Voice of Reformation

Newsletter

Martin Luther

x 

In 1517 an obscure German monk by the name of Martin Luther nailed his 96 Theses (objections) to the door of the Wittenburg Church.  His  reputation was ruined, he was excommunicated, and his life was threatened.  But his act of confronting the errors and excesses of his day sparked the Protestant Reformation, lighting Holy fires that burned around the globe, removing errors and destroying man-made religious traditions and structures.  In the same manner, we must again nail the scriptures and sound doctrine back on the church door of our day, rebuking the errors and excesses that are so common, and call on God to forgive us, cleanse us, renew us, and revive us again that we may proclaim the Gospel of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to a lost and dying humanity. 

Sowing Seeds for a Reformation of 

Charismatic and Word of Faith Christianity

Rev. Mel C. Montgomery, Editor

 May 2009 Issue

Prophecy:

     The Spirit of God moved powerfully in Sister Elizabeth's annual Helping Inspire Ministries (H.I.M)--the ministry association to which I belong--on Friday, April 24th.  The Spirit of Prophecy fell upon me in the strongest manifestation of the prophet's anointing I've experienced in many years.  And under the unction of the Holy Spirit, I spoke out the following prophecy very slowly, and with great emphasis on certain portions that I have put in italics.  Please read this slowly, and give thought to what the Spirit of the Lord said:

Annual H.I.M Meeting:

     It was such a blessing to see so many of you at the annual H.I.M. meeting at Collinsville, OK on April 24th.  I met some H.I.M. members I had never met before.  Plus, we welcomed in, and ordained, three new members.  Praise God.

     As I noted above, the Spirit of Prophecy came strongly upon me in the meetings and I spoke out the prophecy about "Flawless Perfection."  Then Sister Elizabeth preached an illustrated sermon entitled, "It's Activation Time!"  At several points in the message, she had a man stand behind her with an unsheathed sword.  She would face sideways, allowing the audience to see her profile, and the man would stand behind her, with the sword outstreached sideways, giving the appearnace to the audience that the sword was coming out of her mouth as she quoted certain scriptures, acting out the fact that the Word of God is the "sword" of the Spirit.  It was entertaining and effective.  Rev. Doyle Tucker led the music that comes forth from time to time in the message.  Here is a recording of the message:

"It's Activation Time!"

By Rev. Elizabeth Sloan

Length:  60 minutes

Live Stream

Testimony:

     I recently received the following e-mail that was a great encouragement to me from a person in the UK.  He mentions a subject on the e-mail that I wish to comment on:  

Dear Brother Mel
 
Thanks for your excellent website which I have found today. I have been greatly encouraged, renewed and refreshed to read your articles!

 
Wow!
 
I thank God, I thank God, I thank God. As a word of faith/charismatic believer for 20 years this April 14th, I have seen, experienced and lived through so much. 
 
Your articles ring so through and the power of your words, the balance, the objectivity and the passion and love I sense as you seek to bring corrections to errors in our branch of Christianity is wonderful. It is very different from so many of the axe-grinders out there who unfortunately, whether they have truth to share or not, shoot themselves in the foot by sharing it in a spirit of hatred, character assasination and poor and imbalanced research of the facts.
 
The fact that you are being ever so careful not to "throw out the baby with the bath water" makes it all the more palatable when you state what you believe to be the truth.
 
In summary, could you please send me some details of your visit to the UK? My wife and I hope to be able to join you at some of the meetings.
 
Very best regards

[From a Believer in]

London

     My Comment:

     Several e-mails have come in recently expressing much the same sentiments, and they have been a great encouragement to me.  I share this one because the writer also brings up a subject that I have thought about many times.  Namely, the apologetics websites and ministries out there that seek to point out the flaws in the Word of Faith teachings, and to identify erroneous teachings that are common in Charismatic circles.  Many WOF and Charismatic believers dismiss these sites as "heresy hunters."  I don't dismiss them, but I also rarely read any of them. 

     The writer points out the great tragedy concerning these apologetics websites.  Much of their specific criticisms of us are actually correct.  Charismatics do tend to exalt experiences over scripture.  We are quick to embrace error if it is presented to us by a famous Charismatic minister as a "new revelation."  Much of our theological reasoning is shoddy at best.  Or as Richard Roberts said recently on his TV program, our terminology frequently "borders on heresy."  However, the apologetics websites I have visited offer us no real help with our shortcomings.  Even though some of their articles bring valid correction, by and large they are written with such hatred, contempt, and are laced with so many personal attacks, insults, and mockery, that I know of no Charismatics or Word of Faith believers who read these materials.  Therefore, these websites end up just preaching to those who are vehemently anti-Charismatic or anti-Word of Faith.  In other words, they just preach to the choir.

     Dr. Charles Goodwin took a different kind of approach with me, and I use the same approach with visitors to my website.  He sat down with me (over the phone) and basically said, "Mel, here are the flaws in the Word of Faith message.  Here also are the flaws in some of the anti-Charismatic arguments.  Here is the incorrect terminology that Word of Faith and Charismatic believers use that discredit their arguments.  Here is where they deviate from sound doctrine and historic Christianity.  I loved Brother Hagin, but I do not agree with some of his teachings."  He presented these flaws in our teachings to me in a gentle, respectful, and straight-forward manner.  Then he gave me time to think on these issues, and to study out the controversies for myself.  I considered the arguments Charles presented to me and I looked into early Church documents to see for myself what the early Church actually taught.  In turn, I present to you my concerns about some of our teachings in the same low-key manner, saying to you basically, "Hey, we need to take a second look at this teaching, because when you look into the matter, you find that there is not the scriptural support for this teaching that we assumed that there was."  Then I give you time to think on these things.

     The apologetics websites yell at us, "Heretic!  False prophet!  False teacher!  Sit down and let me tell you just exactly how blasphemous you really are.  You need to REPENT!  Right NOW!  Don't think!  Don't study for yourself.  Reject your blind belief in Word of Faith leaders, and believe blindly in what I say!  You aren't going to repent instantly?  Well then, we have to write you off.  You shall have your part in the Lake of Fire."  Yes, I'm exaggerating a bit, but not much.

     The Word of God tells us, "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity)."--James 3:18 Amplified Version.

     The articles on those apologetics websites are usually anything but "peace-loving," "courteous (considerate, gentle) [and] willing to yield to reason."  Some of their articles are scripturally correct, but are written in such a condescending and condemning tone that I can't possibly make use of them by presenting them to you or featuring them on this website.  So the apologists end up just reading each other's articles and condemnations of us, and we have to correct ourselves entirely without their help.  I wish they would reconsider their attitudes, approaches, and tone.

 New Article:

     I encourge you to read this article by Larry Keefauver.  I don't fully agree with every statement he makes in this article, but as you read and ponder what he writes, I think you will agree that he makes a number of insightful observations about healing:  

"The Myths of Faith Healing"

By Larry Keefauver

"Is the Prosperity Circus Over?"

     J. Lee Grady, editor of Charisma Magazine thinks so.  He states his belief in passing in his latest article.  I like that phrase, "Prosperity Circus."  It has indeed been a circus hasn't it?  Either a circus or a freak show.  We have the prophet or healing evangelist Ring Master enticing us, "Come one!  Come all!  See the homeless lady who sold her aluminum cans until she had $100 and sowed it into the ministry of the minister who has the 'anointing of increase' and in 90 days she was driving a brand new Cadillac!"  By the way, I'm not making that up.  I heard on TV one of our own Word of Faith preachers make this exact claim, with national Word of Faith leaders sitting on the front row, smiling, and nodding their heads.  Oh please!  

     A pastor told me that he visited a church service recently that left him incredulous.  He said that the speaker--in a Word of Faith/ Charismatic Church--said, "I do not believe the 'Prosperity Gospel.'"  In response, the congregation stood up and drowned out any further comments with cheers and applause for several minutes.  The bewildered pastor asked me, "Why would people be against prosperity?"  I replied, "You have missed the point.  They were not cheering against prosperity.  They were cheering a leader who had enough backbone to stand up and disagree with this ridiculous mess and shake-down scheme that has been passed off as the gospel for a number of years in our circles."

     I have received countless e-mails from Christians around the world, detailing how the extreme prosperity message has devastated their countrymen's ministries and lives, and has brought the Church into an open reproach.  Strangely, I know of no national Charismatic or Word of Faith leader who is openly rejecting the extremes.  Someone wrote to me in an e-mail that there is a "code of silence" about this and other issues in our Word of Faith branch of Christianity.  Perhaps.  But if someone one doesn't begin saying something, I believe the rocks will cry out.

     Where we are at now reminds me of something that happened years ago in the music world.  Are you old enough to remember the disco music craze?  Disco music was everywhere--on the radio, in movies, in TV commercials.  It drowned out all other styles of music for several years.  But then it reached a critical mass, and people grew sick of it.  I remember the turning point coming in some stadium where some people rolled out a giant banner reading "Disco Sucks!"  And people began throwing away their disco records.  They even had some events here and there where people piled up their disco albums and cassettes in a parking lot, and a steamroller rolled over them.  I remember feeling as though a load had lifted when disco finally died.

     I believe the "Prosperity Gospel"--that ridiculous idea that all believers will walk in endless wealth if they will only send a prophet or healing evangelist a big enough check--is in its death throes.  God dealt with us on this issue in the same way He dealt with the Children of Israel in the wilderness.  They grew tired of the true, pure manna that God provided them on a daily basis, and they cried out for meat.  So God quit giving them manna, and gave them quail every day for 30 days--until they hated quail and literally vomited it out of their nostrils.

     I think we are at the point of vomiting-it-out-of-our-nostrils with the extreme Prosperity Gospel--and the preachers of it.  I'm wondering when Christians will begin bringing their Prosperity tapes, books, and CD's to the church parking lot, and running a steamroller over them.

New Elizabeth Sloan Recoridngs:

March 2009 Holy Ghost Meeting:

"Signs of the Last Days Outpouring"

March 2009 Holy Ghost Meeting

Rev. Elizabeth Sloan

Length:  79 Minutes

Live Stream

"The Spirit of Truth and the Blood of the Lamb"

March 11, 2009 Sermon

Rev. Elizabeth Sloan

Length:  50 Minutes

Live Stream

Next Holy Ghost Meeting:

 New WFP Burton Recordings:

Short Bio of WFP Burton:

"Testimony of an Apostle"

Rev. WFP Burton

Copyrighted Recording

Length: 41 Minutes 

Live stream

     WFP Burton delivers a delightful and humorous account of his early years, the testimony of the healing of his mother.  Speaks of genuine Apostolic works and fruits.  Speaks of starting a mission in the Congo in 1915.,

     Recorded in 1965.  Spoke of starting a revival and church in 1931 by accident through God working a miracle.

 "Not Without Blood"

 Rev. WFP Burton

Copyrighted Recording

Length:  34 Minutes 

Live stream

     A wonderful exhortation concerning the power of the Blood of Jesus Christ.

 Persecution Report:

     I told you this would happen.

"House Votes To Muzzle Pastors"

     I sent out a special e-mail on October 29, 2008 in which I shared with you the fact that numerous Christian leaders were joining together to fast and pray concerning the presidential election.  I asked you to pray about the election, and to pray for Sarah Palin in the nauseating persecution and vicious ridicule she was enduring for her Pentecostal faith.  I warned you that this persecution would come upon us also if we ignored the statements of various politicians and we decided to "vote for the man, not for the party."  I wrote in my e-mail to you at the time:    

"Promises are made to shut down all dissenting voices once power is gained.  And many Christians and religious people seem to be in some kind of hypnotic fog."

     Some people became very angry with me because I asked the following:

I am joining with other Christian leaders to call on fellow believers to fast and pray unto our God on November 3rd for His intervention in this election on November 4th.  

     Surprisingly, some Christians e-mailed me and canceled their subscriptions to my newsletter.  They did not want God to "intervene" in our election and bring about His will.  They had already made up their minds who they would vote for, and they wanted God to stay entirely out of it.  

     Now the persecution I warned about is coming to pass. 

     Where are all the "prophets" who now brag that they prophesied before the election that Mr. Obama was "God's choice?"  They said we were to ignore the agenda he and his party told us they  would pursue, because God was going to use this man to set us all free and to even bring peace to the Middle East and therefore to the entire world.  

 Great Churches:

     God's House of Hope

     Pastor David Garner

     314 North Main Street

     Mulberry Arkansas

     This church is being pioneered by a man who has a real heart for God, and for God's people.  He's won a number of people to the Lord out of several kinds of difficult situations of life.  I would like to encourage any of you that are within reasonable driving distance to Mulberry, Arkansas to drive over and help this pastor in this new work.  Our friends Dr. Jeff and Linda Thompson will be ministering at God's House of Hope in June.  I too will be going down there to minister in October to help further this new work for God.

 Mel's Itinerary:

     August 7,8,9     London England

                                         Grace Place Church

                                         Pastor S. Sekou Abodunrin

                                         in the Chapel at:

                                         Spurgeon's College

                                         South Norwood Hill

                                         London, England

     August 16          Jersey Island

                                         New Life Christian Fellowship

                                         Pastor Maruice Allaire

                                         Communicare St Brelades

                                         Jersey Channel Islands

                                         Tel no 01534 736533

     August 17           Jersey Island

                                          FGBFI Dinner

                                          Guest Speaker

     October 10, 11   Mulberry, Arkansas

                                          Pastor David Garner

                                          314 North Main Street

                                          Mulberry Arkansas

     Meetings are being discussed with pastors in several other states concerning additional meetings in July through December.  When dates are firm, I will announce them.  If you are a pastor and my messages have spoken to you, and you would like to discuss having me come minister for you, please contact me at admin@brothermel.com.  It is possible that meetings are already in the planning stage for me to minister near you, and we can work out a convenient time for me to come by and miniser for you also while I'm near.  

Financial Support:

     Would you like to have the joy of helping to send these rare recordings and corrective articles to hungry hearts around the world?

     You can do so by donating through PayPal or through the mail:

 Click here to donate by PayPal or Credit Card. 

Word From Brother Mel:

     I visited Sister Billye Brim's "Great Awakening" meeting in Collinsville, OK on May 8th, in which she taught on the Great Awakenings of the 1700's and 1800's.  Her message centered around the fact that the only thing that can save America is for America to awake to God.  Amen.  I had the opportunity to talk with Billye for several minutes after the service.  She seemed to me to have a whole new depth of sincerity and biblical insight. 

     Billye said that in 2008 the Lord rebuked and corrected her in some areas, and she received His rebuke and corrected herself.  As the partners with this ministry know, the Lord gave me a prophecy in 2007 in which He said that He was appointing a "Time of  Correction."  Sadly, some Charismatic ministers on the national scene have not received the Lord's corrections as He has pricked their consciences and have therefore fallen into disgrace.  Some have even died.  But others are heeding God's correction, and are coming forth as gold tried in the fire.  Several of you have e-mailed me, or we have talked on the phone and you have told me how the Lord has recently corrected or rebuked you, and you have humbled yourselves and obeyed His corrections.  You have also told me of the wonderful spiritual fruit that has been borne by your ministries in response.  I'm glad Sister Billye is one of those who are responding and conforming to God's will as He corrects us.

     On another matter, I want to emphasize to you that it always pays to listen to the Spirit of God.  When He moves upon your spirit, be sure to respond to what He is wanting to do.  Recently, the Spirit of God came on me in prayer one evening.  My blood just ran cold.  He was impressing on me that something catastrophic was about to happen to me, and I needed to pray to avoid it.  I prayed in tongues, and with groanings with the Holy  Spirit helping me as the Spirit of Prayer.  After several minutes the prayer burden lifted, and Laughing in the Spirit came upon me.  I asked the Lord to reveal to me what I had been praying about, but He chose not to do so.

     The next morning I went to do some grocery shopping at Wal-Mart.  As I was walking across the parking lot, I was distracted for a moment, and I felt a hard bump against my knees.  I whirled to see what I had walked up against, and there before me was a car--it was slowly backing into me!  Thankfully, he was moving at a slow pace, so I was bruised, but nothing was broken.  Suddenly, I knew that this was what I had prayed about the night before.  Had that man been backing out quickly, with me being distracted, I know I would have been severely hurt, perhaps even being run over.  My friends, it pays to listen to the Holy Spirit especially when He gives you a burden to pray.  Many disasters can be avoided if we will just listen to the Holy Spirit.

     Again let me express my gratitude to those of you who have chosen to be financial partners with this ministry.  You help us to carry the load, and I appreciate you very much.  I want everyone also to know that I pray daily for all the people who have contacted me and asked me to pray for various situations in their lives.  I pray for you to prosper and be in health, and for Gods gifts and presence to be manifested in your lives.

     Kind Regards,

     Brother Mel

........................................................................................................................................................................................................

Voice of Reformation

Newsletter

Martin Luther

In 1517 an obscure German monk by the name of Martin Luther nailed his 96 Theses (objections) to the door of the Wittenburg Church.  His  reputation was ruined, he was excommunicated, and his life was threatened.  But his act of confronting the errors and excesses of his day sparked the Protestant Reformation, lighting Holy fires that burned around the globe, removing errors and destroying man-made religious traditions and structures.  In the same manner, we must again nail the scriptures and sound doctrine back on the church door of our day, rebuking the errors and excesses that are so common, and call on God to forgive us, cleanse us, renew us, and revive us again that we may proclaim the Gospel of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to a lost and dying humanity. 

Sowing Seeds for a Reformation of 

Charismatic and Word of Faith Christianity

Rev. Mel C. Montgomery, Editor

 To Access the May 2009 Issue

Click Here

In this Issue:

1.   A New Prophecy--"Flawless Perfection" given by Mel Montgomery.

2.   Annual H.I.M. meeting sermon "It's Activation Time!"

3.   Testimony and Commentary.

4.   New Article:  "The Myths of Faith Healing" by Larry Keefauver.

5.   "Is the Prosperity Circus Over?"  Commentary on J.Lee Grady's article.  

6.   New Elizabeth Sloan recordings:

              "Signs of the Last Days Outpouring."

              "The Spirit of Truth and the Blood of the Lamb."

7.   Two New WFP Burton Recordings:

              "Testimony of an Apostle" and

              "Not Without Blood"

8.   Persecution Report:  "House Votes to Muzzle Pastors."

9. Great Churches:  God's House of Hope in Mulberry, Arkansas.

10.  Mel's Itinerary.

11.  A Word from Brother Mel.

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