The culture’s practice in that day was thing in today’s church, the real problem issues than style. I must ask, “Does it pro-
to brand slaves, especially if one was for me may be the stigma. duce holiness of lifestyle? Does it cause
caught in a criminal act, such as stealing. Jesus addressed this issue with the them to love more? Does it glorify God?”
The slave would carry this stigma as a Pharisees. They claimed that though they I wonder what my grandfather would
mark of shame for the rest of his life. Paul refused to accept Jesus, they would have have thought. He grew up in a little
readily identified himself as a slave of accepted the prophets who came before Methodist Church in rural central Ken-
Christ. This was the same line of thought Him (Matthew 23:29-31). His response tucky. He remembered as a young man
Paul used in other places. He described was basically this: If they did not receive seeing people slain in the Spirit. They put
Christ crucified as a “stumblingblock” Him, neither would they have embraced smelling salts under their noses to try to
and spoke of the “offence of the cross” what God did through Moses, Elijah, and bring them to, because no one knew what
(1 Corinthians 1:23; Galatians 5:11). The others. Let’s apply this to the modern was happening.
Greek word he used, skandalon, can be context. We may celebrate Wesley and After attending a youth event with my
literally translated as “the scandal of the Finney. But if we can’t receive God’s daughters and witnessing their radical
cross.” Today, we wear little gold crosses activity today, neither would we have new commitments to their spiritual
on chains around our necks. That may worn yesterday’s stigma. walks, I needed to reflect. I thought back
not be bad, but it probably fails to discern to what church looked like when I was a
the original meaning of the Cross. O IT PRESENTS ME with a chal- child. It was different from the “grunge”
Those who have fully embraced the of today—wild hair, baggy jeans, piercings
move of God in their day have always and all. Yet the passion of their hearts is
borne a stigma. The Anabaptists, though strongly reminiscent of their grandpar-
not against baptism, objected to its prac- S
lenge. I don’t want to chase
every fad. Neither do I want to
be found in opposition to God’s
work in my day. Particularly, as ents. It may be a new package, but the
tice with infants. They insisted on a fully a Spirit-filled believer, part of my identity product has not changed. There is still a
conscious conversion decision and were should be a willingness to embrace the call to personal holiness, passion for God,
martyred for it. The Methodists were so new. That was certainly the case for our love for others, intense worship, powerful
named for their methodical approach to Pentecostal forefathers. My dad was fond anointing, and true repentance. My
discipleship. They believed certain disci- of a story about some early pioneers who daughters may look different when they
plines were necessary to maintain intima- first came to a certain community with praise, but when I walk into their rooms
cy with God. Early Pentecostals were des- the Holy Spirit message. They were derid- and find them praying, I think I can live
ignated as “holy rollers” due to their ed habitually. Finally, some mean boys with it.
enthusiastic worship. It was a term of in the area came to the preacher seeking Times have changed, and they will
derision, so noted even in the early Min- salvation. The preacher asked why the change again. But my heart cries out,
utes of the Church of God General Assembly. change. They said, “Preacher, several “God, don’t let me miss Your visitation in
None of these terms was intended to be a days ago we put enough strychnine in my day.” The touch of God on my life
compliment. your well to kill a herd of cattle. For may come at the price of being embar-
Today, we face a problem because stig- three days we have watched your wife rassed and undignified before others. I
mas can change over the years. Today’s and children draw water from that well don’t want to be guilty of saying, “The
stigma may look different from yester- with no ill effects. Now we want what old wine is better” (see Luke 5:39). I don’t
day’s stigma. Yesterday’s stigma becomes you have.” Early Pentecostals may have want to be like the prophets who wasted
today’s accepted practice. It is true that wrestled with legalism, but one thing can their time searching for Elijah’s body
we need discernment in the body of be said: They were so hungry for God when God wanted to give them twice as
Christ, often more than we show. At the they were willing to look different, if much (see 2 Kings 2:16-18). Who knows
same time, though, there is something necessary, to get more of Him. We have what tomorrow’s stigma may look like?
wrong if we have not embraced any move lost that today. But be careful when you decide what is of
of God in the last 20 years. When people We must realize that the stigma of a God and what isn’t. These days call for
laughed in the Spirit, some ridiculed that. past generation appeared just as unusual discernment, but don’t miss God just
When the Pensacola outpouring came in its day as today’s stigma does now. My because of a stigma.
along, others found fault with that. And parents worshiped with a Pentecostal
today, some disdain the radical worship shout. My generation favored a charis-
of young people at events like The Ramp matic dance. When I watch my daughters
Mark Hisle serves as pastor of
and The Call. While these events may worship, it often looks something like
Parkway Praise Center Church
each have their strengths or weaknesses, “headbanging” for Jesus. Why can’t we
of God in London, Kentucky.
consider this: If I can never embrace any- all worship side by side? There are deeper
EVANGEL • FEB 2009 15
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