The Missing Ingredient

As Christianity closes in on its 2,000th birthday since the time God revealed Himself through His Son's death and resurrection (Christianity is a revealed faith not an explained faith), we appear to be no closer to fulfilling Christ's Great Commission. Correct doctrine hasn't been able to do it. The vast resources of money and personnel that the church has and has had at its disposal haven't been able to accomplish it.

The irony is that twelve men (disciples) were able to blanket most of the known world in their time - and today we have churches on seemingly every street corner and most of them flail helplessly making little if any impact on their street, much less their world.

What are we missing here?

I believe if we are going to see the kind of breakthroughs in an unGodly culture that Jesus and the early church experienced with regularity we are going to have to embrace what Jesus and the early church embraced: The Holy Spirit.

By and large, the church lacks the power it was created to function with. We've been trying to accomplish our commission without the power given for said commission. Similar to a glider plane - after our initial burst of power (Acts) it seems that the church has severed itself from the Power Source and is content to slowly drift and lose altitude wondering where it will land.

The alternative for us? A vibrant life in Christ Jesus lived out by the power of the Holy Spirit. This Power Source - the presence of the Holy Spirit - terrifies all of hell, destroys yokes, heals sickness, delivers the demonized and liberates those held captive to sins power.

The greatest gift ever given to us was/is the Holy Spirit Himself. So much so - Jesus Himself said it was good for us that He left in order to send the Holy Spirit to us. Those who will embrace Him in all of His goodness will enter into a relationship of intimacy with God like they've never known. And out of this vital relationship will spring a ministry of power that we so desperately need today.

Are you ready to go there?

Growing Up Pentecostal Not What It Used To Be

Last night I got a brief history lesson of what it was like being a Pentecostal Christian back in the 1920's and 30's in America. In our small groups at church my mom shared her experiences of growing up in a Pentecostal family in that era. Hearing her stories I was reminded just how 'leprous' it was to be a Pentecostal Christian in those days. She related how neighborhood children would be her friend until their parents found out that my mom's family were 'tongue talkers' and that would be the end of the friendship - leaving her to play alone most of her growing up years. My mom and grandparents even experienced the people who would literally sneak up to their church in order peer in the windows to see what was happening inside - then wait outside until after service so they could throw rotten tomato's and eggs at the believers coming out of the church. Pentecostal believers know a little bit about the ugliness of prejudice.

I've experienced a little "Pentecostal prejudice" myself - not nearly to the extent of my mom or grandparents endured - but I know what it feels like to be 'left off the list' because of who I am. I've been in various circles and felt the cold icy chill enter the room as I relayed that I was Pentecostal. I have plenty of friends and family who've shared stories of exclusion or wrong treatment by various "Non-denominational Christian" schools and organizations, merely because they found out that they were of the Pentecostal persuasion. It's honestly very easy for me to see why some people hate Christians - I've seen (and still see) that gross, superior, 'Eww, I'm better than you' attitude firsthand in 'Christian' circles.

I see it's ugly head popping up again lately (albeit mostly from secular sources) in the media when they found out that Governor Sarah Palin is a Pentecostal believer and were (are) eager to show that she is some sort of loon.

Meanwhile - there's no comparable Christian movement on the planet to the Pentecostal movement. There are a half a billion Pentecostal believers and growing - and by no accident the Pentecostal movement continues to be the fastest growing movement within Christianity. Some of the harshest critics of Pentecost such as the "speaking in tongues is of the devil" crowd - is dwindling away. (Some of them are Pentecostal believers who now attend my church!)

In spite of all of the prejudice and bitterness that we as Pentecostals have experienced - my heart as a Pentecostal believer and pastor is not to fight back, cop an attitude, or even debate the Holy Spirit Baptism as a doctrine. My desire is that all believers would come to enjoy the fullness of the Holy Spirit Baptism - to enjoy it as the blessing and empowerment from God that it is meant to be. I no longer waste time trying to convince the 'unconvince-able' with scripture or theology - I simply pray that God would reveal Himself to them in ways they've never experienced Him before.