"Change is good!" That's what I hear all the time, but to be quite honest with you I am sometimes a little leery of some kinds of change. When is change good? Well I think that our General Superintendent has the right idea when he starts by saying what isn't going to change.
Our Statement of Fundamental Truths.
Our belief in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in other tongues.
Ou passion to reach this world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- just to name a few.
He does make a valid point. You can believe in these things, but not do them. While some people think that the changes coming are going to turn the AG into a pseudo-pentecostal church (one who says they are pentecostal but doesn't actually pursue it's practice.) The opposite is actually true. It is the desire of our Leadership at the national and district (language and geographical) to see a surge of Pentecostal witness from our churches across this nation. Worship should take a new and distinctive role in our lives and churches. The Gifts of the Spirit should be evident in everyday life - not just in the church.
I had a conversation with one of our ministers wives today, in which this subject arose. Why do our kids when they leave home and their home church go to non-Pentecostal, spirit filled churches? Because they cannot tell the difference. That's on us people! We can say we are Pentecostal but it doesn't mean a thing unless we practice what we preach! (Insert amen here!) This is what our leadership of the AG is trying to say. Rediscover who we really are. Know what it means to be Pentecostal and then DO IT! If I may recommend that you read Mark Battersons new book. Wild Goose Chase. It's about how you can "uncage" yourself from this world and experience the Holy Spirit in a real way through your life.
Comments