Leaving Pentecostalism Behind

In today’s show, Pastor Chris Gordon continues the conversation with former Pentecostal preacher, Rev. Mark Stromberg. The discussion pivots to how Rev. Stromberg's understanding of the Bible led to doubts about Pentecostalism and his inevitable path to the Reformed faith. He explains how voicing his concerns caused the church, and his own uncle to silence him, ban him, and hand him a one-way ticket out of town. When they discuss the personal impact of this on him and his family, things get animated and Pastor Gordon’s table takes a hit! Will another piece of furniture meet its maker at the hands of Rev. Stromberg? Watch the full episode to find out. 

Chapters:

00:00 - Borrowing From The Charismatic Movement
01:38 - Pentecostalism Reinvents Itself
02:34 - Pentecostal In Theology, Not Experience
04:11 - No Church After A Year of College
05:00 - The Charismatic Movement Is Death-CLIP?
06:55 - Stromberg on Becoming Reformed
07:34 - My Uncle Recognized Pentecostal Deficits
08:29 - Reading Calvin’s Institutes
10:30 - Dry Bones and Predestination
10:57 - A Guy Walks Into A Restaurant
10:00 - Pentecostals Deny the Trinity
11:18 - Pentecostals Against Kenneth Copeland
13:17 - Banned For Being Reformed
15:00 - Onto Westminster Seminary
16:00 - Belgrade to Lynden
17:10 - Reformed Discomfort
18:54 - Proper Reformed Experience 
19:47 - Push Back On Daily Conversion
21:00 - Preaching The Law To The Saved
22:00 - The Reformed Experience of Being Saved
23:20 - The Impact Of The Truth
23:42 - The Sacrifice Of The Preacher’s Wife
25:37 - Breaking The Table
26:18 - Preaching Conviction & Repentence
28:47 - David’s Sin
29:46 - The Decline Of Pentecostalism

More:
Rev. Mark Stromberg was raised Pentecostal and became an influential Pentecostal preacher in Montana for over a decade. As his understanding of the Bible grew, so did his doubts about the Pentecostal Church. His study of Acts 2 and questions about regeneration led him out of Pentecostalism and into Westminster Seminary in Escondido, CA. He answered the call to become the preaching pastor at Lynden United Reformed Church in Lynden, Washington where he resides today. 

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Mark Stromberg is a native Montanan, growing up in the shadow of Glacier National Park. He attended Montana State University and Evangel College where he met his lovely wife, Krista. They married in 1987, and soon after, God blessed them with three beautiful children. He is grateful that he finds such immense pleasure in fulfilling his duties as a husband, father and grandfather.

He was ordained to the Ministry of the Word in March, 2003, and prior to serving as a United Reformed minister, he pastored in the Assemblies of God for twelve years. As a result of reading and studying the Bible, he became Reformed. Based on his newfound beliefs and theological convictions, he consequently moved his family to Escondido, California, where he attended Westminster Seminary. This was a great blessing for him and his family, for which he is eternally grateful.

Prior to accepting the call to the Lynden URC, Mark pastored the United Reformed Church in Belgrade, Montana for ten and a half years. He is very thankful the Lord has provided him with a great passion for ministering the Word and the sacraments to those under his care.

Mark loves spending his free time with his wife, adult children and grandchildren. As a family they enjoy all kinds of water sports, downhill skiing, reading aloud, watching movies, and their annual Thanksgiving backyard football game. Mark also enjoys fishing and is an avid reader, particularly in the areas of history and theology, but his real passion is for God’s Word and preaching Christ.