Twenty delegates representing a broad spectrum of Pentecostal leadership gathered for a meeting of the Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America board in Springfield, MO, October 26, 2006. Reverend Charles T. Crabtree, assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, chaired the session together with co-chair Bishop Jerry Macklin, pastor of Glad Tidings Church of God in Christ, Hayward, CA, and member of the Church of God in Christ Presidium and Prelate for the Northern California Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.
 
Following opening comments and a devotional from Acts 2, Crabtree announced that he would be retiring in 2007 from his post as assistant general superintendent with the Assemblies of God, and, in view of this, would be tendering his resignation as chairman of the PCCNA as well, effective with this meeting. Balloting and elections for the chair and vice-chair positions were held later in the meeting.
 
Stating that the primary goal of the Springfield meeting was to address the future of the PCCNA, Crabtree reflected on the beginnings of the organization (then PFNA, Pentecostal Fellowship of North America) in the early 1950s. Large meetings convened during those years, some with thousands in attendance. As time went on, however, other factors began to influence the size of the gatherings. A number of ministries launched their own meetings and conferences and, in time, enthusiasm waned for large gatherings sponsored by the PFNA.
 
Crabtree noted further that while there was a surge of interest that followed the Memphis Miracle conference in 1994 with its strong focus on racial reconciliation, an attempt a year later to reignite passion for the same issue and for large gatherings fell short of the intended goal. Since that time, except for noteworthy events in Tulsa and Toronto, meetings of the PCCNA essentially have scaled back to board meetings with no public rallies or other events associated with them. Concern also was expressed that while the Pentecostal leaders have enjoyed inspiring times of fellowship together and have shared excellent ideas and proposals for partnering in these meetings, few partnerships or projects have been initiated due to busy schedules and heavy responsibilities among leadership.
 
In recent months, Crabtree and Macklin met to address PCCNA’s purpose, which, in itself was a matter of concern. “Whenever you have to try to find a purpose, you basically are in trouble,” stated Crabtree. “There has to be a purpose so strong that there is no question as to whether we need each other.”
 
Crabtree noted that he and Bishop Macklin met to discuss what might be done to engage churches. It seemed that an appropriate focus would be to partner churches in reaching out to the poor and to help change cities. Crabtree reported to the PCCNA delegates that upon contacting some church leaders afterward, there did not seem to be great interest in participating, due largely to concerns about cost. Thus Crabtree felt it was time “to focus on some realities, and to ask if the organization is truly viable.”
 
Following these opening statements, Crabtree invited Bishop Macklin to share his perspectives. Expressing appreciation for the chairman’s sincerity and forthrightness in addressing this issue, Macklin spoke in support of continuing the PCCNA. Reflecting upon the Memphis Miracle and the disappointing aftermath, he stated, “We cannot force reconciliation, but what we can do is encourage partnerships across denominational and racial lines. We can encourage relationship building.” Macklin relayed an event on Pentecost Sunday when he and his congregation invited Pentecostals in their city from all denominations and fellowships and racial lines for a meal and a time of fellowship and worship together. The response was overwhelming. “We had church!” Macklin exclaimed.
 
Macklin noted that in today’s world, large gatherings are giving way to technological means of communication such as video and teleconferencing and providing online helps and resources for churches to download and use. Many pastors and other church workers are looking for helps of all kinds. Also, church events such as seminars, conferences, and other gatherings can be shared via the web with hundreds of other churches. “Now we are dealing with relationships on a smaller level,” Macklin explained. “We need to encourage everyday relationships and projects.”
 
Thanking Bishop Macklin for his insights, Crabtree opened the floor for further discussion. Bishop Clyde Hughes, general overseer, International Pentecostal Church of Christ, reminded the group that following 9/11 the question asked by many was, “Who speaks for Islam?” “I think we have to ask, ‘Who speaks for Pentecostalism?’” he added. Citing some highly visible Pentecostals, Hughes expressed concern about the voices speaking for Pentecostalism today. “PCCNA past and present represents the matriarchs and patriarchs of Pentecost. I think we would deprive the Pentecostal world if we shut down.” 
 
Others at the table also affirmed that the PCCNA should serve as a voice for Pentecostalism. Dr. Ron Carpenter, executive director, Evangelism USA, International Pentecostal Holiness Church, noted, “There is no other place where this many Pentecostal leaders get together and speak as one voice.”
 
In addition to being a voice for Pentecostalism, relationship building and working together on grassroots outreaches and projects were highlighted as key purposes for the PCCNA. “Fellowship is a core value for the PCCNA,” stated Reverend Bishop Randy Howard, general overseer, Church of God of Prophecy. “Fellowship is about sharing, growing, and being together. I would regret to see that lost. Can we celebrate our strengths and partner with others?”
 
Noting the concern that many top level administrators are too involved with their respective responsibilities to initiate partnerships and projects, significant discussion was given to engaging young leaders in the work of the PCCNA. A recommendation was made to release those initiatives to younger leadership.
 
“We need to intentionally address the issue of younger leaders,” expressed Dr. William Morrow, general superintendent, Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Hal Donaldson, editor in chief, Today’s Pentecostal Evangel, included that focus in listing four things he sees for the future of the PCCNA: to be a united force for prayer; to unite in acts of compassion; to become a voice for Pentecost by earning the right to be heard; and to hand the initiation of PCCNA projects and objectives to leaders in their 30s and 40s. “They have the energy and passion to do it,” Donaldson stated.
 
Reverend Jeff Farmer, president, Open Bible Churches, noted that while it was apparent that the consensus was for PCCNA to continue, he admonished the group to consider providing assistance to the chair and co-chair to drive things forward and posed the questions, “Do we have the commitment, the time, the resources and the will to make this happen? How do we get from dialogue to action?”
 
In response, emphasis again was placed on the need for younger leaders to help make things move forward. Crabtree suggested that a cabinet of young ministers be appointed to help drive initiatives forward. “We are going to need to help the person appointed to lead the PCCNA. We need to create a support base for this to happen.”
 
Among concluding responses, Dr. June McBirnie, McBirnie Foundation, reinforced the need to encourage fellowship and build relationships. “Fellowship is the key to any organization,” she stated. In terms of fulfilling initiatives, she reminded the group of the importance of engaging women in the work. “You need women to help make it happen. Don’t avoid the opportunity to let them do the work.”
 
As discussion concluded, ballots were distributed to elect a new chairman and co-chairman for the PCCNA. Bishop Jerry Macklin was elected chairman and Dr. William Morrow vice-chairman.
 
Upon expressing gratitude for the confidence of the PCCNA board, Macklin asked for a listing of top priorities among the leaders.

This resulted in the following:

• Support and encourage young leaders
• Place mission before protocol and organization
• Emphasize leadership summits above corporate structure to provide a Pentecostal voice for social and other issues
• Provide a Pentecostal vehicle through PCCNA to strengthen relationships
• Form a leadership team that is smaller and functions faster and with greater purpose
• Find a way to connect with charismatic leadership
• Provide appropriate assistance to the PCCNA chair (people and financial support)
• Find better and more ways to tell the good stories of Pentecostal churches and ministries in North America and around the world
• Connect with different people groups
• Continually work toward racial freedoms and unity
• Multiply the number of people involved in ministry attached to the PCCNA
• Clarify the work of the Holy Spirit, providing a Pentecostal voice