2.1 How Did the Pentecostal Movement Come to Canada?

[Caleb]

It does not surprise me that Pentecostalism spread so well without organization because it seems that other church groups are often viewed as over-organized. perhaps their findings in their previous church governing bodies made them fear that organization would choke out how freely the spirit was moving and go against the will of God. The early resistance in the organization was most likely attractive to others within the Church who felt they had been wronged buy too many rules and regulations. The idea of spontaneity could have equated with spirituality for the early Pentecostals.

the idea of spontaneity as purely spiritual can however be a fairly toxic belief for the church as seen in Corinth. There was disunity that was tearing the church apart, and Paul was imploring the church to be organized in worship. Paul did not say that tongues and prophecy were bad, it was just that they needed to be loving in their worship and their lack of order was missing love. Maybe the early Pentecostals realized this and worked towards organizing themselves in a way that would be beneficial to the moving of the Holy Spirit and bring all people on the same page.

[Micah]

It doesn’t surprise me that they were not organized, and I understand their reasoning yet it also raises some concerns. I find it very interesting that the concepts of stability/sustainability are often perceived as contradictory to nearness with God or the leading of the Spirit. I understand how what has been called “church bureaucracy” can seem to kill momentum of what God is doing in the moment, yet on the other end, there are often things that go unchecked or are labelled as God’s work without being tested. How can this tension be mastered to create an accountable and sustainable (and growing) church that listens to the Spirit and is obedient?

I think that the early spread was enhanced by a lack of organization, as people were able to let the baptism of the Holy Spirit shape their faith as it was, moulding existing denominations of Christianity rather than creating an exclusive and different new branch. Because of this, I think it reached a broader range of people.

[Kylie]

I was a little surprised, however, the reasons they gave I feel were valid and made the resistance of organizing more understandable. I think it did both, but in reality probably leaned more into helping than hindering. Raising these questions and concerns before organizing would lead to a stronger foundation and understanding of fundamentals because they already were aware of possible negative effects. Yes if they had organized sooner perhaps it could have began to spread sooner and taken more traction but I also think the time of deliberation and discernment created a more stable starting place. I think they began to organize themselves, one; because of the understanding of church theology as one body and building each other up, but two; I am guessing there is about to be a historical event that presents them with the need to organize.

[Cailey]

It does not surprise me that the spread of Pentecostalism was unorganized in the early days. Based on my understanding of today’s lesson, they wanted the spread of the Holy Spirit to be ‘organic’ and they didn’t want their roles and beliefs to be hindered or changed by an organization. Honestly, I can understand why & I respect their decision. It’s important to make Christ the Center always, whether that means organization or not. I think Pentecostals eventually began to organize themselves because they realized it wasn’t a bad thing and that Christ can still work through it.