My Frustrations with the Pentecostal Enterprise

To set the record straight, I am a Pentecostal. I believe in the ideals of the Pentecostal movement. I believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I believe the supernatural is still very much with us. I believe in healing, miracles and the likes. I am a believer but I get frustrated with so many of the Pentecostal practices I see around!

Why have we reduced God to a vending machine? Where you slot in your coins and out come a “miracle;” where you use God to meet your needs, kill your enemies, and so on; where prayers become a tool to satisfy your carnal lust; where the anointing oil is turned to a magical commodity; where handkerchief becomes a magician wand; where speaking in tongue becomes a language to whip your enemy; where prayer meetings have become a cry to God to “bless me, kill my enemies and make me number one.” And the list goes on and on.

What is actually the essence of the Pentecostal experience? Is it just about the signs and blunders being peddled around? Is it about all the drama we see in Pentecostal gatherings these days? Is it all the entertainment we witness in many a Pentecostal service today? Is it all about making pledges and vows to compel an unwilling God to act?

Would God reduce the personality of His third person only to a subject of so much ridicule and charade we see in our days? Would this kind of entertainment have wowed the three thousand that came to know Christ on the day of Pentecost? Are we not doing more harm than good to the cause of Christ? Why have we become environmental nuisance through our incessant noise and pollution? Why are there so much proliferations and duplications? Why have we become objects of ridicule among the unbelievers? Why would there be three different churches at every level of a two-storey building? At times two different churches sharing the same floor! What’s wrong with us for God’s sake? Why can’t we get our acts right?

Where is the evidence of changed lives that accompanied encounter with Christ? Why have our people become more worldly in their orientation? Why have we become increasingly greedy in attempt to show that we are the “king’s kid or kingdom citizens?” Would Jesus have suffered so much only to make us to be worldly focused and lascivious?

Is our spirituality measured only by all these acquisitions and flamboyance? Where are all the sacrifices, self-denials and cross carrying that Jesus demanded of would be followers? Why have we become a selfish bunch who only wants to be blessed so that we can consume it on our lusts? Why have all our prayers become transactional? (See earlier post on this blog).

Is this all that Christianity offer? Is this all there is about the Pentecostal experience? Is it just to feel good, live big and enjoy life? If we continue this way, what are we going to handover to the upcoming generations? Is this the way the apostles of Christ that passed the Gospel to us lived?

Honestly speaking, I’m fed up!

Is the “man of God” only about collecting envelopes and enjoying “bow the knees” everywhere he goes? Why have we become traditional and cultural lords over God’s heritage? How do you correct your daddy or papa when it is so obvious he’s going the way of Judas?

For God’s sake, which version of the Holy Bible are we reading? Is it King Solomon version or the Gospel of Judas?

What I see around has a great potential to make the church goes into extinction than any Buhari may want to do as some people want us to believe. What is going to kill the church is not external. It is intrinsic. It is right with us. What I see around has a close resemblance to the picture the Lord painted of the Laodicean church which thinks she’s so rich and increased with goods whereas she’s wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked (Rev. 3:17).

Sincerely, the church needs a new orientation—a paradigm shift! This mess gotta stop! We cannot afford to continue like this and expect our world to be any different. In fact, we are fast becoming more worldly than the world. The dancing style I see in church these days is not any different from the world. I had to unfriend a sister from my Facebook page a moment ago. We cannot continue like this. Can somebody call “us” to order pleeeeeease! 

Lord, save your church!

A Hireling or a Shepherd?

Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” John 6:5, (NASB)

Pastors, what thoughts come to your mind when you see people coming to the church in droves?

Is it: How do we feed them or how do we fleece them?

Is it how do we meet their needs or how do we melt their pockets?

Your answers to these questions determine your actions to the people.

Every pastor needs to meet the people asking how do I help this people today, how can I be a greater blessing to them, how do I leave them better than they have come.

The questions you ask determine the answers you receive.

If you are asking how to fleece them, a thousand ideas will come to your mind which you will interpret as revelations from God.

Most of what we call revelations from God are responses from our subconscious mind, as a result of what we have programmed in our minds or what we have seen other men of God do.

Why do we have a habit of always taking from the people these days whereas Jesus was always giving to them? From whom have we learnt our pattern for ministry?

Are you a hireling or a shepherd?

Inadequate Theology: The Bane of (African) Pentecostalism

Nothing kills like half-truth. Antibiotics are known to constitute lethal weapon against bacteria which cause infections and diseases in humans and animals. 

In fact, the discovery of penicillin was a major breakthrough in the fight against diseases caused by bacteria. However, when the full dose is not taken and for the right period of time, it poses a serious threat. Since it is not potent enough to destroy the bacteria, they in turn are able to now master the drug and so develop resistance to the drug such that subsequent intake of the same drug will have no effect on the particular bacteria. That is why your doctor always insists you take the full dose and to complete the dosage.

Two events that have marked the face of Christianity in the recent history are the Reformation spearheaded by Martin Luther in the sixteenth century and Pentecostalism at the turn of the twentieth century. But for these two interventions, Christianity would be dead or probably half alive today. 

Without any doubt, Pentecostalism has brought a lot of vibrancy, fervency and dynamism to Christianity. Its entrance to the church equation has brought great blessing to the work of Christ. One could say that Pentecostalism is one major thing that delivered the church in Africa from the grip of traditionalism and syncretism.

What is so great about Pentecostalism? It is the rediscovery of the charismata—the gifts of the Holy Spirit. At the time when traditional Christianity told us to forget about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and that they’ve gone with the exit of the last apostle, like a mighty wind reminiscent of the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit shook the church like a tornado in a black church on Azusa Street in 1906. 

With that resurgence, new fire came. Men and women began to go into the territories of the world with new fire and zeal. 

However, Pentecostalism in this part of the world has become notorious for scriptural recklessness. The major reason for this is insufficient theology. Pentecostal ministers have taken to a far extreme the pharisaical notion that being with Jesus (Acts 4:13) is all that one needs to be a minister and a substitute for proper theological education. And this is telling on the kind of doctrines being propounded by many a preacher in our fold. 

Our God is a God of continuity. That is why though the Old Testament has been fulfilled in Christ, it is still kept for us today. That is why our Bible isn’t just New Testament alone. 

Seminary may be regarded as synonymous with cemetery; there are still a lot of treasures we can mine from its grave. Nothing can substitute for a sound theological education. Yet this is what is lacking in modern Pentecostalism. The ways scriptures are broken in many Pentecostal preaching is too terrible to bear for many who are theologically inclined. Doctrines are propounded based on the understanding of the founder/pastor alone. There is no correlation with any authority anywhere. The senior pastor or the General Overseer has the final say on any doctrinal issue. There is no room for any robust debate or rubbing of minds on any issue. Once the senior pastor “receives” it, it is final. There is no recourse to church history. The kind of interactions we see among the church leaders in Acts 15 is lacking in our fold today. Yet, that was a Pentecostal church. 

This is the missing link in Pentecostalism in Africa today. That is why doctrines are different from one Pentecostal church to another. This explains why one church may believe so much in feet washing based on the “revelation” given to the pastor while another may not want to have anything to do with such. Even churches set up their own seminaries or bible colleges to teach or reinforce their own doctrines or what they believe only. As Haris (2010) noted, preaching and teaching are the result of a lack of critical theological methods and critical biblical exegetical skills. 

This is the difference with a sound theology. It helps us to take cognizant of previous revelations by the Holy Spirit. The dictionary defines theology as “an organized method of interpreting spiritual works and beliefs into practical form.” It helps us to know how the previous generations have come to understand the same truth we are battling with. It broadens our perspective, giving us an idea of the previous move of God in the generations past so as to avoid the pitfalls that drown many of our fore runners. Sound biblical hermeneutics helps us to know how the original recipients of a particular epistle understood, and then interpreted it. 

Many church leaders need to take a cue from the great apostle Paul. In spite of his numerous revelations, he still takes time to check with those ahead of him on the veracity of his preaching. 

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. Gal 2:2

God always builds on previous revelations. That was why Paul instructed the Colossians to look for the epistle he wrote to the Laodiceans and vice versa (Col. 4:16). Good theology helps us to bridge the historical gap between us and the previous generations. 

Every church leader needs to accept the maxim that there’s nothing new under the heaven. That revelation that is so novel to you has been received a thousand times by many men and women of God in the past. How did they manage it? How did they interpret it? How did they apply it? That is what sound biblical theology does. It gives you a proper perspective. Some doctrines that were roundly condemned as heresies are being widely touted by many in our fold today as new revelation, and preached with so much vigor. May the Lord deliver His church from small minds!

Here is my offer: Agreed, not many could afford to go back to school or proper seminary for a thorough learning but everyone can bring the seminary home. Through personal study, online courses, seminars, conferences, every minister can be thoroughly furnished for the good works of teaching and preaching. To be ignorant in the age of information is an unpardonable offence. 

Ref:

Harris, A. L. (2010): For Such a Time as This: Re-Imaging Practical Theology for Independent Pentecostal Churches. The Asbury Theological Seminary Series 1. Lexington, KY: Emeth Press.

Welcome to 2015, the year of the Great Shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

Finally, the year 2015 is here. And the good news is that you made 

it. Wow! Congratulations! But then we must remember to give 

thanks to the One who made it possible for us to make it. All

Glory be to God.

The year has been christened the year of the Great Shepherd. This is a year to enjoy the goodness of God like never before. It doesn’t matter what your experience has been, I believe very strongly that this year is going to be very different.

I want to share with you seven things that will happen in your life as you embrace the Lord as your great shepherd this year.

Firstly, lack is over in your life. The number one responsibility of the shepherd to his flock is nurturing and nourishing. So with full assurance, the Psalmist said: I shall not want! This is a year to enjoy. Psalm 34:10

Secondly, there shall be restoration. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul (Psa 23:2-3a). All the pressures of the previous years of your life are going to be over this year. God is going to lead you to a place of refreshing—where you will find peace and rest. The Great Shepherd will take you to a place of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Thirdly, you will enjoy a glorious walk with God this year. The Psalmist said: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psa 23:3b).This is a year to live holy and walk with God. Maybe you have been struggling with living a life that is holy and pleasing to God, as you surrender to the Great Shepherd, He will personally help you. Your relationship with God will go to another level this year.

Fourthly, the presence of God is going to be more real like never before in your life. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psa 23:4). And by virtue of His abiding presence, you will not have any reason to be afraid. His presence will silence all your enemies.

Fifthly, closely tied to the previous point is the fact that right in the presence of your adversaries, God is going to do you good. The Psalmist said: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies (Ps. 23:5). All your detractors will see you prosper and do well. All those who have written you off, who have vowed that it will never be well with you, the Lord is going to bless you right before their eyes.

Sixthly, this is a year you will overflow in anointing. This is a year you will experience the power of God. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over (Ps. 23:5). This is a year to do exploit for God. This is a year God will confirm His word in your mouth with signs and wonders following.

And then finally, the Psalmist said: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psa 23:6). Your life will be full of testimonies this year. You will overflow in testimonies. Your cup will full and run over.

However, all these blessings is subject to one condition: provided you make the Lord your shepherd. When the Lord is your shepherd, all these blessings will follow and overtake you. The implications of this are many. Most of us only know the Lord as our Saviour or Healer or Deliverer. But in this year, you will need to know Him as your shepherd—your master, your boss, your controller, your director, your teacher, and your coach. These are all the roles a shepherd plays in the life of the flock. The moment you don’t comply, the rod and the staff come into operation. And that is not pleasant at all.

But the moment you fully surrender to Him, the Lord takes over the rest of your affairs. Your needs become His concern, your enemies become His. Everything that concerns your life becomes His problem.

My prayer is that this year, you will fully surrender to Him so as to enjoy His goodness like never before. The good news is that it is also the year of grace. So if you think it may be difficult and challenging, grace is available for you.

Have a glorious and beautiful year.