I have been in AG camps since more than 10 years and I understand where this particular church came from and how. Every camps have mandatory revival sessions that prompts speaking in tongues, healing, slaying in spirit, jerking and other manifestations. These have always been a common practice in AG church.
Most participants give feedback that the worship time wasn't adequate. Basically they look forward to more spiritual ignition. Perhaps the reason behind it is their intimate experience with God and that's fine. The service usually gets filled with prayer, speaking in tongues, jerks, slaying in spirit, weeping and other minor manifestations. Obviously, no matter how much time is allocated on this specific moment, it is never enough. They are actually craving for spiritual experience.
What matters the most is that the churches lack guidance and proper teaching. Youths, most if not all, aren't familiar with theological area and this can lead to lacking discernment towards any kinds of teaching that are brought into the church. The teens and youths are encouraged for Bible study but they aren't guided sufficiently with biblical hermeneutics (art of interpreting the Bible). Well, I am not trying to say that proper knowledge is must to be closer to God but I am saying at least that proper teaching is essential for good health of church.
Most topics at camps are usually related to devotions. Intellectual, informational, ethical, critical and doctrinal topics are rare. Even if they are presented, they lack updates and proper research. I thank my God that He led me towards CBS (Christian Student Fellowship) which helped me to grow more. The camps don't have literally anything to offer to teens and youths. And whenever foreigners are invited for sessions, that's even more devastating. Most of them are hyper charismatics focusing on healing, tongues, word of faith, and so on. Most youths are found suggesting that there should be filter while using social medias contents in regard to Christian contents. But who are there to teach and guide? Most Christians at the church follow prosperity preachers, word of faith, motivational sermons and so on. Their area of perspectives and analysis are short-ranged. How then can the church build youths for future?
The church leaders might be theologically sound but the youths aren't learning enough. Well, if you have ever read my blogs, you might think that I criticize Pentecostal churches a lot. But I am not really doing that. I am not a cessationist Christian and I am a testimony of healing, visions, prophecy and miracles myself. What I criticize is the way the church drives its sheep.
Let me shed light on several things:
1) Not all teens and youths have craving for revivals all the times. Some crave for intellectual teachings.
2) AG churches aren't alone who focus on Holy Spirit. This is a great misconception. Consider looking up Calvinist churches.
3) Have at least a general knowledge of church history. AG churches are too much narrow and don't engage or entertain with other churches.
4) Miracles, healing are necessary but they aren't reason for which we become a Christian. The healing seminary that are conducted in the church has terrible teachings in relationship to healing and Christian identity.
5) Worship is not when you feel intimate relationship with God during prayer, speaking tongues, etc. Worship is a committed and dedicated life style towards God and whatever we do, we do it for his glory.
6) Don't limit revival within camps. It is just three days once a year! And revival isn't about all kinds of manifested environment. Its a moment where we submit ourselves to God's hand and be open so that he can renew us from inside. Camps don't always need revivals. What about other days?
7) Never say no to doctrinal knowledge. We don't have any idea how much Christians in the past fought for sound doctrines. Christian life isn't just about going to heaven. That's an incomplete picture. It's about how we live as God's children here. That includes right doctrines because it is nothing but our understanding of God, creation and ourselves! Experience is obviously vital and is complementary to doctrines.
8) AG teens and youths don't have any answers except "prayer". Be sure, even other religious neighborhood have that particular answer too. We don't have any interactions, critical discussions, mixed church gatherings. We only know asking "is it AG church?" and are we even aware of what our church is?
9) We should never force healing seminary. The theology of healing is very problematic as it assumes healing is for all and must receive it. We are taught even our words have powers. This isn't a form of worship but idolatry as our focus is on healing and healthy living.
10) Why is pushing or falling down even necessary during worship and prayer? I literally don't find any biblical sound reason for this. Yes, some fall genuinely and that's okay. But some preachers attempt to push which is now a trend and that's bad!
AG churches really need a proper growth and balanced environment. Remember the author who is writing this post has lots of experience of miracles, healing and other things. But my concern is deeper and a pleading for a balanced environment at church. otherwise, by This way we cannot lead our upcoming generation...
Some suggestions:
1) Initiate Bible studies session beyond devotional aspect.
2) Engage in more practical conversations regarding faith and challenges
3) Try using study materials like books on different topics, Bible study apps in your bible study fellowship.
4) Try learning biblical hermeneutics by practical examples
5) Test your own experience against the Bible. Not all experience are credible.
6) Avoid "our life is a bible that peoples read" theology although it might work but not often a good approach.
7) Don't just say let's pray. Engage in the situation.
8) Be of an open mind unless you study enough to take a personal position for yourself
9) Don't judge other denominations without knowing them enough.
10) Don't think asking questions is bad. But what matters is our motive and the next response step we take.
11) Don't just get limited within the church. Try getting engage with other churches. Yes, it can obviously cause arguments but that is the initiation towards mutual understanding and living united despite diversity.
12) Don't be hyper spiritual/ charismatic like being too conservative and thinking we are spiritual because we do these or don't do these. That's not indicator of being spiritual.
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