What a harrowing story this is. It is recent church history involving one of the most vibrant communities thrown up by what was known as the Renewal Movement begun in the 1960’s in the USA. Apparently the author, a Christian, and the Religion Editor of the Washington Times approached thirty or more publishers before one agreed to publish her book and I am not surprised, it is honest, controversial and profoundly saddening, as well as instructive. It was thirty years in the writing and bears the subtitle “The Rise and fall of a Charismatic Community.” I myself can remember my own excitement when I heard of the Community of the Redeemer in Houston, Texas, the way the Lord was moving there was news that quickened anyone thirsting for the Lord in the late 1960’s. This community burgeoned under the leadership of Graham Pulkingham and the music of the Fisherfolk who traveled in many parts of the world bringing refreshment. For a period this talented music group based in Yeldhall Manor nearby to Reading in England and other communities grew up in Post Green, Dorset and the north of England. I can also recall Pulkingham’s book “Gathered for Power” that described what had been taking place in those early years of that Houston congregation. The phrase ‘rise and fall’ aptly describes this cautionary tale. Success, blessing, charismatic happenings from God marred terribly by human sin, power-seeking, sexual uncleanness and an unwillingness by those in responsibility, who had inklings that things were wrong, to test and try the spirits. The style of the author is admittedly journalistic and therefore objective, this means her account tends to lack tenderness, it majors on what has come to light as a result of long term research and numerous interviews with many involved. Yet, having said that, she is a Christian who traveled through the joys and sorrows of living in Christian community herself. This book offers warning for the leaders of churches of all kinds and shows how the cult of personality, so common in the charismatic movement in particular distorts and, in the end, ruins, what begins well. A careful reading of this book also reinforces the fact that the devil is ever near at hand to lead the unwary astray, taking advantage of the burning desire for spiritual life and reality from God that was, and is present in any Christian renewal (revival) movement. There are important insights and observations contained in these pages; the whole story will humble the careful reader.
