Exerting Influence Of Pentecostalism on the Mainline Churches in Enugu State

Abstract

Pentecostalism remains a force that pulls the doctrine of the mainline Churches in the contemporary time. Its impacts are obvious especially in the modus operandi of the orthodox Christian denominations. Demonstration of spiritual powers and wealth accumulation which were not considered as factors for measuring a prosperous Church as well as a priest in the mainline Churches have become yardstick for considering a progressive Church and a priest. These have paved way for imitation of divine powers and misappropriation of it. It has become very elusive to distinguish between a materialistic Pentecostal pastor and a priest of the Orthodox Church. Abuse of speaking in other languages, emphasis on miracles and other spiritual enterprise, charlatanism, prosperity preaching, projection of Church founders and leaders during outdoor events, church as money making factory among others have also become the order of the day in the Mainline Churches in the recent time. One of the major of causes of this scenario may concern itself with proliferation of churches and fear of depopulation of the Mainline Churches. The thrust of this paper concerns itself with the examination of the aftermath of Pentecostalism on the Mainline Churches with the principal aim of recommending feasible solutions in order to retain moral rectitude and foster human and society development. The research methodology adopted by the researchers is phenomenological method. Qualitative method of collecting data is also used. Data were collected and analyzed through secondary sources.