Charismatic Movement Conference to be Held
Diocesan Press Service. December 21, 1973 [73276]
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A conference, "The Charismatic Movement -- Confusion or Blessing? " will be held at Washington National Cathedral beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 18, and continuing on January 19 from 9:30 a. m. to approximately 4:30 p. m.
The new phenomena of the Charismatic Movement as it has affected the non-Pentecostal churches will be evaluated by a wide variety of speakers from several disciplines. Co-sponsors with the cathedral are the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, the National Presbyterian Center and the Memorial United Methodist Church. A contribution of a dollar for each day's session will be requested. The conference is open to the general public.
Canon Michael Hamilton, organizer of the conference, says, "This new movement, offering the gifts of healing and speaking with tongues, has provided many church people of all denominations with a direct and powerful personal religious experience. In an age of doubts, when so many churchgoers are lukewarm in their commitment, small worshiping groups providing this experience are very attractive. "
"However," Canon Hamilton warns, "there are serious dangers associated with the movement. Its members have been criticized for Biblical fundamentalism, a lack of sustained concern for welfare and justice, and self-righteousness. These attributes have been cause of divisions within local congregations. We hope this conference will provide a perspective upon the movement, and information to aid those who wish to integrate charismatics within their churches. "
Speakers include : the Rev. Dennis Bennett, well-known pioneering charismatic in the Episcopal Church; Professor James Logan, Wesley Seminary, professor of systematic theology who teaches a course on the Pentecostal movement; Dean Krister Stendabl, New Testament scholar and dean of Harvard Divinity School; Professor George Williams, Harvard Divinity School; Dr. J. Massingberde Ford, a Roman Catholic theologian at Notre Dame University, who is herself a charismatic; Dr. John Kildahl, a Lutheran psychologist and author of "The Psychology of Speaking in Tongues. " There will be opportunities for questions directed to the speakers, and the texts of their addresses will be available later in book form.
For further information, please write or call: The Reverend Canon Michael Hamilton, Washington Cathedral, Mount Saint Alban, Washington, D.C. 20016, telephone 202-966-3500.