Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Glenn Williams, DMin

Second Advisor

Mark Chironna, DMin

Third Advisor

Jason Clark, DMin

Abstract

The American evangelical church is in crisis. All statistical data points to decline. Church growth is flat. It does not seem that the church will correct itself, especially in light of the Millennial generation. Millennials are fleeing the church quickly. The church must find a solution to this crisis. This research proposes that a refocus of the charismatic gifts (from an Assemblies of God perspective) to mission has the potential to re-engage Millennials, and because of its missions history the Assemblies of God sits in a prime position to engage this generation caught in an exodus. This research is divided into five primary sections. Following an introduction and overview in chapter one, in chapter two we define the nature of the problem. By looking at demographic studies, we can see how the Millennials have left the church in droves. The church has a perception problem; therefore, members of this generation that were connected to the church in their early years have left, and all signs point to the fact that they are not returning. We will explore Millennials in chapter three. Discovering what they value and what has made them the way that they are will be the primary areas that we explore. We will take in-depth views of Millennials’ concepts of sexuality and faith and also see how they are products of globalization. Next, we will trace the role of doctrine to see how we arrived at this era of church history. While the church primarily held to core ideas for nineteen hundred years, the past one hundred years have been tumultuous. The church of the late twentieth century and early twenty-first century has traded historic truths for political ideology. vi In the fifth chapter, we will begin to explore the charismatic doctrine. We will look at the Old Testament, New Testament, Lucan theology, Pauline theology, and historic revivals to see how the Holy Spirit is intimately connected with the mission of God. In other words, the Spirit’s activity has always led to man’s activity. As we will see, Millennials are hungering for the transcendent, and the charismatic empowerment could be the experience they are looking for in the church. Finally in the sixth chapter, we will look at the history of the Assemblies of God and how it has been a powerful missional force. We will also look at how Millennials can potentially connect to the Assemblies of God as long as it aligns to missiological principles that are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Download

Included in

Christianity Commons

Share

COinS