Philip Stairs was born in 1941 and raised in a United Pentecostal (UPC) pastors' home in New Brunswick, Canada. Early on, it became clear that Phil's faith and gifting meant he would follow in the footsteps of his parents, Wynn and Margaret. As Phil grew in his faith, he became increasingly uncomfortable with Pentecostal style worship and the practice of speaking in tongues as evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
By 1963, he was asking himself whether he was really a Pentecostal. After the charismatic outbreak at Moody Bible Institute, his disillusionment with both the charismatic movement and his Pentecostal heritage began to grow. Others began to notice that he was a bit of a "misfit" in the movement.
In
Confessions of an Ex-Pentecostal
, Phil outlines his journey out of the UPC and into ministry as a Baptist pastor in both the USA and Canada. His abiding love for his Pentecostal friends is evident, as he explains his doctrinal struggles and how and why he left the denomination. His critique of the movement is both pointed and gentle-he recognizes the many strengths of the movement and the loving people whose lives were enmeshed with his own. This is a story of courage and change, how to leave a church or denomination and how to live with integrity as a pastor. It is hoped this will encourage many believers as they navigate difficult doctrinal challenges.