Normative Pentecostalism!

At a recent “Day with DP” a quarterly gathering of our 40belows (credential holders younger than 40 years old), we spent the better part of a day discussing what it meant to be a Pentecostal minister in a Pentecostal church.  The dialogue came about because as a Fellowship we frequently talk about “maintaining a Pentecostal freshness” or “going back to our Pentecostal roots!”  As we talked about where we should be we also spoke of what we should not be.

Because of abuse or carnal displays and disruptions in services in the past, some pastors fear a repeat that they don’t want to have to deal with.  In trying to avoid any disruptions or embarrassing outbursts, a clamp down takes place where the public use of the gifts of the Spirit are limited or totally suppressed.  It is really difficult to call a church, even an Assemblies of God church, Pentecostal when the Holy Spirit is not permitted opportunity to move through the lives of God’s people in public worship! Services have been retooled to provide less opportunity for “abuse.”  Hence, no Fire and no heat!

On the other end of the spectrum there is fear that by encouraging the use of spiritual gifts, individuals may be hyped into doing something that is less than genuine.  The focus on demonstration becomes a mechanized or crafted experience or demonstration. One of the comments was that we become so caught up in the experience that we lose the Kingdom purpose.  In this case there is a lot of fire but no warmth!

There were a number of key elements that we came up with that would allow Pentecostal experience to be normative in the lives of God’s people.

1. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues should be no more difficult than accepting Christ as Savior.  It should be the norm, being expected and received like being saved!
2. The key to a Pentecostal church is behind the pulpit!  Our 40belows felt that pastor had to be fully Pentecostal and comfortable in administrating and managing the use of the gifts in church if the church was to feel secure enough to permit the “Spirit to move freely!”
3. The church needed to be taught that is was normal and expected to be filled with the Spirit; the mystical aspect of it being difficult to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit had to be laid aside.
4. The church needed to be taught that the gifts were to edify the church and be a sign to unbelievers.  In other words, the use of spiritual gifts ought not to “scare the willies” out of someone.  How the gifts were used was as important as what was being said or done.  The words may be right but the method out of order.  The pastor has to be willing and able to discern (a gift) not only the content but the impact.  The gifts need to be explained and endorsed, when appropriate, after public use.  How the vessel communicates will impact the ability of the hearer to receive and respond.
5. Is it distinctive for the Spirit to move in a service?  I believe is should not be distinctive but normal!