Pentecostals -Good for the Economy

[James Griffin]

Pentecostal 'good for economy'
13/03/2008 13:11 - (SA)
Johannesburg - A substantial jump in the number of Pentecostal Christians could have a positive impact on South Africa's social and economic development, the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) said on Wednesday.

According to a 2001 census, members of Pentecostal and charismatic churches grew by 55%, a figure which could be higher since the same census recorded 3.2 million "other Christians".

"If this rate of growth is maintained, South African Pentecostals will number almost 10 million by 2011, or one-fifth of the population," the CDE said.
According to research conducted by, Peter Berger - a CDE associate - early Protestant ethics promoted saving, capital accumulation and economic advancement.

These ethics included a disciplined and rational approach to work and social activity, including family life, along with a deferral of gratification and instant consumption.

"Involvement in Pentecostal tends to breed feelings of self-confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of viability which find outlets in a more ordered family life, working life, and business activities, the study found," the CDE said.

CDE executive director Ann Bernstein said the significance of the "remarkable" growth of the group was not confined to theology and worship.

"There is growing evidence, notably in Latin America and Asia, that the explosion of many different kinds of evangelical Protestantism is associated with attitudes, habits and dispositions that promote independence, entrepreneurship and development," the CDE said.

'Saving and spending'

It was notable, it said, that a larger number of Pentecostals than any other religious group had broken into the highest income brackets.

"South Africa should take note of this silent revolution and the likely connections between newly spreading and developing forms of religious belief, practices and organisations on the one hand, and the basics of economic growth - including work and enterprise, saving and spending - on the other," Bernstein said.

The entrepreneurialism, skills development, crime prevention and social networks characterising Pentecostalism suggested the possibility of a "true African Renaissance emerging from civil society rather than politicians".

The CDE said while it was not suggesting that everyone in South Africa should convert to Pentecostalism, it was acknowledging the large, growing phenomenon in the country whose potential social and economic impact was postive

[James Griffin]

Thought it was an interesting article.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

Thought it was an interesting article.

ditto

[A_PoMo]

Is it Pentecostalism or evangelical Protestantism that is brining the benefit here? These values seem to me to be evangelical values more than Pentecostal values. Perhaps the impact here is felt more strongly from the Pentecostals because they are more of them there in that context. But the values are shared evangelical values, not solely Pentecostal values.

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

Is it Pentecostalism or evangelical Protestantism that is brining the benefit here? These values seem to me to be evangelical values more than Pentecostal values. Perhaps the impact here is felt more strongly from the Pentecostals because they are more of them there in that context. But the values are shared evangelical values, not solely Pentecostal values.

True as is the following quote from the article :-)


"There is growing evidence, notably in Latin America and Asia, that the explosion of many different kinds of evangelical Protestantism is associated with attitudes, habits and dispositions that promote independence, entrepreneurship and development," the CDE said.

[A_PoMo]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

True as is the following quote from the article :-)


"There is growing evidence, notably in Latin America and Asia, that the explosion of many different kinds of evangelical Protestantism is associated with attitudes, habits and dispositions that promote independence, entrepreneurship and development," the CDE said.

Yeah, that's what I was talking about. I just forgot to cut and paste it.

[James Griffin]

From what I can gather in South Africa the pentecostals/charismatics constitute the vast majority of protestants, so the article was I believe written from that viewpoint.

Another interesting thing. "These ethics included a disciplined and rational approach to work and social activity, including family life, along with a deferral of gratification and instant consumption.


Also a somewhat different paradigm from the irrational consumerism mentality here. :-)

[A_PoMo]

Originally Posted by James Griffin

Another interesting thing. "These ethics included a disciplined and rational approach to work and social activity, including family life, along with a deferral of gratification and instant consumption.


Also a somewhat different paradigm from the irrational consumerism mentality here. :-)

Yes. Consumerism/materialism is killing our culture. It drives the economy, but it's killing our spiritual and emotional culture. It's a cancer in the church as well. I noticed this in my own life and am actively working at becoming downwardly mobile and simplifying my lifestyle. Too much stuff produces too much work which produces too much stress which produces a lack of shalom.

I'm thinking about researching this more and writing a book about it down the road. After I write one on holiness/standards/spiritual abuse.

[OP_Carl]

On the topic, could it be that this second great awakening of Evangelical and Pentecostal growth is getting different results because it is reaching to a different type of person?

The mainline Protestants and Catholics are largely traditional, old-school, old-money, educated, and not well-versed in the Word.

The typical new convert to Pentecost is:

a) Somebody that is willing to recognize that they need help
b) Somebody that shows themselves to be receptive to instruction
c) Somebody that wants to change.

Which is not going to be typical of somebody the same age attending a mainline denomination.

So the Pentecostals and Evangelicals are finding that by reaching to the dregs of society, with a Gospel that is truly for "Whosoever will," they are acquiring ranks of enthusiastic people that are deficient in basic life skills.

Could it be that as a movement we have identified this deficiency and have taken measures to address it via teaching and training of basic life skills, money management, etc., in the church?

This isn't an analysis based on data and facts, but speculative conjecture based on my understanding of human nature, Pentecostals, and some aspects of the situation.