Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944)

Controversial - either because of her gender, her showmanship approach to preaching, or alleged infractions of morals in her personal life - Aimee Semple McPherson was a larger than life character within the first four decades of the 20th century.

Even today, there are many who are quick to point out that she died of an overdose. Closer research, and with less predisposition to find fault or play one-ups-manship, reveals that the coroner ruled her death an accidental overdose of sleeping pills.  She had been known to have some difficulty sleeping and one drug found in her room by her son was one that was known to impact memory.  Such accidental overdoses were well known.

The speed at which such accusations are pulled out reveals much about the willingness of human nature to believe the worst.   McPherson was a pioneer of the use of radio, in mega church management, and in the use of theater to catch the attention of people.   She was also a widow, single mother, evangelist, and pastor.   From her great work at the Anglius Temple in L.A. would grow the Foursquare Church with worldwide membership in 2000 of over 8,000,000, with almost 60,000 churches in 144 countries. In 2006, membership in the United States was 353,995 in 1,875 churches .

Aimee Semple McPherson - Documentary

Dramatic Portrayal of A Noted Sermon By Aimee Semple McPherson

"The Pentecostals: A Pacifist History"

IPHC Centennial Videos Now Online

2011 marked the centennial of the merger of the Pentecostal Holiness Church and the Fire Baptized Church in 1911 in Falcon, NC.  In honor of that achievement a series of video documentaries were created which included historical reenactments, scholars (Dr. Chuck Chitwood, Dr. Vinson Synan, Dr. Harold Hunter, Marilyn A. Hudson, and others) , and rare footage and images.

View chapter 1  here.
View chapter 2 here
View chapter 3 here
View chapter 4 here

"Samuel A. Webster" - Early Pentecostal Preacher

Anyone looking for this volume please contact the Library Director at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Oklahoma. It was part of their collection as of 2012.

A recent volume of note titled simply, "This is the record of the life and ministry of SAMUEL A.WEBSTER as transcribed from his handwritten diary."  It was spiral bound in October of 1992, (78 pg.; 5x8).  No other information was on the booklet.

Biographical information from the work:

Samuel A. Webster (b.29 May 1875 - d. 21 June 1941, Ky) was the son of Alice Jones (b. 2 Feb.1854) or Hones and Thomas Jefferson Webster.  They married 8 December 1872.  Samuel married Evelyn Erickson 14 December 1898 in Doud, Iowa.  They had two daughters , Gladys Esther and Wilma Leona.  In September 1902, the family with extended members moved to Monrovia, California. In 1906 a third daughter, Alberta was born to them and in 1908 a son Paul.

Alice Jones was the daughter of Eliza Pugh (b. April 24, 1830) and Atha Hones.

Eliza was the daughter of Annias Pugh and wife Rachel.  They were natives of Ohio and settled west of Des Moines,  Iowa in 1842 settling along the Chequert Creek in Chequart Township.

Originally associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, and desiring to minister he was assigned to Newport Beach in 1905.  He embraced the Pentecostal experience in 1906 when he attended the Asuza Street revival and found the more fulfilling experience he had been seeking. 

Webster spent the next nearly forty years criss-crossing the country - Washington, California, Oregon, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Iowa, and other places in between.

He frequently mentions the "apostolic" work and various "apostolic missions".  He mentions the following names of ministers and workers in his journeys:  Elder R.J. Scott, Frank Small, Pastor Kneeves, Pastor Ewart,  Pastor Smith (Tulakes, CA), Pastor Henry Morse (Oakland), Pastor Tabor, Pastor Marling (Oregon), Pastor Millie Smith (Turlock, CA), Pastor Morris (who went to a P.C.I. Convention in St. Louis), Brother Knudsen,  Brother Crow, and Pastor Edward Smith (Apostolic Temple, 3550 Whittier Blvd., LosAngeles, 1940)

Additional Information
Additional historical research uncovered he had been residing in 1910 in Rohnerville, Humbolt Co., California, in 1920 Santa Cruz, California, and in 1930 in Los Angeles, California where the family lived at 812 1/2 Mariposa Street.  The census record also indicated Evelyn had been born in Iowa and her parents in Sweden.  Also, that the family included a Wilma, b. 1908, Naomi, b. 1910, and Paul, b. 1908.   Samuel was listed as a "clergyman" with the notation "no denomination."

During WW1 as a 43 year old he registered for the draft and listed his residence as 24 West S. Grant (Stockton, California?). He was employed as a minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, 733 S. 3rd Street, Portland, Oregon. This was a Pentecostal group which formed in 1914and was  made up of people who held to the baptismal formula of using only the name of Jesus rather than the trinitarian "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

He died in Bullit County, Ky 27 June 1941 (according to the death certificate) of a heart attack while attending a camp meeting in Sheperdsville, KY.

The small ministry memoir is packed with travel, recounts of the move of the Holy Spirit, and 'burial' of people in 'Jesus' name.'   All in all a fascinating account of a very active, and very traveled, minister in the broad canvas of early Pentecostalism.

New Book Chronicles History of Women Ministers in IPHC

Dr. Jeraldine Posey has authored a new book showcasing the women who served as ministers, leaders, and other works in the IPHC from 1901 to 2011. The book, Let My Handmaid Speak, is published by WestBow Press (2011). Dr. Posey has been involved in ministry for sixty years, having served as a missionary, evangelist, lecturer, counselor, teacher, and pastor. She was the first woman ordained in her Virginia conference. She holds a bachelor of theology degree, a bachelor of science, and a master of arts degree in English, and a doctor of ministry degree.

The book, Let My Handmaid Speak, that title alone should capture the attention of all. It is about Lady preachers. Dr. Jeri Posey from Hopewell, VA, presents a new look at the lady ministers who have preached with great success in the Pentecostal Holiness Church in spite of many difficulties.The debate over women preachers has raged for centuries, but the argument has not been–and probably will not be–resolved. This book is not an addendum to that dispute. It is, however, an attempt to show some of the difficulties lady ministers have overcome to answer God’s call to proclaim His Word.

The International Pentecostal Holiness Church, from its inception, has recognized women as preachers, pastors, evangelists and missionaries. 

However, the leadership of the denomination at a Solemn Assembly in 1996 acknowledged that the church had withheld from women places of honor and desired to release them to serve in leadership roles.

Historically, women have gained ground only to lose it again, and even in our twenty-first century society, some still refuse to let God’s handmaids speak.

Dr. Jeri Posey has been involved in ministry for sixty years, having served as a missionary, evangelist, lecturer, counselor, teacher, and pastor. She holds a bachelor of theology degree, a bachelor of science, and a master of arts degree in English, and a doctor of ministry degree. She is an alumnus of Holmes Bible College.

The 361 page book Let My Handmaid Speak is published by Westbow Press a division of Thomas Nelson and is available from Dr. Jeri Posey by sending a check in the amount of $24.95 for the book + $4.30 S&H to 3912 Cambridge Place, Hopewell, VA 23860. Her e-mail address is:  j.posey2011@comcast.net.

The book is also available from www.westbowpress.com, through your local bookseller, or preferred on-line retailer.

WOMEN CLERGY IN PENTECOSTALISM: THE IPHC

1995- The" leadership of the denomination at a Solemn Assembly in 1996 acknowledged that the church had withheld from women places of honor and desired to release them to serve in leadership roles."  This assembly publicly repented of racism, sexism, and elder brother syndrome as well as sexism, i.e., "Sin of Male Domination."  (Located and date of Assembly, Fayetteville, NC, Aug.23-24, 1996).

The "Affirmation" read in part:  "Gender differences are never to become a platform for discrimination and division, but rather are attributes to enhance and complete Christ's body.  We recognize the sin of male domination and acknowledge that we have withheld from women places of honor in the church.  We have not affirmed the ministries of qualified women by releasing them to serve in places of leadership......Create in us a new sensitivity to the God-given gifts of the women of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church that there might be unity and greater power in our worldwide ministry....We affirm that we are equal partners in the work of your Kingdom and commit ourselves to recognize Your gifts in all members of the body of Christ without regard to gender.  We acknowledge that You have called women to definite ministries and gifted some for leadership roles in Your church.  We affirm them in their spiritual gifts and callings and will compensate them accordingly."

Some sources:

R.B. Hayes. "Women Preaching." The Advocate, July 11, 1918.

Paul F. Beacham. "Questions and Answers on the Scriptures and related Subjects", Advocate Press, pg. 527-28

“First Pentecostal Holiness Female Chaplain Commissioned. “ The IPHC Advocate (May 1984):15.

Hudson, Marilyn A.  “The Three Faces of Eve. “The Helping Hand (May-June 1989): 14-15.

Moore, Doris. “Women’s Ministries: The Dream Lives O.”  The IPHC Advocate (July, 1995): 10-11.

Stewart, Leon. “Training Women for Service: SCCM.” The Helping Hand (May-June 1990):5.

Tripp. Lois. “Women – Liberated to Minister.” The Helping Hand (Jan.-Feb., 1988):3.

Bishop Leggett, "Affirming Women in Ministry." Issachar File, March 1999, pg.2.

Posey, Jeraldine. Let my handmaid speak: A History of Women in ministry in the Pentecostal Holiness Church, 1901-2011. WestBow, 2011.

Women in MInistry - Ongoing Bibliography

The following list of resources presents works dealing with women in positions of leadership, pastoral ministry, and similar religious roles and explores them from Biblical, historical, and cultural viewpoints.

Books:

            Alexander, Estrelda. Limited Liberty: The Legacy of Four Pentecostal Women Pioneers. Pilgrim Press, 2007.

           Alexander, Estrelda. Philip’s daughters: Women in Pentecostal-Charismatic Leadership. Wipf & Stock, 2009.

Beck, James R., ed. Two Views on Women in Ministry: Egalitarian and Complementarion. Zondervan, 2001.

Booth, Catherine. Female ministry: or, the Woman’s Right to Preach the Gospel.  Salvation Army, 1859.

Cunningham, Loren, et al. Why Not Women? A Fresh Look at Scripture on Women in Missions, Ministry and Leadership.  YWAM, 2000.

Epp, Eldon Jay. Junia: The First Woman Apostle.  Fortress, 2005.

Gafney, Wilda C. Daughters of Miriam: Women Prophets in Ancient Israel. Fortress Press, 2008.

Gretnz, Stanley J. Women in the Church: A Biblical theology of Women in Ministry. InerVarsity Press, 1991.

Hammer, Jill. Sisters at Sinai: New Tales of Biblical Women, Jewish Publication Society, 2011.

Hoppin, Ruth.  Pricilla’s Letter: Finding the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Lost Coast Press, 209/

Hudson, Marilyn A. Those Pesky Verses of Paul: Women and the Bible. Revised ed. Whorl Books / Create Space, 2011.

Jewett, Paul K. The Ordination of Women. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1980.

Kienze, Beveraky Mayne. Women Preachers and Prophets through Two Millennia of Christianity. University of California Press, 1998.

Kroeger, Richard; Catherine Clark. I Suffer Not A Woman: Rethinking 1 Timothy 2:11-15 in Light of Ancient Evidence. Baker, 1992.

Madigan, Kevin, ed.  Ordained Women in the Early Church: A Documentary History. Johns Hopkins Universiy Press, 2005.

Mathewsm, Alice. A Woman God Can Use,: Lessons from Old Testament Women. Discovery House, 1990.

Mitchell, Ella, ed. Women: To Preach or Not to Preach? – 21 Black Preachers Say “Yes!” Judson, 1991.

Pike, Francis.  Created to Rule Together. Lifesprings, 2008.

Pierce, Ronald, ed. Discovering Biblical Equality, Complementary without Hierarchy.  InterVarsity press, 2004.

Posey, Jeraldine T, D.Min. Let My Handmaid Speak: A History of Women in Ministry in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church from 1901-2011.   WestBow, 2011.

Olsen, Laura R.  Women with a Mission: Religion, Gender, and the Politics of Women Clergy.  University of Alabama, 2005.

Osiek Carolyn.  A Woman’s Place: House Churches in Earliest Christianity. Fortress, 2006.

Torgesen, Karen Jo. When Women Were Priests: Women’s Leadership in the Early Church & the Scandal of their Subordiantion in the Rise of Christianity. Harper Collins, 1993.

Tucker, Ruth A.  Daughters of the Church: Women in Ministry from the New Testament times to the Present. Zondervan, 1987.

Tucker, Ruth A. Women in the Maze: Questions and answers on Biblical Equality. InterVarsity Press, 1992.

Welch, Kristen Dayle.  Women with the Good News: The Rhetorical Heritage of Pentecostal Holiness Women Preachers.  CPT Press, 2010.

IPHC PERIODICALS:

“First Pentecostal Holiness Female Chaplain Commissioned. “ The IPHC Advocate (May 1984):15.

Hudson, Marilyn A “The Three Faces of Eve. “The Helping Hand (May-June 1989): 14-15.

Moore, Doris. “Women’s Ministries: The Dream Lives O. “ The IPHC Advocate (July, 1995): 10-11.

Stewart, Leon. “Training Women for Service: SCCM.” The Helping Hand (May-June 1990):5.

Tripp. Lois. “Women – Liberated to Minister.” The Helping Hand (Jan.-Feb., 1988):3.

BIOGRAPHIES, GENERAL (In Process) :

Kuhlman, Katherine

McPherson, Aimee Semple

Palmer, Phoebe

Woodsworth-Etter, Maria

BIOGRAPHIES, IPHC SPECIFIC:

Adair, Enide Lu Cunningham. Our Mama Josie was a Preacher Woman: A Biography of a Pioneer Minister, Josie McDonald Williams, 2006. SCU Archives.

ONLINE SOURCES:

Benvenuti, Sheri R.   “Where do we go from here? Pentecostal women in ministry.”  At CyberJournal at  http://www.pctii.org/cyberj/cyberj1/ben.html

“her-meneutics.” http://blog.christianitytoday.com/women/2009/08/women_pastors_remain_scarce_1.html

“History of Women in Ministry” at  http://womeninministry.ag.org/history/

IAWM (International Association of Women Ministers)  http://www.womenministers.org/

Brown, C.A. “Women Preachers”,  at  Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy http://whwomenclergy.org/article40.htm

“Phoebe Palmer”.   http://are.as.wvu.edu/phebe.htm

Sanders, Cheryl J.  “History of Women in the Pentecostal Movement “ at http://www.fullnet.net/np/archives/cyberj/sanders.html

Welch, Kristen. “Post-1960’s Pentecostalism and the Promise of a Future for Pentecostal Holiness Women Preachers.” Cyber journal for Pentecostal-Charismatic Research, #16 [http://pctii.org/cyber/cyberj16/Welch.html] accessed 8/31/07].

            “Women in Ministry”. Assemblies of God. http://wim.ag.org/ 

“Women Evangelists.” http://myhome.spu.edu/popep/profiles/phoebe_palmer.html

DISSERTATIONS, THESES, ETC.:

McBride, Reba Jo. Finding Effective Solutions for the Problems Unique to Women in Ministry. Unpublished dissertation, ORU, 1982.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE WORK IN INDIA (IPHC)

THE INDIA CENTENNIAL, 1911-2011






This Pentecost Sunday, June 12, 2011, IPHC Ministries India gratefully mark the Centennial of the 'India Convention of the Pentecostal Holiness Church' organized at Darjeeling, India on June 12, 1911 by Bishop J. H. King. Robert Massey, Mollie E. Massey, D. S. A Mahaffey, Della Gaines, and James Harvey are the names constituting the Original Convention."

Though "this firstborn child in the foreign field" was orphaned during the first decade, for reasons beyond control, but God in His providence had rekindled the quenching flames with the arrival of Rev. & Mrs. J. M. Turner, the first pioneer missionaries, in 1921, who faithfully labored on the soil of India.

The Gospel seed thus planted was consistently watered by the trail of succeeding missionaries such as Robertsons, Parrishes, Byuses, Laws, Donalds and Howards, and the single missionaries such as Ida Reid, Martha Cowan, Effie Barker, Nellie Fowler, Emma Yeatts, Frances Carter, and Louise Smith.

With due recognition to all their labors of love, we put on record the missionaries who laid their lives and were buried among us – Ida Reid in Madhupur and Kenneth Donald in Madras; and also the missionaries who had served for the longest period - Effie Barker from among Singles serving 44 years, and Rev. & Mrs. Hobert H. Howard serving 60 years.

We further put on record all the National Leaders, who had labored alongside the missionaries through these 100 years. We gratefully acknowledge the increase the Lord had given - 4 Conferences to date with National Leadership (North India Conference, South India Conference, Central India Conference, and Eastern India Conference).

On this solemn occasion, representing the leadership in place and all the membership, I hereby declare that it is the collective responsibility of Today's Church to do our part in fulfilling the Great Commission, to plant churches in all the States and Union Territories of India, and thus to extend the blessings of the Gospel to all the nation by 2020, if the Lord tarries.

Signed this 12th day of June 2011 at Hyderabad, India.

Field Superintendent for India

IPHC Ministries.


Video of work in India

INDIA CENTENNIAL: The IPHC

Moses Kumar, noted Indian church leader and author, writes that "This Pentecost Sunday, June 12, 2011, IPHC Ministries India gratefully mark the Centennial of the 'India Convention of the Pentecostal Holiness Church' organized at Darjeeling, India on June 12, 1911 by Bishop J. H. King. Robert Massey, Mollie E. Massey, D. S. A Mahaffey, Della Gaines, and James Harvey are the names constituting the Original Convention."   

One of the newest endeavors underscores the tremendous work being done in India. The Hyderbad Bible College, 'from learning to leadership and on to mentorship' is poised to make a tremendous impact in the country.

A PENTECOSTAL CLASSIC

J.H.King was one of the most highly respected men of the early Pentecostal movement. As a leader in first the Fire Baptized Holiness Church and then the Pentecostal Holiness Church he was able to move across the country, and the globe, to witness and share his faith firsthand.  This volume,From Passover to Pentecost, written in 1911 is noted as being an important early explanation of the pentecostal experience and as such a formative work in Pentecostal Holiness theological development (Synan, The Century of the Spirit, pg. 111).

King's work presented a clear theology of grace symbolized in the Passover and fully manifested through the work of the Holy Spirit at the New Testament Pentecost portrayed in the Book of Acts.  As a theology, it is clear was a keen Bible scholar able to illuminate the text with  knowledge of Greek and familiarity with the traditions of Christian theology.

M.A.H.

Dr. Harold Hunter Delivers Historic Presentation

At the recent Centennial Celebration of the IPHC 1911 Merger, held on the campus of Southwestern Christian University, Bethany, Oklahoma, the denominational archivist addressed the gathering.   In an engaging and informative presention he shared the history of the two merging groups - Fire Baptised Holiness and the Pentecostal Holiness - into a single unit named The Pentecostal Holiness Church.  He presented a targeted portion illustrating the unique role of the western segment of the United States in the founding, growth, and development of the southern based IPHC.

Dr. Harold Hunter, Archivist, IPHC, March 30, 2011, Bethany, Ok