Skip to main content

George True

Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Expository Preaching, Alumnus

Northpoint Bible College and Graduate School, General Education/ Bible & Theology, Alumnus

Liberty University, Education, Alumnus

Followers

73

Following

33

Public Views

My name is George "Jake" True, and I am a pastor and educator in Marion, Illinois. I serve as a Third and Fourth Grade Teacher at Ambleside School of Marion and Associate Pastor at Abundant Life Assembly of God. I have earned graduate degrees in Divinity and Education.
Address: Charleston, Maine

less

University of Redlands

Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies and APTS Press

Oral Roberts University

University of Oxford

Emmanuel Mgqwashu

Lovejoy Chabata

Kruger Du Preez

InterestsView All (13)

Uploads

Papers by George True

A CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LEARNER-CENTEREDNESS AMONG ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CLERGY BY CREDENTIAL LEVE

This non-experimental, causal-comparative study sought to evaluate the learner-centeredness of Pe... more This non-experimental, causal-comparative study sought to evaluate the learner-centeredness of Pentecostal ministers in the Assemblies of God. Building on the foundations of Adult Learning Theory and Pentecostal epistemology, this study examined the instructional practices of Pentecostal clergy. Utilizing the Principles of Adult Learning Scale [PALS] and a survey of basic demographic information, the instructional methodologies of certified, licensed, and ordained clergy in the Northern New England, Pennsylvania-Delaware, Arkansas, and Northwest districts of the Assemblies of God were examined. A Welch’s ANOVA analyzed the relationship between clergy credential level and scores on the PALS. The results of this study revealed a statistically significant difference between clergy credential level and learner-centeredness as measured by the PALS, specifically between certified and licensed ministers, and licensed and ordained ministers. Further research should explore learner-centeredness in other Pentecostal organizations and the instructional environments of Pentecostal colleges, as these often form and shape the instructional methods of the clergy.

Local Church Apprenticeship: How Local Churches Can Multiply Ministry Leaders

Many in the world of education are questioning the current educational pathways that tend toward ... more Many in the world of education are questioning the current educational pathways that tend toward the academic pursuits of the university, questioning the practicality of a college degree. In no field is this more prevalent than that of ministerial studies. Pastors and church leaders today are questioning the practicality of ministerial training through the traditional college and seminary routes. By examining the historical foundations of ministerial education, both in the lives of two great leaders, John Calvin and Charles Spurgeon, and in the religious history of the United States, it is proposed that training for church leadership needs to come back under the umbrella of the local church through solid, academically rigorous, local-church based apprenticeship.

Training Ministers Effectively for a Lifetime of Learning and Effective Leadership

Training ministers for a life-time of effective leadership necessitates a reevaluation of the tra... more Training ministers for a life-time of effective leadership necessitates a reevaluation of the training models used both in initial training and ongoing learning. Current educational climates within the Assemblies of God USA demonstrate a decreasing educational standard in initial training, along with a rejection of continuing educational requirements for continued ministerial credentialing. Studies from across the globe involving different professions indicate major issues in the current educational climate for effective professionals. In order to more effectively train the next generation of ministers, leaders will need to look at their initial training, their programs of continuing education, and fill in the gaps where necessary to make sure that the educational needs and goals of today’s pastors are met. Initial training models must be more connected both to the local context where the students will be ministering and to the work of everyday ministry in the local church. Continuing education must expose ministers to a broad swarth of diverse perspectives that engage the needs of their everyday work. Both fields must navigate the educational gaps left in current pastoral training programs where little emphasis is given to healthy perspectives on the call, organizational management, and conflict resolution. A bridge must be built between educational institutions and the local ministers they intend to serve, where contextually appropriate, practically applicable, and academically engaging programs lead ministers into ever-increasing effectiveness in fulfillment of their divine calling.

Kingdom Purpose: Ethical Transformation as Foundation of Education

Today’s educational systems are losing sight of the moral and ethical formation that occurs withi... more Today’s educational systems are losing sight of the moral and ethical formation that occurs within the educational process. While trained in professional skills and intellectual depths, today’s students often lack the moral compass to contribute to a good and beautiful society. A look at educational history, specifically in antiquity and medieval times indicates that educators in those times believed that education played a formative role in developing moral and ethical citizens. Medieval educators specifically rooted this moral and ethical development in the Christian faith. In a day and an age characterized by a loss of ethical foundations, especially in some of the most elite educational institutions of the day, Christians have the unique opportunity of reestablishing education’s Kingdom purpose in empowered intellectual and spiritual formation. Christian educators, empowered by the Spirit of God, play a culture shaping role in their classroom as they teach the next generation of world leaders.

Rural Teacher Shortages: The Need for Contextualized, Indigenous Leadership Training of Rural School Teachers

Communities around the world are feeling the crunch related to the shortage of school teachers, e... more Communities around the world are feeling the crunch related to the shortage of school teachers, especially those located in the rural and remote areas of the globe. Numerous communal challenges, including isolation, economic hardship, and other cultural realities all contribute to a struggle to attract and retain school teachers. Despite incentives and programs to attract people to rural areas, these seem only to contribute to the inability to retain qualified, trained educators to serve the students of the rural world. Numerous universities have undertaken attempts to address this problem, creating hybrid programs and mentor training to develop rural school teachers. Evidence suggests that a thoroughly indigenous approach to leadership development for rural schools may provide a solid answer in equipping educators for long-term success in small-town, rural communities. Drawing from the missiological and intercultural studies departments, a self-sustaining program of home-grown leadership may hold the answer in sustaining rural schools.

Recomissioning Ecclesia: Paving the Way for Church Renewal

The first step in developing a practice for the church lies in rooting your practice in the bibli... more The first step in developing a practice for the church lies in rooting your practice in the biblical text. One must study God's Word to discover what he says about your ministry. In Matthew chapter 16, we find the story of the origins of the church. Jesus teaches about the essential nature of the church. There's no better source in looking for a keys to church growth and health than the inventor's words themselves, for truly the church was God's idea. That must never be forgotten. Jesus said, "I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). What did Jesus mean? What is the church? What do churches do?

THE REDEMPTIVE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF EVIDENTIAL TONGUES AS A FOUNDATION FOR THE MODERN DAY PENTECOSTAL DOCTRINE OF INITIAL PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

The Image of God and the Teachings of Jesus Christ

Jesus' Theology of Believer's Prayer

True George Live Generously Final

God's Missional Center: The New Testament Local Church

A CAUSAL-COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LEARNER-CENTEREDNESS AMONG ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CLERGY BY CREDENTIAL LEVE

This non-experimental, causal-comparative study sought to evaluate the learner-centeredness of Pe... more This non-experimental, causal-comparative study sought to evaluate the learner-centeredness of Pentecostal ministers in the Assemblies of God. Building on the foundations of Adult Learning Theory and Pentecostal epistemology, this study examined the instructional practices of Pentecostal clergy. Utilizing the Principles of Adult Learning Scale [PALS] and a survey of basic demographic information, the instructional methodologies of certified, licensed, and ordained clergy in the Northern New England, Pennsylvania-Delaware, Arkansas, and Northwest districts of the Assemblies of God were examined. A Welch’s ANOVA analyzed the relationship between clergy credential level and scores on the PALS. The results of this study revealed a statistically significant difference between clergy credential level and learner-centeredness as measured by the PALS, specifically between certified and licensed ministers, and licensed and ordained ministers. Further research should explore learner-centeredness in other Pentecostal organizations and the instructional environments of Pentecostal colleges, as these often form and shape the instructional methods of the clergy.

Local Church Apprenticeship: How Local Churches Can Multiply Ministry Leaders

Many in the world of education are questioning the current educational pathways that tend toward ... more Many in the world of education are questioning the current educational pathways that tend toward the academic pursuits of the university, questioning the practicality of a college degree. In no field is this more prevalent than that of ministerial studies. Pastors and church leaders today are questioning the practicality of ministerial training through the traditional college and seminary routes. By examining the historical foundations of ministerial education, both in the lives of two great leaders, John Calvin and Charles Spurgeon, and in the religious history of the United States, it is proposed that training for church leadership needs to come back under the umbrella of the local church through solid, academically rigorous, local-church based apprenticeship.

Training Ministers Effectively for a Lifetime of Learning and Effective Leadership

Training ministers for a life-time of effective leadership necessitates a reevaluation of the tra... more Training ministers for a life-time of effective leadership necessitates a reevaluation of the training models used both in initial training and ongoing learning. Current educational climates within the Assemblies of God USA demonstrate a decreasing educational standard in initial training, along with a rejection of continuing educational requirements for continued ministerial credentialing. Studies from across the globe involving different professions indicate major issues in the current educational climate for effective professionals. In order to more effectively train the next generation of ministers, leaders will need to look at their initial training, their programs of continuing education, and fill in the gaps where necessary to make sure that the educational needs and goals of today’s pastors are met. Initial training models must be more connected both to the local context where the students will be ministering and to the work of everyday ministry in the local church. Continuing education must expose ministers to a broad swarth of diverse perspectives that engage the needs of their everyday work. Both fields must navigate the educational gaps left in current pastoral training programs where little emphasis is given to healthy perspectives on the call, organizational management, and conflict resolution. A bridge must be built between educational institutions and the local ministers they intend to serve, where contextually appropriate, practically applicable, and academically engaging programs lead ministers into ever-increasing effectiveness in fulfillment of their divine calling.

Kingdom Purpose: Ethical Transformation as Foundation of Education

Today’s educational systems are losing sight of the moral and ethical formation that occurs withi... more Today’s educational systems are losing sight of the moral and ethical formation that occurs within the educational process. While trained in professional skills and intellectual depths, today’s students often lack the moral compass to contribute to a good and beautiful society. A look at educational history, specifically in antiquity and medieval times indicates that educators in those times believed that education played a formative role in developing moral and ethical citizens. Medieval educators specifically rooted this moral and ethical development in the Christian faith. In a day and an age characterized by a loss of ethical foundations, especially in some of the most elite educational institutions of the day, Christians have the unique opportunity of reestablishing education’s Kingdom purpose in empowered intellectual and spiritual formation. Christian educators, empowered by the Spirit of God, play a culture shaping role in their classroom as they teach the next generation of world leaders.

Rural Teacher Shortages: The Need for Contextualized, Indigenous Leadership Training of Rural School Teachers

Communities around the world are feeling the crunch related to the shortage of school teachers, e... more Communities around the world are feeling the crunch related to the shortage of school teachers, especially those located in the rural and remote areas of the globe. Numerous communal challenges, including isolation, economic hardship, and other cultural realities all contribute to a struggle to attract and retain school teachers. Despite incentives and programs to attract people to rural areas, these seem only to contribute to the inability to retain qualified, trained educators to serve the students of the rural world. Numerous universities have undertaken attempts to address this problem, creating hybrid programs and mentor training to develop rural school teachers. Evidence suggests that a thoroughly indigenous approach to leadership development for rural schools may provide a solid answer in equipping educators for long-term success in small-town, rural communities. Drawing from the missiological and intercultural studies departments, a self-sustaining program of home-grown leadership may hold the answer in sustaining rural schools.

Recomissioning Ecclesia: Paving the Way for Church Renewal

The first step in developing a practice for the church lies in rooting your practice in the bibli... more The first step in developing a practice for the church lies in rooting your practice in the biblical text. One must study God's Word to discover what he says about your ministry. In Matthew chapter 16, we find the story of the origins of the church. Jesus teaches about the essential nature of the church. There's no better source in looking for a keys to church growth and health than the inventor's words themselves, for truly the church was God's idea. That must never be forgotten. Jesus said, "I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). What did Jesus mean? What is the church? What do churches do?

THE REDEMPTIVE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF EVIDENTIAL TONGUES AS A FOUNDATION FOR THE MODERN DAY PENTECOSTAL DOCTRINE OF INITIAL PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

The Image of God and the Teachings of Jesus Christ

Jesus' Theology of Believer's Prayer

True George Live Generously Final

God's Missional Center: The New Testament Local Church