Abstract
The chapter explores changes in leadership and authority structure as expressed through Charismatic practices following the transformation of the former “Living Word” (Levende ord) into the “Credo Church” (Credokirken). The church, located in Bergen and at one point the largest independent church in Norway, went through a makeover in the wake of a crisis related to its founder and leader of 14 years, Enevald Flaten. Established as a Faith Movement church, spiritual gifts were integral to the leadership structure from the beginning. In 2006, internal conflicts surfaced. By the end of the year, Flaten had left the ministry. Olav Ronhovde, who had led the opposition to Flaten, was elected his successor. The church changed its name and the member count dropped drastically. Unlike previously, the Credo Church is now involved in a collaborative Bible college, “Substance” (Substans), sharing responsibility for this with the Pentecostal Church and Salt Bergen Church. In other words, Credo Church has moved in a more ecumenical direction. The chapter is based on longstanding members’ accounts of change and continuity, and focuses on leadership structure and attitudes, view of God, Charismatic practices, publicity, and relations with other local churches.
Highlights
To the extent that Living Word still exists, it is in the form of the Credo Church: Both churches believe in the same God and reside in the same building, he says
As terminological irony would have it, Weberian charismatic authority among Charismatics is often tied to the very practices they associate with the term Weber recruited for his conceptualization of the term, namely the charismata—the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit
From a Weberian perspective, charismatic authority can be said to have routinized by way of adding elements associated with rational authority
Summary
In the Wake of God’s Fire: Transforming Charisma and Charismata in the Reconstruction of a Local Church. We still believe in the same God, but the leadership has been replaced completely. One of those who used to be involved in leadership still is.”. Matthew is one of the respondents in an ethnographic study on a local Charismatic church in Bergen, Norway, carried out in the summer of 2013. The church was formerly known as “Living Word” (Levende Ord), and to some extent still is, despite being renamed “The Credo Church” (Credokirken) in 2009. To the extent that Living Word still exists, it is in the form of the Credo Church: Both churches believe in the same God and reside in the same building, he says. Among the changes he chose to draw attention to were those made to the leadership
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