For several decades, various charismatic ministries emphasizing God’s power have emerged. Those charismatic ministries usually appear as miracle healings, debt release, breaking ancestral curses, and casting out evil spirits. Such ministries attract sympathy and awe from many. Unsurprisingly, churches showing charismatic ministries experience membership booms. Their churches are flooded with many new members, often transfers from other churches. Not infrequently, new members come from other religions after personally experiencing miracles in those charismatic services.
In response, some mainstream churches criticize the movement. Their main criticism targets what charismatic churches offer. They say these churches offer blessings and miracles more than they offer God and His truth. Mainstream churches accuse charismatic churches of being misleading and transactional. They argue the church should proclaim the Gospel that addresses sin rather than primarily offering miracles and worldly blessings. They do not deny miracles and God’s help, but they condemn the charismatic focus that has shifted toward material prosperity. Their critique is reinforced by cases and findings of financial misuse in some charismatic churches and immorality among some pastors and activists. How should we respond?
In Matthew 4:23, it says, “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” Jesus’ life and ministry are the primary model on which we should ground all personal and church ministry. In that verse, two aspects often at odds today are beautifully woven together. The charismatic and transformative sides of Jesus’ life and ministry are integrated. The charismatic side refers to power, authority, and gifts from God through the Holy Spirit. The charismatic affirms faith and provides help.
Meanwhile, the transformative side concerns teaching and maturation through truth. The transformative aspect often disturbs or is uncomfortable to the flesh, yet it brings change. In Jesus’ ministry, the two are one, resulting in a holistic ministry—not only touching the spiritual but also everyday life.
The truth we gain from this verse is God’s holistic concern for both human eternity and temporality. By teaching and proclaiming the Gospel, He attends to human eternity. By healing, He truly cares for people’s daily struggles, which, though temporary, are also important. God does not care for only one extreme. He knows that if someone is sick or bound by dark powers, they cannot seek God and His kingdom optimally. At the same time, He is fully aware that miracles and help without discipleship will lead to stunted, spoiled, and transactional spirituality.
This poses a serious challenge for ministry today. Have we balanced eternity and temporality when serving others? Do not be so eager to lecture someone about eternity while failing to take concrete action in their daily struggles. This is not merely about giving money or social aid. Presence in daily struggles can be shown by a willingness to face challenges together or by simply being a good listener without becoming their “teacher.” By being present in everyday struggles, we can be a blessing, ultimately leading people to encounter God through our lives. In this way, their eternal needs are also touched by seemingly small acts of ministry. Therefore, we should not resist ministries that address daily struggles; rather, we must balance them with a life that teaches and blesses. This is a holistic ministry.