Social transformation in the missions of Pentecostals: a priority or a bonus?

This article explores historical and contemporary Pentecostal attitudes to and engagement with social issues, examines the roles of Jesus and the early Church leaders concerning the topic and offers some suggestions for future development. Fundamentally, Pentecostals have focussed more on spiritual conversions rather than social and economic transformation and have tended to limit their activities to preaching rather than social engagement, although locally, many Pentecostal churches have become involved in seeking to benefit their communities more widely. However, Pentecostals are slowly changing and new initiatives are being established as they recognise that the mission of God through them is intended to be holistic.