SHARING MY DISSERTATION

A couple weeks ago, I graduated with a doctoral degree in ministry (D.Min.) with a counseling concentration.  The degree was academic and practical.  The practical aspect was completed in the ministry where I serve as volunteer co-pastor with my wife who is the lead co-pastor.  We work together in ministry.  I was intially appointed as interim pastor since the church had no pastor for six months and was to the point of being served by a sister church and/or possibly being closed.  After some discussion with the State Bishop, my wife and I were appointed as co-pastors.

The hypothesis of my dissertation was, "Prayer, Leadership training and development in prayer ministries, through the power of the Holy Spirit, will transform a declining Pentecostal-holiness church from a 'maintenance' focus to a 'missional' focus."  The dissertation focuses on researching the causes and possible solution(s) for bringing the local church where we minister (may also be applicable to other churches) back from decline and possible death and disbandenment to being active in reaching people and the community.  There are some sensitive issues in the dissertation as is noted in the preface.  There are no names included other than those who are directly involved in the study, research and some historical figures.  The writing involved three years and is 247 pages counting the literature review and the bibliography.

Some have asked to read my dissertation.  I explained the above to give those who are interested in reading the dissertation a "heads up" about the sensitive nature of the materials in the treatise.  Since it is a counseling concentration, case studies are included in the body.  I do not recommend it for novice ministers, lay members, immature local leaders or those looking for "tongue" material.  Those who desire to read it will be asked their reasoning for wanting to read it.  I do not mean to discourage anyone from reading it but do not want unnecessary potential "gossip" being spread about any of the sensitive materials in it.

If you are interested in reading the dissertation, with the above considerations, I will email you a copy.  I will ask you to write me two or three sentences as to why you wish to read it and type your name so that it will be on my Facebook message or email.  I will ask you to also be confidential about any sensitive matters.  I only printed three hard copies and had them bound.  Two are required for the seminary and I will have one.  An electronic copy will serve anyone better since there will be no cost involved and time involved to copy it.  Send me a message on Facebook or email me @ milt.gordon@gmail.com if you are interested.  If I choose not to send you a copy, I ask that you not take it personal or be offended.  I also require that anyone recieving an email copy NOT to copy or email a copy to anyone else without my permission.  Short sections (3-4 sentences) can be used for research references without my permission.  

Study To Show Thyself Approved

Eight days from now, June 1, graduation of the 2010-2013 Doctor of Ministry cohort group is scheduled to take place (10 am - 12 noon) at Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, TN.  I  (Milton) am scheduled to be in that group.  This is a milestone in my studies and ministry and has been of great benefit in many ways.  I must confess, I am bit worn out with formal studies since this is my fourth post-secondary earned degree to be awarded.  The writer of Ecclesiastes expresses my sentiment in 12:12 (KJV) "And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh."  After writing dozens of papers, reading dozens of books, sitting in hours of classes and covenant group meetings, doing the practical ministry aspect of the program and completing my dissertation of 247 pages over the past three years, I am ready for some mental and physical rest.  Yet, I realize that study for approval of God continues and is more than reading books, writing papers and sitting in class.  The Apostle Paul admonished Timothy to, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

The doctor of ministry degree that I earned and will be awarded is secondary to my desire to be approved of God.  Although, the doctoral degree is part of the lifetime learning experience that I believe God is pleased with, it is not the primary reason for studying and learning.  The Apostle Paul advised the Corinthians "For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth."  2 Corinthians 10:18 (KJV)  His Apostleship was constantly being challenged by the so-called "super apostles" who disparaged his ministry and ability to be a dynamic orator.  He did not let that distract and deter him from the call that Christ placed on his life.  His call was about reaching people, mostly the Gentile people with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He did not shun any people group.

I believe, it is the desire of every God-called minister/preacher/teacher to fulfill the work that God has designed for them.  Most all ministry of the church is directed to people.  Some of the helping ministries is indirect to people but people is what ministry is about.  I ask my congregation two times a while back to give me one word that describes or defines Christ's practical ministry on this earth when He was here and what ministry is about now.  I waited for a couple minutes and the congregation looked at me puzzled with no answer.  Do you know what the word is?

The past thirty three years of my pastoral ministry has brought many challenges and many opportunities for ministry to people.  There are many spiritual needs in and among people today.  Ministers who fail to gain skills in relating to people will find themselves struggling to have the teamwork, participation and backing to see a fruitful ministry.  Jesus looked over the multitudes of people as sheep scattered without a shepherd.  Did you catch that one word yet?  One of the first requisites for being in ministry, I believe, is to love and get along people.  If people get on a ministers nerves or if people's ways, statements, struggles, personalities, idiosyncrasies, needs, attitudes or any other peculiarities of people bother a minister - better find some other vocation.  Oh, I don't mean to say that I have never had a problem with some of these things but anyone who lets these things be a constant snare to them is in the wrong vocation.  One of the greatest ways for a minister to study to show himself or herself approved to God is to study people, learn to love them, care for them, pray for them and be there for them as much as possible.  This more often comes from God's call, being among people and learning through practical ministry.  So, the admonishment to "study to show thyself approved to God" continues......

Pentecost - Glorifying & Exalting Jesus

Tomorrow, Sunday May18, is what is called Pentecost Sunday.  The word Pentecost is a Greek derivative word which has reference to fifty.  Fifty is the number of days from the time of the passover to the feast of Pentecost.  It is the Sunday that Christians recognize and celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost as recorded in the book of Acts.  Some Christians get uneasy when a preacher preaches a message on the Holy Spirit.  There is mystery in the Holy Spirit and being baptized in the Holy Spirit.  People don't understand the tongues and are often mystified by those who speak in tongues. 

I remember when I worked in youth camp several years ago.  The Holy Spirit was moving is a magnificent way.  People were worshipping God in the Spirit through the gift of unknown tongues.  Campers were praying in the altar and staff was praying and counseling with them to share the gospel and help lead them to Christ.  Most everyone was moving around worshipping and praising the Lord.  I was in one of the corners of the chapel worshipping the Lord speaking in unknown tongues while praying for the campers.  After the service, a young boy camper came up to me and said, "Jabber me some more of them words."  At first I was surprised, then it was a point of humor for me.  I smiled and shared with the young man, that the tongues were a form of worship, prayer and speaking to the Father through the Holy Spirit.  He smiled and nodded but I'm sure, as it is with most, it was a mystical thing for him to hear me and others speaking in unknown tongues.  Yet, we have clarity from Jesus in John 16:13-15 as to why the Holy Spirit has come.  Tongues accompanied the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost to empower and enable the disciples to witness the gospel of Christ in several dialects or languages of the people who had come for the feast of Pentecost but there is more that Jesus tells His disciples about the Holy Spirit

Listen to John 16:13-15 (KJV)  [13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.[14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. [15] All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.

The Holy Spirit is One of the Trinity.  He is to be revered, honored and worshipped as God.  God is Trinity.  God is Trinity in unity.  These three are one.  The Holy Spirit is one of the Trinity.  1 John 5:7 (KJV)  [7] For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  It is vital that we give due respect, place and reverence to the Holy Spirit.  Jesus says here in John 16:13, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth."   We do not to have to be in the dark, confused, or frustrated about truth.  Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would lead us and guide us into all truth.  The Bible, God's holy Word is truth.  Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life."  Not only will the Holy Spirit lead us into the truth of the Word,  He will lead us into the truth of Jesus and truths about Jesus.  He wants disciples of Christ to have a close interactive, intimate relationship with Jesus and He will lead the disciple into that relationship.

Notice the next part of verse 13, "for he will not speak of himself."  The Holy Spirit is not here to make a name for himself, just as Jesus was not here to make a name for himself.  He is not here to make any name great or famous but One - that is Jesus.  He is here to empower and enable Christ's disciples to finish the work of the Great Commission.  He is here to equip Christ's disciples to finish the work of the Great Commission through the ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.  The completeness of the Holy Spirit's work does not include speaking of himself.  The Amplified Bible translates it like this, But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. (John 16:13 AMP)  The Holy Spirit will guide into all truth and show things to come.

Finally Jesus says,  "He (the Holy Spirit) shall glorify me (Jesus): for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. This clarifies more specifically what the Holy Spirit will bring to us of Christ.  He then says, "All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you."   Jesus shows the unity of the Trinity here - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  He honors His Father as he did all through His earthly ministry as we are expected to do.  The Holy Spirit has come to glorify Jesus.  The Spirit Filled Life Bible says, "The Spirit’s ministry is not only directed to believers and to the world, but also to Christ. What the Spirit teaches He draws from and conveys in the authority of Christ, and glorifies Christ in all that He does. True ministry in the Holy Spirit never serves a private agenda. Rather, working in us and through us, He never exalts Himself, but He continually glorifies Christ who glorifies the Father."  Neither does the Holy Spirit glorify human ministry.

We need the guidance, teaching and forth-telling of the Holy Spirit in our time.  There are many voices in the world but one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  We must listen and hear the Holy Spirit.  He will not lead us wrong.  He is here to lift up Jesus and glorify Him.  He is here to speak of Jesus.  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in unity.  We must come into unity with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and as we submit He will bring us into that unity.  Thank God for the Holy Spirit and His work in the last days.

Pentecost - Greater Is He

After Jesus' resurrection He appeared to the disciples at least three times (John 21:14).  During one of His appearances to His disciples, he said these words, "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49).  Jesus encouraged the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they received the power of the promise.  We need this power more than ever today to be effective as His witnesses.

The coming of the Promise on the day of Pentecost (50 days after the resurrection of Christ) was to endue them with power or cause them, the disciples, to be effective witnesses.  We understand that most of the people were Galileans who lacked higher academic education and were not learned in speaking other dialects.  Yet, when the Promise came upon them they began to speak various dialects of the people who came to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost.  When the Holy Spirit came upon them, the disciples spoke the praises and wonderful words and works of God in several different dialects or languages.  The basic thrust of the disciples speaking the various dialects was to be witnesses for Christ and His finished work on the cross and His subsequent resurrection.  The Scripture validates this, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

The disciples of that time continued sharing, speaking, living and witnessing to others the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They went to the known world and spread the glorious gospel.  From that day of Pentecost when thousands were witnessed to and added to the kingdom of God and Christ's church, many others were witnessed to throughout the known world of that day as the disciples dispersed throughout the land and other countries.  Today the gospel is continuing to the "uttermost part of the earth."  Our challenge, as His disciples, is to share the gospel daily with every person in our world.  Just as the disciples of that day needed to be "endued with power from on high," so do we the disciples of this day need to be "endued with power from on high," to witness to those we meet each day who need the Savior.

My mother shared with me of the time when my grandmother, Hettie (Hill) Thompson, was ministering with a group on the streets in Chicago back in the early 1900's and the Holy Spirit spoke through her.  A Chinese man came up to the group and in broken English said, "Your God say to me to be saved."  The group prayed with him and the joy of Christ's salvation came over the man as he joyfully lifted his hands to worship God.  The miracle of salvation in Christ was not hindered by lack of my grandmother's knowledge of speaking the man's dialect because the Holy Spirit knew how to speak to him.

Today, as disciples of Christ, we need the Holy Spirit as much or more than ever in our witnessing.  The gifts of the Holy Spirit for witnessing for Christ are as real today as ever.  The battle to discount Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh to live, die and rise again are prevalent against His disciples today.  The book of 1 John encourages us with these words, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (the spirits of anti-Christ): because greater is he (the Holy Spirit to witness for Christ) that is in you, than he (the anti-Christ) that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).  Let us be encouraged to be involved in witnessing for Christ.  The Holy Spirit in us is greater than all opposing forces of anti-Christ and we have been given the charge to witness for Christ.  Stand strong and rest assured in the One that is greater than any others that would hinder or stop the witness of Christ.  He lived, laid down His life on the cross for the sins of the world, rose from the tomb and is alive forever more interceding for His disciples and those who need to trust Him to be saved.  TRUST HIM NOW! 

Beginning and Ending Well In Christ

Starting a journey, project or endeavor in a person's life is often begun with great zeal and anticipation.  Examples of those who started well and ended well are included in the Scriptures, and, yes, there are examples of those who started well and did not end as well.  Two examples are Noah and Abraham.  Noah was given a huge project.  Abraham was called to a journey not knowing where he was going.

During the days of Noah, as a whole, humans were evil and wicked.  These words are recorded in Genesis 6:5, "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."  From the time of Adam and Eve and their fall into disobedience man continued to become more and more evil.  God covered Adam and Eve's nakedness with the skin of an animal after they tried to cover themselves with leaves.  God shed the animal's blood and covered Adam and Eve.  Hebrews 9:22 says, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."  

Then Cain, Adam and Eve's oldest, slew Abel out of jealousy and hate and was driven from them.  Then God gave Adam a new offspring named Seth and from that generation came children who sought God.  Enoch, Seth's great, great, great, great grandson sought God so diligently that God translated him into heaven.  By faith, He had the testimony that he pleased God and God took him.  And from Enoch came his great, great grandson Noah who was favored with grace in God's sight.  Yet, as a whole humans were evil and wicked in their thoughts and behavior and God was going to destroy them off the face of the earth with a flood. But one man, Noah, was a man of faith and found grace in God's sight.

God spoke to Noah to build an ark.  He moved with fear and finished the ark as God directed.  Noah, his wife, three sons and their wives along with two of every animal that could not survive in a flood, male and female, were brought into the ark.  God spared Noah and his family to continue His plan.  Yet, when Noah came off the ark he planted a vineyard, made wine and became drunk.  He wound up in his tent naked and asleep from his drunkenness.  His behavior along with his son's behavior brought on the disfavor of God.  He started well, preached God's righteousness for years, finished the Ark and saved his family but then Scripture gives the account of his drunken stupor and deep sleep that brought on a curse to a son that gazed upon his nakedness.  Noah began well but did he end well according to the Scriptures?  I do not mean to disparage Noah or his work for the Lord.  Hebrews 11:7 says, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."  He failed by getting drunk and allowing himself to be in a precarious condition and position. Ham's behavior was displeasing to Noah, Shem and Japheth and he and his offspring became their servants. 

Then, God commanded the three sons to disperse and populate the earth.  But people stayed close together and formed a large city and then decided to build a tower to heaven.  Remember the tower of Babel?  After there was no dispersion and there was no one serving the one true God, what would God do?


Enter Abram or, later, Abraham who God chose to lead out of his homeland.  He was approached by God and told to leave his country and go to the country that God would show him.  He left his country, and family of origin and journeyed to that "promised" land.  Abram was not a righteous man.  He was a pagan who worshipped and served other gods. This can be proven by the Scripture.  Joshua 24:2 says, "And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods."  Abram was part of a family that served other gods but God chose him to bless him to be the father of many people.  Abram also failed God at times but he finished well by serving God and becoming the father of the faithful. Jesus also said of Abraham in John 8:57, "Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." 

Let me encourage you.  Through Christ we are sons and daughters of Abraham.  Yes Abraham failed at times but he was still a man full of faith and served God.  Remember how he obeyed by offering his son Isaac.  Ask how many father's would place their son on an altar and sacrifice them.  Most will say, "I don't think I could do that." Abraham obeyed God's command.  So we are blessed in Christ to be the seed of Abraham. 


Galatians 3:9 says, 


"So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." Verse 16 says, "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ."  We can build altars as Abraham did and seek God to live a faithful life through the grace of God.  He has called us and chosen us in Christ to begin and end well, with all our faults and failures.  Simply place your trust in Christ, seek the Father and live well in Christ.  Christ is the author and finisher of our faith.  That is His promise.  He is the better way.  Thank God for Jesus and His faithfulness and obedience all the way from the manger to the cross, from the cross to the tomb, from the tomb to the right of of the Father making intercession for us every hour of every day.  Through Him we begin and end well.  To Him be glory!

Several months have passed since our last post.  What better time to share a post.  There is a lot of controversy and a lot of confrontation over same-sex marriage.  People are squaring off with each other and the battle lines have been drawn.  In considering the issue of same-sex marriage Christians must not be self-righteous judges or like some in Corinth who compromised truth by condoning sinful sexual lifestyle.  The Apostle Paul stressed discipline as needed in 1 Corinthians 5:11  "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."


He encouraged forgiveness foremost. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11  To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."  The Apostle Paul was up on satan's tactics and he wanted the Corinthians and any other Christians to know the tricks of the devil.  He went to the heart of the matter.  What is the heart of the matter???
The devil is defeated!  The chains of sin have been broken.  The Apostle Paul says it clearly and convincingly "2 Corinthians 5:17-21 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
What powerful words for those who serve him as ambassadors in the ministry of reconciliation.  The cry of the Apostle and all who love fallen men, women, boys and girls is, "we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."  Christians, we must not classify sins as being small or large or berate the sinner for whatever the sin may be.  We are ambassadors of the ministry of reconciliation - bringing people to God through the Lord Jesus Christ!  The shed blood of Jesus cleanses, heals, delivers, and saves to the uttermost. He cleansed, healed, delivered and saved me, the worst of sinners!  He is waiting with victory for all who will come, confess, repent and be reconciled.  To God be the glory!

This is a special weekend for Christians all over the world - we kneel at the cross and celebrate at the empty tomb with our Savior, Lord and King.  When considering the life of Jesus Christ from the manger and back to the right hand of His Father, I stand amazed.  As the Apostle Paul stated in 1 Timothy 3:16 "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."  The greatness of God is shown in sending His only begotten Son to a world that needed redemption.  It doesn't matter what sin one commits, "all have sinned and fallen short of the grace of God" (Rom 5:12).  The devil and his deceit of man in the Garden of Eden was defeated by the one who prayed victory in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Eve was deceived by the devil but the devil was deceived and defeated by the Lamb of God as He was reviled, beaten, slandered, spit on, beat mercilessly, crucified, buried in a tomb and arose on the thrid day.  The Apostle Paul says it clearly in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8  "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

Some time has passed since our last post.  We continue to seek God through developing prayer ministries in our congregation.

Milton has been actively engaged in completing his Doctor of Ministry degree and is set to graduate in May of 2013.  He is working long hours on his final papers, project and dissertation.  He is serving with Karen as volunteer Co-pastor as much as possible in prayer, evangelism and counseling.  I (Karen) am the Administrative Co-pastor.  We are seeking the Lord and believing that our congregation will engage the harvest by turning outward and leave the inward focus of self-interest and self-preservation.

We are seeking God for the necessary changes that will lead us into the vision and mission of Christ.  His passion led Him to complete His Father's will while He was on this earth.  He suffered, bled, gave up the ghost, was buried and rose from the tomb and is alive for ever more.  He is our Captain and King.  We desire to please Him.  Our prayer is that we can become a "house of prayer" and a "reapers in the harvest" for the glory of God.