2024 BTLI: Beyond the Label of Pentecostalism: The Holy Spirit at Work in Many Spaces and Places Conference

Last week the Black Theology and Leadership Institute (BTLI) hosted the Beyond the Label of Pentecostalism: The Holy Spirit at Work in Many Spaces and Places conference. With the goal of examining the diversity, complexity, and evolution of Pentecostalism and the African American religious experience. Ultimately diving deeper into the nuances of the Black church, which is not always discussed within the Pentecostal realms. Princeton Seminary speakers included president Dr. Jonathan Walton and Full Professor, Dr. Keri Day. Attendees came away with knowledge on how to take action on the issues facing the Black church and how to lead within their communities and churches.

Day 1 – July 15th 

Rev. Dr. Keri Day, Professor of Constructive Theology and African American Religion at Princeton Theological Seminary

Dr. Keri Day delivered a profound lecture on the Azusa Street Revival, positing it as an exemplar for reimagining Christian identity and faithfulness. She highlighted how the Azusa Street Revival empowered women to lead in unprecedented numbers and provided a platform to challenge racial apartheid, political agency, and injustice.

Dr. Day discussed how this revolutionary religious movement faced significant resistance, primarily because it existed outside the realm of white-dominant Christian faith and white Protestantism. Critics often dismissed it as merely cultural rather than theological, doctrinal, or pure. However, Dr. Day compellingly argued that the Azusa Street Revival “disrupts the theology that white people have theology and Black people have culture.”

She emphasized that Azusa represents a form of decoloniality, encouraging a rethinking of where the Holy Spirit is at work and how faith communities can be more inclusive and equitable. This movement challenges the traditional theological frameworks and promotes a more inclusive understanding of Christian identity and practice.

Dr. Day’s insights remind us that the Azusa Street Revival is not just a historical event but a continuing inspiration for addressing contemporary issues of gender, race, and justice within the Christian faith. Azusa Reimagined: A Radical Vision of Religious and Democratic Belonging can be purchased here.

Derrick Weston addressed the climate crisis, particularly environmental racism, framing it as a spiritual crisis concerning our relationship with God’s creation. He emphasized the biblical mandate to care for God’s creation, highlighting the urgency of this conversation given the dire state of the global climate and environment.

Weston illustrated the gravity of the situation with striking statistics: this year is the hottest summer on record, and for some, it may be the coldest they will experience going forward. He noted the degradation of water quality and pointed out that non-white neighborhoods, with significantly less tree coverage, experience a 15-degree temperature difference compared to other areas.

He also highlighted “sacrifice zones,” areas where slaughterhouses, petrochemical companies, and other polluting industries disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities. These zones contribute to higher rates of cancer, asthma, and other health-related issues, making residents five times more likely to suffer from these conditions.

Weston called all BTLI participants to action, stressing that this crisis concerns us all and our churches. He pointed to the power of scripture in mobilizing us to address environmental issues and advised, “Find the people in your area that are already doing the work, connect with them, figure out how the church can support them, and rally around them with your people, resources, and time.”

His message underscored the importance of active engagement and collaboration with existing environmental efforts, leveraging the resources and influence of the church to make a meaningful impact.

Day 2 – July 16th

Dr. David Daniels provided a creative exploration of the use of “pentecostalizing” using the methodological approach borrowed from theatre studies to examine the depth and breadth of Pentecostalism. He focused on the Black Arts Movement (1965 – 1975), with particular attention to Barbara Ann Teer and the National Black Theatre. Dr. Daniels analyzed how Teer and the National Black Theatre incorporated Pentecostal rituals and rhetoric to express the participatory and democratic values found in the Pentecostal tradition, where he found that “everybody could sing, everybody could talk, everybody would participate … there was a democracy of the Spirit.” This influence, as presented through the incorporation of Pentecostal infused rituals and practices in the plays of the National Black, reflected a similar spirit of democratization evident when examined through the lens of Pentecostalism.

Dr. Daniels encouraged participants to reflect critically on how his framework might apply to their own ministries and church settings. He posed several thought-provoking questions: “In reflecting back on the Pentecostal church, what might be relearned or discovered about Pentecostalism as a phenomenon? How might Pentecostal church performative aspects be reconsidered,  Pentecostal social activism retheorized or Pentecostal theology reconsidered?”

By drawing parallels between the theatrical innovations of the Black Arts Movement and the dynamic, inclusive nature of Pentecostal worship, Dr. Daniels provided a rich framework for rethinking how Pentecostal principles can inform and transform various cultural and social practices. The lecture serves as a call to integrate the democratic and participatory ethos of Pentecostalism into broader societal contexts, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.

Dr. Antipas Harris, President of the Urban Renewal Center

Dr. Antipas Harris centered his lecture on an African spiritual worldview on examining the work and prominence of the Holy Spirit in African American life, hermeneutics, and the Black church tradition to empower and liberate individuals and communities.

His postcolonial methodology encompasses all aspects of life—both good and bad—and insisted on a spirituality that is inseparable from everyday existence, unifying matter and soul. Dr. Harris argued that an African spiritual worldview offers a powerful new way of being in the world, empowering individuals to engage more deeply with both their faith and their daily lives. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the movement of the Spirit not only in worship but also in the broader world. By doing so, Dr. Harris called for an integrated spirituality that influences all areas of life, encouraging a holistic understanding of faith that extends beyond traditional religious practices into the everyday experiences of believers.

This perspective challenged the separation of the sacred and the secular and advocated for a life where spiritual practices and beliefs are intertwined with daily activities, thus fostering a more profound and practical engagement with one’s faith and community.

Day 3 – July 17th

In the Betsey Stockton lecture, Rev. Dr. Leslie D. Callahan traced her womanish and womanist identities back to the search for her mother’s altars, which was a play on the work by Alice Walker, In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens. Dr. Callahan declared “I am who I am today because of mothers’ altar work.” The altars at revivals were imperative to her heritage and the formation of her future work in the academy and the church. Kneeling before the altar, then singing, hugging, and sharing underpin the egalitarian impulse of Pentecostalism. She noted, “everybody sang,” emphasizing that singing was a means of communal storytelling. She elaborated, “They sang a song to frame their story. We were required to come in and help people sing their story.”

Rev. Dr. Callahan highlighted that revivals were moments of “divine solution,” and altar calls were opportunities to “get right with God.” She testified that Westernized theological education and reflection often seek to challenge African American traditions like Pentecostalism, often declaring that both the tradition and its practices lack the respectability of sophisticated religious practices. However, she argued that Pentecostalism is where congregants can be released into lives of abundance and joy, liberated and nurtured, and reclaim their spirituality and identity. She then posited a powerful question, “Why are [African Americans] allowing our Pentecostal practices of worship to be critiqued by those who are trying to kill us?”

Her reflections underscore the significance and profound impact of Pentecostal traditions on individual and collective spiritual identity. Rev. Dr. Callahan’s lecture invites us to appreciate and preserve these rich practices that foster a deep sense of community, empowerment, and spiritual vitality.

The Departments of Online and Digital Learning, Admissions, and Continuing Education provided information on the degree programs available to prospective students looking to further their education and explore options for theological study. From these conversations, it was made clear that residential and hybrid programs are accessible to those from all walks of life. To learn more about the Masters degree programs offered at the Seminary, please visit: https://ptsem.edu/academics/masters-degrees/. To explore opportunities at the Office of Continuing Education, please visit: https://ptsem.edu/online-professional-studies/continuing-education/programs/. To survey online course offerings, events, seminars, or independent study, please visit: https://online.ptsem.edu/.

Day 4 – July 18th

Rev. Dr. Renita Weems, Crump Visiting Professor and Black Religious Scholars Group Scholar-in-Residence at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX and Alumna of Princeton Theological Seminary 

Rev. Dr. Renita J. Weems delivered a profound lecture titled “Reading the Bible from Within the Belly of the Beast.” Her lecture raise the important observation that those who engage in religious inquiry on behalf of those who are oppressed, impoverished and marginalized by systemic forces often do so from within the very systems that they seek to overthrow. As such, good theological reflection requires an understanding of one’s location relative to the beast and the tools to ensure that one’s own theological engagement has not been coopted by their placement within the beast. Without such vigilant reflection, one might find that the very advocacy one is engaged in does little more than sustain the systems one is fighting to overthrow. An example of this phenomenon that she offered was an interrogation of the question of biblical authority. Dr. Reems argued that traditional constructions of biblical authority are often the most toxic and unconstructive themes in Christian hermeneutics. According to Dr. Weems, this rigid adherence has made us incapable of embracing diverse interpretations, leading to the perpetuation of hetero-patriarchy, white supremacy, and misogynoir.

Dr. Weems pointed out that these oppressive systems have forced us to exist in dangerous places where we are called to preach, teach, and believe in the Bible while being metaphorically “in the belly of the beast”—facing the most challenging and oppressive situations. To reconcile our proclamation with these arduous conditions, she advised that it is crucial to acknowledge and mention the “beast”—the systems of abuse, racism, and oppression—while centering contemporary and biblical contexts in our sermons. The purpose of preaching and teaching in and under these difficult circumstances is to highlight and address the issues of abuse, racism, and oppression, with the goal of dismantling them. Dr. Weems emphasized that by confronting these issues head-on in our religious teachings, we can begin to create a more just and equitable society.

Her lecture challenges us to rethink our approach to biblical authority and interpretation, encouraging us to engage with the text in a way that is liberative and transformative, addressing the real and pressing issues of our time.

Rev. Dr. Ivan Hartsfield, Senior Pastor at Thrive Christian Communities

Dr. Ivan Hartsfield led our book discussion focused on his recent work Sanctified Imagination: Christian Holiness in Afro-Pentecostal Tradition. His book addresses the historical and theological gaps in research on Pentecostalism, noting that scholarship often lacks a deep understanding of Afro-Pentecostal tradition and theology. In his research and writing, Dr. Hartsfield argues that the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) radicalized holiness as a path to wholeness, offering a rationale and a framework that values both spiritual and embodied existence. He posits that this approach is worthy of consideration by the broader Protestant tradition.

By exploring the COGIC’s unique posture, Dr. Hartsfield emphasized how this tradition integrates spiritual fervor with a profound respect for the physical body, advocating for a holistic approach to Christian living. His work aims to bring greater recognition and appreciation to Afro-Pentecostal practices and their contributions to Christian theology.

Dr. Hartsfield’s talk encouraged attendees to rethink traditional Protestant views on holiness traditions and to consider the rich, embodied spirituality present within the Afro-Pentecostal tradition. His insights contribute significantly to the broader discourse on Christian holiness and the integration of spiritual and physical well-being.

Day 5 – July 19th

Dr. Eric Williams, Assistant Professor of Theology and Black Church Studies Director of the Office of Black Church Studies at Duke University

Rev. Dr. Eric Williams delivered an insightful lecture titled “In the Shadow of the Holy Ghost: Visualizations of Black Pentecostalism in the Archive,” which explored the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture’s recent exhibit, Spirit in the Dark. Dr. Williams highlighted key aspects of the exhibit, which he co-curated, showcasing how Black vocalists, musicians, and authors have blurred the lines between the holy and the profane, bore witness to racial inequalities through protest and praise, and envisioned hope for the future amidst their lived realities of suffering. Dr. Williams emphasized the power of Black Pentecostalism to transcend conventional boundaries and create a dynamic space where spiritual and secular experiences intersect. He illustrated how the exhibit demonstrates this by featuring artists who have used their platforms to address social injustices while simultaneously celebrating their cultural heritage and spiritual resilience.

For those interested in exploring this profound intersection of faith and culture, the exhibit can be accessed online through the following link: Smithsonian’s Spirit in the Dark.

Dr. Williams’ lecture provided a rich, multifaceted view of Black Pentecostalism and its enduring impact on both religious practices and broader cultural expressions.

See more photos of the opening dinner and cohort with the following links:

Opening Dinner A

Opening Dinner B

Cohort