Emotional. Strange. Ecstatic. Uncontrolled. Spontaneous. Ablaze. Crazy.

 

Just a few of the words that people use to describe us pesky pentecostals. I was sitting in class the other day when the professor began giving us an “off the record” example concerned how his sister, who isn’t a Christian, would no longer deal with Pentecostal businessmen. Why?

 

His sister apparently had some business dealing with these gentlemen that left a little more than a bad taste in her mouth for these Pentecostals. My professor brought up a particularly good point that I’d like to share with you all along with my own pondering.

 

The Pentecostal church is particularly guilty of holding itself higher than other denominations out there. Maybe you agree with me, maybe not, but my observation is that many “spirit-filled” believers cop a rather arrogant attitude towards those that are of a non-Pentecostal/charismatic background. I’ve seen it. Hell, I’ve done it. That, my friends, creates a situation to where many eyes are watching to see if you are going to put your money where your mouth is, so to speak.

 

So, it’s no wonder that this particular woman was expecting something of integrity to show itself through these businessmen. I personally think that just the fact that they were Christian would have cued her to expect that as well, but in this case... it is my understanding that she would have come from a Pentecostal background and would have found grounds for extra bitterness against them.

 

In any case, the point that my professor made was quite powerful. The problem with Pentecostal/Charismatic denominations in particular is that ecstatic response or emotions are seen as a mark of spiritual maturity. Now this should cause your eyebrows to raise, because we know that this is not a sign of spiritual maturity. However, those of us from this church background know very well that in Pentecostal circles, “signs” of the Spirit upon somebody are immediately affirmed. And why not? But the problem with many Pentecostal congregations is their ability to watch people walk in and out of their doors each week and attend services where ecstatic charisms will occur and the assumption is that this is bringing people in the congregation to maturity, which it most certainly does, but only partially. Charismatic services definitely minister to people, but they do not provide all the believer needs for spiritual maturity and the church is all the more guilty of treating wealthy businessmen as if they are mature Christians since they carry themselves with a methodical demeanor.

 

We are guilty. My prayer for the Pentecostal church is that they will continue to embrace the charisms of the Spirit, but every time I run across a church that thinks that they have provided believers with everything that they need for godliness just because they have services twice a week, Sunday school, and specialized ministries for every age group. Since I’m a Chi Alpha buff, I’m big big big on small groups and I’m more than convinced that the majority of Christians will fail to become mature if they do not have people purposely involved in their spiritual lives through small groups and mentoring.