December 2009

Q&A: Gossip

Q: Why is it so easy to believe and spread rumors we read on the Internet as fact?

A: Most people are now passable, if not proficient, Internet users and have discovered the benefits of this resource: shopping with free delivery, connecting with friends daily, viewing pictures of children and grandchildren, reading news, playing games—all at the speed of light.

A View From the Trenches

Brad Moore, president of Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, spoke with Holiness Today regarding various aspects of media and culture. He is a member of Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene.

HT: Can the Christian community engage in the world of secular media when, historically, many Christians have been somewhat fearful of what that represents?

Our Disorderly World

That the world is changing is yesterday's news. That it is changing rapidly and apparently without any discernible order or sequence is something many of us are trying to comprehend.

From the rising exodus of people in Zimbabwe to South Africa, to the struggling, starving people of Haiti who can no longer afford rising food prices, it is apparent that our world is experiencing serious disruption.

A Teenager Will Lead Them

Sixteen-year-old Jenna returned from church with two extra large Ziploc bags, each containing a list of items to be included in a crisis care kit. The kits were designed to meet the immediate hygiene needs of a family in crisis due to a sudden calamity. With the last paycheck from her summer job, Jenna proceeded to the store to purchase the necessary supplies. She planned to assemble two of the emergency care packages for victims of hurricane Katrina. Shampoo, toothpaste.

The Sweet Waters of Peace

I was 14 years old when rioting broke out on the streets of Northern Ireland, where I live. For 38 years I've lived through some of the darkest days of my province's history, in a world of car bombs, murders, punishment shootings, and people who have disappeared without a trace. The geography of Northern Ireland bears witness to the depth and extent of conflict. Names that should be locations on the map instead catalogue atrocity. The gruesome history is written on the walls of our cities.

I Have Loved My Life

One of the joys of being a university chaplain is watching students grow in their faith during their years on campus. They begin to separate the essentials from the non-essentials and make important decisions about the direction their lives will take.

First General Assembly Centennial, October 10

October 10 marks a century since the First General Assembly convened in Chicago at First Church of the Nazarene. The title page of the official proceedings state: "First General Assembly of the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene" with the note underneath in small print: "Being the Twelfth Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene" and the "Twelfth Annual [Meeting] of the Association of Pentecostal Churches of America [APCA]." The assembly concluded on October 18.

At the Center or In the Margins

The Church of the Nazarene is truly a remarkable denomination. It has centered its theological focus on the critical issues relative to holy living, engaging mission, and growing local congregations. Our Articles of Faith keep us linked to the original springs of New Testament Christianity.

Mo-MEN-tum: The Force or Speed of Movement

Momentum is hard to sustain, and with men's ministries it seems particularly challenging. Perhaps your program is floundering. Or maybe your group is going well, but you're concerned about how to keep it going. Be mindful of these points to help your church's ministry to men keep the momentum.

The Forces of Change

Awakening the forces of change. Sounds innocuous doesn't it? Judging by the responses we received to Lee Woolery's article in the May/June issue of Holiness Today, this awakening may not be without incident or impact.

None can doubt that the winds of change are blowing across congregational landscapes.