Reflections of an Undeconstructed Pentecostal
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?”
I was reared in Pentecostal Church. In fact, my family’s history in Pentecostalism goes back a century. Some might consider that an accident of history, I consider it the favor of divine grace. The Pentecostal movement has renewed the spirituality and theology of the Christian church throughout the world. I have always been an ecumenical Pentecostal, that is, I have always appreciated the spirituality and theological traditions of the wider Christian family. I have attended worship services of various Churches including Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican. I appreciate the beauty of the liturgy. Even so, every time I attend such services I am reminded why I love Pentecostalism which insists on the dynamic reality of a divine encounter directly mediated to the human person through the Holy Spirit. Pentecostal spirituality does not exclude rationalism or sacramentalism, but transcends both.
Continue reading “Sacred Time & the Sacred Meal Enrich Pentecostal Spirituality”
There has been no shortage of scandal in the church. We have learned of decades of sex abuse in the Roman Catholic Church and the Southern Baptist Convention. Toxic leadership proliferates and even thrives in mega-churches (Willow Creek and Harvest Bible Chapel). It appears that long closeted skeletons are being discovered daily.
Continue reading “Scandal in the Church”
The world of the ancient near east in which is Christianity was born was harsh towards children. Abortion and exposure were common practices, most often for economic reasons (Fox, Pagans and Christians, 1986). Even so, the Church has always prophetically spoken regarding the value of every child. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that conception and birth are sacred events in the theology of the church.
Continue reading “Receive the Children: A Biblical Reflection on the Dignity of the Unborn Child”
Writing to the elders of the Ephesian Church the Apostle Paul declared, “I did not cease to admonish each one with tears” (Acts 20:31). Here Paul displays the pathos of the pastor. The pastor is called to faithfully preach and teach the Word of God and exercise profound compassion towards the people of God. The call to be a faithful teacher with a compassionate heart can be agonizing for the pastor and congregation.
Continue reading “The Challenge of Pastoral Preaching”