An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Charismatic

Concerning gifts of the Spirit. The term is derived from the Greek charisma, “gift.” In 1 Cor 12, St. Paul describes a variety of gifts that are given to Christians as manifestations of the Spirit for the common good and the upbuilding of the faith community. The renewal movement in the Episcopal Church has come with increased attention for the gifts of the Spirit, and openness to the Spirit’s activity. The gifts of the Spirit are for all Christians, regardless of piety or denomination. Some have associated the term “charismatic” more narrowly with the Pentecostal Movement. Pentecostalism began in the early twentieth century in the United States among Christians seeking a baptism in the Spirit, accompanied by speaking in tongues and other manifestations of the Spirit. See Pentecostalism.

Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.