Free Churches Case Study: Pentecostalism
Renewal movement (also fundamentalism)- similarly, there is a focus on scripture, and a return to our roots scripturally, but fundamentalists would refuse experiences of speaking in tongues, healing, not so full of testimonies, personal experience.
Fundamental / liberal divide in America
The Azusa Street Revival
very strong women leaders, Pentecostals are typically a lot more open to other races in the community. Open to women leadership, when the focus is on giftedness.
Jesus Christ is your savior,
Jesus will baptize you in the Holy Spirit,
our God is a healing God,
and Jesus is coming again (imminent return) [more Premillennial]
Acts 2 - primary reference for the community
Very narrative and enthusiastic preaching, interpretive, pulling from all sorts of different themes both scripture and elsewhere, understanding and expectation where “this is the word of God today for his people”
music, big part of the expression- often spontaneous, spiritual songs given. Very strong understanding that evil is something over the devil, and that we have power over the devil.
baptism, not that different from other Anabaptists, declaration of death with Jesus and being raised with Christ.
Eucharist as well a memorial, not necessarily the presence of God within the bread and the wine; Foot-washing a significant part,
Christian Community – a lot of body life, prayer for one another, prayer for those who are poor, fighting evil in lives, community really sees itself as a gifted community.
Pentecostal churches are often a majority women, provides and advocates for a very stable family life, good number for Pentecostal churches don’t necessarily have equality for women, that in many ways it is good news for women.
A Marxist in So. Am. Brazil, wanted a revolution to do stuff, but if they wanted real social change they needed to study the Pentecostal movement. Where alcoholism and sexual immorality is prevalent and culturally accepted, Pentecostalism is directly against that. (goes into the heart of the urban problems.) So, something noted by both secular and Christian groups. Pentecostals strongly advocate tithing; no smoking, no dancing, no cursing, no alcohol, sort of wanting to be separate from the practices of the world. So Christian missions is continuing what they were doing, ministering the power of the Holy Spirit to those in the outside.
As far as mission goes, very evangelistic about their way of life.
Just in terms of Leadership, the average person is typically very involved in the Pentecostal church. They might have more of a “father” or “mother” role in the community. Some churches in Nigeria that have reached just over a million people. Often the leaders or the founders are called “papa.” You may have a very strong leader in that way, but it doesn’t mean that there aren’t other leaders. They are in many ways functioning like the bishops of the early church. Mostly unpaid.
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