Duane, Interesting that you should bring these questions. This past Saturday we had a Leadership Planning meeting for all department heads at our church. Our pastor, Greg Cox, made a statement that really rocked me. He said that a survey of the AG had revealed that among all our fellowships the percentage of congregants who spoke in tongues was 24%. 24%!!! What sets us apart from the mainstream evangelicals? Our Statement of Faith? It is virtually the same. No, it is our belief in the present day ministry of the Holy Spirit. A belief that we are living in Chapter 29 of the Book of Acts. We are losing our distinctive. That which sets us apart. No wonder that we get split up when the Spirit moves in our churches and we get a little "too" excited. And you know something. I think we're (the American church) is more Laodicean than we care or dare to admit. Rich, increased in goods, in need of nothing. Celebrating Pentecost has become of secondary import. Our District has approved 5 Sections this year having their Pow Wow on Pentecost weekend. Our pastor said he wanted us back Saturday night so the boys could be n service for Pentecost Sunday. I don't want to diminish Christmas or Easter. How could I? But Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian church. A celebration of the day that God put His Glory back in man as it was in the Garden and we are once again witnesses of His Presence even as Adam was before the fall. -- Gary Rothwell Sr. Cdr. Outpost 59 Potomac District USA Lord, Help me BE a "dead man walking." _______ To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm http://rangernet.org Autoresponder: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
