Is there a way for Mainline and Charismatic/Pentecostal churches to work together, to worship together, to be one?
My experience has not been very positive in this area. This is saddening to me, as I have spent significant time in both the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
It's very interesting that one of these denominations has "International" in it's name and the other merely says "USA", because here is what is happening around the world:
In AFRICA!!!
In ASIA!!!
In LATIN AMERICA!!!
Now, this is NOT to say that the PC(USA) and other Reformed Churches throughout North America are not doing wonderful things in other parts of the world. I am simply pointing out the astounding growth of Pentecostalism and the Charismatic Movement among Christianity today, most notably in the Southern Hemisphere.
So how can these two seemingly disparate expressions of The Faith be reconciled into a both/and whole?
Existentially speaking, how can I create praxis of these two experiences in my life and ministry?
Any ideas?
I'd love to hear them.
Here is a video that discusses the rise of Pentecostalism in the world.
Sorry, I don't speak the language but the music was interesting. Not sure how you integrate them, but consider that the Pentecostal in my experience are much more forthright in witnessing and professing their faith. They seem to have more missionaries as well. Would that not make for more converts around the world?
ReplyDeleteNo ideas, but I can see this is an important question. My only experience with Pentecostalism was bad, and it seems utterly alien to me. I've read books and articles about why it is that Pentecostalism is growing so rapidly in the global south, but I don't understand it myself aside from reading about it.
ReplyDeleteGene I looked at the IPHC web site. I see they offer Royal Rangers which is like the Boy Scouts only with much more of an emphasis on the good news of Jesus. Because my husband was raised in the Assemblies of God and we were married in that Church, I know something about that. Several of my grandsons have been greatly helped by being in Royal Rangers. Maybe informal shared ministries in some cases. For instance even after one of my daughters and her husband became Presbyterian one of my grandsons, who is now in college, enjoyed Royal Rangers.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand since many of the Pentecostal groups came out of the holiness movement I don't think they are going to be very approving of the PCUSA's sexual ethics at this time in our history.
I know Phyllis Tickle thinks that Pentecostals might work will with mainliners and their views about God doing a new thing, but I don't think she realizes how much they hold to the authority of the Bible.
Gene have you read Streams of Living Water by Richard Foster[author of Prayer and celebration of discipline]. He believes God wants to bring together the different spiritual streams that have sometimes held each other in suspicion: contemplative, charasmatic,evangelical,social action and holiness. He draws from history and the bible to describe someone within each "stream". InChrist and in unity we can be equipped in all these areas to give glory to God . Its a great book
ReplyDeleteHere's a head-banging addition to the mix: liturgical churches! I've done time in Assemblies of God and wandered through mainline Protestant churches (notably: Presbyterian) before ended up in the Roman Catholic church which, as you know, gags me for many reasons but also fulfills other spiritual needs.
ReplyDeleteI think the key question in all of this is: why can't we all just get a long and serve the One we say we follow?