I have spent a few years in the heart of the charismatic movement and a few years studying in a reformed seminary and I thought it worthy to discuss what seems to be the primary vision of these different camps.  In the charismatic camp there is this unceasing hunger and pursuit of God’s powerful presence manifested through various experiences and signs, which may or may not accompany a vision of furthering the kingdom of God.  On the other hand the Reformed camp primarily seeks after furthering the kingdom of God and may or may not ask God to empower them to do so. Each focus has something to offer.

First of all, the charismatic camp values above all else, in my opinion, experiencing the powerful presence of God.  Where there is a revival or manifestation of God’s power somewhere, such as the recent occurrence in Lakeland Florida, they flock to the event as Christians on a holy pilgrimage – literally.  In addition, their prayers often consist of hungering for God’s presence, crying out for revival, and there is often a passion to save the lost.  What is important to note though is their greatest objective is a revival or manifestation of God’s powerful presence in their personal lives and in their church.  They tend to think, “if only God’s power is revealed then will the kingdom of God be furthered, then will the lost come and be saved.”  Thus, again their emphasis is primarily on seeking after God’s power. 

Now, it is important to ask for God to empower us for ministry and it is important to experience his presence, but when these become the primary objectives then what should be the primary vision, furthering the kingdom of God, has been usurped by a lesser one – a constant pursuit of God’s presence that is never satisfied.  While it is healthy to hunger for God it is unhealthy to think one should “always” hunger for God in a manner that prevents them from doing much else.  While it is commendable and biblical to ask God to empower us to further his kingdom, there is a loss of “right” focus if that is all one asks for and is left always wanting more but never using what one has given to serve the kingdom.

On the other hand the reformed camp thinks little of asking God to empower them for ministry per se, at least little compared to the charismatics.   The reformed camp does tend to ask the Holy Spirit to empower them for ministry but it is usually a simple request before preaching or guidance for a missionary trip.  Now, even if a person requests God to empower him in a simple manner one can only expect that God will and does.  The Holy Spirit is prevalent in the Reformed camp evident by the fruit they bear by furthering the kingdom of God and growing others into the likeness of Christ.                        

A weakness in the charismatic camp is that a person often wants to “feel” God’s presence in order to believe they have been empowered, and the reformed person tends to realize they have the Holy Spirit and has everything they need in Christ so their goal is not asking for more of it but to use what they have been given to further the kingdom of God.

A weakness here is that they often do not realize how much power they do have from the Holy Spirit, and certainly do not expect anything unusual to happen.  There is a contentment that is in once sense healthy because it allows them to realize they have everything in Christ and work for his kingdom, but in another sense may leave them without a deeper hunger for God’s powerful presence, which in turn could allow them to further the kingdom of God better.

In conclusion, charismatics need to realize they do not have the “corner” on the Holy Spirit.  It is ludicrous and beyond immature to think that because they are the ones who experience certain manifestations and feel God’s presence that they are the only ones who use the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit’s work is evident by the fruit born in the person or church and NOT by certain charismatic experiences.  The fruit of the Spirit is primarily love and a desire to seek the edification of the church and the furthering of the kingdom of God.  This is another weakness in the charismatic movement is they seek God’s power for manifestations sake and lose the primary goal that manifestations are to further the kingdom of God, are to love and edify the church.

On the other hand, the reformed camp needs to be open to all the gifts of the Spirit and realize that Holy Spirit is in all Christians, and yes everyone is complete in Christ, but Paul says to pursue the Spirit of God.  Thus, Christians should and ought to continually pray for God to empower them to further his kingdom, but that is the goal – furthering the kingdom of God.  One should not primarily seek after God’s power, and one should not merely be content with not seeking after any power.  As Christians, we are called to further the kingdom of God first and foremost and this can be done no matter what church we are in or who we are with whether signs are occurring or we attend a cessasionist, people who believe the gifts have ceased, reformed church.