Nov 4, 2022·edited Nov 4, 2022Liked by Joseph Lear
Born and raised in the PAOC, I am most certainly Pentecostal.....even in an age where many, even most, PAOC churches and all our colleges and seminaries have removed that word. I don't understand that. And I don't like it. Many of my fellow graduates said what they had to in order to graduate and apply for credentials. I actually meant it. Coincidentally from my graduating class, very few are in any sort of vocational ministry role. Or any church role for that matter.
But am I evangelical? Well. I serve as a missionary, (another unpopular word I won't apologize for, I am not just a "global worker" the new acceptable term), and as a Christ Follower, I am compelled by the Great Commission to share the "Good News", so.....I am a messenger of Gods kingdom, it's as though He makes His appeal to the World through me. (Does this make me a heavenly messenger? The word hidden in the word evANGELical).
Maybe I am simple in my thinking, (most would say no maybe about it), but I have always thought that to "be" evangelical is less about what I call myself and more about what I do.
In praxis ......I MUST tell a dying and lost world that Jesus is the only way to heaven. I must share the good news. I HAVE to. I am heavily burdened by the state of the LOST.
In this simple sense. ...anyone who claims to be a Christ Follower, had best prioritize being a messenger of Gods good news to a dying world. And we had better keep up with how to do this effectively in whatever cultural context without compromising one syllable of the Message.
Great article. It has been put forth in the past by a number Pentecostal theologians that the early church was a Pentecostal church, particularly as seen in the book of Acts. For those involved in Pentecostal missions, Acts becomes the norm for how missions is carried out. This has proven to be vital in much of the world where missionaries and nationals daily experience spiritual warfare.
Nov 5, 2022·edited Nov 5, 2022Liked by Joseph Lear
Pentecostal here, and was ordained deacon and presbyter in the Anglican Church.
I all but walked away from using Evangelical as an identifier way back in undergrad but no matter where I go or what I do, I find Pentecostal remains the strongest embrace I receive among the varied Christian traditions—both metaphorically and in actuality.
Thanks for these tools and questions. Anglican here (who works down the road from the CPT conference!) who has never asked whether I was Pentecostal. I’ll start reflecting on this.
You are very kind. I am here for building meaningful ecumenical bridges in the unity of the Holy Spirit :) And for the record, attending an Anglican church for two years helped me reassess and reclaim my Pentecostal upbringing. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Born and raised in the PAOC, I am most certainly Pentecostal.....even in an age where many, even most, PAOC churches and all our colleges and seminaries have removed that word. I don't understand that. And I don't like it. Many of my fellow graduates said what they had to in order to graduate and apply for credentials. I actually meant it. Coincidentally from my graduating class, very few are in any sort of vocational ministry role. Or any church role for that matter.
But am I evangelical? Well. I serve as a missionary, (another unpopular word I won't apologize for, I am not just a "global worker" the new acceptable term), and as a Christ Follower, I am compelled by the Great Commission to share the "Good News", so.....I am a messenger of Gods kingdom, it's as though He makes His appeal to the World through me. (Does this make me a heavenly messenger? The word hidden in the word evANGELical).
Maybe I am simple in my thinking, (most would say no maybe about it), but I have always thought that to "be" evangelical is less about what I call myself and more about what I do.
In praxis ......I MUST tell a dying and lost world that Jesus is the only way to heaven. I must share the good news. I HAVE to. I am heavily burdened by the state of the LOST.
In this simple sense. ...anyone who claims to be a Christ Follower, had best prioritize being a messenger of Gods good news to a dying world. And we had better keep up with how to do this effectively in whatever cultural context without compromising one syllable of the Message.
And that as I understand it ....is evangelical.
You make a great point that any Christian who thinks Matt 28 is still valid is an evangelical--though perhaps with a small "e."
Great article. It has been put forth in the past by a number Pentecostal theologians that the early church was a Pentecostal church, particularly as seen in the book of Acts. For those involved in Pentecostal missions, Acts becomes the norm for how missions is carried out. This has proven to be vital in much of the world where missionaries and nationals daily experience spiritual warfare.
Excellent!
Pentecostal here, and was ordained deacon and presbyter in the Anglican Church.
I all but walked away from using Evangelical as an identifier way back in undergrad but no matter where I go or what I do, I find Pentecostal remains the strongest embrace I receive among the varied Christian traditions—both metaphorically and in actuality.
This is helpful. And appreciated.
Thanks for these tools and questions. Anglican here (who works down the road from the CPT conference!) who has never asked whether I was Pentecostal. I’ll start reflecting on this.
You are very kind. I am here for building meaningful ecumenical bridges in the unity of the Holy Spirit :) And for the record, attending an Anglican church for two years helped me reassess and reclaim my Pentecostal upbringing. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Well put!