Michael A. Milton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Reverend

Michael A. Milton, PhD
Michael Anthony Milton, Chancellor-CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, OCT 2010.jpg
ChurchPresbyterian Church in America
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Other post(s)Command Chaplain, United States Military Intelligence Readiness Command, 2015-2018; Provost, Provost Erskine Theological Seminary, 2019–; James H. Ragsdale Chair of Missions and Evangelism, Erskine Theological Seminary 2015–;, Chancellor-President, Reformed Theological Seminary, 2007–2014; James Baird Chair of Pastoral Theology, 2007-2013; Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee, 2001–2008
Orders
Ordination1993
by Heartland Presbytery, Presbyterian Church in America
ConsecrationKansas City
RankOrdained Minister
Personal details
Birth nameMichael Anthony Milton
Born1958 (age 62–63)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DenominationPresbyterian (PCA; ARP)
ResidenceNorth Carolina
OccupationMinister, theologian, educator, broadcaster, author, chaplain, musician, composer
EducationKnox Theological Seminary
Defense Language Institute
MidAmerica Nazarene University
University of Wales, Lampeter
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
United States Army Command and General Staff College
Musical career
GenresChristian Folk
Years active2005–present
LabelsBethesda Records
Websitemichaelmilton.org
Military career
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchesNavy
United States Army
Army Reserve
Years of service1976–1982; 1991–2018
RankColonel
Commands heldCommand Chaplain, U.S. Military Intelligence Readiness Command
AwardsLegion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal

Michael Anthony Milton (born 1958) is an American Presbyterian minister, theologian, educator, pastor, broadcaster, author, musician and retired U.S. Army Chaplain (Colonel).[1] Initially a pastoral intern under D. James Kennedy, Milton became President and Senior Fellow of the D. James Kennedy Institute of Reformed Leadership.[2] Milton succeeded Kennedy as the Teaching Pastor on the nationally televised sermon broadcast Truths That Transform (2013–2015).[3] He has dual credentials in the Presbyterian Church in America and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church,[4][5] and is also credentialed through the Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains.[6] Milton was elected to the James Ragsdale Chair of Missions and Evangelism at Erskine Theological Seminary in June 2015. He was named Provost of the Seminary in 2019.[7]

Milton has been Senior Minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee, President of the Charlotte campus of RTS (2007) and Chancellor and chief executive officer of Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) (2010). He is the founder and president of Faith For Living, Inc. a North Carolina non-profit organization engaged in Christian discipleship, education, and communication.[8][9]

Career[]

Christian ministry[]

Michael A. Milton was educated for the ministry under D. James Kennedy, George W. Knight III, R. Laird Harris, and Robert L. Reymond at Knox Theological Seminary.[10] He is a graduate of the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California; received a B.A. from MidAmerica Nazarene University, and Master of Divinity from Knox Theological Seminary.[11] He earned the Doctor of Philosophy in Theology and Religious studies[12] from the University of Wales, Lampeter. He wrote his dissertation in seventeenth century pastoral theology under William Price and Noel Gibbard, University of Wales, Lampeter.[12] Milton is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Master of Public Administration program of the School of Government (2016).[13] Milton studied public administration under Dr. William Rivenbark.[14][15] Milton is, also, a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College[16] in Leavenworth, Kansas.[17] His postgraduate studies include a postgraduate certification in higher education teaching at Harvard University Bok Center for Teaching and Learning.[18][19]

Milton was founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church and of Westminster Academy of Overland Park, Kansas;[20] Interim President, Knox Theological Seminary;[21] founding pastor, Kirk O' the Isles, Savannah, Georgia;[22] Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee;[23][24] before his appointment as president of RTS-Charlotte.

Milton was elected to become chancellor and chief executive officer of Reformed Theological Seminary on September 2, 2010. Milton succeeded the Reverend Dr. Robert "Ric" Cannada, Jr.[25] The investiture and inauguration service was held on September 14, 2012.[26]

Prior to becoming chancellor, Milton was President of RTS-Charlotte, elected in 2007, interim president of RTS Orlando, and the James M. Baird, Jr. Chair of Pastoral Theology since 2009. He retained the Chair of Pastoral Theology with his election as Chancellor.[27]

On March 13, 2013, it was announced that the Executive Committee of the Seminary granted a retirement from the position in order to seek recovery from a chronic illness (Dysautonomia) that had become increasingly debilitating. The move was described as compassionate in order for Milton to fully recover and be able to return to ministry. Milton wrote a theological reflection on the illness called, "Difficult but Necessary: Relinquishing Leadership in Winter to Renew Ministry in a New Season."[28] Milton remained an adjunct member of the faculty.[29]

Milton is a faculty member and speaker with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute,[30] and is a contributor to the Center for Vision and Values, a conservative think tank, at Grove City College.[31] He is a contributing editor to and contributing writer for Preaching.com.[32] He is, also, an adjunct faculty member of Belhaven University, Lancaster Bible College and holds the James Ragsdale Chair of Missions and Evangelism at Erskine Theological Seminary.[33]

In addition to devotional and Biblical themes, Milton writes as a public theologian.[34] He has written numerous commentaries on Christian faith in the public square. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association invited Milton to write the theological affirmation for the Billy Graham final crusade, "My Hope".[35] Milton was invited by President Ronald Reagan's son, Michael Reagan, to speak at the Reagan Center in Santa Barbara, California. He spoke on September 26, 2013, at the Reagan Center, before the guests of the Young America's Foundation, on the topic of "What the Legacy of Ronald Reagan Can Teach Us Today about Religious Liberty."[36][37]

Milton has presented and published peer-reviewed academic papers at American Society of Church History (ASCH), the Evangelical Theological Society.[38][39] Milton's published Curriculum Vitae lists him as a member of the Society of Biblical Literature. John Donne Society,The Royal Society of St George, and the John Milton (American) Society.[40] He was appointed as Senior Editor of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Journal.[41] Milton is a contributing writer for Salem Media Group.

Milton teaches or has taught on the mission of the Church in the world, homiletics, church planting, apologetics, world religions, and pastoral theology courses at the masters and doctoral levels at Reformed Theological Seminary,[42] Knox Theological Seminary,[43] Lancaster Bible College, and Erskine Theological Seminary.[44] Milton, also, teaches theological perspectives on economics, public policy, leadership, and public administration at Belhaven University.[45][46]

Michael A. Milton has advocated a "reorientation" to a "parochial theology" or a "parish ministry" in order to more faithfully fulfill the Biblical vision of the ordained ministry and the ordinary work of discipleship, especially in Reformed churches.[47][48] He codified a vocational training portion of this vision in his concept of "pastoral residency" following theological seminary training.[49] Milton wrote on accomplishing this arrangement under a proposed fellowship called the D. James Kennedy Institute of Reformed Leadership.[49] The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church voted in 2017 to partner with Milton to become the host and developer for the D. James Kennedy Institute and the pastoral residency fellowship.[50][51]

Preaching[]

Milton is an evangelistic preacher. He is the Founder and President of Faith for Living, an evangelistic outreach ministry. Milton followed D. James Kennedy as preacher on the broadcast Truth that Transforms.[52]

Milton has been the keynote preacher for the National Preaching Conference on three occasions,[53] and the International Congress on Preaching in Cambridge, England.[54]

Military service[]

Milton is a former Navy top-secret linguist who later served as a Chaplain (Colonel) in the United States Army Reserves.[55][56] He was appointed by the Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army in 2010 to the College of Military Preachers.[57][58] Michael A. Milton served as a faculty member of the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.[15] The Combined Arms Research Library lists Milton as Senior Editor of the Chaplain Corps Journal' in issues from 2013 to 2015.[59][60] In 2015, Milton was selected by the United States Army Reserve Command to the position of Command Chaplain of United States Army Military Intelligence Readiness Command.[61] Milton was awarded the Legion of Merit upon his retirement in February 2018.[62][63] Governor Roy Cooper of the State of North Carolina conferred the Order of the Long Leaf Pine citing Milton's contributions to public service in North Carolina.[64]

Michael Anthony Milton is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, General Davidson North Carolina chapter, and the American Legion.[65][66]

Music[]

Milton is a singer-songwriter, performer, and recording artist who has released five Christian music albums: He Shall Restore (2005), Follow Your Call (2009), Through the open door (2011), Wind and Waves: A Collection (2015).[67]

A Christmas album, (2012) was released on October 23, 2012.[68]

Milton, under Bethesda Records, released a single entitled, "A Promise is Stronger than Blood". A press release from McCain & Associates announced that the single was released to support sanctity of life adoption ministries.[69] In 2019, Bethesda Records released "God is Calling Faithful Men" (with Michael Card) as a single.[70]

Books[]

Milton is the author of or contributor to the following books:

  • From Flanders Field to the Moviegoer: Philosophical Foundations for a Transcendent Ethical Framework. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers. 2019. ISBN 9781725251496
  • Foundations of a Moral Government: Lex, Rex - A New Annotated Version in Contemporary English. Dallas: Tanglewood Publishing. 2019. ISBN 978-0997249088.
  • Milton, Michael (2018). Called? Pastoral Guidance for the Divine Call to Gospel Ministry. Ross-Shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications. ISBN 9781527101128.
  • Vocation and Reform in Public Administration (Master of Public Administracion thesis, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). GRIN Verlag Academic Publishing. 2018. ISBN 9783668625730.
  • "So, What are You Doing Here?" The Role of the Minister of the Gospel in Hospital Visitation or a Theological Cure for the Crisis in Evangelical Pastoral Care. GRIN Verlag Academic Publishing. 2018. ISBN 9783668622081.
  • "Millenarianism" in The Jonathan Edwards Encyclopedia. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 2017. ISBN 9780802869524.
  • Lord, I Want to Follow Your Call: A Pastoral Guide to the Ordained Ministry. Bethesda Publishing Group. 2016. ISBN 978-0692793732.
  • Vocation and Reform. Civitas: Faith for Living, Inc. 2016. ISBN 978-1535315302.
  • The Secret Life of a Pastor (and other intimate letters on ministry. Christian Focus. 2015. ISBN 978-1781915967.
  • Journey of a Lifetime. Fortress Book Service. 2014. ISBN 978-0985289744.
  • Sounding the Depths: When the Savour Prays for His People. EP Books. 2013. ISBN 978-0852349717.
  • Silent No More: A Biblical Call for the Church to Speak to State and Culture. Fortress Book Service, EP Books in the U.K. 2013. ISBN 978-0985289713.
  • Finding a Vision for Your Church: Assembly Required. P&R Publishing. 2012. ISBN 978-1596384385.
  • What God Starts, God Completes: Help and Hope for Hurting People, Third Edition with updates and a new Introduction. Christian Focus Publications. 2012. ISBN 978-1845508234.
  • What is the Doctrine of Adoption?. P&R Publishing. 2012. ISBN 978-1-59638-391-3.
  • Hit by Friendly Fire: What to Do When Fellow Believers Hurt You. EP Books. 2011. ISBN 978-0-85234-776-8.
  • Songs in the Night: How God Transforms our Pain into Praise. P&R Publishing. 2011. ISBN 978-1-59638-221-3.
  • Small Things, Big Things: Inspiring Stories of God's Everyday Grace. P&R Publishing. 2009. ISBN 978-1-59638-145-2.
  • Milton, Michael (2009). What is the Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints?. Phillipsburg: NJ: P&R Publishing. ISBN 978-1-59638-094-3.
  • Hit by Friendly Fire: What to do when you are hurt by other believers. Wipf and Stock Publishers. 2008. ISBN 978-1-55635-928-6.
  • What God Starts, God Completes: Help and Hope for Hurting People. Christian Focus Publications. 2007. ISBN 978-1-84550-276-8.
  • Cooperation without Compromise: Faithful Gospel Witness in a Pluralistic Setting. Wipf and Stock Publishers. 2007. ISBN 978-1-55635-390-1.
  • Oh the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus: Expository Messages from John 17. Wipf and Stock Publishers. 2007. ISBN 978-1-59752-218-2.
  • Following Ben: Expository Preaching for Frail Followers of Pulpit Giants. Wipf and Stock Publishers. 2006. ISBN 1-59752-958-3.
  • Giving as an Act of Worship. Wipf and Stock Publishers. 2006. ISBN 1-59752-712-2.
  • Leaving a Career to Follow a Call: A Vocational Guide to the Ordained Ministry. Wipf and Stock Publishers. 1999. ISBN 1-57910-347-2.
  • Authentic Christianity and the Life of Freedom. Wipf and Stock Publishers. 2005. ISBN 1-59752-212-0.
  • The Demands of Discipleship: Expository Messages from Daniel. Wipf and Stock Publishers. 2005. ISBN 1-59752-217-1.

References[]

  1. ^ "News.erskine.edu " Trustees Close out 2014–15," News.erskine.edu " Trustees Close out 2014–15, June 02, 2015, accessed July 07, 2016, http://news.erskine.edu/trustees-close-out-2014-15/.
  2. ^ Hipps, Connor (November 15, 2017). "The D. James Kennedy Institute of Reformed Leadership". The D. James Kennedy Institute of Reformed Leadership, Outreach North America. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  3. ^ "NRBTV – Think deeply. Live differently".
  4. ^ "Albert Mohler to speak at commencement May 19 – news.erskine.edu". news.erskine.edu. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  5. ^ "Curriculum Vitae". Michael Milton. October 21, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  6. ^ "Chaplain Ministries | PRCC". PCA MNA. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  7. ^ "New Book by Dr. Michael A. Milton Exposes Crisis in Ethics and Proposes a Way Forward with "Mother's Knee Ethics:"". Erskine Seminary. November 6, 2019. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  8. ^ "Heartland Presbytery (PCA)". PCA Historical Center. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  9. ^ "Faith For Living, Inc". Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  10. ^ "What God Starts, God Completes". Christian Focus Publications. CFP. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  11. ^ "Apologetics and World Religions (ST 780) Winter Intensive Course with Dr. Mike Milton January 4–7, 2016". Erskine.edu. Erskine Theological Seminary.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b Milton, M. A. (January 1, 1998). "The application of the theology of the Westminster Assembly in the ministry of the Welsh Puritan, Vavasor Powell (1617–1670)". ProQuest 759832323. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. ^ "Curriculum Vitae". Michael Milton. October 21, 2007. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  14. ^ "Faculty and Staff Profiles," Master of Public Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, accessed July 07, 2016, http://www.mpa.unc.edu/node/50.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b McCain, Lynn (n.d.). "About Michael A. Milton, PhD". MichaelMilton. Faith for Living, Incorporated. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  16. ^ Dumay, Jan (June 27, 2013). "Eisenhower Hall reopens". FtLeavenworthLamp.com. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  17. ^ "Chancellor's Biography". Reformed Theological Seminary. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
  18. ^ "Christine Headline News opinion page contributors". Online News organization. Salem Communications, Inc. May 15, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  19. ^ "Curriculum Vitae". Michael Milton. October 21, 2007. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  20. ^ "History and Vision". Church web site. Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  21. ^ "Faith for Living-New TV Show with Dr. Michael Milton". The Aquila Report.
  22. ^ "Kirk History". Church website. Kirk O' the Isles Presbyterian Church. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  23. ^ Cooper, David. "About Us". church website. First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  24. ^ Exum, Roy (December 19, 2010). "To God be the Glory". The Chattanoogan.com. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  25. ^ "RTS Succession Plan Taps President Milton to become Next Chancellor". Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  26. ^ Williamson, Parker (October 30, 2012). "Fighting Words". The Layman Online. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  27. ^ Perez, Lyn. "Dr. Michael A. Milton Selected as the James M. Baird, Jr. Professor of Pastoral Theology" (PDF). Press Release. Reformed Theological Seminary. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  28. ^ "Difficult but Necessary: Relinquishing Leadership in Winter to Renew in Another Season of Ministry". michaelmilton.org. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  29. ^ "Chancellor Milton Retires from RTS". ByFaithOnline.com. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  30. ^ "Michael A. Milton, PhD". website. The Intercollegiate Studies Institute. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  31. ^ "Contributing Writer: Dr. Michael A. Milton". Center for Vision and Values website. Grove City College. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  32. ^ "What God Starts, God Completes". website. Salem Communications. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  33. ^ Michael A. Milton, James Ragsdale Professor of Missions and Evangelism, "Erskine Seminary Faculty," Erskine Theological Seminary, June 2016, accessed July 07, 2016, http://seminary.erskine.edu/academics/faculty/.
  34. ^ "Dr. Michael A. Milton". Online news publication (Contributors). Salem Web Media. January 1, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  35. ^ "My Hope with Billy Graham: A Theological Affirmation" (PDF). Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  36. ^ "Alum Says MNU Gave Him License To Learn". Accent Magazine: MidAmerica Nazarene News. July 13, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  37. ^ Kurtz, Chuck (July 16, 2013). "MNU alum Michael Milton to speak at Reagan Ranch". View from the Midwest. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  38. ^ Milton, Michael A. (September 2000). "The Pastoral Predicament of Vavasor Powell (1617–1670): Eschatological Fervor and its Relationship to the Pastoral Ministry" (PDF). Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. JETS 43/3: 517–527.
  39. ^ Milton, Michael A. "The Collapse of the Puritan Middle: Lessons, Faith, and Politics from Seventeenth-Century English Civil and Ecclesiastical Conflict" (PDF). American Society of Church History Annual Meeting. Winter 2018: 7 – via Archives, American Society of Church History.
  40. ^ Milton, Michael A. (January 1, 2018). "Curriculum Vitae". Faith for Living, Inc.
  41. ^ Milton, CH(COL) Michael A. (Summer 2015). "Editorial page". The Chaplain Corps Journal: The Professional Bulletin for Religious Support. 2015: 2.
  42. ^ "Dr. Michael A. Milton". RTS Charlotte. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  43. ^ "Dr. Michael A. Milton Bio". Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church Missions News. Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church (PCA), St. Louis, MO. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  44. ^ "Curriculum Vitae". MichaelMilton.org. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  45. ^ "Faculty at Belhaven University Online". Belhaven University, a top Online Christian College- Undergraduate and Graduate Online Degrees. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  46. ^ Milton, Michael Anthony (January 1, 2018). "Curriculum Vitae". Faith for Living, Inc.
  47. ^ "What is Parish Ministry?". Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  48. ^ Martin Thornton (June 1, 2010). Pastoral Theology: A Reorientation. Wipf and Stock Publishers. ISBN 978-1-60899-744-2.
  49. ^ Jump up to: a b "Announcing the D. James Kennedy Institute: Shepherding Shepherds that Shepherd the Flock". Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  50. ^ "D. James Kennedy Institute Main Page – D. James Kennedy Institute". Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  51. ^ "ARP News – Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church". Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  52. ^ McCain, Lynn (September 20, 2013). "Truth in Action Ministries Taps Dr. Michael Milton As Teaching Pastor". Christian Telegraph. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  53. ^ Duduit, Michael. "Speaker: Mike Milton". National Conference on Preaching. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  54. ^ Joki, Emily (January 29, 2007). "International Congress on Preaching Planned for April 2007 in Cambridge, United Kingdom". Christian NewsWire. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  55. ^ Milton, CH (MAJ) Michael A. (Summer–Fall 2010). "Finding God in Spiritual Depression" (PDF). The Army Chaplaincy: 43–54. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  56. ^ Austin, Susan. "Accomplishments: Michael Milton '16 Was Promoted." Impact: University of North Carolina School of Government Alumni Magazine, Winter, 2017, 11
  57. ^ Carver, CH (MG) Douglas (Summer–Fall 2010). "The Powerful Privilege & Responsibility of Sacred Communications" (PDF). The Army Chaplaincy: 6–7. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  58. ^ Perez, Lynwood (September 14, 2012). "Biography of Michael A. Milton" (PDF). Chancellor Inauguration Program: 5.
  59. ^ "The Chaplain Corps Journal: The Professional Bulletin for Religious Support". Combined Arms Research Library (CARL) Digital Library. United States Army. Spring–Summer 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  60. ^ "Ike Skelton Combined Arms Research Library (CARL) Digital Library". Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  61. ^ Willis, Philip (March 3, 2018). "U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School Commandant, Chaplain (COL) Jeffrey Hawkins presided over the retirement ceremony for Chaplain (COL) Michael A. Milton". U.S. Army Military Intelligence Readiness Command Facebook News Page. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  62. ^ "Retirement Ceremony for Chaplain (COL) Michael A. Milton". U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School Facebook Page @USACHCSOfficial. February 28, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  63. ^ "Legion of Merit Awarded to Army Chaplain – Press Release – Digital Journal". m.digitaljournal.com. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  64. ^ "View Roster". The Long Leaf Pine Society. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  65. ^ "Milton Promoted to Colonel and Command Chaplain of U.S. Military Intelligence." The Livingston Parish News, January 29, 2017. Accessed February 10, 2017. http://m.livingstonparishnews.com/living/milton-promoted-to-colonel-and-command-chaplain-of-u-s/article_58d52f92-e344-11e6-ad86-476a0dd83e90.html.
  66. ^ "Michael A. Milton," LinkedIn, Memberships, accessed February 12, 2017, https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelamilton
  67. ^ Ham, Robert (February 15, 2011). "Michael Milton: Through the Open Door". Christianity Today. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  68. ^ Wiegmake (October 23, 2012). "Singer/Songwriter/Author/Theologian Michael Milton Unveils New Christmas CD Today". Alpha Omega News. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  69. ^ "Release of Single: A Promise is Stronger than Blood". michaelmilton.org. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  70. ^ Milton, Michael (October 23, 2013). "God is Calling Faithful Men". YouTube. Tune Core. Retrieved August 29, 2019.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""