“WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE
UNLIKELY, WE CAN SING
ABOUT THE UNLIKELY; BUT
PEOPLE NEED TO SEE THE
UNLIKELY. NOTHING CAN
TAKE THE PLACE OF BEING A
PART OF A SERVICE WHERE
PEOPLE CAN LITERALLY SENSE
THE PRESENCE OF GOD.”
—JERRY MACKLIN
limit God. It anticipates the unexpected. I preach a sermon on MACKLIN: I think the music has changed to where there is a
“The Church of the Unlikely,” where I talk about how unlikely sincere effort to worship God in a way that is unique and
things should happen in church. We can talk about the unlike- refreshing. This whole idea of welcoming the Spirit—that to me
ly. We can sing about the unlikely; but people need to see the brings a level of excitement that makes for a positive future.
unlikely. Nothing can take the place of being a part of a service
where people can literally sense the presence of God. WOOD: Diversity. I think we should celebrate the diversity in
our churches. Our statistician was looking at an alphabetical list-
COSSEY: Many churches that do not identify themselves as Pente- ing of our churches and came across two next to each other in
costal are incorporating some of our praise and worship and even the the “C” section. One was called Church on a Sure Foundation, and
lifting of hands in worship. How is Pentecostal worship more than the other was Church on the Edge. Both are Pentecostal, but as
that? you can tell, they are reaching different groups of people. It takes
many kinds of lures to catch a variety of fish, and there are a lot
WOOD: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So, thank the of fish in the sea.
Lord. I think it’s great that churches outside the Pentecostal
Movement are worshiping with their hands uplifted and singing COSSEY: What do you see in today’s church that concerns you?
worship choruses. I see it as an encouraging trend that they are
opening up to the Spirit. The big difference is biblical doctrine. CULPEPPER: One thing that bothers me is when I feel like there
As Pentecostals, we say that the Scriptures teach us there is an is a misunderstanding of what the ministry of the Holy Spirit is all
experience subsequent to or coincident with conversion, called about. We must not limit the Holy Spirit to just one way of doing
the baptism in the Holy Spirit. things. There are many expressions of spiritual worship. Some-
times it is exuberant, and sometimes with tongues and interpreta-
COSSEY: What trends do you see emerging in today’s Pentecostal tions. But sometimes it is equally as Spirit-driven to have quiet
churches that give you reason to rejoice? moments of weeping. The Holy Spirit can be just as present when
we are contemplative as when we are emotionally high.
FARMER: I am encouraged by the way Pentecostals are talking
about social ministries in conjunction with the preaching of the FARMER: I am concerned about the seeker-sensitive trend and
Gospel. Our combines have been in the barn far too long. We’ve about the elimination of Sunday school from many churches.
been enculturated and ingrown, and we are finally getting it that Biblical illiteracy is such a problem in the church, and we are los-
real ministry is what happens outside the four walls of our ing too many of our children because they do not have a biblical
churches. We are talking once again about getting out into the worldview.
harvest, and that is good.
MACKLIN: I call it the “cafeteria-style church,” where we’ll give
CULPEPPER: I am excited when I see in many places a more you whatever you want. Tell us what offends you; we won’t
vivacious and involved spirit of worship. I visit a lot of churches, offend you. Tell us what you want; we’ll give you that. That’s
and I am pleased to see good involvement in praise and worship. dangerous.
EVANGEL • AUG 2009 23
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