Acts20.com NEW Acts-Celerate

This was posted way down in another thread, but it warrants a thread of its own.I believe Rev TL Lowery to be a man of God. No one–certainly not I–is questioning his integrity, commitment, love for God, etc. The very first camp meeting I attended as a young timer (sommers around 11-13 years old, I don’t remember exactly), was preached by Rev Lowery. I’ve been in many other meetins where he preached. He has prayed for the ole timer in one a his prayer lines. No question at all that he loved God. So, before the SCUD missiles begin to be launched at the ole timer, I offer the following observation from a pure heart, with no animosity (or snarkiness, Tom), because I too respect Rev TL Lowery for his service to the Kingdom. That said, my personal opinion, is that his ministry/preaching is one of the reasons (certainly not the only one, nor the main one, there are many) that aspects of Word of Faith teaching/doctrine/practice have become commonplace among so many COG ministers/parishioners. I can trace the belief system of quite a few in my region directly to the ministry/style/teaching of Rev Lowery. He was never full-blown Word of Faith like Copeland and ilk, but he did indeed lean in some aspects of his teaching/preaching toward certain WOF beliefs. Many COG persons had great respect for him because of his style of Power Evangelism. And this led to many often embracing other aspects of his preaching/teaching. In juxtaposition to Dr Ray Hughes, who was just as dynamic a preacher (in my own opinion, Hughes was a much greater pulpiteer than Lowery), Hughes never leaned toward WOF beliefs. He preached powerfully, stepped back, and allowed the Holy Spirit to do whatever he would. Lowery on the other hand was personally engaged–really the centerpiece–of an altar service where he had preached. This led, I believe, many to elevate him in their own minds, which led to embracing other aspects of his ministry that tended to be more WOF.