Voice of Reformation

Newsletter

October 2008 Issue

New Recordings By Brother Mel: 

     Many are e-mailing me and asking questions about my perspective on pastoring.  In response I recorded  five teaching sessions recently in which I share my understanding of pastoral ministry.  In these teachings not only do we discuss what the Bible specifically says about pastoring, but I share with  you how I have applied these principles in my own experiences in pastoring.   

     In "Characteristics of a Pastor Parts I, II, and III," we examine in detail the qualifications of a pastor given by Paul in First Timothy.  We learn the characteristics that will be evident in the life and ministry of a person called to be a pastor.  In this we find that God's idea of a pastor and what people are looking for in a pastor are oftentimes dramatically different standards.   

     In "Pastoral Vision," we study both the vision of pastors in general, and  my own specific pastoral vision concerning how I function as a pastor in the local church.

     Lastly, in "How to Have Your Calling Accepted by a Pastor," we explain to budding prophets, healing evangelists, and others who are developing in ministry, how to go about having their calling accepted by a pastor in their local church.  I would urge that these recordings be listened to in the order they are listed as follows: 

 New Book by Dr. Charles Goodwin and Brother Mel:

     Falling in the Spirit--what a controversial subject! 

     Charismatics and Pentecostals embrace this experience whole heartedly, assigning to it various meanings.  Evangelicals largely question or reject it.  Critics of Falling in the Spirit have written volumes and set up entire websites to denounce this spiritual manifestation.  They claim the experience is unbiblical, that it never occurred in the ministries of the great Revivalists of old, and some go so far as to claim that all instances of Falling today are actually manifestations of Satanic power.  Charismatics respond with equal vigor in defending this spiritual experience. 

     Could it be that neither camp has a fully accurate view of this manifestation? 

      Is it possible that both sides in this debate have fallen into the trap of shouting at each other, rather than talking to each other? 

     In a spirit of mutual respect, Dr. Charles Goodwin, an evangelical theologian, and Rev. Mel C. Montgomery, a Charismatic pastor and teacher, join together to examine Church history, Scripture, and present-day occurrences to reach mutual conclusions that bridge the divide between Charismatics and Evangelicals on this subject.  The product of this collaboration is a new e-book entitled "To Fall or Not to Fall." 

     In "To Fall or Not to Fall," Dr. Charles Goodwin and Rev. Mel Montgomery provide extensive quotations from preachers in the First Great Awakening (1730 - 1740) and the Second Great Awakening (1790 - 1840) to establish the fact that Falling in the Spirit was a widespread experience in Churches and revivals of the day.  Quotes are provided from Jonathan Edwards (Congregationalist minister), John Wesley (Co-Founder of the Methodist Denomination), Peter Cartwright (Early Methodist evangelist), Barton W. Stone (Founder of Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ denominations), and Charles G. Finney (Presbyterian evangelist).

     But beyond establishing that Falling in the Spirit is a genuine spiritual manifestation that can easily be traced back several centuries in the ministries of orthodox ministers, Mel and Charles show that in previous generations this experience was interpreted in a much different manner than is done today.  The book ends with Dr. Goodwin and Rev. Montgomery offering their opinions and suggestions as to how Falling in the Spirit can be accommodated, understood in context, and handled in an orderly and respectful manner, thus enabling Evangelicals and Charismatics to follow their own understanding of Scripture while respecting the practices of those with whom they disagree.   

     Whether you are a Charismatic or Evangelical believer, this e-book will challenge your assumptions:

"To Fall or Not to Fall"

By Dr. Charles Goodwin and Rev. Mel C. Montgomery

New Article By Charles G. Finney:

     In 1840, Revivalist Charles Finney was faced with a choice.  He could either stand on his constitutional rights and allow the Gospel of Jesus Christ to suffer a great reproach, or he could lay down his constitutional rights and "prove things honest in the sight of all men."  From his training as a lawyer, he understood his rights.  But as a servant of God he knew the eternal consequences of bringing the Gospel into disrepute.  We read in his own words of his decision.  Ministries today could learn much from a man who valued the honor of Christ above his own legal rights.  Read the account in his own words:

 "The Lynching of 1840"

By Rev. Charles G. Finney

New Recording by Rev. Christine A. Gibson:

     Sometimes the best man for a job is a woman. 

     Pentecostal history is filled with inspiring accounts of numerous women who stepped forward in the power of God and evangelized nations, founded bible schools, raised up churches, and established  denominaitons.  Some, like Sister Goodwin, ministered primarily alongside husbands.  Others like Aimee Semple McPherson and Kathryn Kuhlman ministered alone for many years.  Jay Hearn of www.highlanderglory.net 

recently donated to us a number of wonderful rare recordings of early Pentecostal ministers.  Among these recordings are messages by Rev. Christine A. Gibson.

     Sister Gibson, pictured here, founded Zion Bible Institute, and served as its President for 31 years.  Her school continues to this day, training up young ministers to preach the Gospel.  We are honored to host these two recordings of this lioness of the Faith.  Both recordings begin with a minute or two of distracting noises.  Prepare to have your faith stirred.  Here are two of her sermons:

(1954)

"The Promises of God"

(East Dedham Conference 1954)

New Resource:

     Rev. Joe Jordan, who was the praise and worship leader for the Goodwins' church years ago.  He has ministered now in the power of the Holy Spirit for 50 years.  Through his website, Joe is offering a number of podcasts that will instruct and bless you.  He interviews individuals, and shares valuable truths in the same way they were taught to him by the Goodwins.  I recommend very highly these free podcasts:

Joe Jordan Podcasts   

Donations:

     If the articles and recordings on my website have blessed you, I would like to ask you to sow a financial seed into this ministry to help with the consts involved.  This will allow you to share in the joy, and in the eternal rewards, of sowing these recordings and articles into the lives of tens of thousands of people around the world.  Offerings of any size are always greatly appreciated. 

   Click here to donate by PayPal or Credit Card.  

A Closing Word:

     Like many of you, I'm wondering how far advanced we are in the Last Days.  Have the minutes and hours of God's prophetic timeclock ticked down to the point where it will just get worse from here?  Or can we prevail upon Him in prayer to give yet more years of stability to us before the point of no return is reached?  I think this election in the United States will give us a clue as to how much time remains.  If we deliberately elect an individual whose agenda is clearly anti-biblical, then I think our days of Grace are more limited than we can now envision.  If however, we prevail upon God to turn the hearts of our countrymen to a leader who will pursue an agenda that is biblical, moral, and logical, our days may be many yet.  I fear for the choice that is laid before us.  I urge every Christian around the world to pray like you have never prayed before.  And I also urge every Christian to register and vote. 

     I'm continuing to have communications with churches concerning pastoral positions that have opened.  New friendships are being established, but I have not yet connected with any specific position.   Seeking a pastor's postion is something that commonly takes months if not a year or more.  Many that I communicate with are asking me to share with them how I approach pastoring.  So I held some teaching sessions recently in which I address the pastor's office, qualifications, characteristics, and share my personal vision of pastoring.  I'm providing links to the recordings of these sessions so that you can be established in biblical truth in this area.  Concerning pastoral positions that have come available, the Holy Spirit has given me some directions in my spirit, but has not yet said, "Go there and be their shepherd."  I believe that as we continue in prayer, and are careful not to rush anything, God will bring me to a position with a Church that wants to grow in the things of God, and with elders who will be co-laborers together with me, and I with them, in what God wants to do.

     I hope to be in areas soon where I can have the opportunity to meet different ones of you who have contacted me and become partners with this ministry.  I have standing invitations to come minister in several churches in different parts of the country.  However, I've asked pastors to be patient with me as I wait on the Lord for His specific direction.  More than anything else right now, I'm spending a considerable amount of time in prayer, while God is refreshing and renewing truths and the things of His Spirit within me.

     Numerous recordings continue to find their way to me from around the world.  The most recent coming from Jay Hearn of www.highlanderglory.net , and we are deeply grateful for the recordings he has donated.  He has donated to us five additional Stanley Frodsham recordings, along with recordings by Christine A. Gibson, Marie Brown, Hattie Hammond, and David Du Plessis.  Don and Beverly Davis will have their travels over with by November, and in November or December, we hope to be able to bring to you the rest of the Howard Carter recordings that were recorded at the Goodwins' church, along with the first Charismatic sermons that were preached by John Osteen after he was filled with the Spirit through the Goodwins' ministry.

     Website traffic continues to go up and up for Brother Mel Dot Com. 

     Thank you for the many kind and encouraging e-mails that come into my inbox in a steady stream.  The testimonies you share with me of how the website has blessed you has made all the time and money we've spent on this site worth it.

     Kind Regards,

     Brother Mel