February 2011

In Tune with Leading Worship

George Williamson Jr. is director of worship ministries at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and also serves as worship leader at Las Flores Church of the Nazarene in Carlsbad, California. Born in Glasgow, he was raised in the United Kingdom. George and his wife, Tanya, have two young children. He was responsible for planning and leading the worship for the M11 Conference in February 2011 in Louisville, KY. Holiness Today sat down with George for a closer look at this inspiring musician.

HT: Is there an 'art' to leading worship?

Engage the Press to Reach the Community

Don't ever underestimate the importance of small town or rural ministry. Even though the vast majority of our churches are located away from the densely populated metropolitan areas, we can still find creative ways to impact the world beyond the four walls of the church. Opportunities for effective ministry abound in these settings.

We have been able to expand the ministry of our rural congregation through the local newspaper.

Beautiful Feet in Papua New Guinea

My heart was filled with excitement as we drove onto the Nazarene mission station in Kudjip, Papua New Guinea (PNG). I was eager to meet the missionaries who are living out the calling I feel has been placed on my own life. Also, I was filled with anticipation to meet the beautiful people of PNG who carry the Good News throughout their country.

Romans 10:15, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!" flashed into my mind. In the time I spent in PNG, these words from Scripture became reality for me.

Language Barriers

Bubble Christians

Hanoi is a growing destination for tourists who sing, "I've been everywhere, man." Tourists cruise from the airport to their modern hotels and to selected points of interest "protected" in a bubble—a gigantic 44-passenger bus with clean restrooms, air conditioning, and comfortable reclining seats to facilitate naps between stops. Wide windows offer numerous "photo/video" opportunities that will amaze the folks back home.

Level?

More than a thousand years ago, inhabitants of what is now the Beni Province of Bolivia developed a culture that was technologically advanced. They constructed causeways running straight as a rifle shot and canals for transportation and communication. Systems of dikes and mounds for building sites arose. Zigzagging fences for corralling fish sprang from their inventive minds. Towns were spacious and planned well.

A Confluence of Challenges

Confluence: the place where things come together.

It happens frequently. You read an article online, and it is reinforced by a news story on TV. Then someone sends you a YouTube video that focuses on a similar theme. Integrating these three elements produces a new insight or strengthens a perspective. Such is the power of confluence.

Living In the Tension

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some (1 Corinthians 9:22b).

A few weeks ago I was wrestling with 1 Corinthians 9, admiring how Paul could craft practical wisdom in concise ways. I was writing a sermon series on simplicity and trying to grasp the deeper truths present, but they were elusive to my limited mind. It is ironic that simplicity can be so complicated.

Living In the Tension

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some (1 Corinthians 9:22b).

A few weeks ago I was wrestling with 1 Corinthians 9, admiring how Paul could craft practical wisdom in concise ways. I was writing a sermon series on simplicity and trying to grasp the deeper truths present, but they were elusive to my limited mind. It is ironic that simplicity can be so complicated.

Working Yourself Out of a Job

The mantra of missions is to "work yourself out of a job." Unfortunately, in the Church of the Nazarene, we have not always successfully followed our mantra or reached this goal. We have had Nazarene missionaries in some countries of the world for more than 100 years!

However, when the Berlin Wall came down, the Church sent missionaries behind the Iron Curtain with great urgency, encouraging them to "work yourselves out of a job as fast as possible." No one could predict the stability of the window of opportunity. A change of wind, and the window could slam shut.

Q&A: What Did Wesley Mean by "Catholic Spirit?"

Q: Can you explain what John Wesley meant when he referenced a "catholic spirit?"

A: Before we can answer the question, we need to get a possible misunderstanding out of the way- it has nothing to do with the Roman Catholic Church. The word "catholic" derives from a Greek word meaning "on the whole" or "in general." A good current English translation for the word as Wesley meant it is "all embracing."