Reflections of an Undeconstructed Pentecostal
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?”
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”