How to Raise Up Theologically Trained Leaders in the Church of God of Prophecy, Grand Bahama

2021·2.2 MB·

by  GEORGE E. THOMPSON

HOW TO RAISE UP THEOLOGICALLY TRAINED LEADERS

IN THE CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY, GRAND BAHAMA

A THESIS-PROJECT

SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF

GORDON-CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY

BY

GEORGE E. THOMPSON

MAY 2021
Copyright © 2021 by George E. Thompson. All Rights Reserved.
To my loving spouse, on our fiftieth anniversary
(1970–2020)
Thank you for sharing this journey with me.
You have been a pillar of strength to me, and this accomplishment
could not have been achieved without your patience, understanding, and support.
May God’s continued blessings be with us in the years to come!
Thou, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou
hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be
able to teach others also.
—2 Timothy 2:1-2
CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS viii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ix
ABSTRACT x

Chapter
1. THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING 1
General Historical and Geographical Reflection 1
Introduction to the Thesis-Project 6
Alignment of Governmental, Doctrinal, and Training Policies
with the International and National Church of God of Prophecy 7
Church of God of Prophecy, District of Grand Bahama,
Leadership Development Program: A Strategic Plan 9
Conclusion 12
2. BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE 16
Introduction 16
Training Leaders for the Church within the Church 17
Prominent Spiritual Leaders of the Old and New Testaments Producing Leaders 21
Conclusion 37
3. LITERATURE REVIEW 40
Introduction 40
Transformational Leadership 42
v
Model Leadership Development Programs 45
Conclusion 64
4. METHODOLOGY AND TRAINING PROGRAM 67
Introduction 67
Methodology 68
Training Program 75
Conclusion 85
5. OUTCOMES AND CONCLUSIONS 87
Introduction 87
Critical Reflections on New Insights Gained 88
Questions Raised in My Mind 93
Ideas for Further Exploration Moving Forward 95
Leadership Development Strategic Plan 96

Appendix
A. PREACHING AND TEACHING CHECK SHEET 102
B. QUESTIONNAIRE SENT TO LEADERS 104
C. OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS FOR LEADERS 106
D. GCTS INFORMED CONSENT DOCUMENT 108
E. INVITATION EXTENDED TO PARTICIPANTS 110
F. SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 111
G. SYLLABUS FOR HISTORY AND THEOLOGY OF COGOP 113
H. BIBLICAL DOCTRINES 116
vi
I. SYLLABUS FOR FUNDAMENTALS OF PREACHING AND
EXPLORING THE BIBLICAL TEXTS 120
J. EXPLORING THE BIBLICAL TEXTS SAMPLE 123
K. SUBJECT/COMPLEMENT WORKSHEET 127
L. SERMON EVALUATION 130
M. EXPLORING THE BIBLICAL TEXTS FEEDBACK SAMPLE 131
N. STUDENTS IN THE TWO COURSES
OF THE PILOT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 133
O. ORDINATION SERVICE FOR SOME OF THE STUDENTS
FROM THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 134
P. COURSE EVALUATIONS 137

BIBLIOGRAPHY 142
VITA 145

vii
ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure
1. Family Tree of Denominations 78

Tables
1. Question 1: Which Position within the Church of God of Prophecy
Best Describes Your Current Role? 69
2. Question 2: What Is Your Age? 69
3. Question 3: What Is Your Sex? 70
4. Question 4: How Many Years Have You Worked in Ministry
within the COGOP? 70
5. Question 5: What Best Describes Your Educational Background? 71
6. Question 6: Do You Have Current Plans to Obtain More Training
for Your Ministerial Roles within the COGOP? 71
7. Question 7: Do You Believe You Would Benefit
from Additional Biblical and Theological Training? 72
8. Question 8: Are You Motivated to Gain Additional Biblical and Theological
Training if It Is Available? 72
9. Sessions in the Training Program 76

viii
ABBREVIATIONS

BL Building Leaders
CBL Center for Biblical Leadership
COGOP Church of God of Prophecy
COGIC PIP Church of God of Prophecy Pastoral Internship Program
DTL Designed to Lead
GCTS Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
LDD Leadership Development and Discipleship
NBOT The National Board of Trustees for the COGOP in the
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
PTS Pentecostal Theological Seminary
TMPE The Master Plan of Evangelism

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ABSTRACT

The church needs transformative leadership if it is going to carry out its mandate of
reaching the churched and unchurched. It must be prepared to train and reshape individuals who
have a calling and are willing to become leaders equipped to minister to an ever-changing world.
This thesis-project seeks to develop a pilot program to identify those who serve the
Church of God of Prophecy in Grand Bahama in leadership roles, determine their level of
theological formation, and train them to carry out more effectively their responsibilities under the
anointing of the Holy Spirit, as leaders in this dispensation.

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