The Pentecostal Paradox: As the Global Chorus Grows, American Tongues Fall Silent

January 27, 2012 by Robert Crosby

Continued from Page 2

"There has been a diminishing of the exercise of speaking in tongues in the [North American] church today," says Thomas Trask, former General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God." And, current Assemblies of God national leader, George Wood, explains that the exercise of tongues has been "more limited. There's been a cultural shift in the last 30 years. Sunday morning services used to be for believers, and Sunday night services were more evangelistic. Sunday night services have declined, and now the morning service is more for people to bring friends" (see Holding Their Tongues, p. 2).

Samuel Rodriguez, President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, believes that the "white Pentecostal church is becoming less and less Pentecostal. It is 'Pentecostal' in name only [and] in a state of crisis. There is so much trepidation among its leaders." He says there is too often today a "don't ask/don't tell policy mentality about the pneuma," and that by the end of this century the white Pentecostal church may be a very small community "unless there is a coming back to authentic Pentecostalism."

Editor's Note: See Part 2 of "The Pentecostal Paradox" in the next installment of this column next week

Page: 3 of 3

1/27/2012 5:00:00 AM

Evangelical

Catch the Current

Sacred Texts

Christianity

Evangelicalism

more at patheos

"Was Joseph a Sexual Predator?" and other fun issues

Dan Peterson

INNER CIRCLE: Christ Lives Within Us

Keith Giles

Perfect Blue: Cult Hit Meditation

Chase Padusniak

"Reformation" Debate (vs. Lutheran Nathan Rinne), Pt. 2

Dave Armstrong

About Robert Crosby

Robert Crosby is an author and Professor of Practical Theology at Southeastern University. Read his interview with Bobby Gruenewald, the Founder of YouVersion.com (the Bible App) and related articles at Christianity Today, The New Engagers and The Social Network Gospel. Robert Crosby is the author of the new book, The Teaming Church: Ministry in the Age of Collaboration (Abingdon Press).

Patheos Logo Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos