When Dennis and Elberta moved to their new parish St Luke’s in Seattle, having received episcopal support to speak openly about their experiences in the Spirit at Van Nuys, they were still cautious in what may unfold.
Dennis writes, having just had a church blow up in my face, “I was in much fear and trepidation.” (p71)
Dennis desire for settled comfortable ministry was indeed strong.
“Although I wanted to be once again a nicely accepted, quiet, respectable parish priest! On the other hand, I had seen God’s power in action among His people, and I knew very well I could not long be content to lead a congregation without telling them about receiving the Holy Spirit.”
p72
Yet, despite his hesitancy, the Spirit seemed to have prepared a great thirst in the hearts of his new congregation, as they came asking him to speak of his experiences.
So, having been set on fire by the Holy Spirit, Dennis shared with his new parish his baptism in the Spirit. Within days parishioners knocked on his door asking to learn more. Following this initial witness, groups of parishioners began seeking, hearing, learning. Then learning turned into praying and dozens were again experiencing the Spirit’s flow.
To Dennis surprise, these were ‘rather typical Episcopalians: earnest, down-to-earth people who felt the need of religious observance, but who had been taught not to get too excited about it. Religion was a “department” of their lives, wonderful in its place, but not too much related to their other activities”. (p 74)
The way Dennis described his ‘respectable Episcopalians’ could easily be applied to many in my own congregation – yet they were, perhaps underneath their respectable demeanour, spiritually thirsty for more.
As a minister longing to bring a traditional parish into spiritual renewal, my heart wondered, ‘are any of the respectable Anglicans in my parish also concealing a subterranean longing for the Spirit?’ However, louder still was my cry, ‘if only the parishioners in my church would come knocking on my door to hear about the Spirit’s refreshment!’
Again, the little gathering of those hungry to experience more of the Spirit in Dennis’ new parish began to grow.
Then, Dennis was called to attend his annual clergy conference, an event that all clergy in the Anglican tradition are required to attend. And, it seems, a hunger to know more of the Spirit was also present in the hearts of the tired, worn-out clergy! More and more asked Dennis to speak about his experience. As conversations grew into clusters, a mini revival sprung up among the clergy at their annual conference!
And what was the fruit of this new spiritual outpouring amongst the clergy?
“It was impossible to miss the change that was visibly taking place. Joy, freedom, and spiritual understanding came as the new language poured from their lips.”
p80
Upon returning home, Dennis discovered an even more surprising fruit of hosting a Spirit-led meeting in his home. As a visitor commented, “When I came up the road, I saw the light outside your house, Father Bennett, and it was shining many times brighter than a one-hundred-watt light could shine! I knew … something wonderful was going on!”
However, after experiencing the rejection and ridicule in his previous parish, fear lurked within Dennis’ heart. The Spirit of God however so desired that Dennis be set free of this fear that he sent a newly Spirit-baptised parishioner to share a word of knowledge. She said,
“You are afraid that this church will blow up like a church in Van Nuys! But don’t be afraid. You’ll never have any trouble here that you can’t handle, and you’ll have strong support from the top down!”
p82
As the word of knowledge was released, it had enough power to free Dennis from the fear which tormented him, and a great burst of joy bubbled from within his heart out his mouth.
And with his newfound spiritual freedom, the glow of the Holy Spirit seemed to attract invitations for Dennis to share his Spirit-baptism in neighbouring parishes and denominations. However, rather than these frequent absences from his parish causing problems, the newly Spirit-baptised believers quickly rose to the challenge of leading services and evangelising their own communities, and previously tired and worn-out parishioners became revitalised.
Dennis writes, “The little church had been torn by internal strife, but now it was obvious that the love of God was actively at work – healing the wounds, bringing people together into real appreciation of one another.”
And the Spirit’s light that was aglow within St Luke’s became a beacon for neighbouring congregations. Dennis described the phenomenon as “St Lukes is like a pilot light. We light the other burners.” (p87)
Despite what later would become a criticism of the charismatic movement, Dennis noted, “a very clear sign of the fullness of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives is their interest in the Holy Scriptures.” (p87)
Another expression of the Spirit’s work in the lives of the newly baptised believers, was a passion for telling people about Jesus (p90). And this wasn’t just to those who were similar to them in race and demographic. Rather, “lines of colour and nationality melted away as thoroughly as had the walls of denominationalism.”
And due to the climate of acceptance of the Spirit and understanding of the wonder of how the Spirit worked, ministry within the previously dying little church of St Luke’s began to flourish.
As my heart marvelled at what Dennis described, a groan of longing escaped from my heart – if only such a spiritual hunger and thirst would break out in my Diocese and in my church!
These chapters only compelled me further towards prayer and intercession – “Come, Holy Spirit Come” and fill us with renewal fire!