Question: Is the Worldwide Church of God a charismatic church?

Answer: We are not a pentecostal church, nor would we describe ourselves as charismatic. Since the word charismatic comes from the Greek word for gifts, some would classify us as charismatic simply because we believe in spiritual gifts, including the miraculous ones such as healing. But because we do not permit tongues-speaking in our worship services, some might classify us as "non-tongues-speaking charismatic."

Others associate "charismatic" as permitting tongues in worship and would therefore categorize us as noncharismatic. Since different people have different definitions of the term, it is not possible to answer either yes or no.

July 1997 Worldwide Church of God