I recently read an article by Lee Grady of Charisma magazine entitled “Pentecostalism version 2009”.  He began his article with this sentence. “Some people twitch or roll their eyes when you say the word Pentecostal.  The term conjures up outdated images of either (1) slick haired, Bible thumping preachers who spew saliva on the unfortunate souls seated in the first three pews, or (2) scowling women with their hair in buns who know how to scare you with glossolalia”.
 
I don’t know what Mr. Grady’s background is, but I am fourth generation Pentecostal, and I am not ashamed of the title.  My mind does not conjure up the images espoused by Grady.
 
Last Sunday morning, as I stood at the podium of Family Worship Center and looked out over our congregation of over 1500 people, I did not see a single person that fit the picture Grady’s article described.  I saw young people, old people, white, Hispanic and African American people, doctors, lawyers, nurses, business owners, house wives, school teachers, and college students.  Some were dressed in suites and dresses, and others in jeans and sports shirts, in other words, I saw normal dressed, normal looking, people.
 
I know there are people who look like those in Gray’s article, but so what.  What does it matter? How a person looks or dresses themselves is their business, not mine or Lee Grady’s. I don’t like ladies in buns.  I’m in favor of make-up, and in some cases, the more the better!  I don’t like puffed up hair on men, but hey, if someone wants to dress and look like that, then that is their business.
 
The point I am trying to make is that being Pentecostal has nothing to do with clothes and hair styles, but what is in one’s heart; a heart open to the moving of the Holy Spirit and responding to the Holy Spirit. 
 
I don’t run or dance or fall down or do a lot of the other things that Pentecostal people have been known to do, however I’m not opposed to it and neither do I look down upon it.  I just want people to do what the Holy Spirit moves upon them to do. Of course people can go too far and do foolish things but that is not the Holy Spirit’s fault. 
 
I invite Mr. Grady to drop by one Sunday morning and worship with us.  I can promise he won’t see puffed up hair, three-step formulas, or money focused messages.  Instead, he will hear anointed worship, anointed preaching, strong altar services, and people who love the God and the moving of the Spirit. However, I am not holding my breath!
 
This has been the musings and ramblings of a Spirit –filled Pentecostal Preacher.