Contact The Author
The author welcomes feedback from readers and will respond as time permits.
Please feel free to fill out the form below to share questions, positive and negative comments, requests for clarification and any other pertinent material that you would like Glenn Brown to address in a second edition.
Dave Patterson, my best friend, sent me a copy and I read it in two sittings. Absolutely agree with your thoughts. I identified many times throughout the book, being a chaplain, myself, and bred, born, and raised in a Wyoming Assemblies of God church. The evidence was tongues, period. I lived in constant “fear” of loosing my soul until I was twenty years old because I didn’t speak in tongues, “rather than my native language, when I was in public and/or private worship. Enlightment came first when Bro. Riggs took me under his wing when at Bethany. Later, as a pastor of an A/G church, I became convienced (within myself) that being filled with the Holy Spirit is a soverign act of God. I will never forget being excoriated by the breathern in the Wisconsin District, primarily those within my own Section, first and formost because I grew a beard and coming in close second was that I would not invite and person to the church’s pulpit that was considered a “Holy Ghost” anointed evangelist who “got people filled.” The presbyter of the section, visited me one day and asked what I was preaching on. He had heard that I was in the midst of a twelve week series entitiled: Christians Building Meaningful and Healthy Relationship. He asked me if I had ever “got the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Followed by, “do you ever get the anointing and speak in tongues when you preach?” When answering in the negative, he suggested that I start praying for “the anointing, and then “my” people would really get something out of the preaching.
The sad thing for me Glen about my response to the “questionaire” is that I always had a deep conviction about checking the YES box. I did not have the courage and guts to say, no. I had not educated myself in the scriptures in order to be confident in defending my position. So, to my integral detriment over the years, I hesitated before I checked the box, sensed dissidence at the checking, and guilt for a time afterward. Your book has all of that away, given me the courage, desire, knowledge and joy of being able to check NO, authentically with respect.
I also indentify with the historical bigotry of our Fellowship. Surfice to say, I left a church after serving nine months because of it. It was touted that I was “run out on a rail because I loved ‘blacks’.” Enough said. God has always and remains soverign in my life.
As the time presents itself, we will meet. If not on this side the other. I love your sister Carol. One of the sweetist, dearest “ladies,” I have ever known. I remain thrilled to know that I attended Dave as his best man.
Keep the faith,
Bill Prather
Bill, thanks for sharing. Dave and Carol have spoken so very highly of you. It will be a joy to meet you sometime. God willing, I will still be around on planet earth for a few more years. But if not, I’ll greet you from the Homeland.
I’m moving a few books just by word of mouth. I suppose I will have to hire an agent or media firm to get the book out in the Christian mainstream.
Although most of the 5,200 books printed are in my garage I have already begun thinking about a revised second edition. If that happens could I include a portion of your testimony. It could anonymous if you choose. Of course, another edition my never happen unlessI can find readers for the first one.
My district sup. has been very supportive and has written to NCal/Nev constituency to prayerfully consider what I have written. Only a few have responded to his challenge. In view of the action of the 53rd GC I don’t know if my D S can continue to be supportive. I have assured him that if he wants another letter of resignation if will submit it.
Another D S from the heartland reminded me that the GC had voted unanimously that A/G ministers must affirm their belief in the traditional view of tongues in order to retain credentials. In other words, get on board or risk dismissal. I replied that if what I had written was not of God then I wanted it to come to nothing but if it was of Him then multiple unanimous votes could not annul it.
Again, thanks for sharing.
Warmly in Christ,
Glenn Brown
Bro. Brown,
Thank you for being an example of conviction to all ministers; young and old, who may feel trapped or in fear of being ostracized for not toeing the line in all things. Dave Patterson sent me a copy of this book, Dave and Carol are great friends to us. After reading I have to say there are areas of which we may not see completely eye to eye but as far as the Holy Spirit goes I do believe along the lines of your book. I do believe there are areas of which you will be open to criticism by others over scriptural interpretation. Early in the book you cite examples of where those who hold to the traditional view have inserted likely or it seems possible instead a sound scriptural interpretation; yet later in the book you yourself insert on pages 135-160? the word “likely” quite often even leading to the heading “a major doctrine should never be based on assumptions”. I just believe that will be an opening for criticism. Thanks for being brave enough, not rebellious, to ask the hard questions. Our faith is only pure when it is tried in the fire, tested. God bless you Bro. Brown…
Scott, I sent a reply to your email address. Hope you received it OK.
Glenn
Pastor Brown
We met in Uzhgorod, Ukraine and you gave me the last copy of your book Pentecost Revisted. I told you I would begin reading it on the long plane ride home and probably finish it. Well, I started reading it the next day and finished it on the ride to Budapest before I ever got on a plane ! Its an awesome book. I love my church and am so thankful for the emphasis on the Baptisim in the Holy Spirit but I have always struggled with the phrase the “intial eveidence”. Your book answered alot of questions I had. Many of my friends will be getting a copy for Christmas. May you continue to be used by the Lord to bring unity into the church through your preaching, teaching and writing. I pray and hope you come to WNY to share this message.
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
Mike Bowerman
Mike,
I just sent an email to Tanya and staff at Nehemia Center with pictures taken when we were there together. So glad God enabled our paths to cross in Ukraine. I hope to return there in May if Tanya still wants me to conduct a seminar at Nehemiah.
I’d be delighted to minister in WNY next year. I love to share what the Lord has made real to my heart. It seems to be resonating with many of my Pentecostal
brothers and sisters. Just let me know when. I think I told you I have two sisters in NYC and one in NJ so I get back East as often as possible.
I hope my monograph helped give a firm scriptural foundation to my understanding of tongues that accompany Spirit baptism. Many people find it difficult to relate to the Jewish culture 2,000 years ago.
May God grant you and Pam a blessed celebration of our Lord’s birth.
May God’s grace and peace be yours richly,
Glenn Brown
Glenn,
Just learned about your book. Knowing that you’re a writer, I thought I would invite you to think about contributing to the new professional journal for military chaplains, Curtana: Sword of Mercy. You can download a free copy at http://www.justwar101.com/journal. I would love to hear your suggestion(s) for an article or editorial.
Rob Stroud
Chaplain, USAF (Retired)
Rob,
I have completed an article for CURTANA. It’s about 2300 words. Shall I email it to you?
Warm regards,
Glenn
Dear Brother Brown,
This issue has been debated for generations.
However, I find it alarming that, while holding credentials with the Assemblies of God, you would publish a book which teaches against one of their cardinal doctrines, i.e., the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial, physical evidence of the speaking in other tongues. Acts 2:4, 10:44-46; 19:1-6.
Don’t you think the ethical thing to do would be for you to join a church with which you agree? Or, is your desire to bring division within the Assemblies of God?
Sincerely,
Andy Harris
Dear Andy,
Thank you for your letter. It is obvious you haven’t read my book or you would know I submitted an official letter of resignation to my denomination over a year ago before I wrote my book. My district superintendent would not accept my letter and recommended to our national Hdq. office that my ordaination be continued through 2009. When I was writing my manuscript I told my DS that my book opposed our tradition that valid Spirit baptism must always be initially evidenced by speaking in tongues. I told him, “When I finish the manuscript, I will send you a copy before it is published. When you have read the manuscript
I think you will want another letter of resignation before it is published.”
I sent my beloved District Superintendent the manuscript and after he read it he sent me a note of thanks but he did not request another letter of resignation. I called him on the phone to remind him of my offer. I did not want him to be embarrased by my book and was fully anticipating sending a second letter of resignation. He blessed me and surprised me by saying, “Glenn, don’t resign. Our people need to read what you have written.” So I honored him and his request. However, the national office of the A/G has since applied pressure and I have again submitted a letter of resignation. It will be accepted I’m sure. I have transferred to another endorsing organization.
As one beloved leader in the Assemblies of God told me, “Assemblies of God ministers are afraid to participate in honest dialogue concerning their traditions.” I have found that to be true of many. Truth has nothing to fear and I am happy to dialogue about the position Scripture has led me take. Check out my website where you can order an inexpensive 20 page monograph that gives a Scriptural refutation of the traditional A/G position on this subject. Or read my book.
Your fellow pilgrim on the journey HOME,
Glenn Brown