Order of St. Luke International 2019: From an Anti-Cessationism past to a Fully Charismatic Future
In the CFO, mentioned earlier, the progress of accepting gifts of the Spirit had begun almost a decade before the Charismatic Renewal and spread rapidly. With the interlocking membership of the CFO and OSL, a more positive and mature view of the gifts of the Spirit was bound to resurface
In any case, the Baptism of the Spirit steadily gained importance in the OSL. I recall attending a national OSL convention in Washington DC in the mid-1980. It was held at the National Cathedral. Barbara Schlemon, one of the pioneers of inner healing prayer and well known charismatic leader, gave the keynote address.[9] The music ministry played well known praise songs at the beginning of each session, and one could see perhaps one half of participants lifting their hands in praise, and some quietly speaking in tongues. No one I could see was disturbed or surprised by this.
Flip forward. Four years ago the warden of region three (South East US, my region) sent a circular email to the effect that all chapter leaders must be Baptized by the Holy Spirit and that they are to strongly encourage all chapter members to also be baptized in the Spirit. The OSL national leadership immediately ordered her to rescind the email. I was then serving as OSL Georgia chaplain, and backed the national office to the surprise of some of my OSL friends. I felt that some people were still coming into OSL chapters out of cessationist Baptist or Presbyterian congregations. Many of these persons held long standing antipathy to the Charismatic Movement, and especially to the Faith Movement associated with it. These persons would not join an organization that was pushing the gifts of the Spirit. Better for them to be welcomed as “recovering cessationists” and just observe the usefulness of the gifts of the Spirit in the healing ministry.
The OSL now serves two major functions. Its conferences, national, regional and international, it presents and tests out new speakers who often bring in original insights and ways of healing prayer. This is avant-garde. It also serves as a “rear-guard” to the healing movement and Charismatic Renewal, as in attracting those who have not yet tasted of the gifts of the Spirit in their lives. This latter function is important. There is actually an ongoing resurgence of cessationism led by the popular Christian radio Bible commentator John MacArthur.[10] An active and healthy healing ministry is the strongest witness against cessationism.
2019 International Conference:
So now let me report on the 2019 International conference of the OSL. The OSL International conferences are held every several years. The last one occurred in the Netherlands, and the next one will be in Australia.
Category: Church History, Summer 2019
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