Balancing the Strengths and Weaknesses of Charismatic Faith: An Honest Conversation (w/ Isaac Gay) - Ep. 156

What happens when the faith we’ve built our lives around collides with the hardest seasons we never saw coming? Is there something deeper God wants to do in our hearts—and in our churches—when comfort drops away and the “dark night of the soul” invades our story?

In this provoking and vulnerable episode of Christian Parent Crazy World, host Catherine Segars sits down with accomplished artist, worship leader, and theological scholar Isaac Gay for an unexpected, off-script deep dive into the challenges—and the stunning potential—of the modern charismatic church.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• The “Dark Night of the Soul” is Real: Every believer—charismatic or not—must face seasons of doubt, disappointment, and difficulty. Instead of offering quick fixes, God invites us deeper, beyond beginner faith, to real trust and transformation.
• Strengths of the Charismatic Movement: We cherish and pursue God’s presence, expectant for miracles and supernatural encounters... but sometimes get so focused on the sensational that we neglect depth, discipline, and theology.
• Where We Fall Short: Charismatic churches can fall into emotionalism, lacking intellectual rigor or robust discipleship. Kids can get stuck in shallow social environments, leaving them spiritually bored, starved, or even driving them away from faith entirely.
• Learning from Other Traditions: We need BOTH heart and mind—experience AND theology. Ancient disciplines, liturgies, “high church” practices, and regularly engaging with deep thinkers (even ones we disagree with!) can anchor our faith when feelings fade.
• Raising Faithful Kids Means Planting in Rich Soil: Where (and how) we “plant” our kids spiritually matters—a safe, friendly environment isn’t always a spiritually nourishing one. Sometimes our children (and we, as parents) need deep, hard, stretching soil to really grow.
• Unity and Humility: All branches of Christianity have blind spots—we need one another! Learning across traditions, holding fast to Scripture, and pursuing Christ above all else is the path to a genuine, lasting faith.
• The Goal: More than chasing blessings or avoiding pain, mature faith says, “Even if God doesn’t move the way I want, I will still serve Him.” That’s the kind of walk our kids need to see—and the legacy we want to leave.

Key Quote: “I want to be a church with theology that can't be dismissed and power that can't be denied.” ~ Isaac Gay

Isaac and Catherine’s raw conversation is a must-listen for any parent who wants to raise kids that aren’t just “good churchgoers,” but wholehearted disciples—anchored in truth, resilient in hardship, ready for beauty, and alive to the Holy Spirit.

What about you? How is your church—and your home—preparing your children to handle the dark nights of faith? How can you help them embrace both Spirit and truth, head and heart, as they follow Jesus in a confusing world?

Don’t miss next week’s solo episode, where Catherine digs into what God is accomplishing in the dark night of the soul. And stay tuned for the conversation Catherine and Isaac were supposed to have (coming soon), where they will dig into how beauty—and restoring creativity—can become one of the strongest apologetics for a new generation.

Meet the guest: Isaac Gay is a multifaceted artist working at the intersection of creativity, spirituality, and contemporary thought. As a worship leader, thinker, and writer, Isaac’s heart is one of an iconoclast, while remaining grounded in the enduring principles of orthodox Christianity. He and his wife Emily are the hosts of the Not Crushing It Podcast, and have three children. He holds a Master of Letters from the University of Aberdeen.

 

Episode Resources:

Isaac’s Website, The Parallel Society, Instagram

Catherine’s FREE RESOURCES—Prodigal Bundle, Scriptures Lists, Scripture Songs, Ebook Beyond the Lies: Uncovering 5 Myths Our Culture Spreads to Mothers

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