Pentecostal Churches

Earl Antonio Robinson

One of the most pressing issues for the contemporary church is to train and educate culturally competent pastors to shepherd future generations of the church community. The proposed program included hands-on learning that facilitated change in the culture of the current leadership approach while addressing some adaptive and transformational leadership skills for enrichment in performing ministry tasks. The purpose of the program was to produce matured, effective, confident, committed, and able men and women in shepherding God’s flock while creating the knowledge necessary to develop and implement an educational leadership training program. This leadership program was designed to provide the opportunity for educational development for current leaders to prepare those seeking entry into ministry in the Church of God of Prophecy, Mid-Atlantic Region. Thus, pastors and bishops from the Church of God of Prophecy, Mid-Atlantic Region were surveyed and interviewed regarding the knowledge and skills that would be beneficial to future leadership training programs. Results of the survey indicated a need to improve the existing practices of leaders in the region. Participants defined a need to improve on learning new things and implementing them in the region. Results of the interviews revealed that (1) church leaders prepared for the role through learning formally and informally, (2) church leaders prepared for the role through prioritizing service, and (3) leadership qualities could be nurtured depending on the individual. The themes indicated that continuous and effective systems were in place to provide training and guidance for pastors and young aspiring ministers in preparation for effective ministry engagement. However, survey results indicated a need to improve the current education system for ministerial licensing of leader.

Wendell C. Yorkman

There seems to be a gap between church doctrine and praxis as far as matters of grace is concerned, particularly grace understood as forgiveness and reconciliation. Because of the lack of clear, theologically coherent doctrine, church leaders and their members are left to decide for themselves how to practice grace toward themselves and one another. Through a process of examining doctrines, analyzing sermons, reviewing literature, and conducting personal interviews with church leaders from African American Pentecostal Holiness churches the researcher’s intent is to determine how closely aligned doctrine and praxis are. Since a large percentage of the church doctrines examined include no specific guidelines or directions as to matters of grace beyond being the power of God in bringing salvation (Eph. 2:8-9), the lack of understanding often causes un-graceful responses by leaders and members alike. It is hoped that this work will be read by Christian leaders as they gain insight as to how grace is to be understood and practiced.

Miguel Ángel García Sarceño

Given the low growth that the Church of God of the Prophecy of San Marcos has experienced for more than ten years, we pose the following problem: Is there a relationship between the growth strategy and the low overall growth in the membership of the Church of God of the Prophecy of San Marcos?

To start the investigation, we set a general objective and three specific objectives:

General objectives: Determine the relationship between the growth strategy and the low integral growth in the membership of the Church of God of Prophecy in San Marcos.

Specific objectives: 1. Determine the relationship between the missional strategy and low integral growth in the membership of the Church of God of Prophecy in San Marcos. 2. Determine the relationship between the organizational, structural strategy and the low integral growth in the membership of the Church of God of Prophecy in San Marcos. 3. Determine the relationship between the strategic role of leadership and low overall growth in the membership of the Church of God of Prophecy in San Marcos.

Benjamin Feliz

The Church of God of Prophecy arrived in Central America in 1932 with the founding of its first congregation in Costa Rica. The church began to expand throughout Mexico, Central America, and the Spanish speaking Caribbean. By the end of 2020, the church in this region had a total of 182,607 members and 3,376 local churches.

During the decade between 2010 and 2020, the church experienced a net growth in its membership of 56,620 new members (an increase of 45%) and 1,074 new churches (a net growth of 47%). This growth outpaces the growth of the previous decade (2000-2010) at almost double the rate and was significant in comparison to other regions and denominations considered in this research.

The purpose of this research is to identify the factors that have contributed to this growth. In order to accomplish this, I consulted with the national overseers of this region who interpreted the contributing factors from their perspectives. Their observations and answers did not surprise me; it was through their effort and collaboration with myself, the regional presbyter, that this growth took place.

Every region of the world passes through a season differently, and the vitality of the Church has always been in flux. Every world region has had its moment over the course of two thousand years. The comparisons established in this research have been necessary in order to establish the context in which the growth took place. When drawing parallels, I recommend considering the proper parameters in order to reach wise and sober conclusions. Likewise, if there is any value in adapting or adopting any takeaways from this research within or outside of the Church of God of Prophecy, nothing would bring me more joy than having contributed a grain of sand to the well-being and growth of the Universal Church.

Katherine P Osborn

We live in a nation that has been marked by much disunity in recent years. One of the issues contributing to the dilemmas we face is what to do about immigration. Society is torn between polarized views coming from both sides of the political spectrum, which has affected the Christian community as well. Initial research showed that the Church of God of Prophecy issued a short but biblically sound resolution on this subject in 2008, but little, if anything, has been published since then. Our silence as a denomination leaves us looking like we are hiding our heads in the sand. This thesis seeks to address this issue by correcting some of the misinformation circulating in the media while answering the question, “Who is my neighbor, and what constitutes authentic expressions of Christlike love and hospitality when it comes to welcoming and ministering to ‘strangers and foreigners’ who live in our midst?” The methodology is based on Richard Osmer’s four tasks of practical theology and includes both a survey of church leaders and interviews with immigrants. The research draws from history, political and social sciences, and theology to guide the church in shaping an accurate view of the immigration crisis while developing a biblically sound response to the issue. The goal is to open the door for honest conversation on the issue, develop a plan of action for ministering to the “strangers” in our midst, and ensure that our ministerial praxis is marked by authentic love for all people.

Abigail Spears Velázquez

Women who serve in pastoral roles in the Church of God of Prophecy in Mexico have had to rely on white Eurocentric patriarchal models of ministry that constrain their gifts and womanhood. An invitation to the margins is an attempt to provide a more authentic Pentecostal theology and praxis of pastoral ministry that is reflective of female clergy and their experiences. This project relies on the feminist-pneumatological approach of Lisa P. Stephenson and asks whether a pneumatological model of pastoral ministry that incorporates elements of mujerista and liberation theology can be a viable option for women clergy.

In order to answer this question, a focus group of female ministers in the Church of God of Prophecy in Mexico were exposed to the model laid out in this project in the hope of forming a coalition of female clergy where women can be nurtured, mentored, and guided as they navigate the challenges and joys of the pastorate. An invitation to the margins is a way to re-imagine pastoral ministry in ways that are more faithful to and discerning of where the Spirit is moving in Mexico.

Gabriel Elías Vidal

The purpose of this study is to explore the reforms of the Church of God of Prophecy during the 1990s and the impact of those reforms on the Church in South America between 2010 and 2020. The investigation required a thorough historical analysis of the changes to the denomination, beginning with its establishment in 1886 in the mountains of North Carolina, U.S.A., until the year 2000. Additionally, the opinions and strategies of several writers concerning changes have also been included in an attempt to determine if the methods these leaders employed during the decades studied coincide with ordinary aspects and methods of change in general.

These results indicate that the 1990s reforms were widely accepted by those surveyed. It was determined that, as a component of these reforms, changes in ecclesiology played a significant role as they led to a cognitive shift within the Church of God of Prophecy. As a result of the survey, we were able to determine the significance of Bishop Billy D. Murray and his leadership to the whole transformative process. Finally, we collectively determined that these reforms had been transcendent in creating a better future for the Church of God of Prophecy.

Lucio Rojas Espinoza

The trends seen in a changing world impel the Christian community to have a deep theology that answers each question. Given this, the Pentecostal movement has been a vibrant movement in the power of the Holy Spirit that has managed to spread the gospel in different corners of the world; however, we have to recognize, in general terms, that one of its weak areas has been deep theological teaching. The author highlights the importance of an educational pastoral that is intentionally strengthened, and constitutes a transversal axis that integrates theological and practical elements. contextual, which provide knowledge and continuous training in the life of the pastor, enabling him to implement educational processes that develop his leadership team, and the membership of his local church. The research focuses briefly on different models of educational pastoral in the biblical framework, but also in the evolution of the history of Christianity, including the current situation of the pastoral ministry, establishing the urgency of implementing an educational pastoral, which considers the training of the future new pastors, before their incorporation into the pastoral ministry. On the other hand, the author provides recommendations that contribute to strengthening pastoral educational work, from emerging leadership to those who have been in ministry for years, based on the core values of our council, the vital functions of the church, and personal life. of the shepherd. So that the educational ministry in each local church is effective, contextual, transcends in the individual, family and community, bears fruit in transformed lives and contributes significantly to the fulfillment of the great commission.

Sergio Cedeño González

This thesis analyzes the impact of Pentecostal theological education in the local church and the community, in terms of the fulfillment of the church's mission. This work focuses on the context of the educational programs of theological formation of the Church of God of Prophecy in Chile. The purpose was to verify how the local churches have been impacted by the Pentecostal theological formation programs and to find out if the pastors and members who participate in these programs have developed in terms of their spiritual life, preparation to serve and commitment to the local church and its mission. And at the same time to evaluate if the curriculum responds to the needs of the local church and the context where they develop the mission.

In order to achieve this purpose, I used documents and reports related to this topic, and interviews with actors involved in these formation processes. Secondly, I used the survey methodology, directed to about 60 students (30 pastors and 30 members), which allowed us to have a representative sample of the population to be studied.

I came to the conclusion that the majority of the students surveyed have experienced progress in their spiritual development and commitment to the local church where they serve, however a smaller percentage, but no less important, understands that important changes are needed in the approach of the curriculum.

Omar Velázquez Rivera

This thesis titled “Introducing a Communal Healthy Pentecostal Liturgy in the Church of God of Prophecy in Mexico” is an effort to respond proactively to one of prevailing challenges facing the Church of God of Prophecy in Mexico today. The challenge is the loss of membership due to either emigration to other movements and denominations or opting to not to be a part of any local church body. Thus, as part of the Pentecostal movement, the Church of God of Prophecy in Mexico finds itself in a paradoxical situation in that at this moment it is experiencing tremendous growth while at the same time losing its membership. It is within this paradox that the research strives to under-stand the reasons for said exodus.

This project seeks to help reclaim the Pentecostal worship service as the true work of the people, reconciling ancient liturgical practices with the contemporary movement of spiritual renovation, demonstrating that these two are not opposed, but strengthened by one another. Thus, there are many implications of this research. It is the intention of this research to collaborate in the deprivatization of the worship service and place it in the hands of the community of believers. Even though the research focuses on the interests of the COGOP in Mexico, it is also its intent to deconstruct the Pentecostal worship service in general, helping it to eradicate harmful practices that drive away believers. A liturgy which integrates ancient liturgical elements with the Pentecostal movement was proposed and practiced by a typical Pentecostal congregation in Mexico City as a case study. The researcher’s proposal is to offer with this project the preliminary findings of a liturgical renewal in the Church of God of Prophecy in Mexico.