Southeastern University FireScholars Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Barnett College of Ministry & Theology Fall 2020 GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM: THE INTENTIONAL INCLUSION OF MINORITIES IN PENTECOSTAL LEADERSHIP Terrell Robert Raburn Southeastern University - Lakeland, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://firescholars.seu.edu/dmin Part of the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, and the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Raburn, Terrell Robert, "GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM: THE INTENTIONAL INCLUSION OF MINORITIES IN PENTECOSTAL LEADERSHIP" (2020). Doctor of Ministry (DMin). 14. https://firescholars.seu.edu/dmin/14 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Barnett College of Ministry & Theology at FireScholars. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Ministry (DMin) by an authorized administrator of FireScholars. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM THE INTENTIONAL INCLUSION OF MINORITIES IN PENTECOSTAL LEADERSHIP A PROJECT DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE SCHOOL OF DIVINITY IN THE BARNETT COLLEGE OF MINISTRY AND THEOLOGY AT SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MINISTRY BY TERRELL ROBERT RABURN DECEMBER 2020 i Copyright by Terrell Robert Raburn © 2020 ii ABSTRACT Although the Azusa Street Revival, known for launching the modern Pentecostal Movement, was initially characterized by minority diversity in regard to leadership, it quickly splintered into three classic Pentecostal fellowships formed along racial lines. The research presented herein examines the racially segregated history of the Pentecostal Church in North America—acknowledging the need for the implementation of a biblically based theology of racial integration—and presents a four-step process in which minority leadership within individual Pentecostal churches is promoted, combatting the unbiblical ideology of a segregated body of Christ. The four steps include (1) the necessity for a strong visionary leader; (2) a committed team to help facilitate the work; (3) a workable strategy leading to accomplishment; and (4) the preservation of successful results by cementing them into the governing documents of the organization. The findings of this research point toward genuine progress as established leaders follow the four basic steps toward success, despite the setbacks of recent racial tensions within the social climate of the United States. iii To Athena Register Raburn 1952 – 2020 And her friends: Malcolm Burleigh and Zollie Smith Acknowledgements First, I want to thank my friend, the Dean of the Barnett College of Ministry and Theology, Dr. Alan Ehler, for serving as my mentor for this project. His tireless instruction, direction, edits, and encouragement kept me on task and made the finish line a reality. I also want to thank the founding head of the Doctor of Ministry program at Southeastern University, Dr. Jim Vigil, for his leadership and inspiration. The faculty of the Barnett College of Ministry and Theology are each world-class individuals and professors. I salute them with deep gratitude. Much thanks are also due to Roy Rowland, Vice President for Enrollment & Marketing at Southeastern University, for his investment in this project and for his friendship. Great appreciation and gratitude go to Judah Crowder; Justin Farmer; and my administrative assistant, Tammy Stanley, for their commitment to the success of this dissertation and to my personal well-being. Without their detailed work evidenced herein, there would be no dissertation. Sincere appreciation goes to Dr. Kent Ingle, President of Southeastern University and friend, for his outstanding vision and leadership. SEU is great because he is great. Finally, and with deepest and truest love, I want to thank my dear late wife, Athena Register Raburn. I was her project, and she did a wonderful job. The contributions of the aforementioned individuals made this project a reality. For that, I am eternally grateful. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS I. CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................ 1 a. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 b. The Problem ............................................................................................................................ 3 c. Scope and Limitations .............................................................................................................. 9 d. Goals and Objectives ............................................................................................................. 11 e. Glossary of Terms .................................................................................................................. 13 f. Summary ............................................................................................................................... 16 II. CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................. 18 a. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 18 b. Race and Theological Ethnicity ............................................................................................... 19 c. Old Testament Theology of Intentional Exclusion .................................................................. 24 d. A New Testament Theology of Minority Inclusion .................................................................. 27 e. A Theology of Minority Inclusion in Pentecostal Leadership ................................................... 36 f. Leaders Who Follow .............................................................................................................. 37 g. A Theology of Minorities Included in Community ................................................................... 40 h. A Theology of Social Justice ................................................................................................... 43 i. Inclusion in the House ........................................................................................................... 48 j. Summary ............................................................................................................................... 49 III. CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................................... 51 a. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 51 b. A Bigger Victory ..................................................................................................................... 52 c. Society Sometimes Led the Church ........................................................................................ 54 d. Inclusion in the Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches of North America .............................. 57 e. A Light of Inclusion ................................................................................................................ 59 f. The Next Positive Step ........................................................................................................... 62 g. Timeline ................................................................................................................................ 66 h. Transcending Misunderstanding ............................................................................................ 91 i. Comparison ........................................................................................................................... 95 j. Summary ............................................................................................................................... 97 k. Onward ................................................................................................................................. 98 IV. CHAPTER FOUR ............................................................................................................ 99 a. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 99 b. Inclusive Pastors .................................................................................................................. 105 c. Staff Inclusion ...................................................................................................................... 106 d. Inclusion of Minorities in District Leadership ....................................................................... 108 e. Inclusive Progress ................................................................................................................ 109 f. Inclusion of Minorities at the District and National Level of the Assemblies of God ............. 110 g. Summary ............................................................................................................................. 116 h. Intentional Inclusion ............................................................................................................ 118 V. CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................ 121 a. Introduction .......................................................................................................................