Is Our Pentecost Too Small?

This is the Feast of Pentecost for millions of Christians around the world, including those who are a part of the United Church of Canada. Through my years of congregational ministry I attempted to uphold this important celebration but it was a tough sell. In Canada Pentecost is often on this holiday long weekend - Victoria Day -- and even stalwart churchgoers flee their church buildings for their cottages or other recreational opportunities. 

We would glam our sanctuaries up as much as possible with red banners and drapings. In several congregations we would recruit those who spoke other languages to take part in the Pentecost reading from Acts, although there was a decided European feel to it all. It was a challenge to capture or create a sense of the Holy Spirit at work, despite our efforts.

A few days ago I saw an article by Pentecostal theologian Cheryl Bridges Johns with the title: Our Pentecost is Too Small, a statement rather than a question. She notes that millions of people across North America and even from other continents participated in the wonder of the  eclipse a few weeks ago:

 I was somewhat shocked at the public reaction to the recent total solar eclipse. News coverage showed large crowds gathered in stadiums, some people having driven hundreds of miles to view the spectacle. A friend of mine, who is a devout Christian, drove from Tennessee to Texas for the event. Afterward, he shared with me that the experience of viewing this total eclipse was among the top five spiritual experiences of his life. His story was not uncommon; Christians and non-Christians alike were captured with the wonder and awe of this magnificent event. 

Her piece is an invitation to a more expansive appreciation of Pentecost which is celebrated within the walls of places of worship and in all of Creation. She wonders if preachers missed the opportunity to celebrate the wonder of it all. https://firebrandmag.com/articles/our-pentecost-is-too-small

At the time she wrote the spectacular display of the Aurora Borealis hadn't taken place, a cosmic display that didn't get the anticipatory hype of the eclipse yet astonished and delighted people around the globe.

This is a good reminder to "go big or go home" when it comes to Pentecost. .

Happy "Large" Pentecost to you all!