February 2013

Q&A: Question on Ordination Requirements

Q: When it comes to ordination, are you required to be in an assigned position when you are interviewed for ordination or when you are ordained at the assembly?

A: According to the Church of the Nazarene Manual 2009-2013, the answer is yes.

Can Anything Good Come from Nazareth?

I am a transplant into the Church of the Nazarene. While growing up, and even as a young adult, I heard about the Church of the Nazarene but never really knew much about its beliefs or history. I came to the church through a variety of circumstances, the most recent being an interview for the special needs pastor position at First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena, California (PazNaz).

Living an Authentic Life of Grace

A father took his son to a large city museum, thinking that the visit would entertain the boy. But for two hours his son did nothing but sigh and complain. Finally, in desperation, the boy said to his father, "Dad, let's go someplace where things are real."

Hope in the Dry Place

Brooklyn Lindsey was an emcee and evening speaker at the USA/Canada Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) in 2011. In August 2012, she went with a group of youth pastors and high school students to visit the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) and World Vision partner project in Mzimba, Malawi. The project is funded by Nazarene youth throughout the U.S. who participate in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine program in partnership with NCM.

In the summer of 2011, more than 6,000 high school students and leaders packed into an arena at the USA/Canada NYC.

Q&A: Thanks but No Thanks

Q: What is a church to do when an older member takes on tasks that he's not capable of doing and won't relinquish the jobs? This person is the head usher who has become demanding, scares children, and has difficulty communicating.

A: The church should be a place of grace, which always balances the needs of the person and the needs of the congregation. Most jobs are harmless and should continue. If, however, someone is doing something damaging to the church, then it must be addressed.

Directions on the Mountaintop

If restricted to having only a few pages of God's Word, what would you select? The epic account of the Exodus? The Christmas story? Peter's powerful sermon at Pentecost? All are cherished perennial favorites and for good reasons.

My choice, hands down, would be the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5. Why? Because it "skims the cream" off Jesus' timeless teachings and plainly states directions for his followers.

Talking Like Wesley

I have fond childhood memories of listening to my aunts and uncles go round and round over pertinent issues at the dinner table. An uncle would boldly proclaim, at full volume, that if he were in office, he would know what to do. I remember an aunt, emphatically declaring to her sister that she herself knew the only way to properly raise a child. Also, I have memories of heated arguments suddenly breaking down into belly laughs around the table.