Social life and ritual practices in an Alaskan Pentecostal community (The First Assembly of God, Fairbanks) Item Type Thesis Authors Robarge, Nickole Kathren Download date 08/10/2021 09:15:16 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/11122/4522 SOCIAL LIFE AND RITUAL PRACTICES IN AN ALASKAN PENTECOSTAL COMMUNITY (THE FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD, FAIRBANKS) By Nickole Kathren Robarge RECOMMENDED: f.1 01/J Advisory Committee Chair APPROVED: Date SOCIAL LIFE AND RITUAL PRACTICES IN AN ALASKAN PENTECOSTAL COMMUNITY (THE FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD, FAIRBANKS) A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTERS OF ARTS By Nickole Kathren Robarge, B.A Fairbanks, Alaska August 2013 v Abstract This MA thesis research project focuses on the First Assembly of God Church in Fairbanks, Alaska. It seeks to better understand the implementation of Pentecostal- Charismatic (PC) Christianity in 21st century urban Alaska. While social activism and outreach form a significant portion of the success of Pentecostalism in Alaska (as anywhere else), my research shows that it is also substantially due to the appeal of ritual to newcomers. In particular, I suggest that there are forms of spiritual possession and spirit embodiment that need to be examined in relation to the attractiveness of Pentecostalism in Fairbanks. There is a gap in academic literature pertaining to Pentecostal rituals. Recent anthropological studies have focused primarily on notions of conversion, rupture, empowerment, and modernization. My research complements these studies by shedding an unprecedented light on Pentecostal processes of ritualization. Participant observation and interviews were used to examine ritual activity and the nature of spiritual gifts within PC Christianity in Fairbanks. vi Table of Contents Page Signature Page ..................................................................................................................... ii Title Page .......................................................................................................................... iii Abstract ........................................................................................................................... v Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... viii List of Appendices ............................................................................................................ viii Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................. ix Dedication page ................................................................................................................... x Chapter 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2 Theoretical Framework .................................................................................... 6 2.1 Spiritual Possession: The Divide between Possession Theorists ............................ 6 2.2 Ritual ..................................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Mobility (Fluidity) ................................................................................................. 14 Chapter 3 Background .................................................................................................... 18 3.1 Christianity in Alaska ............................................................................................ 18 3.2 Brief History of Pentecostalism ............................................................................ 26 3.3 Assembly of God Church (AG) ............................................................................ 35 3.3.1 First Assemblies in Alaska ................................................................................. 39 Chapter 4 The Culture of Pentecostalism ........................................................................ 40 4.1 Connection between Churches .............................................................................. 40 vii 4.2 Membership ................................................................................................... 43 4.3 Mobility and Church Planting ............................................................................... 47 Chapter 5 An Ethnographer in the Assembly .................................................................. 58 5.1 Participant Observation in a PC Community ......................................................... 59 5.2 Interviews and Conversations with faith practitioners .......................................... 62 Chapter 6 Rituals and Ritualized Social Programs in the Assembly .............................. 67 6.1 Wednesday Night Bible Study ............................................................................... 69 6.2 Tuesday Night Bible Study (Women’s Bible Study) ............................................. 72 6.3 Retreats ................................................................................................................... 79 6.3.1 Men’s Retreat ..................................................................................................... 80 6.3.2 Women’s Retreat ................................................................................................ 80 6.4 Handprint ............................................................................................................... 84 6.5 Quilting Circle ....................................................................................................... 87 6.6 Sunday Service ...................................................................................................... 88 6.6.1 Usual Service ...................................................................................................... 88 6.6.2 Special Sunday Services ..................................................................................... 93 Chapter 7 Discussion of Key Themes ............................................................................ 97 7.1 Socio-political Themes in the Assembly ............................................................... 97 7.2 Language versus Physicality in Rituals ............................................................... 105 7.3 Reassessing the Shamanism/Possession Divide .................................................. 109 Chapter 8 Conclusion .................................................................................................. 111 References Cited .............................................................................................................. 117 viii List of Figures Figure 6.1: Body, Spirit and Soul ..................................................................................... 76 Figure A-1: U.S. AG Churches Opened and Closed (1965-2008) .................................. 125 Figure A-2: U.S. AG Churches Opened and Closed (2009-2012) .................................. 126 Figure A-3: 2010 Annual Church Ministries Report: Women’s Department ................. 127 Figure A-4: AG Worldwide Churches and Adherents (1987-2011) ............................... 128 Figure A-5: AG Churches and Member Statistics by Geographical District, 2011 ........ 129 Figure B-1: Original (First) Assembly Church, the beginnings. ..................................... 130 Figure B-2: The First Assembly of God Church in Fairbanks, AK (field site). .............. 131 Figure C-1: Fairbanks AG Mileposts (1939-1962) ......................................................... 132 Figure C-2: Fairbanks AG Mileposts (1963-1971) ......................................................... 133 Figure C-3: Fairbanks AG Mileposts (1976-1989) ......................................................... 134 List of Appendices Appendix A AG Statistical Information ....................................................................... 125 Appendix B Photographs .............................................................................................. 130 Appendix C Fairbanks AG Mileposts (1939-1989) ..................................................... 132 ix Acknowledgements I would like to thank everyone from the First Assemblies of God Church in Fairbanks without whom I could not have written this thesis. I would specifically like to thank Pastor Rob Rucci and his wife Mary Beth Rucci as well as Deana Browning. Of course I could not have made it this far without my wonderful family, who taught me to never give up and never surrender. I would also like to thank my friends who supported me in my pursuits and cheered me on, specifically my friend Wade Knapp for all the years of proof reading and moral support. I came into this program with some amazing characters who taught me how to go outside of my comfort zone. These individuals have become my family so thank you Allie Little and Oksana for being my support system throughout my time at UAF. To Maegan for being my beloved roommate and Beth for helping me get into the grad-groove. I would also like to thank my best friends Caity Kenney and David Ribardo for encouraging me to always go beyond what I think that I can accomplish. I would be remiss if I did not place some gratitude on my teachers, professors and advisers for shaping me into