Assemblies of God Kansas

Defining our spirituality as Pentecostal and explaining its meaning might not have been necessary a decade ago. However, cultural realities now require, even demand meaningful distinction and definition.

A simple Google search using the word spirituality provided a plethora of resources and divergent ideas about spirituality. A few of the options available are: atheistic spirituality, Native American spirituality, Christian Science’s brand of spirituality, and multi-faith websites boasting spirituality boosts from forward thinking Christians, Muslims, Jews and atheists. It seems obvious we need a clear definition of Pentecostal spirituality in the public arena. This imperative task of defining and declaring awaits a thoughtful response.

Clarification is also necessary within our Assemblies of God subculture. At some point in General Council events, comments surface indicating a waning Pentecostal ethos as it relates to Pentecostal Spirituality. The concern centers on younger leaders becoming merely evangelical or leaning toward evangelical ministry principles, thereby casting aside historic Pentecostal foundations. If that is true, and anecdotally it seems the case in multiple pockets of the General Council, then definitive, cogent explanations, conversations of appreciative inquiry and holistic, transferable practices are necessary if we hope to convey our model of Pentecostal spirituality to succeeding generations.

Such transference will happen best in a relational context. The psalmist stated, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation…” Unless we clarify our personal model of spirituality and practice it, we cannot declare it meaningfully to the next generation, no matter how relationally savvy we live. (For more thoughts defining Pentecostal Spirituality.)