Reviewing Pastor Maurice Gregory Morning Devotional

Image Courtesy of Maurice Gregory Facebook

Reviewing Pastor Maurice Gregory Morning Devotional is among the hardest tasks I have had to do. This brother is sincere but as most, he hides or otherwises dismisses the need to teach someone who righteously requests a better understanding (1 Pet. 3:15, Col. 4:6).

What his wife said, in front of a church, and both he and another heretical preacher affirmed will be revealed in a bit. I draw the line with publicly confronting the wives of preachers because most did not ask for the role the Lord assigned them.

However, when any present themselves as a biblical preacher (Evangelist, Prophet, or Pastor), they have stepped into the arena of church leadership and therefore will be shown no quarter as with any man.

What do I expect to come from this article?

First, and as I wrote in Black Church Chronicles about the negro preacher, Gregory and his wife will, at some point, come across this and do what lukewarm Christian leaders do, play the martyr.

It is much easier than what real Christians do, and what the Bible teaches; self-examination (2 Cor. 13:5, 1 Cor. 11:28, et al).

Second, continuation of their false denominational superiority because they must. Black church leaders, and their wives, exist in echo chambers of affirmation and absent challenge.

Therefore, those who believe themselves mature remain babes in Christ (Heb. 5:12-14, 1 Cor. 3:1-2).

Those who watched our live stream debate with Oneness Pentecostal theologians understand that even when confronted with doctrinal error, and having no biblical response, liars hold onto lies (John 8:45, 2 Tim. 4:3-4).

These are the very same people Jesus was pleading with in John 8 when saying; "and because I tell you the truth, you don't believe me!"

This platform, now the #1 black church (non-gossip) blog by impressions, visits, and content (330+ articles thus far and over 600,000 words) in the world, will be used righteously, doctrinally, and always led according to the gifts the Lord God has given me (1 John 4:1).

Furthermore, and as the Watchmen, Prophets, and Prophetesses of antiquity, the Lord has given me this a battle ax to destroy false teaching, provide doctrinal sermonic content to 'struggle preachers', and give honor and tribute to his real leaders (Jer. 51:20).

I am only a seeker of truth and over the decades, this has found me righteously corrected by real prophets more times than I can count (John 8:32, 2 Tim. 2:15).

I offer this so that the reader understands I am not beholden to any denominational orthodoxy, especially that of Baptists, where I pastor, although no one has been able cogently explain what sets a Baptist apart from any other believer.

No one who preaches one denomination is superior to another should be listened to and much less followed.

Before presenting the core of this article's purpose, it is important for the reader to understand six (6) immutable truths about black preachers (but not limited to):

1. We are never, ever as smart, intelligent, gifted and favored by God as some believe (Prov. 3:7).

2. None are as humble behind closed doors as they present in public (Matt. 6:1).

3. Leaders will go to Hell and the Lake of Fire before admitting error to God's people who they, behind closed doors, mock as though lessor forms of life (Isa. 9:16).

4. Accountability is all but absent from Christian life because apostates (fake preachers) have bastardized the Word of God to avoid accountability (Matt. 23:1-7).

5. Black clergy truly, while presenting false servant-leader humility, believe they are better, more favored, and gifted above every other human (1 Cor. 12:4-25).

6. They will destroy, reject, abuse, and even pray for God to rid them of those who love them enough to rebuke them (Eze. 14:3).

If one understands these, the mystery of why they should be lovingly confronted becomes evident.

To that end, Gregory came to Waterloo, Iowa and preached a Holy Ghost message on the night in question. I must admit, Brother delivered powerfully. He is a preacher in the COGIC (Church of God in Christ).

Prior to writing another word, I affirm what COGIC Saints believe as a statement of faith. However, I do not affirm that their denomination is superior to others as his wife said which will be addressed a bit later.

Unlike the majority of such elitist claimants, I have studied their worldview and wrote several articles comparing and contrasting various black church belief systems.

Whether variances in practices of AME (African American Episcopal) or United Methodists, Baptist or Oneness Pentecostals, or the complete History of the African American Church, I have written about it on this webite.

Moreover, I taught the COGIC Sunday School Lesson on YouTube for a few years! None of them can claim the same level of study with respect to peer teaching.

Gregory calls himself a 'digital creator' on social media. When a Pastor designates this as their 'job', it means they are modernity's definition of churchless.

I am not one to look down my nose at these men because whether preaching to a building of people or just one, at least the gospel is preached (Matt. 18:12-13, Luke 15:4-7).

I was born to street preach and when the Lord allows and releases me from pastoring, I will be back!

The church began with public preaching and house churches and because modernity assigns a new measure to what constitutes a 'legitimate' church, the Bible disagrees (Acts 2:14, Acts 5:42, Acts 17:22, et al).

Here is something of note about denominational preachers like Gregory: despite their claims of superiority, they would be happier than run-away slaves to be called 'pastor' in a Baptist or other type of congregation!

Of course, they would only accept because "those people need the truth," but after two (2) decades in church leadership, I say with 100% surety that the the negro preacher only stands on a belief system as long as they can afford to.

Right now, my guess is Gregory and his wife have no offers to pastor any church so they can spout denominational rhetoric - the incentive to 'shut up' and compromise isn't strong enough.

However, to be called 'Rabbi' (Teacher/Pastor in our context), to have the respect of his peers, and to be viewed as 'legimate' is an aphrodisiac impossible to resist. I am not suggesting he would deny Jesus because Gregory is a real preacher, just willingly ignorant.

Teachers must make full proof of the ministry and this begins with addressing false teaching in a cogent, written manner. We leave ourselves open to "every wind of doctrine" (as Paul said) when not studying to show ourselves approved (2 Tim. 2:15, 2 Tim. 4:5, Eph. 4:14).

Furthermore, we black preachers "talk good" and most often without any thought assuming what comes out of our mouth is Holy Ghost. Jesus forgive my haste.

Yet creating written documents forces one to think and those truly seeking the truth repent when their error is explained (Prov. 9:8-9, Prov. 15:31-32, Eccle. 7:5, et al).

Within a web development matrix this says one thing: leaders make tens of millions of videos "talking good" but not one is dedicated to creating well written and search optimized Google content - until now!

More importantly, doctrinal apathy and bad theology is why this site exists and will flourish in Jesus Name. For example, and to address such apathy, and in addition to thi site, I write non-formal papers such as: "Jesus Had No Faith" available for free download on this link.

However, and whatever one's anointing according to the Ephesians 4 leadership model, its foundational purpose is three-fold. The first is, post-salvation, presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1).

Second is edification of the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:12-15). Third, is living holy so that neither the first nor second purpose is made of non-effect (1 Cor. 9:27, 2 Cor. 13:5, Philipp. 3:12-14).

Back to Brother Gregory.

After he preached on the evening in question, his wife spoke although as a foolish woman, and Pastor Antonio Wells, leader of Faith Walkers Church of the Cedar Valley, also joined the demonic chorus of denominational superiority.

Before explaining what occured, let's begin with how my concern was expressed to Brother Gregory. One thing I refrain from doing is speaking when my zeal waxes hot over the caustic effect of such divisions (Jam. 1:20, Prov. 15:1).

I did not remain in the church to seek further clarification after service either. For my conscience sake, it is bad form to approach a true preacher, which Gregory is, right before and immediately after the bread of life is broken.

However, Matthew 18:15–17 instructs me to go to my brother if I have a problem, and if he will not hear me, to take another.

I reached out privately to Brother Gregory, outlined my concerns, and asked him to contact me for further explanation, as perhaps I was missing something regarding what his wife said.

I was hopeful but understood these men, who seem bold when beating up sheep, cower in the face of cogent doctrinal challenge. More plainly, they pick on those spiritually weaker and run from those they cannot bully into submission.

I wrote about this in my eBook download here: Black Church Chronicles, VOL. I: The Hireling. Holy Ghost anointing absent competent accountability is neither biblical nor Holy (Jam. 5:16, Gal. 6:1-2, Heb. 10:24-25, Rom. 15:14).

Yet, Matthew 18:15–17 is not necessarily a doctrinal imperative that applies in every instance, even though Jesus said it. I know that seems like a mouthful, but stay with me.

With respect to Matthew 18, there were times when the Paul confronted religious leaders publicly, as did Jesus, and not privately, because their sin was so grievous, witnessed by many, and needed immediate, public correction (John 8:44, Acts 22:2-3, et al).

The entire world saw the effects of public wolvery and false theology recently with Pastor Marvin Sapp and his $40,000 church pimp game! Worse, his unholy apology lacked any form of Holy Spirit repentance.

This is not about being unforgiving, although I am righteously indignant, rather about preachers saying things publicly, or as in this case, allowing others (wife) to speak on their behalf absent accountability (Col. 3:16, 1 Thess. 5:14).

Often, things occur before a church leader, present company included, have a chance to react so I am sympathetic. Not long ago, my wife stood up in church, prepared to speak, I saw the look on her face and I waived her to sit back down (1 Tim. 3:4-5).

Leaders cannot control what people do, only how we lovingly react.

However, and in this case, brother Gregory, initiated this evil, for which he obviously agrees, by calling his wife up to speak. Furthermore, this correction is due because he referred to her as an evangelist (2 Tim. 2:15, Titus 2:1, et al).

He honored his wife in this way, and for that, I applaud Brother Gregory. However, her speech was confused, misleading, and worst of all, she back-tracked.

As an evangelist, she has an obligation to avoid traditions or doctrines of men—which are doctrines of devils—and point people solely to Jesus Christ (Matt. 15:9, Mark 7:7-8, Col. 2:8, et al).

Additionally, were she truly anointed as an evangelist, he would understand that the way to win the lost (in this case it was Baptists present), is to follow Paul's instruction to "become all things to all men that she might save some" (1 Cor. 9:19-23).

That is not what sister Gregory did.

Her speech opened with the usual Black church traditional salutations and began speaking about a young woman she desired to have a relationship with the Lord.

She then said that this young woman should attend some church, preferably a holiness church, where she could be 'properly' taught. Sister Gregory then mentioned that she had personally left Baptist churches because of its teaching.

She did not directly say so but the insinuation was 'bad' teaching. One of these so-called bad teachings is that Baptists don't believe in tongue speaking. This is is not true, as I know no one is this city who teaches against this biblical gift (1 Cor. 12:10, 1 Cor. 12:28, et al).

Nevertheless, after such a powerfully doctrinal message by her husband, she said something that utterly nonensical which neither she nor he can defend, at least not with the purity of God's Word.

What she implied was that holiness preachers are theologically superior to those in the Baptist world as well as mentioning non-denominational as well (1 Cor. 3:1-9).

It is interesting that throughout both books of Corinthians, Paul rebuked and called 'unholy' the same divisions, and claims of superiority that sister Gregory, as a mouth piece of her husband, promoted as 'holy' (Rom. 3:1-4).

In fairness, she and her husband, who appeared to be around my age in our early 50s, come from a context I understand.

For decades, our pastors, many illiterate sharecroppers in this part of the country, did their best, preaching a worship-style message with little discipleship. Could they be disciple-makers in the 1930s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s with such high illiteracy which was forced upon them by white folk?

Those 'Baptists' (whatever that means) alive today are another story because they have no excuse for their idiocy.

Her initial error was despising those who introduced her to Jesus (Baptists). It is like one who has achieved a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) mocking the business owner who got them interested in that career to begin with.

More outrageous is neither she, her husband, nor I have the wisdom of those anointed preachers from long ago despite our vastly superior education and access to information.

Though it pains me to make another comparison, I must use brother Gregory as an example of her error.

I heard him preach and he has videos on Facebook which are readily available as of this writing. No doubt, he is sent from God, and no one can dispute this! More plainly, I am not claiming he is a false preacher as that would be blasphemous (Matt. 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30).

However, when I compare myself, or him for example, to a Baptist preacher named Bishop Tolan Morgan, the variance in giftings is noticeable.

Bishop Tolan Morgan is the pastor of Fellowship Baptist Bible Church in Warner Robins, Georgia. I recently posted an article honoring this Man of Yah, having witnessed his preaching in person, here in Iowa, a few times.

This brother has a knowledge-based anointing surpassed only by a Pentecostal preacher named Bishop Noel Jones. Whether me, leading a Baptist church—whatever “Baptist” means, I know not—or Brother Gregory (COGIC) Morgan operates at another level.

He is among the few preachers alive with a supernatural anointing for both discipleship and the end-of-sermon whoop or worship-based singing. Most of us, 95%, are one or the other, though many attempt both.

In addition to Morgan, there is a pastor in this city, at Antioch Baptist Church, named Pastor Charles Daniel, who operates at a more graced level of teaching than at least Gregory does.

I point this out because the Lord gives anointing liberally to whom He will and for someone, anyone, to disparage those who built the bridge which allowed them to cross-over is the very definition of demonic (1 Cor. 12:4-6, Jam. 1:5, Rom. 9:15-16).

As an advanced-degree Christian apologist, I wouldn’t even walk into a Baptist church where false doctrine was and not cast it out in Jesus's mighty name! Ask the local black Free Masons, Eastern Star and their witchcraft!

Are there struggles in Baptist doctrine? Yes, particularly the “once saved, always saved” demonic nonsense. If sister Gregory would have spoke out against this, I would have stood up and clapped.

However, COGIC has doctrinal hypocrisy and struggle as well which was pointed out in the Bishop Darrell Hines article.

For example, and as sister Gregory did, these self-professed 'holy' women miss the mark they have set for others and are so blind they cannot see (Matt. 23:1-3. Roms. 2:1-3, 21-23).

The Bible speaks of a woman’s dress, presentation, and modesty, which covers many things a females should not do (1 Tim. 2:9-10, 1 Pet. 3:3-4).

If you want to see immodest women—not necessarily in short dresses or showing skin, but with flashy hats, excessively decorated clothing (drawing attention to themselves) tons of jewelry, and gold, while claiming tongue speaking anointing in their unholiness—visit a COGIC church!

These professed holy women cut their hair, re-color it, wear tons of make-up, and other unholy things which the Bible speaks against, sister Gregory being among them (Titus 2:3-5, 1 Cor. 14:34-35).

What was interesting is that the women from our church (Baptist) represented much more modesty than did sister Gregory (jewelry, died blonde hair, and thick make-up).

What the studious searcher of the Word will discover is that this schism has nothing, at all, to do with one being more grounded biblically than the others.

To be more forthright, COGIC members insist superiority without having the boldness to respond to competent biblical refutation (Rom. 2:11, Acts 10:34-35). They hide behind false negro preacher troupes such as "I will let the Lord eal with that" or my personal favorite "We gotta pray for him."

Christian Apologists like me are not asking anyone to answer for what the Lord said, only their malformed views and the evil of teaching the doctrines of men (Matt. 15:9).

However, and in stark contrast to Gregory's refusal, the Bible said we should be ready to give a defense for what we preach and this was command at the apostolic level (Paul, Peter) to church leaders (1 Pet. 3:15, Philipp. 1:7, 16-17, Jude 1:3).

Moreover, eleven (11) of Paul’s thirteen (13) epistles were defenses of theological positions.

How, then, can one (1) preach from those same epistles, be called to task for false teaching, and hide?

Jesus did the same to Pharisees and neither He nor Paul, as a doctrinal imperative, always remained silent in the face of lies (Matt. 23:27-28, John 8:44, Luke 11:39-40).

Anyone teaching from Paul’s epistles—which they cannot avoid, though many skirt sections they disagree with—and says, “I don’t have to answer; that’s what I believe, and I stand on it" should not be leading the sheep because they are blind (Matt. 15:14).

Here’s further reasons these ministers avoid doing what the very Bible they preach commands (Luke 6:46).

First, black pastors believe they answer only to God, despite having bishops, denominational conferences, or other oversight which is full rejection of the Ephesian 4 leadership model in its fullness.

Second, and when properly confronted with their unbiblical evil and behind closed doors, they shut down, shout their confronter down, argue, or as did a local pastor named Willie D. Campbell to me, physically threaten the challenger.

In fairness, we all have much to learn and are inadequate (Prov. 3:5-7, Rom. 11:33-34, 1 Cor. 8:2). The difference is that some of us admit our inadequacies, even at the cost of looking foolish, while others hide and reject the very biblical accountability they preach (Rom. 13:1-2, Heb. 13:17).

If leaders sin publicly, unrepentantly, or irresponsively—like Alexander the Coppersmith, Peter at Antioch, or others Paul named—their names will be memorialized in their online, internet-based presence (Act 13:8-10, Gal. 2:11-14, 1 Tim. 1:20, 2 Tim. 4:15-16, et al).

Unfortunately, Brother and ister Gregory, and anyone who 'Googles' their nae or ministry will find this post most likely right under their Facebook page listing which means #2, for all time.

I don't think that is a huge deal because denominational ministries like his exist in an echo chamber of reasurances and forsakes how godly love is expressed in the life of Christians: through rebuke!

Moreover, our city, with all the issues we have, is great at inter-denominational worship and the pastor whose church we were at is as well. Furthermore, our church invited two COGIC Pastors to our pastor anniversary last year and will again this year as our featured speaker.

Gregory doesn't know this but I was going to see if he could stay an extra day or two and preach at our church.

Praise the Lord that never occured becaue there is no chance his wife, with his approval, would escaped our fellowship unrebuked, corrected, and discipled right there in front of everyone.

Brother Gregory, I reached out to you in spirit and truth, seeking an answer and again, not to be convinced.

No need now; it’s public. The Bible says all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, but Brother, you and I have a higher responsibility (Rom. 3:23). Your wife and mine are the second most dangerous people in the church.

No one is in a more difficult position than a pastor’s wife, standing between her husband and the congregation, often walking on eggshells and used as a conduit when people can’t reach us.

If she does one thing wrong, it could tear the church apart.

However, a prophetic word must always end with this: God’s grace, through our Lord Jesus Christ, which covers you and your wife's theological lunacy (1 John 1:9). I marvel because your sermon theology was inspiring and doctrinally perfect!

How can that be when you hold such unbiblical denominational ideas? Please, by the mercies of God through the Lord Jesus Christ, turn from that "little leaven." .

I am a street preacher and if your wife is truly an evangelist as you claim, both she and you will know that people outside of the church are starving for Jesus, not your version of him (COGIC).

I praise God that, to my knowledge, no lost person was in that church that evening, as most attendees were church members. Your wife did not represent Christ that evening; she represented COGIC orthodoxy.

As a reference text earlier stated, The Bible says, let God be true and every one of us—you, me, and her—a liar (Rom. 3:4). There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, and nowhere does it spell out COGIC, Baptist or other (Eph. 4:4-6).

Are you seriously ready to tell the world that this one Lord, one faith, and one baptism must come through the Church of God in Christ alone? On what apologetically neutral view of the Bible is that based?

What about those born prior to the founding of the Pentecostal Movement (1906-1909) and more especially our slave ancestors who had no concept of your brand of holiness - are they all in Hell because they had no concept of a denomination that didn't even exist when they were alive?

You commended a Oneness Pentecostal pastor that night named Antonio Wells who, as another form of Pentecostalism (Oneness), believes both you and I, as well as the Baptist denomination, are apostates, lost, and hell-bound.

So, in that church, and on that night, there were two brands of Pentecostals, each believing the other, and Baptists present are going to hell. Which of you are correct and based on what macro view of doctrine (not orthodoxy)?

Worse, my birth mother was an old school, holiness Pentecostal which believed both COGIC, Oneness, and modern Pentecostals (in general) have 'fallen away' and are not true Christians!

Momma believed modern Pentecostals were so demon-possessed, that she wouldn't set foot in a church. She actually lived the modesty and holiness your wife only spoke of.

That makes three (3) forms of Pentecostalism, all believing the other apostate, who is correct? You and sister Gregory? Pastor Wells? My mother?

Let me help - none of you (nor I) are correct and only God is.

Please, man, call out to the Lord God of armies, repent, and turn from pushing denominationalism as if it’s the Word of God (1 John 1:9). The Lord is waiting to hear from you. He loves you and your wife. So be it.

***UPDATE***

A day after I contacted Gregory requesting a better understanding of his wife's unholy speech in the House of God, he shared the following post:

There is a chance this was shared just because he felt this way and having nothing to do with my challenge. However, remember what was written about how these sorts avoid accountability at all costs!

Furthermore, I do not believe Gregory has read this article, yet, because if so, he would know I turned my 'sharp discernment' on myself as well. What this Bishop wrote was righteous, however!

The person who is even prophetically critical of others must first, to avoid being judged, judge themselves (1 Cor. 11:31). Well said Bishop, very well said.

The church is in such a backslidden state precisely because of this level of satanic fear and cowardice.

Sad, just right down sad that although the Lord doesn't need such cowardly soldiers, they sprout up everywhere like unwanted, early summer dandelions taking over an otherwise healthy lawn.