Holding Their Tongues

The Assemblies of God asks whether its distinctive teaching is being lost in outreach efforts.
Cary McMullen in Orlando
9/21/2009

It was the second day of the 53rd General Council of the Assemblies of God (AG), and Noel Roberts was having an unhappy lunch in the makeshift food court at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. He had resigned himself to paying $5 for a hotdog.

"You have to eat," he shrugged.

Something else was bothering Roberts, 65, pastor of Bethel Temple Assembly of God in Jacksonville. The biennial council, held August 4-7, had drawn a record number of people—more than 3,600 delegates and an additional 25,000 visitors. But during the thunderous opening worship service the night before, something had been missing.

"I have not heard a message in tongues. When I joined the AG in 1974, it was not uncommon," said Roberts. the rest