Rhema Bible Church - Definition and Overview

Rhema is a Christian ministry founded by Kenneth Hagin (who died in 2003) and is located in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in the gut of the United States' Bible belt. The organization is now run by his son, Pastor Kenneth Hagin Jr. The "Word of Faith" message is a central teaching, along with other charismatic doctrine. In conjunction with its training center, also located on it's Broken Arrow Campus, Rhema Churches and bible training centers have spread internationally. Rhema also publishes the "Word of Faith" magazine.

The word Rhema means "the spoken word". Lending support to the central theme that confessing Scripture with faith in God has power to change circumstances for good.

Some critics have considered Rhema a cult of personality, built on Kenneth Hagin Sr's visions of God, and numerous miraculous stories. Some of the more controversial aspects of the ministry include:

• a healing school (where the sick come to learn what the Bible says about obtaining healing)
• the faith message (often referred to as "name it and claim it", or "blab it and grab it" by critics). This messages teaches that if you ask God for anything he has promised, he will give it, as long as you believe he will. Also taught is the notion that giving offerings out of a heart of worship and acting in faith allows God to multiply blessings to you. Often this is criticized as, "giving to get."
• Holy Ghost meetings. In these meetings, the speaker and singers will "stir up" "the anointing". Critics see them as whipping the audience into frenzied song and dance. The speaker will suggest the audience go with the Holy Ghost, whatever they feel like doing. people are seen: laughing, crying, dancing, running, falling, giving offerings "as the Spirit leads". Many secular experts see this as another form of Religious ecstasy that can be easily explained by psyschological reasons rather than anything supernatural.
• Healing testimonies. Kenneth Hagin often spends the entire sermon telling stories of miracles. Like many faith healers, no real proof exists that has been independently verified.

External links

• Official Rhema website (http://www.rhema.org/)
• Rhema ministries in South Africa (http://www.rhema.co.za/)
• Rhema's Doctrinal Statement (http://www.rhema.org/about/tenets_faith.cfm)