Delivered!
~a newsletter for former Pentecostals/Charismatics everywhere~
a service of ex-pentecostals.com
Copyright © 2001-2002. Jay Ketcherside. All Rights Reserved.
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August 15, 2002
Volume 1, Issue 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Welcome
2. Pentecostals in the News
3. Letters to the Editor
4. Announcements
5. Final Prayer
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WELCOME
Well, we're on our fifth issue for our maiden year, and the news keeps pouring
in. We had so much news this month that we did have to edit out some stories,
or the newsletter would have been just too long.
We are continuing to grow and change at ex-pentecostals.com. At the end of the
letter, we have some great announcements about changes to our services. I know
it seems like there something that's changed nearly every month; but please be
patient as we try to make our site, newsletter, and all of our services more
user friendly for you! Again, this is all about YOU, the ex-Pentecostal!
And, the only way I know I'm doing my job, or know that I need to do better is
if I hear from you, the reader. So, tell me how I'm doing, and how we can best
serve you!
Jay Ketcherside
Editor
jay@ex-pentecostals.com
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Pentecostals In The News*
AUSTIN AWAKENING
Move over Brownsville, Toronto . . . and even Azusa, there's a new movement in
town! Everyone in Austin, Texas is abuzz about a return to humility before God
-- or at least that is what the pastor of a church there wants you to believe,
according to a report by the Dallas Morning News.
Two years ago, Pastor Kenneth Phillips stood up before his congregation at
PromiseLand Church in Austin and tore off his toupee -- an act of humility as he
preached a sermon on vanity and pride. This not only shocked his congregation,
who had no inkling of the aging pastor's balding nature, but also his family who
felt he would never reveal the "naked" truth about his hairline.
Since his sermon, the church has stated that they are in a state of "revival" as
many in his congregation emulate his actions by ridding themselves of things in
their lives that they feel come between them and God -- from fancy cars to fancy
clothing.
This revival, entitled "Austin Awakening" has caused the church to grow, but
critics within the greater Pentecostal and Charismatic movement downplay its
success; stating that the growth in this "Oneness" church (apparently, formerly
associated with the UPCI) is a fluke, and not a great movement such as the "gold
dust" phenomenon, or the "laughing" revivals of the last decade.
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THE DAY THE LAUGHTER STOPPED
Carpenter's Home Church (AG) in Lakeland, Florida has had its ups and downs, but
they are taking it all in good humor as things are perking up a bit -- and
that's no joke! During the mid-eighties, the church had an explosive growth
period due to a revival held by Rodney Howard-Brown. The South African
minister, famous for his "laughing" revivals, introduced this so-called movement
to North America in that suburban church. As a result, the church grew to
nearly 5,000 members, and built a mammoth 10,000 seat auditorium in anticipation
of greater things to come.
Eventually, the laughter stopped and the church shrank after financial scandals
and a split that rocked the church. As their numbers dwindled to 1,200 members;
things seemed hopeless.
Things turned around when the pastor of Without Walls International Church
(14,000 members) in Tampa responded to an offer by the pastor of the shrinking
church, according to a report by the Lakeland Ledger. After a short joint
venture, WWIC will purchase the building and half the 100+ acre property as they
expand their ministry into Central Florida. This will leave the smaller of the
two with enough dough to get out of debt and build a smaller church on the
remaining property.
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BAPTICOSTAL REVIVAL
Many churches within the Baptist faith are experiencing a "Pentecostal renewal,"
according to a report by Charisma News Service. Though often frowned on
historically by the faith's largest organization, the Southern Baptist
Convention, the report implies that there is a growing tolerance for charismatic
worship and the use of "gifts of the spirit."
Though the article seemed to imply that this movement is spreading throughout
the entire Baptist faith, examples provided were from churches within the more
moderate Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
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COMING TO AMERICA
Those we once witnessed to are now missionaries to America. Members of the
Redeemed Christian Church of God -- founded by Nigerian immigrants -- want
nothing more than to bring America back to its religious roots and more in line
with the holy living that takes place daily in their native land, according to a
recent story by the Chicago Tribune.
This isn't just hopeful thinking, this is a growing faith with over 5,000
churches in 80 different countries. Historically, this church that has existed
in the U.S. for nearly 50 years has mostly attracted other Nigerian immigrants.
Now, it is attracting quite a few African-Americans -- as well as others -- with
its mix of traditional Pentecostal message and African music and dance.
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ASHCROFT ANGERS RIGHT
Conservative Assembly of God member John Ashcroft has angered many fellow
conservatives due to what they perceive as a preoccupation with post-September
11th issues instead of focusing on what they want: imposing the
ultraconservative agenda on the country from his bully pulpit, the Office of
Attorney General of the United States.
Besides neglecting these right-wing promotions, many Republicans are angry over
the Justice Department's greater powers of investigation, according to a report
by the Washington Times, fearing -- perhaps -- that it is turning the government
into "Big Brother."
Other conservatives are angry over Ashcroft's apparent decision to not ban a gay
pride celebration by Justice employees, a decision that drew condemnations from
Concerned Women of America, the Culture and Family Institute, and the American
Family Association.
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FIGHTING FOR JESUS
Cage fighter Casey Jean Noland hopes that while she is kickboxing and wrestling
her mostly secular opponents in this violent sport, that they and others will be
witnessed to by her Christian example, according to a Charisma News Service
report. Publisher Cameron Strang of Charisma is profiling her and others as
part of an upcoming book, entitled "I Am Relevant," which speaks of young
Christians sharing their faith in nontraditional ways.
Some may wonder if such violent activities really are appropriate in sharing the
gospel of Jesus Christ, but critics beware! In the same article, Dan Haseltine
of Jars of Clay tells how such reveals a gospel "of substance" to a world that
views the church and the ". . .gospel (as) irrelevant or inconsequential."
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HIP-HOP 4 JESUS
A recent Fourth of July celebration presented by ABC television shared events
from around the country; from outdoor events, to concerts, and even religious
services. They spotlighted Christian musician Kirk Franklin's church -- where
he is pastor -- where the members there were having their own celebration.
While Pentecostals have long been reviled as having services that resemble dance
halls, it was apparent with the layout of the building and gyrating that this
particular Pentecostal's church was indeed just that: a dance hall.
Charisma & Christian Living magazine spotlighted this trend in their
August issue, stating that many of these "hip-hop" churches are springing up
around the country, and alluding that this seems to be the fault of traditional
churches being resistant to this trend. While most of these churches are
popping up in larger, urban areas, and attracting mostly black audiences,
Charisma listed at least one church that is affiliated with the mostly white
Assemblies of God organization.
To the uninitiated, hip-hop gospel may not sound any different from its
mainstream pop cousin, with its DJ's, provocative clothing, and materialistic
message. After listening to many of these songs, viewing such videos or these
"church" services, one will find there is virtually no difference -- except that
Jesus is mentioned a few times in the lyrics.
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PENTECOSTAL EXECUTION
In 1988, the Reverend John David Terry of Emmanuel Church of Christ Oneness
Pentecostal Church in Nashville, TN, murdered Chester Matheney in the church
before a planned fishing trip they had scheduled that day, according to
ninetyandnine.com. Rev'd Terry had been embezzling money from the church, and
apparently was distraught over not receiving a promotion there, and the
then-recent death of his mother when the incident occurred.
He was convicted of the murder, but it was overturned due to technicalities. A
second jury convicted him again, and he was condemned early this summer to die
by execution.
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ROBERTSON DOGGED BY FORTUNE
Televangelist Pat Robertson can't win for losing . . . money, that is. This
perception that Fortune magazine created when reporting on his failed
businesses is one the aging tongue-talker is fighting tooth and nail. The
magazine claimed that the preacher burned through $80 million dollars of his
trust's $109 million start up money on bad business gambles in an apparent
attempt to wean his ministry off of viewer contributions that may dry up once he
is no longer able to function in the ministry. These businesses include a
failed gold mine in Liberia, and an old oil refinery that Robertson spent the
lion's share of cash on in a failed attempt to refurbish it, according to a
Charisma report.
Robertson came back swinging, apparently having been warmed up by earlier media
attacks due to his controversial ownership of race horses. He said that the
remarks claimed by Fortune were completely false, and that the money from
his trust (Robertson Charitable Remainder Trust) did not use viewer donated
money for his failed businesses. Delivered! wonders exactly where
that money did come from, if not from his television solicitations?
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HOLY GHOST FIRE
While many watched the sky light up on the Fourth with fireworks, members of
Brownsville Assembly of God saw their new sanctuary light up as well. Instead
of burning with the "Holy Ghost fire" that put their church in the national
spotlight during to their multiyear revival, the fire this time was real; due to
a lightening strike.
The fire caused $1 million dollars in damage, but the pastor says it was a
"blessing in disguise" since the sanctuary had been well worn by the attendance
of thousands of revival participants over the years. Insurance money will
rebuild the facility that apparently needed many repairs.
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NO SANCTUARY!
When Rosanne Willcocks rented a small caravan parked in park owned by the
Assemblies of God in Busselton, Queensland, Australia, she knew her life would
turn around for her and her four children after leaving her husband. The Sunday
Times in Australia reported that the church had no intentions of operating their
park as a homeless shelter, and sought to evict her after three months. Mrs.
Willcocks was distraught by their decision, and fought them; stating that the
caravan's owner made an oral contract with her to use the habitat for four
months.
A Busselton magistrate sided with her, but the church continued its eviction
proceedings, stating that the church was actually leasing the property from
Busselton shire, and anything longer than a three-month stay was in violation of
that lease. No word if the church attempted to assist the homeless family find
other housing.
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PENTECOSTAL MP
The "Ashcroft Phenomenon" is taking the world by storm! The Pentecostal
Attorney General and former US Senator has international fellowship with the
recent election of Andrew Evan to South Australia's Legislative Council, the
legislative upper house of that Australian state. Evans is a retired AG pastor,
and the founder of the Family First party which won the seat. This is the first
victory for the small party, and Evans is apparently the first Pentecostal
elected to a major political seat in that country.
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MIRACLE POOL
Longing for the healing pools mentioned in the Bible? Well, search no more!
No, they haven't been excavated in the Middle East; rather, a South African
pastor has built one in his church in Lofdal, Stilfontein. Anyone wanting a
miracle is invited to walk through "the Bath of Bethesda," and Rev'd Kobus van
Rensburg claims many have done just that.
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GIVE UNTO THE LORD
Church of God members thought they were doing a good thing when they invested
hard-earned monies in the investment division of Church of God Ministries
(Anderson, Indiana). Church Extension was in theory a fund raising arm of the
church to help build and renovate churches in this denomination; instead, they
found themselves having to settle with the Securities and Exchange Commission
last month after it was discovered they had defrauded investors to the tune of
$85 million dollars. Church officials have promised that all investors will be
repaid, according to a report by Charisma News Service.
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~Letters to the Editor~
Dear Editor:
I was raised UPC, have been out of that for many years. A woman I work with is
in it though. I've tried to talk to her about the Oneness vs. Trinity issue.
I've never in my life heard a Trinity preacher/teacher refer to three gods and
shared that with her. (Plus the fact that my Bible has always read exactly the
way they preach it no matter how hard I tried to understand their twist on the
scriptures.) In turn she shared something about a Trinity tract she'd come
across years ago. In it, at the end, there are three thrones in Heaven. Now,
reprints of the same track show just one throne. It's her opinion, as well as
many others, that God is revealing Oneness to the "heathen" (she didn't use that
word but you know the attitude) Trinitarians. They are having the "truth"
revealed to them just like the Bible says would happen?!? So I'm sure that many
of them would have basically the same response to the article "Will the UPC
Change?" That is so frustrating. My parents, in their 70's, are still
thoroughly immersed in the doctrine.
Well, I just had to vent a little. I really enjoy your newsletter! Keep up the
great work and may God bless you richly.
Sincerely,
D.F.
Thanks for your kind words, D.F. I certainly know how frustrating it can be
communicating with a current Pentecostal about the word "truth." And then, I
have to remember that I used to be the same way, so I have to give 'em a little
credit! I like to think of the different Christian denominations as different
understandings of Christ and His gospel, and since they are human
understandings, there are flaws in each of them, and none is perfect.
About the UPCI in particular, it is kind of hard to imagine that church ever
moving an inch. Founded when many Christian faiths shared common Victorian
social codes and dress, it alone isolated itself and has remained virtually
unchanged for the nearly hundred years Apostolic Pentecostalism has been on the
planet. A humorous memory from childhood is a play our church used to put on
about the early Pentecostal revivals. The ladies did not have to do much with
their hair to mimic the styles and length of Victorian Age women.
Jay
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~Announcements~
About the newsletter:
First, the good news! After taking a break in September, Delivered! newsletter
will be published on a monthly basis, coming to you 11 months a year from then
on. The schedule for the rest of the year will be a newsletter for October and
one for November. No commitment yet on a December issue (this may be the one
month that it will not be published from now on -- I haven't decided).
This decision was made due to the regular influx of news relating to
Pentecostals I receive almost daily, and often waiting for two months to publish
a certain article greatly decreases the newsworthiness of the piece.
Now, the bad news: The newsletter starting in October will be shorter and more
palatable. In the past, I've compiled newsletters that probably took nearly a
half-hour to read, and that really is a bit much for a e-mail newsletter. Each
newsletter will be compiled of two to four news stories, a feature commentary,
and letters to the editor. Each should be short enough for quick and easy
digestion, and not something of the megalithic proportions I've been known to
send out.
The "feature commentaries" will remain, but each will not appear in every
newsletter. "Famous Pentecostals," "Spotlight On . . .," "Cover Story," "A
Pentecostal Experience," and "Editorial" will all continue, but only one of them
will be featured in any one issue of the new and improved "Delivered!"
About the website:
As of now, our website is fully functional -- with most of the bugs worked out.
We now have a links and resources page, and a guestbook for passersby. During
the month I'm taking off (September), I will be marketing this site on the
Internet, and finding other ways to get the word out about the site and our
services. Any hints or ideas would be helpful, and greatly appreciated.
About the Mailing List:
Want to remain part of our services and mailing list, but worried about your
confidentiality? Within the two weeks, an announcement will be released to ex-pentecostals.com
Mailing List that explains the new plan to not only perfect confidentiality, but
to add controls for individuals to add or delete their name to the list
independent of ex-pentecostals.com's participation. Be sure and read this
"Memo" as it will contain vital information.
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About Delivered!
Delivered! is a FREE monthly newsletter for former Pentecostals/Charismatics
everywhere, distributed by e-mail only. It is affiliated with
www.ex-pentecostals.com. The next publication date of the general newsletter is
October 1, 2002.
ex-pentecostals.com
For more information concerning services and forums offered by the Association
of Former Pentecostals, check out ex-pentecostals.com.
Comments? Submissions? Letters to the Editor?
Check out ex-pentecostals.com/newsletter.html
for more information, or e-mail:
jay@ex-pentecostals.com
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*information compiled from several independent media sources are considered
"public knowledge," and sources are not identified. Articles compiled from one
source, the source was identified, and a story written extracting the news
without intentionally infringing on copyright laws.
**contributions and experiences by former Pentecostals do not necessarily
reflect the opinion of the editor of this newsletter. Contributions many be
edited for grammar, punctuation, or length.
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Copyright © 2001-2002 by Jay Ketcherside. All rights reserved. All stories,
opinions, and other text in this newsletter, Delivered!, are the personal
copyrighted property of Jay Ketcherside, unless otherwise noted. No portion of
this newsletter may be reproduced by any means without the expressed permission
of the author(s). To request permission for reproducing original materials
contained within this newsletter, please e-mail Jay Ketcherside at jay@ex-pentecostals.com
for more information.
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