Reflection on Global Pentecostalism by Donald E. Miller and Tetsunao Yamamori

Liturgy/Sacraments

Ch: 5: Encounters with the Holy

Meeting God in Worship and Prayer

The root of Pentecostal social engagement is the experience of collective worship, within which people encounter the living God. The goal of worship is to invite God into their presence in such an intimate way that people feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. The structure of the service includes an upbeat opening worship set, followed by more contemplative songs, spontaneous prayer and speaking in tongues, an offering, Scripture readings, a sermon, an invitation for healing or salvation, and closing celebratory worship. Prayer also includes spontaneous elements, and is approached with the expectation that a prophetic word will be given or healing will take place.

Mission/Witness

Ch. 1: Global Pentecostalism

An Emergent Force Within World Christianity

A thread that weaves its way throughout Progressive Pentecostalism, as this book designates the particular version of this denomination on which its study focuses, is the embodiment of a “holistic” Gospel. Within this strand of Pentecostalism, people aim to live as Jesus did – both proclaiming and demonstrating the Gospel. The authors argue that Progressive Pentecostalism has the potential to be an agent of social transformation, on three fronts. First, it has the potential to temper the pain of poverty and oppression with the promise of new life in the hereafter. Second, it may have an incremental impact on people’s social welfare, including economic and social advantages. Third, it establishes a basis for democratic rule.

Ch. 2: Progressive Pentecostals

Ministries, Beliefs, and Motivations

Progressive Pentecostals engage in several types of holistic ministry, ranging between relief and challenging systemic problems and between individual charity and communal outreach. Their motivation for service is the idea that they are “Christ’s hands” in the world, and also the fact that they see their relationship with God in terms of their relationship with the poor. While they address the physical needs of the people, they also acknowledge that limiting their ministry to the physical is like applying a band-aide. Only spiritual healing will completely remedy a person’s/community’s sickness.

Ch. 3: Building a New Generation

Programs Serving Children and Youth

A common theme throughout several Pentecostal outreach programs to children and youth is the intentional building of lasting relationships. These ministries are “authoritative communities” in the lives of children – offering both unconditional love and acceptance, and also discipline and clear behavioral boundaries with communication about Christian values. They focus on building character in the lives of children and youth.

Ch. 4: Practicing the Faith

Transforming Individuals and Society

One example of a transformative ministry is St. Stephen’s, led by Jackie Pullinger in Hong Kong. Pervasive elements in this ministry are unconditional love, supernatural intervention, continual and structured community, and the absence of a strategic plan, budget, or fund-raising staff. The Holy Spirit is considered the leader of the ministry.

Ch. 8: The Future of Progressive Pentecostalism

Progressive Pentecostalism is an unruly movement. Wherever it emerges, it tends to indigenize, absorbing the local culture in the way it worships, organizes itself, and relates to the local community.  It seeks a balanced approach to evangelism and social action modeled after Jesus’ example of proclaiming and demonstrating the Kingdom.

Ch. 7: Organizing the Saints

Giving the Ministry to the People

Pentecostalism is characterized by strong top-down leadership and also high active lay leadership. Head pastors are often visionaries, and are marked by the ability to resist micromanagement and release the people to minister. Leaders are often home grown within the church, and mentored by other leaders as they grow in their gifts. The idea of leadership within the Pentecostal church is that they exist to equip and train the lay people for ministry. Cell groups is where spiritual formation takes place. The worship services are the gathering of the cells for celebration. The church as a whole maintains relationship with a wider network of like-minded churches.