Mission-driven Pentecostal ecclesiology

Pentecostal ecclesiology is shaped by its missionary drive and hence is global in scope. However, most studies have concentrated on a Pentecostal understanding of local churches and assumed a congregational model of the church. In this article I suggest a Pentecostal ecclesiology based on trinitarian mission fellowships. This develops some of the existing studies, drawing together themes of community, context, mission, Scripture, Christology, Spirit baptism and holiness within a trinitarian framework. In addition, the article proposes that a global and catholic aspect of Pentecostal ecclesiology can be seen in network structures. Networks form flexible structures that are neither congregational nor hierarchical and have been naturally formed as a part of Pentecostal mission. Such an ecclesiology brings together the work of the Holy Spirit with the story of the growing church in Acts and is suggestive of a fresh approach to catholicity.