Pentecostal Collaboration: A Pragmatic Necessity or a Spiritual Principle?

Abstract

Collaborative structures between Pentecostal churches and denominations were initiated soon after the national and denominational entities were established. This tentative phase of collaboration did not generate permanent organizational structures. However, it indicated a desire for cooperation, which in turn paved way for the contemporary manifold networking among Pentecostals. This collaboration is now taking place both within continents as well as globally. The aim of this article is to evaluate whether this development towards more permanent and organized collaboration has been a result of practical or theological needs. An additional theme of discussion is the collaboration between Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, which is demonstrated, for example, by the Empowered21 organization. This collaboration has a strong missiological dimension—the shared sense of urgency to finish the task given by Jesus to his disciples, to reach the whole world for Christ. This article elaborates the potentiality of this collaboration and it aims to provide constructive proposals for future development. This elaboration is constructed within a contextual framework, which is an important methodological aspect to be considered within the theme. Therefore, the perspectives used in this article are interdisciplinary. It utilizes historical sources together with personal experience, various theological considerations, and cultural anthropology. In the contemporary world, the collaboration between the Pentecostal-Charismatic churches and missions is important and needed for the fulfillment of the Great Commission, not only from a practical point of view but also to pursue a theology of unity. Spiritus(5.1'(2020)'53–73' http://digitalshowcase.oru.edu/spiritus/' ' ©'The'Author(s)'2020' ' Reprints'and'Permissions:'Spiritus@oru.edu'