In that sense we owe a great debt to the first generation Pentecostals, those who would be approximately 80 or over today. My parents are second generation Pentecostals and I am third generation Pentecostal. The people who analyze these things tell us that the further a movement gets from the original revival the cooler the fires become. This is what has so concerned our National leaders in recent years. This is why there has been such a renewed emphasis on prayer and renewal during this Decade of Destiny, because our leaders understand that Denominations can fall into the same kinds of ruts that people can fall into.
Entire movements can go on automatic pilot too.
Frankly,this has tremendous implications for those of us in this room under 40. We are part of the third generation. The kind of red hot Pentecost we inherited from them. But sadly, in many cases the last thing on the minds of the third generation is passing on Pentecost. In many churches the third generation is missing all together.