Normative Pentecostalism

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!

Change!

I was thinking about the dynamics of change in the local church.  So often during a transition, a new pastor comes into his new assignment and is full of dreams as to how to get started changing this church to “make things better!”  While the motives are noble, people can only handle so much change at a time.  It also takes time to develop the trust of the people being led to earn the right to bring changes.  For most congregations moving from one pastor’s leadership to another is a huge change and a time of crisis!  It can take up to two years for a pastor to “earn” the trust and confidence of a congregation.  It is self-defeating to impose dramatic change on a church until one has earned the right (TRUST) to bring change!!

Too much change causes us to lose our anchor, our sense of stability.  Every change is a crisis for someone.  The status quo is being shaken.  Successful ministry is hearing the heart of God for a congregation and then appropriating the wisdom of heaven to manage the change and the ensuing “crisis.’  A little “crisis” (read that CHANGE) is manageable.  Too much is catastrophic!  Gradual change can move a mountain, if we do it a little at a time.  I just can’t get mountains to move all at once.  Give me a big enough spoon and, although it may take a few years, I can get it done!

Seldom is the need for change so urgent that everything must change all at  once.  Even at the level of the District or National office, each change builds on the previous ones.  Success in prior changes builds confidence that coming changes have a good prospect of succeeding as well.  So it is important to know the progression of change that will allow people to still have a sense of stability and confidence while moving the ministry forward.

The old frog in the kettle application has been used in a negative context, but it is very similar in positive application as well.  Gradual change can be tolerated much easier than radical, immediate change.  Few remember the Datsun brand of vehicle.  When Datsun Corporation began their name change they did so in a deliberate but gradual way,  For many months the ads would say “Datsun – Becoming Nissan Motors!”  Then after six to nine months of seeing that the ads changed.  They became “Nissan Motors – Formerly Datsun!”  It was almost two years before the Datsun name was dropped and all you saw was “Nissan Motors!”  Huge change to rename a company, but Datsun/Nissan did it as well as anyone.  The church, and pastors, can take a lesson from a car company.  Plan for change and bring change with a deliberate and definite plan.  Let people know what is coming and why.  Let them take ownership of the change by understanding the benefits before anything is implemented.  Then bring the changes gradually; celebrating the victories and discussing the challenges along the way.  It’s called LEADERSHIP!

Encouragement!

Encouragement!  Life and ministry run on encouragement!  Sharing with our District School of Ministry leaders last night at the District Ministry Center we looked at Hebrews 12.  First we are to run with “endurance” the race set before us. vs. 1.  If it wasn’t a difficult or challenging race there would be no need to endure.  It would instead be “a walk in the park.”  But we are encouraged to endure in our race as we are surrounded by a company of witnesses or should we say “cheer leaders” encouraging us on.   I am so grateful for the encouragement of others.  Although we don’t live for others praise, it sure helps to know that you aare appreciated and loved!  Jesus is our example and is to be the object of our attention “lest we become weary and discouraged. . . ” vs.3   He was up against it with those who were hostile towards Him all that He came to do.  No shock that we can face similar opposition.  It’s encouraging to know we are in good company with the Lord Jesus.