February 12, 2009
Pentecostal Spirituality Healthcheck
Pentecostal spirituality is derived from what began on the Day of Pentecost and continued through the Book of Acts. It has been described as “the everyday faith experience of real communities whose very identity is wrapped up in the Pentecost.”
There are various factors of Pentecostal Spirituality:
Factor #1: Leadership
Pentecostal ritual leadership symbolizes a basic binary opposition: order/ecstacy.The Pentecostal service maintains a leadership balance in part through a dynamic tension between order and ecstacy. The pastor functions as a symbol of both order and ecstacy. The pastor must lead the congregation to experience the wworking and manifestations of the Spirit (ecstasy). On the other hand, the pastor remains responsible for maintaining the boundaries that provide order.
Is this factor dissipating?
In a sense I would say that a good number of leadership among the Pentecostal churches have somewhat failed to maintain this balance and tension of order and ecstasy. They feel more comfortable to stick to “order” and close one eyes when it comes to allowing and leading the congregation into experiencing the Spirit’s working.
Factor #2: The Word
Pentecostals recognize the voice of God, the word, in various forms, e.g., biblical messages, sermons, teachings, exhortations, testimony, prophecy, interpretation of tongues etc.. Pentecostal believes “the word” is not limited to just the sermon.
Is this factor dissipating?
Yes, It is rather a rare happening in Pentecostal churches compare in the days of Azusa Street. OUr Word are mainly confined to the sermon, testimonies and exhortations but coming to prophecy and interpretation of tongues, they are otherwise. Largely is because the church are fearful for exception cases where the one who is giving the prophecy or interpretation is not being led by the Spirit and is doing it out of wrong motives which may stumble some other believers. However my personal opinion is that we should not always be too protective and just close out evrything. Rather as leaders of the church we should teach our members regarding this areas and importantly teachthe congregation the importance of discerning a charismatic word’s appropriateness and validity.
Factor #3: The Gifts
Pentecostals believe God grants gifts to individual believers for the benefit of the whole, that the church might be edified, “strengthened and built up.” Thus, the term “the gifts” points to at least three things: Spirit baptism, empowerment of individuals and edification of or ministry to the faith community. In a classical Pentecostal view the gifts are understood as incorporated in the Spirit baptism, which is seen as a primary gift of the Spirit. In this view Spirit baptism or “being filled with the Holy Spirit” represents a “conversion-type” event subsequent to an initial Christian conversion. Spirit baptism does not symbolize a salvific, justifying event to Pentecostals. Rather, it represents a confirmation of the Spirit’s presence in the believer’s life and an empowerment or gifting. In this view, speaking in tongues evidences the initial event of baptism in the Spirit. Spirit baptism, then, occurs initially as an event and continues as the process popularly called the “spirit-filled life.” This process includes an openness to the Spirit’s gifts and a willingness by the believer to operate within these gifts toward the edification of the body of Christ.
Is this factor dissipating?
Overall it has been well maintained but not to the extend that it is on a cutting edges. As pentecostals this are the fundementals being taught to a newborn believer. The reason I say it is well maintained is because I feel it has been a formality or part of a “to-do” for a new born believer. The essence of a spirit filled life could be missing if churches are only concern with maintaining the pentecostal view or beliefs in this aspect.
Factor #4: Missions
To Pentecostals “missions” means: ministry beyond the faith community, called to accomplish God’s purposes, gifted service, and distribution of resources. The language of “reaching the world” sounds so idealistic in part, because it draws on an understanding of being called by God to become involved in God’s purposes. Our focus church Pentecostals not only appropriate to themselves Christ’s commission to his disciples to “go into all the world and proclaim the gospel” (Mark 16:15), they believe that God “raised them up” for this period of history. They feel called to “this generation.” They have a mission: to spread the gospel in their society and around the world. As a result of their sense of mission, the spirituality of Pentecostals seeks to “equip” toward the accomplishment of their missions goals. And part of the equipping process they believe is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. For according to Pentecostals, the Spirit leads into missions, the Spirit gifts for missions, and the Spirit enlightens the understanding concerning missions, i.e., its aims and methods. Pentecostals discover themselves, and their spirituality, in the context of God’s purposes, God’s will. Missions for Pentecostals not only gives a reason for being, it takes them beyond themselves and their own concerns to consider the needs of others.
Is this factor dissipating?
I guess it was once neglected but I see that the good point is that now a good majority of Pentecostal churches are doing well in this area of missions.
Bryan Boo said,
February 12, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Hi Charity!
I would say, good evaluation! On the subject of Gift, I personally think that it is well maintained only at leadership levels and ministerial positions but not so much on the lay person (or members) level. We rarely see Pentecostal members execising or operating in the gifts of the Spirit (i.e. healing). It is as if that they are contented that this gifts are already used by leaders or more mature ones (and most of the time, the REALLY mature Christians) or they just aren’t interested in it, or they just think that they can’t obtain it. Fact of the matter is, occurace of manifestation of gifts among lay people (or members) is rare (REALLY rare). Taking this into consideration, would you say that overall, it is still well maintained?
charitycho said,
February 12, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Bryan,
Yes it is well maintain. But like what I said just maintaining alone could water down the essence of a Spirit filled life. Is like maintaining the form but loosing the power. That could be one of its danger which the church should be careful and ever alert.
Lionel Lim said,
February 13, 2009 at 1:09 am
“It takes 5 minutes to destroy a church, (either by wrong teaching or false prophecy or anything to mislead the people in the sacred office of the pulpit) and a week to repair the damage.” This is a quote I have heard of – emphasis by me – maybe thats why in the post modern world where things are used to gratify themselves, the pulpit has been abused too, I don’t blame the leaders sometimes.
How then would you balance things if it were for you? Balance the vibrancy of the Spirit, openess to Gods move and prevent abuse.
charitycho said,
February 13, 2009 at 6:24 pm
I think that we can never guarantee a method to balance things up. But as leaders I think we bear the responsibility of teaching the church about the working of the Spirit and how to avoid moving in the flesh as well as teaching them to discern when there’s a fleshy manifestation happening. Yes we will take all measure to avoid all manifestation that is not appropriate or not of the Spirit but at times when we are caught it a situation or we are unsure whether it is of the Spirit or not, it is then we got to have the discerning of the Spirit.
Freddie Ong said,
February 14, 2009 at 11:43 am
Hi Charity,
Thanks for your sharing in touching on the key-aspects of the church-life – leadership; word; gifts and mission. I too beleived that Pentecostalism is losing its vibrant and cutting-edge in our generation in certain aspects. As for both leadership and the word; you said the conditions are dissipating. Is there any remedy to it?
jase said,
February 17, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Hi Charity,
I don’t think that churches in Malaysia are fearful for exception cases where the one who is giving the prophecy or interpretation is not being led by the Spirit and is doing it out of wrong motives which may stumble some other believers as much as individuals not knowing their gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially the 2nd generation christians or pentecostals.
Do you personally know your gift of the Holy Spirit? have you had an experience of receiving a gift of interpretation, prophecy, healing, message of wisdom, knowlege, etc and practicing in the church? when at that time do you know you have received a message of knowlege, or prophecy (or any gift for example)
I too am trying to know the dynamics and my own spiritutal gifts so i would appreciate your sharing of experience.
jase said,
February 17, 2009 at 5:13 pm
sorry……..i should rephrase my comment as i think that churches in malaysia are……….
charitycho said,
February 17, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Hi Jase,
Well personally I do not have exactly a specific spiritual gift that operates evrytime. But that very very seldom or occasionally and unknowingly,I do find God do work through me when I’m open and yielding. To be clear I have not gone into like big gifts like interpretation /prophecy/word of wisdom. But for example in eteam there was once I was helping at the alter and i felt that God was leading me to pray for this sister regarding certain thing. The sister did not ask for any prayer request she just came out for prayer. It wasn;t a big issue so I just prayed simply. Didn’t even think it was somekind of inclination or anything. I just had that thought of praying for her bout that small issue and after it was over she was in tears and relate to me her story.
Well.. it may not be a big thing or some magnificent manifestation of the gifts in operation . But I guess. Which ever and however the Spirit work, it is not for personal credit or praise but for the edification of the body of Christ.
sadly some Christians used spiritual gifts to add to their “profile”. It becomes somekind of status-Spiritual status. If we used the gifts wrongly and quench the spirit, we may be in danger of loosing it.
charitycho said,
February 17, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Freddie
Yes there is remedy but no guarantee it would bring result immediately. And remedies are not general. It depends on each church, its background, its congregation and many other factors.
However in some congregations the dissipating factor is mainly because the leader has is lacks knowledge of the importance of pentecostal spirituality. Hence it would be hard for him to impart. Then in other congregation settings, it is the congregation that are loosing out on their hunger and desire for the owrk of the Spirit. The pastor may be doing well in imparting but the members are just cooling it off, and just not yearing for anything. Well. this is tough job. I guess if that happens the pastor has to seek God for ways and His help to revive the member’s hunger and yearning for the Spirit.
Yet Meng said,
February 18, 2009 at 12:24 am
Hi Charity, thanks for the effort in doing the research and sharing with us. How would you use this dichotomous approach in assessing pentecostal spirituality in the case of the individual Pentecostal?
Freddie Ong said,
February 18, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Hi Charity,
You have the point to say it is rather subject to individual churches. Your reply is similar to my respond in countering the losing of spiritual heritage in subsequence generations to come. Leadership played key-role in spiritual develpoment of a church. The congregation can never go beyond what the leadship have not intended or first experienced in themselves. There is one question for you; how should leadership response in general in your opinion when a church is dissipating in the factors mentioned by you? Maybe the situation of your church in those areas paritcularly?
Bryan Boo said,
February 19, 2009 at 1:33 am
Hi Chatiry,
Wouldn’t you think that, on the subject of Word, that the Pentecostals today have placed too much emphasis on God revealing His Words (in terms of visions and dreams and prophecies etc.) that they have neglected the Word that is already revealed (The Bible)? I feel that many Pentecostals are not even reading the Word of God (the Bible) even at the individual level yet they keep seeking what is God trying to tell them through prophecies. I feel that this is another value that we have lost.
Kenrick said,
February 19, 2009 at 1:43 am
Hi Charity,
Its good for us to know that at least there are 4 main factors written above that must be kept in check to what is the real pentecostal health situation of our churches today. I would like to ask as you quote,
“Overall it has been well maintained but not to the extend that it is on a cutting edges. As Pentecostals this are the fundamentals being taught to a newborn believer. The reason I say it is well maintained is because I feel it has been a formality or part of a “to-do” for a new born believer. The essence of a spirit filled life could be missing if churches are only concern with maintaining the pentecostal view or beliefs in this aspect.”
Do you really think that we(leaders) are taught how teach fundamental pentecostal beliefs to a new born believer? Most of the time we only learn that we should be baptist in the Holy Spirit. What about the teachings on how to exercise the spiritual gifts? For the most part we blame the pastors are not teaching them, but how can pastors teach if they are not taught practically how to approach this(spiritual gift) in the church but only teach on biblical basis and pentecostal historical backgrounds? Are these teachings alone thorough enough to propel future pentecostal ministers in ministry, believing that these are substantial enough sustain the next generation of pentecostal believers who might only embrace the pentecostal beliefs in theory but without practice? thanks
Kenrick said,
February 19, 2009 at 1:47 am
Kenrick said,
February 19, 2009 at 1:43 am
Hi Charity,
Its good for us to know that at least there are 4 main factors written above that must be kept in check to what is the real pentecostal health situation of our churches today. I would like to ask as you quote,
“Overall it has been well maintained but not to the extend that it is on a cutting edges. As Pentecostals this are the fundamentals being taught to a newborn believer. The reason I say it is well maintained is because I feel it has been a formality or part of a “to-do” for a new born believer. The essence of a spirit filled life could be missing if churches are only concern with maintaining the pentecostal view or beliefs in this aspect.”
Do you really think that we(leaders) are taught how teach fundamental pentecostal beliefs to a new born believer? Most of the time we only learn that we should be baptist in the Holy Spirit. What about the teachings on how to exercise the spiritual gifts? For the most part we blame the pastors are not teaching them, but how can pastors teach if they are not taught practically how to approach this(spiritual gift) in the church but only taught on biblical basis and pentecostal historical backgrounds? Are these teachings in eg. bible school alone thorough enough to propel future pentecostal ministers in ministry, believing that these are substantial enough sustain the next generation of pentecostal believers who might only embrace the pentecostal beliefs in theory but without practice? Coz after all we ourselves are taught that way. monkey see monkey do. Thanks
charitycho said,
February 19, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Freddie
In general, I think the leadership has to sit down and reflect, do a thorough reflections on the church and what are the factors contributing to the dissipation. In my opinion, they would have to review through their church activities, and the spiritual health of the leaders and may have to end up removing or changing some activities that are taking away the Spirit. And may have to deal with the leaders that have loose the vision and passion of having the Spirit.
charitycho said,
February 19, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Hi Bryan
Yes absolutely!! Adding on to what you have said… when christians do not have the written word as their FOUNDATION that is where they go wrong in the other aspects such as intepretation, prophecies etc…. That is the crucial part when they do not based their experience or giftings on the word but rather on their own knowledge or their own motives or desires, it can be a damage to the church and the congregation. That is where it becomes unedifying.
charitycho said,
February 19, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Hi Kenrick
woa seems like you were all loaded and the moment you entered my blog… you UNLOADED MASSIVELY…Gosh.. Chill a little la bro
well..okay this reply is in regards to your first comment post.
Yes, after thinking through what you said it is indeed true that the leaders are not taught how to approach the area of exercising the spiritual gifts. But yet we cannot disregard the teaching about the pentecostal historic background or teaching on the biblical basis. Teaching on the biblical basis is to give a good foundation so that whatever gifts that we will execise will be biblical and sound in doctrine. Historical background teaching however is to birth in a believer the sense of pride and appreciation which SHOULD sprout in us the desire to carry on that legacy by being open to the Spirit’s working and manifestation and exercising the gifts of the Spirit.
Maybe we can say that there is no text book or teaching guide to teach about how to exercise the gifts. Through the written word in the Bible, and the knowledge of the Pentecostal background, it is clear that it is a command to the church from God to used the gifts God has installed for the body of Christ. To further enable them and edify them
charitycho said,
February 19, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Kenrick again….
LOL
Hey i realize your second comment is exactly the same as your first except for this part….
…”Are these teachings in eg. bible school alone thorough enough to propel future pentecostal ministers in ministry, believing that these are substantial enough sustain the next generation of pentecostal believers who might only embrace the pentecostal beliefs in theory but without practice? Coz after all we ourselves are taught that way. monkey see monkey do.”
So I’ll answer to this part.
Similar reply as my previous response to your first comments
Ok.. so there is not exact course that can actually teach future ministers to bring the next generation to a cutting edge in Pentecostalism. If there is such a course, I believe BCM would have made it a very VERy compulsary subject. hahha maybe even make us take the course not for just one term but 3 trimesters…
The practical part of it comes from our response to what we have learnt in history and Biblical texts. The practical part is our response to what we know. It cant be taught. It is an expression. If we appreciate it, if we yearn to have what our fore fathers have had, if we are keen in experiencing all that was said in the Bible and in the history of Pentecostalism then we will be open and step out in faith and exercise what is already in our hands. The gifts are there, we have to use them.
charitycho said,
February 19, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Dear Yet Meng…
Well this division can also be applied in assessing pentecostal spirituality in the case of the individual Pentecostal.
Okay lets do each part but in the case of the individual Pentecostal
#1 Leadership
This should be more on a personal reflection if it is for a layman. his/her reflections should be, as the leadership of the church tries to maintain the balance and tension of order and ecstasy. Is that individual who is sitting in the congregation, feeling more comfortable to just stick to “order” and close one eyes when leadership is leading the congregation into experiencing the Spirit’s working?
#2 The Word
As an individual, are we getting in touch with the word of God, The Bible, and obeying its commands about exercising spiritual gifts?
If we are already exercising the gifts, are we doing it inline with the Bible and the Spirit or are we just doing it out of personal motives and interest?
#3 The Gifts
Probably as an individual in a church, we would have undergo some teaching about the Baptism of the Holy SPirit and some foundations about Pentecostalism. But The questions we should be asking ourselves personally is that are we just doing all that we are taught just as part of a “to-do” lists for a newborn? Or are we yearing for more of the Spirit that may not be written in words or can be taught in a classroom? Are we wanting that experience of the Spirit or are we SATISFIED in just doing all that was taught in the class or read from some books? Are we just doing church or experiencing church?
#4 Missions
Well speaking about missions, most of us do not have a trouble with. Once we understand our purpose and the fuctions of the gifts, the next thing is to reach out. And missions here is vital.
Michael Chan said,
February 19, 2009 at 10:57 pm
What is your conclusion on the Pentecostal spirituality, if it is healthy or otherwise?
Are the factors of Pentecostal Spirituality relevant locally or are they meant as a whole?
Kenrick said,
February 19, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Hi Charity,
Thanks for your answers, actually I wanted to comment 1time but there were some errors. So since I couldn’t not edit or delete it, instead I re-post it lo:P
Yea I agree to some of the things you’ve mention. It helped me look at another point of view. Thanks again. I would like to know what do you think about this idea coz some pastors use this as a practical practice for new believers in baptism class: After teaching and getting new believers baptized in the H.S., they were taught that everyone can use the spiritual gifts that God has given. So they were asked to put into practice. So right after speaking in tongues, the people were ask to give a word of knowledge or encouragement (quite detailed) others as they pray. They were told to ask the H.S. After releasing the gifts, some had right interpretation right, some probably were afraid, but all made an attempt. In the end they were, encourage that even if they were in error, it is not God’s fault but our wrong discernment. Therefore they are to keep practicing so that will not loose the gift. Is this practice ok or wrong? not weird?
charitycho said,
February 20, 2009 at 10:33 am
Michael Chan,
With due respect I think I have already gave my conclusion in my blog post in details according to each division whether or not the Pentecostal Sprituality is healthy or not.
In my opinion, the factors can be relevant both locally and as a whole but it still differs in some exceptional cases, situations or backgrounds
jase said,
February 25, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Dear Charity,
Thanks for your sincere sharing of your experience. I am excited when i hear your experience. All for His glory and honor and power! Amen.