Origins: 7 Things That Led to Development of the Neo-charismatic Christian Movement

The Neo-charismatic Christian Movement refers to what some call a "third wave" of Christian renewal in the 20th century that started at a small Bible college in Topeka, Kansas. The tradition holds that speaking in tongues, healing and prophecy can be active parts of a modern faith life.

Here are seven things that led to the development of the Neo-charismatic Christian Movement:

1. Bethel Bible College Revival: In 1901 a group of believers in Topeka, Kansas prayed for a renewal of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the modern world. Bethel Bible College, who was founded and led by Charles Parham, is credited with being the site of the beginning of the Pentecostal movement in America.

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2. Azuza Street Revival: In 1906, the Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Los Angeles, California was the site of a revival that lasted for nearly 10 years. This revival brought thousands of people and worldwide exposure to the Pentecostal movement. The Assemblies of God denomination grew out of this movement.

3. Charismatic Renewal: In the 1960s, a renewed belief in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, particularly speaking in tongues, crossed several denominations. Members of traditional Protestant denominations such as Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists and Episcopalians participated. This movement began on college campuses in the United States, however, the distinction between this particular movement and earlier ones was that those experiencing a Charismatic renewal stayed and worked within their denominations rather than split into new denominations.

4. Catholic Pentecostal Conference: In the late 1960s the Catholic Church had the beginnings of its own Charismatic renewal. This movement was also characterized by heavy student involvement and was seen directly connected to the early days of Christianity and a Biblical basis for the "extraordinary" gifts of the spirit including: faith, wisdom, miracles, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy and discernment. This movement also works within the Catholic Church rather than outside of it.

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5. "Radical-Middle" and John Wimber: John Wimber was a charismatic pastor in the early 1980s associated with the Vineyard movement. He taught an evangelistic gospel, but emphasized the gifts of the Holy Spirit. While the group recognized speaking in tongues as a gift of the Holy Spirit, it eschewed the "charismatic" label and instead preferred the term "empowered evangelicals" whose faith exists in a "radical-middle" between the denominational extremes of the Evangelicals and Pentecostals.

6. Vineyard Church: The Vineyard Church Movement is considered a leading example of the Christian Charismatic Church. The church emphasizes a "come as you are" philosophy. It holds to an Evangelical statement of faith, but emphasizes worship, small group study and the active nature of the spiritual gifts.

7. Signs and Wonders: This movement is characterized by the belief that the outward signs of the Holy Spirit are intended to make the Gospel easier to understand for believers. The "Signs and Wonders" is a Biblical reference to Mark 16:20.

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