November 2011

Advent: Already, but Not Yet

The calendar year begins the first of January. But the Christian year begins late in November with the season of Advent. For four weeks before Christmas, Christians look forward to the 'advent' or 'coming' of the Lord.

Advent: Already, but Not Yet

The calendar year begins the first of January. But the Christian year begins late in November with the season of Advent. For four weeks before Christmas, Christians look forward to the 'advent' or 'coming' of the Lord.

Serving in Mexico City

Ely Camas Pérez, a third-generation Nazarene lives in Mexico City where he is superintendent of the Mexico Central District. Born and raised in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, he serves on the denomination's General Board and is past president of the church's National Board of Mexico where he dealt with high government officials. Ely and his wife, Betsabe, an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, are parents to a daughter, Betsabe, and son, Jonatan.

What would HT readers be surprised to learn about you?

A Community of the Proclaimed Word

Recently, I sat around a table with several couples discussing their church experiences. It is fascinating to hear their stories and sense how those perceptions have been shaped by their life experiences.

I've been listening to the generations as they speak their minds about their encounters and perceptions. Admittedly, sometimes the stories are very personal and in the recounting, one can sense the depth of investment and estimate the return on that investment. These stories are especially interesting when the narrative connects experiences 'before' and 'after.'

Iraq's Hope

Rumor was that during the Sunday evening service of the 2005 General Assembly there would be an important announcement. During the service, it was reported that the Church of the Nazarene was being planted in Iraq and those involved in this endeavor were on the platform.

A Simple Offering

In our book, Christmas Traditions (Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City), Linda and I tell the story of a special Christmas Sunday offertory at our church in Ohio. The 10-year-old daughter of a member couple brought her beginners' piano book to the platform, sat down at the baby grand, and in front of a thousand people, played the melody line of "Jesus Loves Me." The Down syndrome child finished the offertory with a wide smile. The audience rose to its feet, and wild applause filled the auditorium.

A Simple Offering

In our book, Christmas Traditions (Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City), Linda and I tell the story of a special Christmas Sunday offertory at our church in Ohio. The 10-year-old daughter of a member couple brought her beginners' piano book to the platform, sat down at the baby grand, and in front of a thousand people, played the melody line of "Jesus Loves Me." The Down syndrome child finished the offertory with a wide smile. The audience rose to its feet, and wild applause filled the auditorium.

Understanding the Essentials

The daily news is filled with pundits who speak in polarities and strong rhetoric. These figures help influence the divide in politics, in worldviews, and even between Christians. They want us to believe that their views are correct and the opposing views are wrong.

Everyday Faith with Maxine George

Maxine George (MG) has been church treasurer for 50 years at her current church, plus 3 years, previously. She and her husband, Melvin, raised their three children, Glenda, Jeffery, and Robin, at Nashville Whites Creek Church of the Nazarene. Melvin was the Sunday School superintendent there for 42 years. As with many Nazarenes, Maxine exemplifies "everyday faith" that engages her willing spirit to be a Christlike disciple.

Recovering and Communicating Our Passion

It is commonly said that the motivation for evangelism is 'passion for the lost.' I believe this is inescapably true. The belief that Christians have something unbelievers do not is fundamental. This point leads me to two questions. First, Nazarenes, do we feel that passion? Second, church, how do we communicate it?

Believing