Veroni Kruger: What Has Your Church Become
He stings our self-centered sensibilities in saying: “any lesser goal on our part is an insult to the comprehensiveness of his [Christ’s] sacrifice.”
He finishes this section with a look at missiology, what it isn’t and finally what it is.
The Pentecostal Movement
This section can be read separate from the rest of his book since it encapsulates his experience in Pentecost and including in this autobiographical sketch is the record of his leaving the Pentecostal church he attended. Brother Krüger ‘s understanding of historical Pentecost comes through the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa patterned after this Western tradition (USA and Europe).
The link between sections is hinted at in his leaving the Classical Pentecostal movement. Pentecostalism is not a denomination! It is a spirit-led experience open to all believers regardless of affiliation. Brother Krüger remains pentecostal but not in a denominational sense.
Denominations attempt to—in his words—“contextualize the Gospel in their own cultures.” For Brother Krüger pentecostalism has mutated (his word) into a move of the Spirit that recognizes no particular orthopraxy or denomination distinctive but is distinguished by a child-like faith and acceptance of the Spirit’s ministry among them. In support of this observation, he sprinkles examples from the experiences of a few others whose testimony stood out in his memory.
His personal experience is a delightful read. In his own words:
My intention in writing about the specific manner in which the Pentecostal Movement in my experience handled (and still handles) the theology as well as the phenomena is to indicate how people belonging to the movement and all others may benefit from the experience.
Now What?
“What should we do about everything that has been said?” asked Brother Krüger . He considers these topics. You might think of more.
- Pentecostalism or ministry?
- Evangelical, charismatic liturgies are possible. These are not exclusive experiences or particular to any theology or practice.
- Back to the Bible.
- Preaching for affect or to teach?
- The church and the work of the Spirit is local, not denominational.
- Dependence on God or corporate ingenuity?
- Living the message outside the church; preaching alone is not the complete work of the Spirit.
- The Church is beyond all of us; it is a work of God.
Brother Krüger reminds us finally that God’s church is God’s work, God’s building project. He alone is architect and general contractor.
It is my sincere prayer that this [book] may by the grace of God play some role in that work of building. – Véroni Krüger
Reviewed by John King
Category: Ministry, Summer 2015
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