CapeConversation

But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good. [1 Thessalonians 5:21]

On the first day of the Cape winter, some huddled together around the coffee table, while others started learning a new Taize song, “Nada te Turbe” (Nothing can trouble). Our choral culture remains in the ‘workshop” phase, which is a good thing. En route to the “recital” phase, we hope to discover worship.

Tim led us through in a discussion about “Spiritual Gifts.” Some groans were heard, implying “You can not be serious – I thought we were getting away from this kind of thing.” But he pressed on undaunted, and posed three questions

1. What negative baggage do we carry from our involvement with church / the charismatic movements?
2. What positives do we want to retain?
3. How do we envision going forward into a new model of community, and does this vision include the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Negatives included the inauthenticity brought about by hype, trying to “replicate the miraculous”. Also the “truly spiritual clique” that seems to form at the heart of church organisations. And lastly the weirdness / otherworldiness of many expressions.

Positives included a good experience of G-ds power through healing, protection and words of wisdom.

It was generally felt that we did not want to forsake the expectation of spiritual power in our vision, but that we should proceed with caution as not to loose the energy of our emergent vision by falling back into rote charismatic behaviour. We declared an interest in a “laboratory” approach whereby we didn’t stop experimenting, or playing, as we brought our “traditions” into a new era.

Theresa then led us in a movement exercise in which we “centred”, being reminded that this practice was not generally seen as spiritual in the west but was so in eastern approaches.

We ended up in a vocal prayer for those who requested it.