hot to handle! ------------------------------------------------------ - You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/insights-l-information.htm ------------------------------------------------------
