I was reared in Pentecostal Church. In fact, my family’s history in Pentecostalism goes back a century. Some might consider that an accident of history, I consider it the favor of divine grace. The Pentecostal movement has renewed the spirituality and theology of the Christian church throughout the world. I have always been an ecumenical Pentecostal, that is, I have always appreciated the spirituality and theological traditions of the wider Christian family. I have attended worship services of various Churches including Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican. I appreciate the beauty of the liturgy. Even so, every time I attend such services I am reminded why I love Pentecostalism which insists on the dynamic reality of a divine encounter directly mediated to the human person through the Holy Spirit. Pentecostal spirituality does not exclude rationalism or sacramentalism, but transcends both.
Pentecostals have always loved the inspired Scriptures. Pentecostal Spirituality insists that Holy Scripture must be properly understood and experienced. Therefore, preaching and teaching must be more than a rational exercise that culminates in a decision; Pentecostal preaching and teaching is an ongoing encounter with the living Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). As I have written in Pentecostal Sacraments, Pentecostalism is essentially a sacramental spirituality. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a sacramental encounter in which the Holy Spirit is mediated upon, in, and through the material means of the human person. So, although Pentecostal spirituality transcends rationalism and sacramentalism, it includes both. Pentecostalism is an embodied and discerning spirituality.
With the understanding that Pentecostal spirituality is embodied and discerning, I suggest that Pentecostal spirituality can be enriched by observing sacred time and participating in the sacred meal.
As I write this, Christians throughout the world are observing Lent, a solemn season (40 days) of prayer and fasting in which observant Christians daily reflect on Jesus’ journey to Calvary, beginning with his temptation in the wilderness and ending with his descent into hades. It is ironic that even as most Pentecostals insist on the priority of the cross, preaching the crucifixion is often limited to the time between Palm Sunday and Easter, or periodically scattered throughout the year. I suspect that Christian pastors who faithfully observe Lent spend more time preaching about the passion of Christ than most Pentecostal pastors.
Worship guided by the sacred calendar regularly celebrates the redemptive acts of God and enriches Pentecostal spirituality by regulating our daily lives according to the life of God as revealed in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; as well as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The Pentecostal pastor who preaches according to sacred time will discover that most sermons throughout the year will focus on the person of Jesus Christ and life in the Spirit. In other words, preaching according to the Christian calendar will make us better Pentecostal preachers and our congregations will be better discipled.
Pentecostal preaching has always emphasized Calvary, Pentecost, and the Apocalypse. The observance of the Lord’s Supper offers Pentecostal worshipers an opportunity to vicariously re-live Calvary and anticipate the Marriage Supper of the Lamb through the mediation of the Holy Spirit. The frequent and prayerful celebration of the Lord’s Supper might offer Pentecostal worshipers regular opportunities to discern Calvary, Pentecost, and the Apocalypse in increasingly meaningful ways. Just as Pentecostals have tarried at the altar, we should tarry at the Table of the Lord.
Pentecostals have proclaimed the Full Gospel. Pentecostal worship is an expression of the fullness of God – being lifted into heavenly places. Pentecostals should envision a spirituality that is enriched by observance of sacred time and frequent partaking of the sacred meal. In fact, after years of practicing this spirituality, I find spirituality without sacred time and the sacred meal to be less than full.
