Why are pentecostals so.....

[DanTheMan777]

What specifically was so judgemental about these particular pentecostals, and do you feel that you have sufficiently sampled pentecostal and non-pentecostal people sufficiently that you can label them as more judgemental. I was formerly in a babtist church before marrying into Assemblies of God, and I find little difference in acceptance levels, except that the Baptist church I went would criticize you for how you dressed, mainly during the summer.

 

[prophecystudent]

I submit that "judgement" is in the eye of the beholder. For the church to shun women for cutting their hair is ridiculous. To ask women to dress in a more modest way is not. Just as two examples.

The bible is fairly clear on how the church should deal with those in the congregation who blatantly sin. First, that person is counselled privately, one on one. If the counsellee does not change his/her conduct, then 2 or 3 from the congregation are to do some more counselling. If that does not solve the problem then the counsellee is to be expelled from the congregation until they change the undesireable conduct. Note that this is scriptural.

That is not to say that every infraction of the church should be handled in this way. It has to do with intentional sinning and the impact such sinning affects (or infects) the congregation.

Things like long/short hair, wearing, or not wearing, jewelry, etc are not reasons (in my opinion) to engage in the procedure I described above. That process should only be undertaken when "serious" breaches occur.

I have seen women in church wearing clothing that made them look like a cheap hooker. In my opinion, that is inappropriate and the person should be counselled about it. It disrupts the service.

An elder in the church who insists on committing adultery, for example, would be a prime example of the procedure described in the bible. Other examples exist.

Too many times well meaning people, including Christians, get so involved in an activity that they start setting all kinds of "rules" even if they are not based on sound doctrine or scripture.

In closing, if you feel uncomfortable in a particular church, for whatever reason, find another one.

Fred

 

[Holyroller125]

I'm also familiar with churches that are sticklers about whether or not women are wearing trousers, makeup, and jewelry, and if they're cutting/trimming their hair. Usually, that's associated with UPC/Apostolic churches, although I know there are other denominations with churches just like this. Yes, as you say, it would be a turn off. Any church (denomination aside) that would judge another person on such things -- well, it's just petty.

I'm a firm believer that we should all let God work with other people in their lives, and let them have their own convictions.

Greetings,

I concur. I am a member of the Apostolic Faith. And unfortunately, I disagree about the preaching that in order for a girl to be saved that she has to stop wearing mini skirts, jewelry altogether, no pants whatsoever, etc. etc. I agree with some of you.

I would also concur that all Christians can become judgmental towards people when the flesh gets in the way. Sometimes, what kind of judging are you talking about? Sometimes judging comes through the preached Word of God, and this needs to happen so that sinners come to God and the altar.

For any UPC/Apostolic that reads this, I disagree about the doctrine that girls have to stop wearing mini skirts, pants, and jewelry altogether, etc. etc. to be saved. This is adding to, and how many more steps do you want to add?

All The Best

 

[onelamb]

Why are you OP-being so judgmental of the Pentecostals? LOL-PS-some people believe the Holy Spirit's convicting work-is merely others being judgmental of them.

 

[AmericanAngel]

I am really sorry that happened. IT sounds like those particular churches felt like they were an exclusive country club for saints. Gee, what's the point of a church if it's only for people who think they are saints!? However, please, keep in mind that not all Pentecostals are that way. In the church I attend, we've had folks with spiked hair, piercings, drunks, and butts literally hanging out on the alter.(one gal wor an odd pair of tight pants, and when she squated down,on that alter to pray, her butt and gee string stuck out,someone simply covered her butt with a jacket)
But, while we are one the subject of butts, those folks were never told not to come back. In fact the Pentecostals made it a point to make those folks feel welcome and prayed over the visitors in tongues.

Sounds like you and I go to the same church!

 

[Holyroller125]

Why are you OP-being so judgmental of the Pentecostals? LOL-PS-some people believe the Holy Spirit's convicting work-is merely others being judgmental of them.

Anyway, for instance, if you are going to preach that a woman will go to Hell for wearing pants. Do not lay on your shoulders and watch all the women that wear pants go to Hell. Go up to them and at least do the mission of God of restoring souls to Jesus Christ.

Anyway, now why did God give you the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire? What is the anointing for? What is the empowerment for? Please use the Holy Ghost that God gave you to bring souls to Jesus Christ, or we are hypocrites to stand behind a pulpit, preach, and put people in Hell just because they do not wear what one says within the church.

Just some important things to consider to be an authentic Pentecostal rather than be a hypocrite and watch sinners go to Hell.

God Bless,

Greg Norton

 

[Aussiechildofgod]

i absolutely agree that it is a CHRISTIAN thing not a denominational thing....Pentacostals in general do have a more "confronting" way of doing things...perhaps this is what you're picking up on? But as far as judgement....I converted from Catholicism, and let me tell you, there is JUST as much if more judgement with catholicism as there is with pentacostal churches....the way I was treated was actually quite cruel.

I think its dangerous to single out ONE denomination above another and say "they're the most judgemental" or even "they're MORE judgemental" because even if you have been to a variety of denoms, you've only been to so many CHURCHES in those denoms, and indivdual churches do vary quite considerably in their attitudes, values, and overall treatment of other people. I can only speak for my own CHURCH within my denom..and Im not even going to say what my denom IS because I don't think it matters, but I really do love my church...they're beautiful and very very accepting and loving, and the one thing I love the most is that they lead by example rather than by judgement. Not all churches are like that, I know. I just dont think its wise to lump all pentacostal churches in together, because just the TERM pentacostal covers SUCH a broad range of SUB denominations that you really cant be accurate in your assessment.

This aside, i am sorry that your experiences are that of judgement rather than love. It is unfortunate, sad, and a product of a broken world that we don't always treat eacother the way we should. I hope that your relationship with God goes from strength to strength despite the judgement of others.

 

[jesusmyhealer]

I was raised a Catholic and recently joined a Pentecostal/AOG church and for once in my life I really feel connected to God and very welcomed by the church.

More than what I can say for the Catholic Church(es) I belonged to in the past.

I think it's a human thing that we judge, it's in our nature regardless of what religion we follow.

Funny coz it's something I never took note of as a Catholic and now I really think before I speak and I'm aware of being judgemental.

I'm a changed WOMAN

i absolutely agree that it is a CHRISTIAN thing not a denominational thing....Pentacostals in general do have a more "confronting" way of doing things...perhaps this is what you're picking up on? But as far as judgement....I converted from Catholicism, and let me tell you, there is JUST as much if more judgement with catholicism as there is with pentacostal churches....the way I was treated was actually quite cruel.

I think its dangerous to single out ONE denomination above another and say "they're the most judgemental" or even "they're MORE judgemental" because even if you have been to a variety of denoms, you've only been to so many CHURCHES in those denoms, and indivdual churches do vary quite considerably in their attitudes, values, and overall treatment of other people. I can only speak for my own CHURCH within my denom..and Im not even going to say what my denom IS because I don't think it matters, but I really do love my church...they're beautiful and very very accepting and loving, and the one thing I love the most is that they lead by example rather than by judgement. Not all churches are like that, I know. I just dont think its wise to lump all pentacostal churches in together, because just the TERM pentacostal covers SUCH a broad range of SUB denominations that you really cant be accurate in your assessment.

This aside, i am sorry that your experiences are that of judgement rather than love. It is unfortunate, sad, and a product of a broken world that we don't always treat eacother the way we should. I hope that your relationship with God goes from strength to strength despite the judgement of others.

 

[Holyroller125]

i absolutely agree that it is a CHRISTIAN thing not a denominational thing....Pentacostals in general do have a more "confronting" way of doing things...perhaps this is what you're picking up on? But as far as judgement....I converted from Catholicism, and let me tell you, there is JUST as much if more judgement with catholicism as there is with pentacostal churches....the way I was treated was actually quite cruel.

I think its dangerous to single out ONE denomination above another and say "they're the most judgemental" or even "they're MORE judgemental" because even if you have been to a variety of denoms, you've only been to so many CHURCHES in those denoms, and indivdual churches do vary quite considerably in their attitudes, values, and overall treatment of other people. I can only speak for my own CHURCH within my denom..and Im not even going to say what my denom IS because I don't think it matters, but I really do love my church...they're beautiful and very very accepting and loving, and the one thing I love the most is that they lead by example rather than by judgement. Not all churches are like that, I know. I just dont think its wise to lump all pentacostal churches in together, because just the TERM pentacostal covers SUCH a broad range of SUB denominations that you really cant be accurate in your assessment.

This aside, i am sorry that your experiences are that of judgement rather than love. It is unfortunate, sad, and a product of a broken world that we don't always treat eacother the way we should. I hope that your relationship with God goes from strength to strength despite the judgement of others.

I'm an ordained minister. And, strategic leadership is needed within Pentecostal ranks to change how we lead people. I know without a shadow of the doubt that the Pentecostal message changed me. I was a Fundamental Baptist heavily taught against Pentecostalism, "speaking in tongues is of the devil," and do not pass go and do not collect 200 dollars kind of attitude with it. They never really answered my question when I went up to the altar and said: "Yes I believe in Jesus Christ, read John 3:16, and I still thingk that something is missing." They could not answer it, and what I was seeking was the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire with evidencal tongues. Well, I had a lot of addictions, dirty addictions, and someone invited me to a Pentecostal church, and I got the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. God gave me strength to get rid of all the dirty addictions that I could not all by myself. I was trying to be righteous on my own. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost made the righteousness embodied, and God gave me strength, power, and anointing to let the worldly junk go.

Unfortunately, I have seen people turned off by Pentecostal churches because of how they were treated, and I know that it is a leadership issue and not a doctrinal issue. Some Pentecostal preachers will say that they cannot handle strong doctrine. On the other hand, to me, that is a cope out because the leadership is often unethical and rude in how they deal with someone else's viewpoints. If leadership was more effective, the relationship will be won, and the person will stay with the commitment of the church. I know that the strategic leadership of humans is a growing edge of Pentecostal ministers if we are to grow up anymore.

Nonetheless, I have to strongly concur that many people single out Pentecostals on being judgmental. And, your point is very valid that it is a human period for us to judge.

"Theology is about ideas; history is about people." (Steven Beardsley)

I heard this man say this. And, the point is well valid. The people are just as important as the theological ideas. Theology restores people, and leadership cannot be ignorant about leading humans.

I was raised a Catholic and recently joined a Pentecostal/AOG church and for once in my life I really feel connected to God and very welcomed by the church.

More than what I can say for the Catholic Church(es) I belonged to in the past.

I think it's a human thing that we judge, it's in our nature regardless of what religion we follow.

Funny coz it's something I never took note of as a Catholic and now I really think before I speak and I'm aware of being judgemental.

I'm a changed WOMAN

AMEN!!! I know that the Pentecostal message is a changing message, and a message that the world cannot compete with. People criticize the pentecostal message, but our message has helped many others when generic evangelical messages have not. A generic evangelical message will not help someone with radical problems, addictions, and issues. But, the Pentecostal message has helped me like it has you.

Anyway, despite me being hurt by some Pentecostal leaders; I will get up, preach our message, will not throw it out the door. I know that healing, deliverance, transformation, change, power, and authority comes in our message. The Pentecostal message has a lot of essence and substance that some generic protestant messages do not.

God Bless,

Gregory Paul Norton

 

[Sp0kenF0r]

Why are pentecostals so judgmental. I was a part of the pentecostal church for a loooong time. I am now more nondenominational...but one thing I noticed growing up in the pentecostal church is that most...not all...of them were very very judgmental.

I know that not all are this way and that you should not focus on one bad apple...but from what I have seen its been more than one bad apple....its very prevelant from what I have seen. Just wondering what your thoughts on this are.

an EXtreme side of pentecostals are the "oneness" sect i didnt even know that kind of legalism and judgmentalism existed today; like modern day puritans/ theres a reason that sect is so small

 

[Holyroller125]

an EXtreme side of pentecostals are the "oneness" sect i didnt even know that kind of legalism and judgmentalism existed today; like modern day puritans/ theres a reason that sect is so small

Greetings in Jesus Name,

Sir, did you read my whole testimony. And, you will be surprised just how many Oneness people their are around the world. The Oneness/Revelation of Jesus Christ blew my socks off and gave me lots of zeal, tenacity, and joy to witness and serve God.

For the judgmentalism, I know that it is unfortunate that how people are approached within my movement needs work. I have acknowledged the change within leadership on human leadership, and my prayer is for other leaders in Oneness ranks to see as well. Also, Pentecostalism should not be the emotional trashcan, identified patient, or object of criticism. It is easy to put all on one denomination rather than challenge the flesh to change and be authentically spiritual.

God Bless and hopes this helps,

Greg Norton

 

[Sp0kenF0r]

Greetings in Jesus Name,

Sir, did you read my whole testimony. And, you will be surprised just how many Oneness people their are around the world. The Oneness/Revelation of Jesus Christ blew my socks off and gave me lots of zeal, tenacity, and joy to witness and serve God.

For the judgmentalism, I know that it is unfortunate that how people are approached within my movement needs work. I have acknowledged the change within leadership on human leadership, and my prayer is for other leaders in Oneness ranks to see as well. Also, Pentecostalism should not be the emotional trashcan, identified patient, or object of criticism. It is easy to put all on one denomination rather than challenge the flesh to change and be authentically spiritual.

God Bless and hopes this helps,

Greg Norton

i had a friend that was apostalic, and after going to one of their meetings i knew something was seriously wrong, i researched it because i had never heard of them and i found nothing good to learn but im not going to touch on that

 

[Aussiechildofgod]

It seems like some of ya'll did not bother reading my whole post...because if you did there would be no need for comments like this.

I said I know its not all pentecostals but...I have been in several different type pentecostal churches as well as nonpentecostal...even catholic and by far the ones who were most judgemental were the pentecostals....again...this is NOT ALL PENTECOSTALS...but most.

I dont think saying "most" is even a good representation...have you been to "most" pentacostal churches around the world????? Cos unless you have, that whole notion is simply false. Now you could say "most" of the pentacostals YOU'VE MET are judgemental...that would be ok because you're limiting it to the people you have had experience with. But to say in such a blanket way "most pentacostals are judgemental" is simply wrong.

 

[Miracle Storm]

Why are pentecostals so judgmental. I was a part of the pentecostal church for a loooong time. I am now more nondenominational...but one thing I noticed growing up in the pentecostal church is that most...not all...of them were very very judgmental.

I know that not all are this way and that you should not focus on one bad apple...but from what I have seen its been more than one bad apple....its very prevelant from what I have seen. Just wondering what your thoughts on this are.

Maybe you shouldn't stereotype people.
Maybe it was just your perception of them and they were not really what you state at all.
Maybe you should concern yourself with your own judgements toward others before casting stones.

May God bless and guide.

 

[nagwalk]

Judging cultural things is relative. Dress, hair and eating codes with leisure activities, change with location, ie.north south east west.

In all things we need love. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know you are my disciples, that you have love one for another."

 

[Holyroller125]

i had a friend that was apostalic, and after going to one of their meetings i knew something was seriously wrong, i researched it because i had never heard of them and i found nothing good to learn but im not going to touch on that

Most people consider Apostolics their "identified patient" or "emotional trashcan" within Christianity. I used to not be Apostolic, and unfortunately, some make lousy opinions based on one Apostolic church that they attend. Yes, some do not have no ethics whatsoever. However, I researched heavily many other denominations, and it appears to me that they short change people. Many people outside the Apostolic movement hate us because we actually have a doctrine that challenges their status quo. I would rather be teased and be made fun of as an Apostolic than to hang out somewhere that only affirms things so that people will not say anything derogatory towards them. It really takes a lot of backbone to be an Apostolic minister. I rejoice that you and others beat up on Apostolics because it only tells me that we still have a message that actually changes and challenges people when many other doctrines failed that I set under before I became an Apostolic. In essence, thank you for the compliment, and I will be praying for you.

Greg Norton

 

[friendnc]

I noticed this was OPed a few years ago, but thought I'd give my 2 cents anyway. I've been in penticost since I was a boy. In general, it's no more "judgemental" than most other denominations. Neither extreme is good (overly conservative or liberal) IMO. The denomination I was in gowing up in the 70's/early 80's was a bit legalistic, but has changed to be more in line with the Word of God rather than man-made traditions. Though I know what you mean by the word "judgemental", I do think it's a bit over used/misused. Not saying you've done so, just in general terms. We're surely not to judge someones soul, but we ALL make judgements everyday about all sorts of things (right or wrong issues/"If we see our brother in sin, go to him gently...", etc.). So in a sense, we're suppose to be "judgemental". But judging a persons soul is strictly in the hands of God. I think if we live in that way, we'd all get along better. I've seen a lot of people hurt badly by the "bad" judgemental mindset on silly, disputeable matters. But clearly, no one church has the market on rude behavior or "judgemental" attitudes. Thinking that was just leads to unfair steriotypes. Hope this helps a little.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

Judgemental?

I was denied a ride to a Pentecostal/Charismatic church because I had been divorced. They didn't want to be seen with me because it might invite gossip: Abstain from all appearance of evil and all that.

But the most judgemental I ever came across was the one who, years ago, told me I had no right to be reading the Bible because I was a teenage unwed mother. !!!!

If anyone needs to be reading the Bible, it's a teenage unwed mother! How are we ever going to be saved, for one thing, then grow in Christ later, if we have to be "good enough" to read the Bible in the first place?

I should edit this post to point out that the woman who said that about the Bible was not Pentecostal but of another denomination altogether.

 

[Estheri]

I have heard doctrine like that and you're right, it is a cult. They are preaching a different gospel (Gal 1:6-8 - not a good practice).

But again, if it isn't speaking in tongues that's required for salvation, it would be getting baptized a certain way or eating the right foods. Anything but being saved by grace through faith in the shed blood of Jesus is false teaching.

it is only by grace we are abel to walk with God

 

[BroGinder]

Bama Pastor,

First off let me say "ROLL TIDE"! If your not from Alabama or involved in the SEC you wouldnt understand. LOL

I find some of those people in just about every place I have been. I have been in many Churches that call themselves "Christian" and been very disappointed in what they think Christ was like. Since Christian means Christ like.

I do not think it is the Church, or the congregation, but the people. It is the enemy of our souls attempting to isolate, divide and conquer one at a time. Sowing the seed of discord and such

We must not fall into his trap and take the actions that we dislike so much. We must rememebr to love the people hate the non-Christian actions. Pray for them fast for them.

If we fall into the trap and begin to talk about them we are about as guilty of judging as they are we not?

We are allowed to judge, the Bible says we are just to judge ourselves first and in the same manner as we judge another. We are allowed to judge the fruit but not the heart.

I feel I know what you are referring to when you post your statement, and I have so felt and experienced that in places. I just overload them with grace and mercy. they usually get on board or they ride away. LOL

God Bless