A New Kind of Pentecostal

This week the 54th General Council of the Assemblies of God was held down in Phoenix, Arizona. I was unable to attend, but have followed along from a distance. There were only a few issues on the docket that really seemed substantial but what I am most excited about is the tone coming out of Phoenix. 

There is no question that we are a different movement than we were only four years ago. We are a fellowship that is more gender, race and age inclusive; more compassionate and forgiving; more passionate and strategic; a people full of the Holy Spirit and yet more prepared than ever for Him to move in and through us in new and creative ways. A movement that I believe is both more true to its roots and more relevant for the future.

While the Assemblies of God never completely abandoned issues of justice and mercy - creating such incredible ministries as Teen Challenge, Latin American Childcare and more recently Convoy of Hope - we are now more intentional than ever about social action. In 2009, General Superintendent George Wood led the charge to add 'compassion' as the fourth element in our reason for being—in recognition that Jesus came to glorify God (worship), save the lost (evangelize), make disciples (disciple), but also serve human need (compassion).

I believe this small and seemingly obvious change to our bylaws has already helped our  movement become more true to the whole-gospel message; more aware of the needs of our Pentecostal brothers and sisters around the world (close to 600 million) and more relevant to a new generation of Pentecostal pastors and leaders. 

This week Christianity Today ran “A New Kind of Pentecostal” highlighting many of these changes. In it Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, points out that for decades American Pentecostalism has been predominantly white and rural but it will soon become primarily ethnic and urban. 

Rodriguez also notes that American Pentecostals have traditionally held a vertical worldview of their faith, focusing on personal beliefs and a salvation that prepares one's soul to make the Rapture.

Ethnic Pentecostals on the other hand say, 'I am saved by grace, but I also receive the power of God so my family can be transformed, and so we can overcome social ills and gangs in our neighborhood.' The priorities of this [ethnic Pentecostal] community are issues of life, biblical marriage, education, sex trafficking, immigration reform, poverty alleviation—all under the canopy of the Great Commission."

Rodriguez says that recently there has been a shift that has drawn younger Pentecostals to both the vertical and horizontal planes of the Cross.

The new Pentecostals "stand at the nexus of both dynamics—salvation and transformation, covenant and community, righteousness and justice, Billy Graham and Dr. Martin Luther King. 

The Spirit is always moving; always renewing. Our Pentecostal forefathers were able to perceive that and follow the Spirit in remarkable ways. The World Christian Encyclopedia states that in 1900, only seven-tenths of 1 percent of Christians were Pentecostal; today, approximately 25 percent are. 

But how do we maintain this momentum going forward? This is a problem for every institution, but unlike Lutherans or Methodists we can’t look back and find our identity from the writings of our founder. Rather the “identity” of our movement was a common experience of the Holy Spirit by a group of very common people.

This experience can never be passed down through a doctrine. In fact, the key to the Pentecostal movement was never about a doctrine but a passionate pursuit of God for an empowering work of the Spirit to carry forth the Great Commission of Jesus.

Pentecostalism, therefore, only works for one generation. After that it is Pentecostal in name only, unless there is another revival. But revival never looks the same twice. Every generation must experience the Spirit for themselves. The Spirit is always moving; always renewing. 

May we never confine the supernatural move of the Spirit into a simple formula, doctrine or institution. Rather may we continue to perceive the Spirit’s movement in our generation, adapt to Him and join in His renewal of all things. 

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
Isaiah 43v19

Comments

[Phil Zarns]

Solid commentary. Without that common experience with the holy spirit, we may see splintering in the future on a macro level. Hoping to see a great trend in this organization; Not just in numerical growth, but in maturity for the younger generation, and in invitation from the elder.

It's because of external and internal struggle that this organization will survive and thrive. Hopefully.

[Micah Hildreth]

Amen!

As one old pentecostal leader used to say, God has no spiritual grandchildren. Depending on the faith and experiences of our predecessors is insufficient. We need a fresh encounter with the living God.

[Tom Jacobs]

Thanks for the insights, Paul. It seems like we are experiencing a change in our corner of the Pentecostal movement. More permission-giving, increased concern for the needs of our communities and a broadening awareness of the contributions of our spiritual forefathers and those from other Christ-centered traditions. This is an exciting time to pursue a fresh experience of God.