A Reverend's Rambling Review of 'Relevance'

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I am so out of step with Contemporary Pentecost. When I visit their meetings from the music to the message I am out of touch. I have NO desire to blend in and they have NO desire for their past. I went to a PAW youth convention in Louisville the banner said "Building a Bridge to our Past" But Haywood-Tobin-Carl Smith-Willie Lee and etc. would have never recognized their own spiritual decendants. The music was(professional to say the least) entertaining but void of worship, the preaching was hip(no message just entertaining). The appearance would have been the same at a Baptist convention. The Nation youth director was introduced his wife showed more cleavage than the girls at Hooters(never been there mind you) and a slit up to the middle of her thigh, loop earings and makeup. I left brokenhearted. The young men looked like 'gangsta rappers.' We had our conference a few years ago in Nashville at the same time the Youth conference was going on. It was indeed enlightening. NO one would have confused our young folks and those attending this meeting with the exception of a very few.

This is a sad reality. My children have seen so little of what I used to commonly experience everywhere I traveled. Times are a changin', but I do not see where this is for the better. God bless you Elder!

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by Lost and Found

This is a sad reality. My children have seen so little of what I used to commonly experience everywhere I traveled. Times are a changin', but I do not see where this is for the better. God bless you Elder!

Change is IMMINENT....and most welcomed!

[Esther]

He said, “I can’t believe that you preach conviction and commitment like you do! I wouldn’t do that in a million years!” When I laughed and asked why he quickly shot back the reply, “Job security! I’m not going to preach anything that doesn’t make them feel good because I want to come back again.” I could only weep and weep even now.

Unfortunately, I have seen way to much of that. It truly concerns me.

[Esther]

My personal belief is that if we have enough anointing to break the yoke "revelance" will be out the window.

We need the Holy POWER of God, to break the bondage that folks are in, and I don't mean just sinners either.

[Consapostolic1]

Originally Posted by Lost and Found

This is a sad reality. My children have seen so little of what I used to commonly experience everywhere I traveled. Times are a changin', but I do not see where this is for the better. God bless you Elder!

Are you meaning as far as the manifestation of the Spirit of God in a service, such as a haze from the heavy pressence of God?

[revrandy]

Steadfast...

I think that "relevance" defined is extremely important... the problem the Church has had is that if your not related or somebody's kid... your not relevant... and that is somewhat sad...

So where does one turn to find "relevance"... to the one who gives them the attention...

imo...

[Pastor Keith]

I think it good to have polar extremes, you have men like Steafast that hold and espouse a view that is needful and pulls us back into some sense of tradition and what is good about our unique Pentecostal Culture.

On the other hand I like and advocate a incarnational/missional approach that is risky, doen't play it safe and willing to gamble/lose all in it's approach to make the gospel incarnated into the dirty soil of people's lives every where they are and whatever manner of communication that it takes to reach them. After all God didn't wait for us to become like him to have a relationship, he became like us to reach us. I think that is the motive behind relevance/incarnational/missional ways of ministry.

[Pastor Keith]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I am so out of step with Contemporary Pentecost. When I visit their meetings from the music to the message I am out of touch. I have NO desire to blend in and they have NO desire for their past. I went to a PAW youth convention in Louisville the banner said "Building a Bridge to our Past" But Haywood-Tobin-Carl Smith-Willie Lee and etc. would have never recognized their own spiritual decendants. The music was(professional to say the least) entertaining but void of worship, the preaching was hip(no message just entertaining). The appearance would have been the same at a Baptist convention. The Nation youth director was introduced his wife showed more cleavage than the girls at Hooters(never been there mind you) and a slit up to the middle of her thigh, loop earings and makeup. I left brokenhearted. The young men looked like 'gangsta rappers.' We had our conference a few years ago in Nashville at the same time the Youth conference was going on. It was indeed enlightening. NO one would have confused our young folks and those attending this meeting with the exception of a very few.

Of course the PAW will revel this, they tolerate people to lead and play in worship that aren't spiritual, who are only professional musicians, who openly live in sin, of course there will be no anointing on their worship. And yes I know this to be factual, I have an intern doing a stint at a PAW church and he called me flabbergasted and shocked.

[Consapostolic1]

Originally Posted by keith4him

Of course the PAW will revel this, they tolerate people to lead and play in worship that aren't spiritual, who are only professional musicians, who openly live in sin, of course there will be no anointing on their worship. And yes I know this to be factual, I have an intern doing a stint at a PAW church and he called me flabbergasted and shocked.

Seems like alot of the upc is headed that way if they're not careful.

[OP_Carl]

I'm not sure whether to say megadittos or amen.

God Bless you!