Congregationalism And Pentecostalism

Congregational Churches today will often bear most of the marks of Pentecostalism. But one needs to bear in mind that one is speaking of a whole raft of features which characterise Pentecostalism, rather than popular notions of Pentecostalism today. There are a few notable differences in Congregationalism -- for example, a de-emphasis (not necessarily exclusion) of tongues, healing, and the dramatic. Congregational commonalities with Pentecostalism include: • beliefs regarding justification, sanctification, and the Last Days, • policy regarding the autonomy of the local Church, the priority of the Body, and the priesthood of believers, and • the importance of the Divine presence, an emphasis on lived experience, a flexible liturgy, maximum participation, and indigenous principles. Paradoxically, Pentecostalism may promote the priesthood of believers while at the same time being far more hierarchical. OBSERVATION: One thing about Pentecostalism is: it works -- growing from zero to a quarter of the Church worldwide in a century. Congregationalism, too, has seen a major resurgence in certain parts of the world. The commonalties will explain an often warm relationship between modern Congregationalists and Pentecostals.