“Despite the rapid growth of the renewalist movement in the last few decades, relatively little is known about the religious, political and civic views of individuals involved in these groups. To address this shortcoming, the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life recently conducted surveys in 10 countries with sizeable renewalist populations…. In each country, surveys were conducted among a random sample of the public at large, as well as among oversamples of pentecostals and charismatics.”

Key Statistics

• Pentecostals and Charismatics comprise nearly one-quarter of all Christians.
• Pentecostals, who are known for being “other-worldly” have taken a surprise interest in politics.
• In the Philippines, the number of charismatics, most of them Catholic, is 10 times the number of Pentecostals.
• 5% of the U.S. label themselves as Pentecostal, 18% charismatic. (23% renewalists)
• In 6 out of the 10 countries surveyed, the number of renewalists are the majority of Protestant believers.
• A significant number of the Pentecostal and charismatic believers in the 10 countries have witnessed divine healings, received direct revelations from God and/or seen/experienced an exorcism.
• In the U.S., 37% of Christians, 76% of Pentecostals, and 48% of Charismatics said that the scriptures are the actual word of God to be taken literally (and it was much higher in most of the other 9 countries surveyed).
• Majorities of renewalists in every country surveyed say that it is important to them that their political leaders have strong Christian beliefs.
  

Ann Bernstein of the Center for Development and Enterprise has studied the movement in her native South Africa. She said, "Our research has revealed the phenomenal entrepreneurial energy that Pentecostal pastors have in establishing new institutions, often in very poor, difficult circumstances, and surviving a very competitive environment."

She says Pentecostal churches provide opportunities for leadership and instill discipline, helping people improve their prospects in a complex economy.

Surveys Sees Pentecostalism Growing, Pentecostals Getting into Politics

Research done by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public life (and published Oct 2006).