The “S” Factor
Introduction
Pentecostals and charismatics are viewed as a unique breed of Christianity that can be either tolerated, dismissed or embraced by other Christians. Anyone from these two groups would trace their roots back a couple thousand years to Acts 2. A “purist” from a Pentecostal or Charismatic background, would see their mission and foundation equivalent to New Testament Church that was birthed from an Upper Room experience on the Day of Pentecost.
The ebb and flow of the Pentecostal movement has now moved to cataclysmic. “According to the World Encyclopedia of Christianity, approximately a quarter of the world’s Christians fit this description. Remarkably, whereas in 1970 less than 10 percent of Christians identified with Pentecostalism, by 2025, fully one-third may by Pentecostal. Since religious trends typically move at a glacial pace, this is a relatively abrupt shift in the character of the Christian community.”[1]
Miller and Yamamori spent four years researching the “church’s response to urban poverty in the developing world.”[2] The basis of the research was from four hundred letters that were sent to “mission experts, denominational executives, and other informed people asking for nominations of churches to study. Four criteria were listed in the letter to guide selection: 1. be fast growing, 2. he located in the developing world, 3. have social programs addressing needs in their communities, and 4. be indigenous movements that were self-supporting not dependent on outside contributions. To our astonishment, nearly 85 per cent of the churches that were nominated were Pentecostal or charismatic.”[3]
Summary
The book takes you on a world-wide quest that ranges from Singapore to Uganda, from South Africa to Thailand, from Hong Kong to Poland, from Brazil to India, and from the Philippines to Kenya. These countries are diverse in culture, language, religion, and economy. The common thread that yielded their success in ministry has been a reliance on the Holy Spirit and His manifestations.
Miller and Yamamori’s research take the expression of the Holy Spirit into two areas: worship and speaking in tongues. “In some ways, this could be the lead chapter of this book, since we believe that the root of Pentecostalism social engagement is the experience of collective worship. It is the divine-human encounter that empowers people to help their immediate neighbor as well as engage in various community-building activities.”[4] In my lifetime I have watched as worship has moved from stoic to inspirational and from singing “about” God to singing “to” God as an integral part of worship.
Miller and Yamamori reference the French sociologist, agnostic, Emile Durkheim with an interesting twist on Pentecostal worship. “In especially well-performed rituals, group members experience what Durkheim called ‘collective effervescence’ in which their individuality falls away they feel such union with the group that they come to believe that, indeed, there is ‘something more’ than the sum of the individuals who are present.”[5]
Worship is the easy of the two expressions. Speaking in tongues is the manifestation that seems to be the stumbling block for the non-Pentecostal/charismatic. It can easily be dismissed as gibberish, demonic, lack of sound teaching, and mindless activity for underprivileged people; especially those who adhere to the doctrine of cessationism.
To the Pentecostal and charismatic, the ability to communicate outside of one’s native language, is a deeper expression of the heart to God in intimacy. It may seem irrational but in their research, it was a common expression throughout the world. “For people accustomed to rational, linear thought patterns, speaking in tongues may make little sense, because the phenomenon is decidedly no-rational – although not necessarily irrational. Obviously human experience is filled with numerous non-rational activities such as laughing, crying, or dreaming, yet we would scarcely think of removing these experiences from the human repertoire.”[6]
Analysis
Miller and Yamamori use a term for Pentecostals and charismatics that depicts their dependency on the Holy Spirit. They call this dependency the “S” factor. The “S” factor sounds like another television drama mixed with sci-fi spin. The “S” factor seems to be a combination of James Bond, NCIS, and MacGyver.
The “S” factor is the contributing agent of change in people’s lives from drugs, prostitution, poverty, and other vices that can ruin and damage the human potential. Visiting St. Stephens Society, observing Jackie Pullinger, her staff, and the participants, one would have to conclude that there is a strong “S” factor prevalent and alive. The human nature promotes self-medication and preservation. The “S” factor reminds me that there is someone much bigger than me and my circumstances who is calling me into an intimate relationship with Him.
[1] Donald E. Miller and Tetsunao Yamamori, Global Pentecostalism: The New Face of Christian Social Engagement, (Los Angeles: University of California Press: 2007), 18-19.
[2] Ibid., 5.
[3] Ibid., 6-7.
[4] Ibid., 132.
[5] Ibid., 133.
[6] Ibid., 147.
8 responses to “The “S” Factor”
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Phil,
You are well acquainted with my research topic. But, I will ask you anyway. You said, “The “S” factor is the contributing agent of change in people’s lives from drugs, prostitution, poverty, and other vices that can ruin and damage the human potential.” I believe that, and addition to that if we can connect Millennials to the “S” factor and the missional purpose of the Charismatic gifts, then I think that the Western church could experience a revival. What do you think?
Jason:
Pentecostalism/charismatics have been perceived as awkward, poor, ignorant, etc. Miller and Yamamori validated the Spirit-filled movement as concerned about the social sector and successfully doing something about it. This unsuspecting group has now become a major world player.
Phil
The “S” factor was something that we experienced in Hong Kong as a collective group. There was no pretence or worship to build us up into any type of “emotional” state. It was simply walking into a room and engaging with the Holy Spirit. I have not forgotten that moment but the one that really stands out is the house worship service that we went to that was so intense. How do we have those moments in the time frame of our American church? Is it possible? If it is, as they have researched, the source for cultural and social change, how do we integrate it into our normal church life? Love your work. Hope all is well on your retreat.
Kevin
Kevin:
Is it possible? I have to believe “YES”. Many “S” churches are creating services that emphasize the Holy Spirit – Impact/Encounter Services. When the weekend worship is about being attractional, then there must be a time for there to be directive times in His presence.
The church needs to move from isolationism and survival to seeing the world around us.
Phil
Phil,
I resonate with an observation you made in your blog. You said, “In my lifetime I have watched as worship has moved from stoic to inspirational and from singing “about” God to singing “to” God as an integral part of worship.” A few years ago, when we hired a new worship pastor, we spent several weeks working on a criterion for music selection. Based on my experience, I had noticed that the songs with lyrics talking to God rather than about God seemed to feel more worshipful. I concluded that it felt more worshipful because the lyrics were like a prayer with music. It facilitated talking to God through song rather than talking to each other through singing. As it turned out, we know use part of that criteria for music selection. It does make a difference as it facilitates engagement.
On a different note, allow me to challenge your thinking from a non-charismatic perspective. You posted a picture that sates that “speaking in tongues is the key to a spirit-led life.” The picture insinuates that in order to be led by the Spirit a person must experience the gift of tongues. What is your biblical foundation for such a statement? The last time I checked, the Apostle Paul seem to teach that not everybody will experience the same gifts, including speaking in tongues. In teaching the diversity of the body he says:
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
If not everybody in the Body of Christ will experience the gift of tongues, then why is tongues a key to be led by the Spirit?
Just like you, I am a PK (Pastor’s kid) and also an MK (Missionary kid). I have seen many people come to the Lord throughout all of these years of ministry in Chile, Mexico, and the US. Yet, I have never experienced the gift of tongues nor has any member in my family. Does that mean that we are not led by the Spirit?
I am afraid that claims like the ones in the picture do not only lack biblical foundation but also seem to look down on other Christians just because they have not experienced their Christianity like you have. Isn’t that the same mistake that cessationists make?
Thank you for giving me the space to be honest with you this week.
Pablo
Thanks Phil for a great blog, it seem to create a stir but just allow me to focus on the “S” factor, which I will call the Holy Spirit.
One of the Holy Spirit’s roles here on earth is to lead us in truth. Truth enables us to make right ethical choices, regardless of how difficult some of the choices may be. Although Scripture doesn’t always provide a “thou shalt” or “thou shalt not” statement for each of the situations we encounter, the principles are there. We then must have the wisdom and strength to make the right choice, regardless of the economic or positional impact.
When we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, the continuing evidence of this relationship is our being “led by the Spirit” (v. 14). Galatians 5:16-25 shares the distinctive or difference in our life when we are walking in the light and direction of the Holy Spirit. There are two dimensions which are a part of being Spirit-led. First is carefully following the directives of Scripture with a spirit of submission and joy. Second is personal interaction with the Holy Spirit as He impresses and pushes us in the direction of truth and fulfillment of God’s will. God’s Word and the Spirit are always in accord.
Yes you are correct in stating the “…contributing agent of change in people’s lives from drugs, prostitution, poverty, and other vices that can ruin and damage the human potential”, which is the Holy Spirit according to the scriptures, “SPIRIT-TRANSFORMED LIFE” (John 16:8; Titus 3:3-8; 1 Cor. 6:19-20), “ Freed by the Holy Spirit” (John 16:8; Titus 3:3-8)
Thanks for the experience of sharing with you this semester. Rose Maria
Thanks Phil for a great blog, it seem to create a stir but just allow me to focus on the “S” factor, which I will call the Holy Spirit, One of the Holy Spirit’s roles here on earth is to lead us in truth. Truth enables us to make right ethical choices, regardless of how difficult some of the choices may be. Although Scripture doesn’t always provide a “thou shalt” or “thou shalt not” statement for each of the situations we encounter, the principles are there. We then must have the wisdom and strength to make the right choice, regardless of the economic or positional impact.
When we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, the continuing evidence of this relationship is our being “led by the Spirit” (v. 14). Galatians 5:16-25 shares the distinctive or difference in our life when we are walking in the light and direction of the Holy Spirit. There are two dimensions which are a part of being Spirit-led. First is carefully following the directives of Scripture with a spirit of submission and joy. Second is personal interaction with the Holy Spirit as He impresses and pushes us in the direction of truth and fulfillment of God’s will. God’s Word and the Spirit are always in accord.
Yes you are correct in stating the “…contributing agent of change in people’s lives from drugs, prostitution, poverty, and other vices that can ruin and damage the human potential”, which is the Holy Spirit according to the scriptures, “SPIRIT-TRANSFORMED LIFE” (John 16:8; Titus 3:3-8; 1 Cor. 6:19-20), “ Freed by the Holy Spirit” (John 16:8; Titus 3:3-8)
Thanks for the experience of sharing with you this semester. Rose Maria
I like how you highlighted the “S” factor! In your research, have you found any resources who use the “S” factor to aid with leadership transitions? I remember Jackie Pullinger saying that she had no exit plan. No succession plan. Have you found this to be a common Pentecostal idea? What is your opinion?