Have you ever experienced a Christmas when there were no gifts under the tree and perhaps not even a Christmas tree because there was no money for such things? In the past four years I have talked to many who would have had that very experience if it had not been for Christians like those at the Richfield Church of the Nazarene. I want to share a true story with you about someone who knows firsthand how important the "Adopt A Family" ministry is.

Eugene Peterson (EP) has written more than 30 books on spiritual themes. He was a pastor for 29 years and recently retired from being professor of spiritual theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, so he could write full-time. He is perhaps best known for writing The Message, a translation of the Bible into modern English, which took him 10 years to complete. Books such as A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Reversed Thunder, and his series on pastoral vocation make him one of the most widely read authors in Christian publishing.

Ready laughter is one of Nina Gunter's distinctive traits. She has been known to tell a funny story or two since she was young, and such accounts usually put others at ease.

Another trait is her "get-it-done" attitude. Throughout her life, Nina has sought to make things better whether she is serving in a church, teaching school, counseling, writing, or trotting the globe as general director of Nazarene Missions International (NMI) or as a general superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene. She has done so with organization, always striving to complete tasks early.

Why seminary? How does a seminary education help men and women prepare for ministry? What is the role of Nazarene Theological Seminary in the church?

Sixty years ago, the Church of the Nazarene established Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) expecting and hoping that a denominational seminary would train "more and better preachers" to serve in the Church. The impetus for the seminary is expressed in our mission: "to prepare women and men to be faithful and effective ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to offer itself as a theological resource to the Church."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, NIV

In my last pastorate at Nashville, Les Parrott Sr. was a parishioner. One Sunday he said to me, "Bill, every time you preach you emphasize some truth of the gospel!"

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet claims that Romeo’s family name should not matter, even though her family and Romeo’s family are feuding. To her, such a small thing is not as important as the love they share. However, both of these star-crossed lovers soon learn that names do have significant meaning.

It is hard to get away from the negative aspects of our names. On the other hand, living up to a name can be even more challenging.

Is church healthy for you? What a question for Holiness Today readers!

Since most of us attend vibrant, healthy, loving churches we easily say with the psalmist "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the LORD" (Psalm 122:1, KJV). Most of us easily find God in the presence of His people. And we find health and healing within the fellowship of a church.

However, too many of us have been hurt by unhealthy churches. Many have been wounded and are no longer attending a church.

So is church healthy for you? It depends.

Is church healthy for you? What a question for Holiness Today readers!

Since most of us attend vibrant, healthy, loving churches we easily say with the psalmist "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the LORD" (Psalm 122:1, KJV). Most of us easily find God in the presence of His people. And we find health and healing within the fellowship of a church.

However, too many of us have been hurt by unhealthy churches. Many have been wounded and are no longer attending a church.

So is church healthy for you? It depends.

Anyone familiar with music can attest to the chaos that ensues when there are problems with tempo. This is especially true when singing together, as in Sunday morning worship. When a song is too fast to sing all the words or too slow to capture the intended energy, something feels “off.”

Even worse, when members of the band or orchestra are playing at different tempos, even the most talented musicians can sound like beginners!