A Response To Revival

With the recent buzz about services at a Lakeland, Florida, healing revival, I have wanted to post something. However, I've been concerned about how I could express my feelings appropriately. I never wish to condemn something that is a true move of God. However, I also do not wish to highlight something that is based more on emotion than sound doctrine. Ironically, I believe Lakeland is a mixed-bag. I feel there is sincerety and a desire for God, but I believe some of those leading the revival services need more discipleship in their understanding of Biblical truths.

I need to explain that I am Pentecostal-- although I realize this is a loaded term with numerous definitions and stereotypes. For me, being Pentecostal means that I believe the operation of spiritual gifts experienced and practiced by the early followers of Christ (as noted in the New Testament of the Bible) continues in the Church today. I believe the Holy Spirit, which convicts us and draws us to Jesus Christ, is the agent who leads and guides us into all Truth (and Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life as revealed to us in the Bible). I do believe individuals may have varied experiences with the Holy Spirit, some of which may seem highly emotional. However, I must note that it is not the emotional response that should be highlighted. Instead, I believe we should seek and emphasize the transformative work of God's Spirit that helps us live more closely to the teachings of Jesus. I am less concerned that specific gifts are in operation, but that these gifts are being used to strengthen the Body of Christ in our personal relationship with Him as He empowers us to be His "hands and feet" the world around us.

Having noted this, I must share with you a position paper adopted by the Assemblies of God in 2000. It provides helpful information concerning how one should view revival movements, both biblically and appropriately. Although I am not a member of the Assemblies of God, I am very grateful to them for adopting this statement and making it available publicly. In addition, the current General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Dr. George O. Wood, has released a helpful video statement offering "Scriptural Guidelines for Assessing Revivals".

After reading this paper, I want to say "Thank you" to the Assemblies of God. This paper outlines my personal beliefs about revival. Until reading this I thought most Pentecostal groups had sold-out to so many of the popular teachings with which I am uncomfortable (such as teachings emphasizing intense emotional responses and practices that seem to highlight personalities instead of Christ).

I hope you are blessed also by the information shared in the above links.

The Voice of Christ Calling Us To Charity

"The higher we go, the better we shall hear the voice of Christ." -- Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

As the Fourth of July is nearing, I am reminded of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati . He was born on April 6, 1901, in Turin, Italy, and he died there on July 4, 1925. It has been noted his "fondness of the epistles of St. Paul sparked his zeal for fraternal charity," and he devoted his life to performing acts of charity. Yet, his interests were many: mountain climbing, the theater, the opera, and visiting museums. He loved art and music, and could quote whole passages of the poet Dante.

This is taken from the FrassatiUSA website:

"According to his sister Luciana, Pier Giorgio copied by hand St. Paul's Hymn of Charity in order to always have it with him. After his death, the countless acts of charity he performed became known. Sometimes it was simply giving away his bus money and walking home. Sometimes it was helping someone find a job. Sometimes it was bringing others to Mass. Sometimes it was writing a note of sympathy upon the death of a friend's relative. Sometimes it was taking a break on a long mountain hike when he was not tired but knew that others were. Sometimes it was giving away his coat or shoes to someone who had none. Sometimes it was the smile that was always on his face or his willingness to sing even though he was always out of tune. Pier Giorgio had no formula for charity other than putting the needs of his neighbor first. He asked, 'What would life be without acts of charity?'"

Currently, a call is going forth for others to continue in performing similar acts of charity. If you are interested in joining others in committing to perform at least one act of charity each day, you may find the FrassatiUSA website helpful.

Travels and Churches

I enjoy visiting churches and learning more about various traditions of the Christian faith. The last two weekends I've been able to experience three traditions, including the Catholic Church, the Church of God, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Each offer unique expressions of Christian tradition, and I enjoyed my experiences.

Following a meeting in Nashville last weekend, I traveled to Hanceville, Alabama, and had a great stay at the Queen of Peace Guest House. Located in rural Alabama, the setting was serene, inspiring, and spiritual. (I highly recommend this location for anyone needing a personal retreat into the quiet). Having a kitchen in my room, I cooked my dinner and just enjoyed some time for personal reflection. The next morning I attended 7am Mass at the nearby Shrine of the Most Holy Sacrament. I first learned about this from watching EWTN, which is one of my favorite Christian television stations. This is the location where Mother Angelica helped established a Catholic Church. Although I am not Catholic (and not able to participate in receiving the Eucharist), I found the Mass to be a very spiritual experience. Afterward, I spent some time touring the and finding a quiet shade where I read Scripture and reflected on the Lord. I also enjoyed meeting and conversing with Maria, Monica, Jennifer, Thomas, Brother Michael and Brother Paul (each of whom were very helpful in answering my questions).

After leaving Hanceville on Saturday afternoon, I drove to my hometown in Morgantown, Mississippi. There I attended Sunday service at the Morgantown Church of God, where my church membership remains. I enjoyed the music and spiritual atmosphere very much. The Administrative Bishop for the Church of God in Mississippi, Melvin Massey, delivered the morning message, and it was an inspiring sermon. That afternoon my mother and I drove to visit my sister and her family. It was great to visit with my sister, as it had been a long time since I last saw her.


On Monday I visited various relatives throughout the community before driving to Terry, Mississippi, for the opening service of the annual Mississippi Church of God Campmeeting. Church of God First Assistant General Overseer Raymond Culpepper delivered the message, preaching through the first six chapters of the Old Testament book of Daniel. It was a great message about the Church's response to a world in crisis. It was also good to see many old friends.


Following the service I drove back to Tennessee, only to return to the Nashville area on Friday for a two-day state library leadership meeting at Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, TN. The meeting schedule was intense, but I found time to relax in the beauty of the park. My hotel room had a breath-taking view. I also toured the site where the Cumberland Presbyterian Church began, which is located within the state park. I enjoyed learning more about the history of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church as a result.





















So, I have been on the road a great deal. I hope to return to Hanceville, Alabama, at some point in the future. It is a very spiritual place.

Historical Society of Church of God Movements

Yesterday (May 29, 2008) was the Seventh Annual Meeting for the Historical Society of Church of God Movements. We met at the Museum Center at Five Points in Cleveland, TN. There were 20 individuals present, representing five denominations, four archival repositories, a university, a community historical society, and several local churches. The theme for this year’s meeting was “The Development of Early Church of God Ecclesiology” and focused on the leadership roles of R.G. Spurling, founder, and A.J. Tomlinson, first general overseer.

Reverend Michael Padgett, the Society president and pastor of a Church of God Mountain Assembly congregation in Kentucky, moderated the meeting. Dr. Harold Hunter, (Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary) and director of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church Archives and Research Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, presented a paper in response to a paper written by Dr. Dale Coulter, (DPhil, Oxford University) and associate professor of historical theology at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Dr. Coulter’s paper, “The Development of Ecclesiology in the Church of God (Cleveland, TN): A Forgotten Contribution?”, was published in Pneuma: Journal for the Society of Pentecostal Studies (29.1, 2007, p. 59-85).

Participants in this year’s annual meeting represented the Church of God (Cleveland), the Church of God of Prophecy, the Church of God Mountain Assembly, Zion Assembly Church of God, and the United Methodist Church. The historian for Cleveland/Bradley County, Tennessee, and Bible professors at Lee University were present as well.


[above images include (top to bottom): (1) some of the participants in the 2008 meeting, (2) Michael Padgett, Society president 2006-08, (3) Harold Hunter, and (4) Dale Coulter]

I have served as the executive secretary and treasurer for the Society since its organization in May 2002. Yesterday, I completed the time limit for that position according to the Society by-laws, and, subsequently, I was elected to serve a two-year term as second vice president.














New officers for the Society include (L-R):
Executive Secretary and Treasurer – Marie Spurling Crook (Zion Assembly COG)
President – Adrian Varlack, Sr. (COGOP)
First Vice President – Jerald Daffe (COG)
Second Vice President – Louis Morgan (COG)


The Society's mission and purpose are "to promote the study, interpretation and interpretation of the history and heritage of Church of God movements in their variety of expressions. It shall also seek to produce, and encourage the production of historical materials (written, audio-visual, Internet), to encourage the preservation of documents, records and photographs related to the movements, and to promote occasions for the movements to remember, appreciate and celebrate their history and heritage."

"Membership in the Historical Society of Church of God Movements is open to all persons who wish to learn more about the history and heritage of the movements, contribute to our historical understanding, or support the work of the Society."

The Society meets each year on the first Thursday after Memorial Day. The location for next year’s meeting will be announced soon.

The Need for Spiritual Mentors

(This topic reflects a need for mentors within the denomination of which I am a member, but I am certain it is applicable to other denominations as well. The pics are of my two mentors, Corne Bekker and Lee Grady.)

This weekend I was able to spend some time with one of my two mentors. I’m planning to spend some time with the other one in mid-July. Usually, we communicate weekly by email or phone, and that is important to me. But there is something about being in their presence and that type of interaction that energizes me to fulfill the mission to which God has called me.

Neither of my mentors are Church of God (the denomination of which I am a member and minister), but they are both individuals who have connected with me and even consider me part of their family. They both come from a Pentecostal/Charismatic background, but one is more contemplative and the other is more experiential. It provides a perfect balance for me—and one that challenges me. Sometimes they offer correction, and sometimes they affirm me in the midst of my own doubts. It is such a healthy experience for me. And, I am able to provide friendship, encouragement, and even question why they view some things as they do. I submit myself to their spiritual authority and wisdom, but it is not out of fear. Instead, I see the way they live—their actions reveal Christ and a deep, genuine spirituality—and I know they are not trying to manipulate me through their mentoring. And, there are times when I realize they even learn something from me (although I learn much more from them, I’m certain).

Reading a Church of God (COG) discussion board today, I was reminded of conversations I have with many young ministers and emerging ministers in the COG (like me). Time after time I hear individuals talk about their desire for spiritual mothers and fathers. This has been one of my own concerns. There is a real need in our church (and has been for quite some time) for such mentors—not just “yes” men and women who say what we want to hear, but individuals who will be honest with us about their own struggles and help us see the proper way to deal with situations. And, individuals who are not trying to change us into what they think we should be, but are willing to walk with us as we develop into the person God wants us to be.

Why do we not have more of this in the COG? Surely there are numerous individuals who are capable to provide this role. I know the covenant groups have helped, but not everyone feels comfortable in such a setting. Sometimes it requires the one-on-one interaction between seasoned individuals and those beginning the journey. I also realize our structure cultivates unhealthy competition among ministers, and this may have something to do with the distrust for this type of relationship. (There are “toxic” mentors who are only interested in manipulation, control, and getting ahead of another—even at the cost of disclosing confidential information). I also know we are busy because of the many demands of ministry, but there must be some way to foster a culture within our movement that allows for effective mentoring.

And, I know some people cannot see beyond their own way of doing things. For instance, some younger people feel older people are “out-of-touch” and have nothing to offer them. Likewise, some older people perceive younger people as too “liberal” (for a lack of a better word). No, age does not mean someone must be boxed in to this stereotype, but we do tend to stereotype people according to age. And, I believe different generations tend to have different value sets (although there are exceptions). I believe this is some of our tension in the COG now—the mantle of leadership is moving from one value-set to another. This is why it is vital for our next group of leaders to be able to bridge the cultures, generations, and perceptions of what constitutes “ministry”. Otherwise, we are going to isolate a portion of our constituency (and all are important).

So, I propose an individual submitting to a mentor must be willing to:
1 – be real/vulnerable/transparent
2 – be teachable and able to receive correction
3 – disagree “agreeably” at times
4 – look beyond our own preferences to focus on what is most important
(I’m sure there are many others; feel free to add to the list)

I know the importance of having an effective mentor-relationship, and I wish that for everyone—especially those serving in helping roles, such as pastors.

Focusing on Christ's Model of Leadership

Last weekend I enjoyed visiting with friends, professors, and classmates at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I attended the 2008 Annual Roundtables of Contemporary Research and Practice. The keynote speaker was Dr. Mansour Javidan, the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the GLOBE project. (I encourage you to check out this fascinating research).

In addition, I participated in the Biblical Perspectives in Leadership Roundtable, where I presented two papers: “Beyond Serving Others: Continual Self-Sacrifice as Normative Christianity” and “The Admonitions of St. Francis: Implications for Servant and Transformational Leaders”. (The research and writing process for these two papers helped transform me tremendously). I really enjoyed listening to other researchers present their work as well. It was a great time of sharing and learning from one another. The chair and moderator for this roundtable, Dr. Corne Bekker, is my professor (and also a mentor to me). He is also one of my favorite people—no kidding!!—and I always learn so much listening to him. (Check out his blog at http://innerresourcesforleaders.blogspot.com/ ).

It was nice to hang out with Catherine, a classmate I’ve adopted as a “big sister”. We went to the beach on Sunday afternoon, but, unfortunately, it was a short trip after sand blew into my eye. Ouch!! I don’t know what I would have done if Catherine had not been there to help me wash the sand out. (Thanks!)

I also enjoyed visiting with a wonderful family there that made me feel like a member of their family. Let me just say… I have discovered I am a great target in a water-gun fight!

I left Monday morning, and it took me 16 hours (instead of the normal 10) to get back home. I love driving on back roads, and I also stopped at way too many historic sites. But, it was a wonderful weekend—one that reminded me the Lord is so wonderful and that I am extremely blessed.

And, I even met a couple of individuals who read this blog regularly, and I never would have guessed it. (You know who you are!!!) *smile*

The Finished Lawn Project

After three weekends of working in my lawn, I have finished the project (as much as any lawn project can be completed-- there is always something to be done).

I love working in my yard, and I am really pleased with the outcome. I purchased my home one year and one month ago. Last Spring and Summer I focused on painting the inside (all but the trim is completed). During the Fall I focused on having someone paint the outside trim and make shutters for the front of the house. This Spring I have focused on landscaping. Next year I will focus on re-seeding the grass.

My neighbors are really pleased with the results of the lawn work as well-- complete with a bird bath and a small statue of St. Francis of Assisi (one of my favorite leaders to study and research).



Here is a pic of the house when I purchased it.






Here is a pic of the house as of this morning.







I also have roses blooming all over the lawn-- red, pink, yellow, and mixed colors. I've planted most of the rose bushes and one rose tree. However, there is a rose bush on the corner of the house that was planted by a previous owner, Reverend Pauline and Roy Lambert (see last pic).





































This rose bush on the corner of the house was planted by Reverend Pauline Lambert and her husband, Roy. They lived in the house for several years. I never knew Mr. Lambert, but I referred to Mrs. Lambert as "Grandma Lambert". When I was a Lee student, she often invited me to her home for dinner. After her passing, the house went through a few more residents until I purchased it last year. My house is located just a few blocks from the university campus where I work, and it is in the historic district. So, I am really thankful for the blessing of this house. It is my first home-purchase and a great welcome after renting an apartment for eight years (and dorm living before that).

BTW, this rose bush is FULL of rosebuds. In less than a week it should be popping with beautiful red roses. Last year it did not bloom very much, but I pruned it and gave it special attention this year. I'm amazed at the number of buds-- more than 50-- about ready to bloom on this one rose bush alone.

I guess this proves I belong in my family... most of my relatives have always spent many hours planting flowers, shrubs, and trees. My mother, aunt, and grandmother have some amazingly beautiful lawns. My grandfather and great-grandfather have always been successful at growing roses. So, when I'm working in my yard I feel connected with my family in some unique way. Yard work is also very spiritual to me; I am usually praying or thinking about God while working in the lawn.