The 1977 Conference on Charismatic Renewal in Christian Churches, held in July at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, was a landmark, 5-day ecumenical gathering of approximately 40,000–50,000 Christians from various denominations, including Catholics, Protestants, and Pentecostals. The event focused on unity, featuring worship, teaching, and a significant moment of repentance prophecy. Primary leaders were Kevin Ranaghan (Catholic), Larry Christensen (Lutheran), Vinson Synan (Pentecostal Holiness), Bob Mumford (Evangelist).
Key aspects of the 1977 Kansas City conference included:
The conference is often remembered as a high-water mark for the ecumenical charismatic movement, with some debate over whether the movement peaked at this point or simply matured in the following years. Many still believe that the event is as good as it's ever got - the peak of unity.
Quote - "The gathering was considered a "new Pentecost" by participants, with a strong focus on unity, to fulfill Jesus's prayer for His church. While hailed as a major success, the, movement did not sustain the same rapid growth in the following years. However, its influence continued through the establishment of covenant communities and the personal ministries of attendees."
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT?
Well, first of all it was "ecumenism." It was an attempt to get a bunch of different denominations together - which it did. Groups planned their national meetings and conferences in the morning, had some group sessions in the afternoon, and then had worship time all together at night. They felt that staying in their own wineskins, but piling them all together at night for a few days would fulfill the prayer of Jesus that we would be ONE as He and the Father are One. It didn't.
Toward the end of the conference a prophetic word was delivered through Ralph Martin. It was this:
“Come before me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit for the body of my Son is broken. Come before me with tears and mourning for the body of my Son is broken. The light is dim, my people are scattered – the body of my Son is broken. I gave all I had in the Body and Blood of my Son. It spilled on the earth. The body of my Son is broken. Turn from the sins of your fathers and walk in the ways of my Son. Return to the plan of your father. Return to the purpose of your God. The body of my Son is broken.”
They seem to have heard this word as an encouragement that they did a great job. I hear it as a lament that they missed the mark entirely. The "sins of your fathers" in this instance is that they ever divided up into teams in the first place. There doesn't seem to have ever been any discussion at the event of the actual SIN of denominationalism itself.
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 - "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?"
More info about about it:
The Daily Capital News
Jefferson City, Missouri • Thu, Jul 21, 1977, Page 7
LOTS of other info, links and videos HERE
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