Page 83 - tesis
P. 83

words, Pentecostalism including the NPCs is not parochial, but has crossed geographic, ethnic, linguistic, ideological and denominational frontiers. It is part of global Charismatic Christianity.\u000AC. THE PROFILE OF THE NEO-PENTECOSTALS\u000AThe urban characteristics of Guatemala City changed dramatically from 1970. Migration provoked accelerated growth and disorder of the city. Alongside the population growth the basic necessities, problems, and challenges that needed to be faced increased. Side by side with the growth of the city Evangelical church buildings emerged which changed the appearance of different zones of Guatemala City. The new buildings of the mega-NPCs add a new element to urban life. Thousands of people agglomerate to enter these new \u2018meccas\u2019 of Guatemalan and Central American Protestantism. On Sundays and days of special events traffic slows down and getting around becomes difficult. This is especially true as some of these churches celebrate five devotional services in a weekend.\u000AThe silence and solemnity of the Catholic Churches gives way to the movement and loud rejoicing of the NPCs. A series of offices with their respective personnel, cafeterias, bookshops, gardens and large car parks, reveal the life and dynamic which characterizes these churches. People are continually coming in and going out, seeking to be attended, as well as the continual activity of the church members who come in and go out to serve in the different ministries. At the entrance hall of the offices of these churches it is possible to observe suppliers who are bringing in furniture and other items, and teams of men and women who have come to receive instructions or information about their activities. While the researcher waits his turn for an interview, the door bell and the telephones do not stop ringing. It is hard to have an interview with these pastors who are always occupied somewhere else or on a mission out of the country.\u000AAmongst all the chattering, the members share encouraging phrases like \u2018God bless you brother!\u2019, \u2018Blessings!\u2019, or \u2018In victory brother!\u2019 These phrases are accompanied with a\u000A70\u000A


































































































   81   82   83   84   85