I have read the posting I did on Monday. Maybe it was a little irresponsible. I’m guilty of not having the ability to approach things in a “don’t mean to shake your boat” manner. I know what it is to be in a place and the Spirit of God move upon people in a manner that leaves no doubt it was God. I have had great discussions with friends on how we want to be careful and do the right things regarding God’s Spirit. I believe in the anointing and power of God’s Spirit and nothing will compare. So I think what I’m trying to say is “The baptism of God’s Spirit and the gifts of God’s Spirit are real. The way we believe the baptism should occur or the gifts should be used and the expectation of what a Pentecostal church should be may need to change.” I think there is pressure on preachers and pastor’s to perform to a man-made standard. Has this standard been developed by our expectation of what a Pentecostal church should look and feel like?
What is a Pentecostal? If I can take a stab at it I would describe it like this: A person participating in a Pentecost movement. Was Pentecost a movement? Sure. What is a movement? A movement is a group of people with a common ideology who try together to achieve certain general goals. I know there must be many Pentecostal churches that have some jumpin’ and shoutin’ good times. I believe in enjoying yourself with other believers and celebrating God. Are we only after the euphoria of the jumping and shouting? When this happens only then are we satisfied that we just had a Pentecostal church service. Or are we excited at the possibility of someone actually receiving Jesus? The only way that would happen is that there must be a person present that doesn’t have Jesus. I have a hard time believing these days that there are bunches of people in the traditional Pentecostal churches that need to know Jesus. The reason being is because they don’t understand what in this world is going on! I understand that many mega churches who are Spirit filled have great numbers in attendance. I believe at some point those mega churches were small and they hit their tipping point when they engaged the culture.
Have many Pentecostal churches created that prison that I had written about the other day? Could I say that many Pentecostal churches could be seeing their attendance increase by only 9 people a year? I think that churches do see this and now call themselves a Spirit-filled church. It still doesn’t change their mentality. I think change only occurs within the heart not in words. Today I think Spirit-filled is different than Pentecostal (which will probably hit another post).
Today being Pentecostal has lost what it was intended to be. The movement may have been intended to reveal the power of God to the world. Today it is trying to reveal God to a group of people that attends a Pentecostal church. What happens to people after they leave a Sunday service? Is their life changing? I know this can be said for any church.
The foundation of God’s Spirit empowering us did not begin in ACTS 2. The foundation probably began when Jesus breathed on the disciples and said “Receive.” Then in ACTS 1:8 Jesus said “And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world." I’m told that I’m supposed to be empowered so I can stay in a church where there is some good music, shoutin’ and toe-stompin’ times. Then hopefully some others will come and see. If we are empowered by the Spirit then we are to be witnesses (ministers) not just inside the church but outside as well. If we claim to be Spirit-filled (Pentecostal) try and recall the last time Jesus was revealed through you. Here is the catch. It must be a moment outside the church. If it has occurred outside the church then how often has it occurred? Have the traditional Pentecostal churches become monasteries? Can we erase the need to experience God as an addiction and rather experience God as witness? What kind of witness? A Spirit empowered witness. Not someone that is hung up with euphoria. Rather, a witness of God that is willing to go engage a culture. Which one am I? I prefer the latter but I have to admit at times it can be difficult.
I’m leaving now. Hopefully tomorrow I can reach a point to write about how we can be guilty of exalting some spiritual gifts higher than others. Peace. -chuck (pastor@newfaith.cc)
3 comments:
I've never met you. They way you describe today's Pentecostal movement is very attractive to the christian community. And it makes us feel separate and special. We have a hard terminating that feeling. Many of us will become hurt and angry. The Pentecostal faith can separate people in the wrong direction. Instead of separating our thoughts from the world it separates our interaction from the people in the world. Good posting. I'm wanting to read more of your thoughts.
Thanks for the tought provoking posts. There's so much I want to say on the subject, but I'm still trying to collect my thoughts so that they're not misinterpreted. I whole-heartedly agree with your assessment that spirit-empowerment is meant more for the outside of the church building than the inside. It's kind of like getting that candle out from under the bushel basket, isn't it?
kc
An interesting viewpoint indeed. Keep asking the tough questions that some may consider "taboo". It's the only way we'll ever grow outside of the mentality that we must "sell" Jesus. He's a savior, not a bottle of detergent.
Post a Comment