Spirit Freedom and Power: Changes in Pentecostal Spirituality

The Pentecostal movement emerged at the turn of the twentieth century emphasizing the need for Christians to have a powerful experience of the Holy Spirit. It advocated the return to a pristine early Spirituality in which empowerment by the Spirit was essential. Recently Pentecostal and Charismatic movements are playing down the classic expressions and moving towards more mainline approaches. As church movements develop they become more structured less spontaneous and more routine. But is this always inevitable? The author explores a contemporary Pentecostal movement to discover whether a radical spirituality still can effectively interface with a complex twenty-first century world. This insightful research finds a Pentecostal spirituality that is flexible adaptive and innovative and despite humble origins now is making inroads into the middle class. While tensions over charismatic freedom remain the developing organizational structure is facilitating significant growth. Valuable lessons for Christians of all persuasions are found and some creative theological developments are suggested for church structure and for expanding traditional understandings of baptism in the Holy Spirit. In Spirit Freedom and Power Angelo Cettolin has written a fascinating account of the tensions within the Pentecostal church in the early twenty-first century. The question he believes has to be answered is will the Pentecostal church keep faithful to its radical origins as a renewal movement within Christianity--one that attracts worshipers by its vital communal life openness to exercising spiritual gifts and global involvement--or become a safe settled middle-class church? --Kevin Giles Anglican pastor and theologian Melbourne Australia This is a stimulating exploration of the state of Pentecostalism in Australia today focusing especially on Pentecostal spirituality and grounded in [Cettolins] research on the Assemblies of God (now ACC) in particular. This book challenges simplistic criticisms of contemporary Australian Pentecostalism but carefully analyzes the trends and puts forward a cry for western Pentecostalism not to lose its focus on the experience of the Spirit. Thoughtful pastors leaders and laypeople will greatly benefit from this book. --Jon K. Newton Dean of Postgraduate Studies Head of Research Harvest Bible College; Author of Revelation Reclaimed and The Revelation Worldview; Editor Journal of Contemporary Ministry This excellent book recognizes the inevitable institutionalization that occurs in religious movements . . . [and] suggests a way forward for twenty-first-century Pentecostalism and thus deserves careful reading and reflection by all thoughtful Christian ministers and scholars. --Cheryl McCallum Principal Eastern College Australia Angelo Cettolins book is based on thoughtful research within the Pentecostal Movement in Australia. His conclusions are thought-provoking and bring with them a challenge for twenty-first-century Christian leaders. Its a clear call--to continue developing relevant contemporary ministries whilst not losing that dynamic that comes through the work and power of the Holy Spirit. --Wayne Alcorn President Australian Christian Churches Angelo Ulisse Cettolin holds qualifications in law theology business and a doctorate in ministry. He is a church planter mission leader consultant senior lecturer in theology/ministry and dean of faculty at Eastern College Australia. He co-leads an inner-city church with his wife Robbie. They have two adult children a son-in-law and a granddaughter. Angelo loves helping people follow Jesus in a changing culture. He enjoys films walking and good coffee.