Reflections of an Undeconstructed Pentecostal
The question of women in ministry has been ongoing since the earliest days of the Church of God. R.M. Evans, Church of God missionary to the Bahamas, published the following article in the October 15, 1910 issue of The Evening Light and Church of God Evangel (page 3). A.J. Tomlinson editorialized that Evans’ teaching was “good for us.” (I have reproduced the text with only one correction – a misspelled word.)
Continue reading “R.M. Evans on Women in Ministry”
This past Sunday was Pentecost on the liturgical calendar. Every Anglican, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic church celebrated Pentecost – the outpouring the Holy Spirit. Most Pentecostal churches yawned. I suggest that Pentecost Sunday is just as important as Christmas and Easter.
Continue reading “Why Pentecost Sunday Matters”
The Pentecostal movement is most identified with tongues-speech – a mysterious and largely misunderstood phenomena. In the apostolic church, and the early centuries of the Christian church, tongues-speech signified the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1ff). Although tongues-speech declined by the 5th century, it has never ceased. Throughout the history of the church tongues-speech has been associated with various mystics and renewal movements. Even before the 20th century Pentecostal movement, there were localized outpourings of the Spirit and outbreaks of tongues-speech across the globe. But it was the Azusa Street movement that made tongues-speech a global phenomenon. Today, Christians of all tribes, from Roman Catholic to Mennonite, have testified to being baptized in the Spirit and speaking in tongues. Even the Southern Baptists are rethinking their official ban on tongues-speech.
Continue reading “I Still Believe in Speaking in Other Tongues”
Seven things I hate about Pentecostalism and seven things I love about Pentecostalism. . .
Continue reading “Things I Hate & Love about Pentecostalism”
The journey in pastoral ministry is difficult for most of us. Most of us will never pastor a church of more than a hundred people; and most of us will be bi-vocational pastors for many years. This reality should not diminish our commitment to serve God’s kingdom.
Continue reading “I was NEVER a Part-time Pastor”
It’s been two years since we left the pastorate to assume our new role at Pentecostal Theological Seminary. I was unprepared for the emotional stress that accompanied the transition. There were many issues with which I struggled. The greatest struggle may surprise you.
Continue reading “Sometimes its a Struggle to Find a Church Home”
In recent months I’ve had many conversations with pastors who are struggling to make certain visitors feel welcome in their church. One pastor asked, “I have a man, who cross-dresses as a woman, who has asked to be a greeter. What should I do?” Another pastor has a Valentine’s day event and wonders, “In the interest of outreach, should we allow gay couples to attend?” In some churches I’ve visited over the last several months I noticed openly gay couples in attendance, holding hands during worship. This has led me to suggest that we need to rethink the purpose of the Sunday morning worship service.
Continue reading “Should Christian Worship Services be Open to the Public?”