Category Archives: Pentecost

Pentecost needs power

We celebrate Pentecost Sunday, but it feels like we commemorate Pentecost Sunday. We are figuratively limping into this day, which should be a day of celebration and calling out to God for a fresh outpouring of his Spirit. Coronavirus has limited the ability to gather as a church. Our church will still be online thisContinue reading “Pentecost needs power”

Losing giants of the faith

I grew up Pentecostal. When I was just starting into ministry I was introduced to the work of Edith Blumhofer and enjoyed her work on Assemblies of God history. Years later I was able to meet Vinson Synan a couple of times. He was another great historian and was a bridge from eyewitnesses of theContinue reading “Losing giants of the faith”

We should move from celebrating days to observing seasons

The other day I read a quick thought on missing opportunities of seasons in our lives as Western Christians because we celebrate days instead of walking through seasons. We get so worked up to prepare a church for Easter weekend services, most bigger church staffs on more than figuratively dead on Monday and in needContinue reading “We should move from celebrating days to observing seasons”

Today on Pentecost Sunday BE the Church God Intended

We need a refreshing touch, a new outpouring. We need a fresh reminder of how much we need him, and how lame our efforts are without him. We make too much noise and think it’s God. We need the NOISE of a mighty wind that makes it clear… this is God. When Pentecost Day arrived, theyContinue reading “Today on Pentecost Sunday BE the Church God Intended”

Reconciliation and Pentecost

I am currently reading Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Restoration: Multidisciplinary Studies from a Pentecostal Perspective. It was sent to me as a review copy. Renea Brathwaite’s chapter is incredibly insightful and powerful. He gives a historical perspective about Azusa Street and does so as an African American Pentecostal scholar. He retells the story of the racistContinue reading “Reconciliation and Pentecost”

The Pope and Pentecostalism

Pope Benedict made the following comments about Pentecostalism: The geography of Christianity has changed dramatically in recent times, and is in the process of changing further. Faced with a new form of Christianity, which is spreading with overpowering missionary dynamism, sometimes in frightening ways, the mainstream Christian denominations often seem at a loss. This isContinue reading “The Pope and Pentecostalism”

The Power of the Cross

I would agree with much of what Roger Olson says about evangelical churches and a serious lack of preaching on the cross. We have stripped the symbols of the cross out of our sanctuaries (or coffee shops or worship centers or whatever we’re calling them these days). The ironic piece is that I am actuallyContinue reading “The Power of the Cross”