eight tensions in the worship community of the pentecostal movement dr. randal l. quackenbush

Eight Tensions in the Worship Community of the Pentecostal

Movement

Dr. Randal L. Quackenbush

Influences Upon Early Pentecostalism

•18th Century Wesleyan-Holiness Movement 19th Century Movements•Reformed Revivalist•Healing •Pre-millennialism•Missions •Frontier Revivalism •Holiness movement

8 Tensions/Worship Community/Pentecostal Movement


Movement


Formational Values for Worship in the Pentecostal Movement

•Legitimate hunger for spiritual power•Reaction against dry, ritualistic worship•A rejection of all that was considered “liturgical”•Spontaneity over structure•Informality over formality•Rejection of creeds•Marked by comparatively loud volume


Formational Values for Worship in the Pentecostal Movement

•Formal church calendar shunned•Embrace of four types of congregational songs: Hymns, Psalms, Gospel songs, & Choruses


Causes of more recent tensions

•Secularism•Institutionalism•Sophistication•Academia


1.The Use of Hymns versus “Other” Songs



Movement


“Though there are different opinions, customs, [and] methods concerning Christian singing, friction should not be allowed to develop. Each should follow their own persuasions, refraining from criticizing his neighbor who holds different ideas concerning Christian singing; and let each continue in his own way, ‘singing and making melody in our hearts unto the Lord.” - Phil Kerr, 1939


Current “Guidelines for Worship” AOG(excerpt)

•A legitimate variety of music should be encouraged by leadership•The hymnal should be recognized and used for its historical and traditional value as a reservoir of biblical truth•Generational differences must be considered so the needs and desires of the entire body of Christ will be met


Current “Guidelines for Worship” AOG(excerpt)

•Spiritual leaders must disallow any music that does not exalt Christ and build up His body of believers


Points to Ponder in an Effort to Move Toward a Solution

•Establish a criteria for song selection •Criteria should include strength of lyric (theologically sound), be congregationally appropriate/singable, strength of melody/musical•Use criteria for both hymns and new songs



•Present all songs in a manner/style that is relevant for a congregation’s demographic


2. “Worship” versus “Evangelistic” Focus in Services



Movement



•Most churches have worked through this tension•Dialog has led to an awareness of the need for service planners to view a worship service through the lens of the un-churched•An emphasis in relevant, biblical worship•The use of verbiage and structure with consideration for the un-churched


3. “Planned Programs” versus “Spirit- led” Services


“Leadership should prepare, and have as its motto: ‘Subject to change without notice.’” -Phil Kerr, 1939



•Fresh embrace of the Gifts of Utterance (prophecy, tongues and interpretation) and instruction on order/propriety (1 Cor 14)•For those who lead services to create breathing room/spaces for the interruptions of the Spirit



•For worship leaders to prepare their teams for spontaneity •For evaluation, lavish & loving communication among church leadership in this regard


4. Trained versus Untrained Music Leaders


• “A thorough knowledge of the art of musical composition was possessed by very few famous hymn-writers.”

• “Every great hymn seems to have been the result of a definite spiritual crisis in the life of the writer.”



Movement



•Champion the thought that church music should have a high standard •Create a culture of improvement that develops musicians, instrumentalists and vocalists



•Consider the long term impact of the current state, seemingly perilous for church choirs and orchestras•Perpetuate the notion that skilled church musicians must be biblically trained and that those biblically trained should be musically skilled. Not an “either – or.”


5. “Performance” versus “Participation”



Movement


The Unfortunate Knee-jerk Reaction

•The elimination of many choirs and orchestras•The disenfranchising of thousands of choir and orchestra members – relationally, ministerially, artistically•The disregard of roughly 1900 years of choral singing in the Church


The Unfortunate Knee-jerk Reaction

•The scattering of many fine instrumentalists from our churches, for they will find an outlet for their ministry



•Re-engage in conversation that asks different questions•Train our choir/orchestra members to be “leaders of worship” and not “performers.” •A fresh appreciation for the NT communal characteristics that church choirs and orchestras facilitate


6. Topical versus Expositional Preaching



Movement


Topical preaching is based on selecting a topic to preach on, then finding scriptural passages to support the teaching points of that topic.


“Expositional preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through the preacher, applies to the hearer.” -Dr. Haddon Robinson, Biblical Preaching



•The tension between topical and expositional preaching is a rather polite discussion compared to those over musical styles•The shift still taking place is not without heartfelt discussions based on deep philosophical convictions



•An understanding that the consummate Pentecostal preacher is, in fact, spirit-anointed and academically equipped to parcel the Scriptures in a manner that contributes to the discipling of their congregants


7. Welcoming versus Not Welcoming the Gifts of Utterance in Worship Services


Characteristics of the Early Pentecostal Movement with Regard to the

Gifts of Utterance

•These “divine interruptions” were most welcome•Welcome at any time in the service, including during the sermon


Characteristics of the Early Pentecostal Movement with Regard to the

Gifts of Utterance•Service leaders were encouraged to “leave room for sacred pauses” for tongues (to be followed by an interpretation) and prophecy•The Gifts of Utterance, especially tongues, were the distinguishing mark identifying the Pentecostal Church from other Evangelical churches



Movement


“Are Pentecostal churches still Pentecostal?”

If praxis does not support doctrine, then why would pastors/churches identify with the distinctive they desire to forsake?



•A hunger for empowerment•An embrace of all New Testament theology, including doctrine associated with the Pentecostal experience•Biblical teaching on the subject from Pentecostal pulpits and in Pentecostal seminaries



•A creation of “sacred pauses” in services where discerning leaders give room for “divine interruptions”•The realization that “biblical teaching moments” that follow such interruptions will give believers and unbelievers understanding


8. Sacred versus Secular Elements in Worship Services


Loose definitions:

•Sacred – that which once held a holy place in the heart of the Pentecostal Church

•Secular – influences of secular culture/society upon the Pentecostal Church


Generational Impact

•Senior population – miss the familiar, meaningful Pentecostal “liturgy” they once enjoyed•Baby Boomers – an embrace, for the most part, of the “rock concert” atmosphere


Generational Impact

•X & Y Generations – a split between identification with the “rock concert” setting and a desire for more organic, unproduced worship services that include a connection with traditional, historical elements of worship. Desire for substance over fluff is key for both X & Y.


Generational Impact

“We are a liturgical post-rock band. We believe that art is sacred and try to make music that reflects that.” -Gungor



•Suggest church leaders asking better questions•Careful evaluation of new elements prior to implementation•Creative insertion of meaningful, historic liturgy•Regular assessment of all service elements



•For elements that have diminished in effectiveness, thoughtful discussion of how meaning can be added. The net impact could mean salvaging an element instead of discarding it. This is not to say that some ineffective elements should, in fact, be discontinued. It is believed that some should.


4 Keys to the Future of Pentecostal Worship

1.Unity - Valuing All Generations (Ps 133)Anointing

Refreshing Blessing Life Forevermore



2.Characteristics of the New Testament Church – A Fresh Embrace

•May Pentecostal leaders embrace each of the nine spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12)•May the instructions given in 1 Cor 14 regarding the 3 Gifts of Utterance be taught and followed



2.Characteristics of the New Testament Church – A Fresh Embrace

•May those who are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ be equally unashamed of the Pentecostal experience



3.Historical Appreciation – 2000 years & 100 years

•2000 years of liturgical worship•100 years in the Pentecostal tradition•Careful assessment instead of flippant disregard




•Linkage with Christian heritage and Pentecostal roots•Awareness of dangers of maturation, sophistication, calcification and institutionalization




•Refusal to allow the un-churched to dictate worship service programming•Recall of how the proclamation of the gospel and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit fueled the growth of the church in the NT



4. The Gift of Teaching – Informing our Congregants

•Biblical worship•Pentecostal worship•The history of worship in the Church•Proper emphasis of valuable truths leading to fruit. Fruit which shall remain.



Movement


eight tensions in the worship community of the pentecostal movement dr. randal l. quackenbush

Documents

worship service

pentecostal movementdr

christian singing

gospel songs

types of congregational

song selection criteria

entire body of christ

quackenbushformational