Many evangelical churches and denominations are in a state of plateau or decline. Why aren’t Pentecostals? | Ed Stetzer
There are parts of the globe where the greatest church growth is happening through the Pentecostal movement, Uganda being a case in point, following the resent 2014 National Population and Housing Census figures by Ubos.
One of the most asked questions is, “In a world where the church seems to be declining in many areas, how are they keeping the trend?”
There is never one reason why a movement succeeds. But some factors rise to the surface. Pentecostals will say they are growing because the Spirit is moving in a powerful way. I get that, and actually would affirm that as part of the reason, but from a sociological perspective, other things are happening and worth exploring.
Pentecostals Value Their Shared Experience
From a statistical perspective, Pentecostals tend to be less “nominal” than other believers. The reason is often obvious—the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
In almost all Pentecostalism, speaking in tongues follows the Holy Spirit’s baptism. After that experience, it’s hard to say, “Oh I don’t take this whole thing serious, I don’t even know if it’s real.”
Pentecostal believers and churches constantly emphasize spiritual practice and engagement. That helps make a more robust faith.
So, more often than not, stagnation is not as compatible with a real Spirit-filled experience. The end result—it’s harder to be a nominal Pentecostal—the beliefs of the movement tend to weed out nominalism. Because of what is happening in church and the community of faith, people tend not to just hang around as casual observers.
Either you join in it, or you move on. Many join. Movements populated by nominals are usually in decline. Nominals don’t populate Pentecostalism, so it grows.
Pentecostals Want to Share Their Values
Not only does a valued distinctive encourage participation and growth in the local body, but it also provides an imperative for growth outside of the local body. When you appreciate what you have as much as Pentecostals do, you aren’t satisfied to experience it yourself. You think others should have the same opportunity to partake of the movement of the Spirit of God.
When I meet with Pentecostal leaders, they’re strategizing about where to plant a church. They break out the maps and determine where they need to focus their attention.
Never mind there are already six churches in a 10-block community. To them, there’s not a Spirit-filled church in that community until they plant one. So they are often avid planters, not just in their own area, but also around the world.
Pentecostals believe in their approach. Their Christian walk has benefited, and they trust everyone should have access. While others are figuring out what to do now to achieve growth, Pentecostals are focusing on who they are and are achieving growth.
When you think your expression is worth sharing (be it Pentecostal, Calvinist or Anabaptist) you are more likely to share it with others, start new churches and more.
So, What Does this Mean ?
One key to growth is for you actually to believe what you have is so important that propagation to other contexts in its current version is necessary. Pentecostals believe they have something worth propagating. And that’s worth noting.
