Author: Daniel Tomberlin

BS, MDiv, DMin. Ordained bishop in the Church of God (Cleveland, TN); pastor for 37 years; Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministries at Pentecostal Theological Seminary (Cleveland TN).
Posted on

Pentecostal Mission: From Pentecost to Parousia

Several years ago, I accepted the pastorate of a Church of God congregation of about 120 people in a city of about 8000 people. The church was over fifty years old. Soon after settling in as the new pastor I attended the local ministerial association and introduced myself as the new pastor at the Church of God. One of the members gave me a surprised glance and exclaimed, “Church of God! I didn’t know there was one of those churches in this town!” A few years later, I was invited to preach at a Church of God congregation of about 140 people in a small Georgia town of about 2000. The congregation had been established in that city for more than sixty years. As I drove into the town, I stopped at a local store to buy gasoline. While paying for my purchase, I asked, “Can you give me directions to the Church of God?” After several seconds the clerk replied, “Sir, I’ve lived here all my life, but I don’t know where that church is located.” Of course these stories are anecdotal, but they serve to illustrate a very troubling fact; that is, too many of our local churches do not have a meaningful presence in their community.

Continue reading “Pentecostal Mission: From Pentecost to Parousia”

FacebooktwitterFacebooktwitter
Posted on

Christmas only makes sense if…

… there is a blessed hope – the second Advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When Christ was born in Bethlehem the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14). Anyone who is familiar with human history is painfully aware that the promise of “peace on earth” remains an unrealized hope. The “Prince of peace” suffered a violent death. The resurrection did not establish peace on earth. Within several days, the resurrected Prince of Peace ascended into the heavens. A few days later, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit was given. But, instead of universal peace the church was plunged into conflict and tribulation in which its leaders were imprisoned and martyred. For two thousand years the message of Christ has been proclaimed throughout the world. Violence and death continue to prevail. Even as we gather with family and friends for Christmas festivities, many will gather in sorrow. So much for “peace on earth.”

Continue reading “Christmas only makes sense if…”

FacebooktwitterFacebooktwitter
Posted on

The Christmas Propaganda War

I first noticed the Christmas decorations in department stores before Halloween. Soon after, I began hearing the Christmas mood music. Then some radio stations began doing their “all Christmas” schedule. The TV specials and Hollywood’s annual Christmas releases began to appear. By now we’re in full holiday mode. Parties, food, presents… and the new sign of the Christmas season – the Christmas propaganda war, aka, the war on Christmas.

Continue reading “The Christmas Propaganda War”

FacebooktwitterFacebooktwitter
Posted on

Does “Happy Holidays” make you angry?

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).

My wife, Sharon, and I have been traveling for the Thanksgiving holidays. We are very happy to be spending the holidays with our family. As we were driving along I-40 between Chattanooga and Nashville, we decided to stop at Wal-Mart. After shopping for a few minutes we walked up to the check-out clerk, a young lady who sheepishly asked me, “You’re not going to get mad if I wish you ‘Happy Holidays’ instead of ‘Merry Christmas,’ are you?”

Continue reading “Does “Happy Holidays” make you angry?”

FacebooktwitterFacebooktwitter
Posted on

Chrism, Charismata, and Character

Peer Accountability – Sanctification through Community

Paul charged the Ephesian church elders: “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). His warning is not to guard the flock from the devil, but from toxic leaders within the church: “…savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30). Here we discern two aspects of guarding the flock. First, church leaders must exercise sober caution in the initial placement of leaders in ministry. Paul places the responsibility for dealing with toxic leadership squarely upon the bishops and elders of the church. He warns, “Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin” (1 Timothy 5:22). When the bishops of the church fail to guard against toxic leaders, they become complicit toxic leaders.

Continue reading “Chrism, Charismata, and Character”

FacebooktwitterFacebooktwitter
Posted on

Church Conflict as Spiritual Warfare

Conflict is the absence of shālôm.  The Hebrew word shālôm refers to the overall welfare of the human soul.[1] Shālôm means to be complete, or whole; to be safe; to be in good health; to prosper; to live and die in tranquility. In matters of human community, shālôm refers to friendship and peacemaking. In relationship to God shālôm refers to the salvific covenant between God and humanity.[2] When the apostolic authors of the New Testament spoke of peace they used the word to reflect its usage in the Septuagint, which corresponds to the Hebrew shālôm.[3] Jesus Christ is the “Prince of Peace” and his disciples are call to be peacemakers.[4] Throughout the New Testament, the apostolic greetings and benedictions speak of the blessing of peace.[5]

Continue reading “Church Conflict as Spiritual Warfare”

FacebooktwitterFacebooktwitter