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This time of year, district assemblies are underway, and thousands of people are preparing for ordination services. Ministerial candidates will have hands placed upon their heads and will be given ordination certificates that challenge them and affirm their calling into vocational ministry all over…

I grew up in the Church of the Nazarene, just like many of you. I graduated from Southern Nazarene University (SNU), and was on the faculty at Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) and Northwest Nazarene University. Presently, I serve on the foundation boards of ONU and SNU. For over 20 years, I have…

The worst way to deal with a “check engine” light is to put a piece of tape over it and pretend it doesn’t exist. Maybe you have done this at some point or know someone who has. Maybe that warning light is simply the result of a bad sensor, or perhaps it represents a costly repair bill if not dealt…

Higher education has been a denominational focus from the earliest days of the Church of the Nazarene. Our predecessors started Bible schools and institutes to educate clergy and laity in theology and practical, professional arts. Many of these schools matured into comprehensive colleges and…

"We are a symbol of warmth and welcome. We are a simple pleasure, honest and genuine. We are home. We are family. We are friends." Is this the motto of a local church or denomination? No, this is how the Panera Bread company described itself in an article that also described the restaurants as the…

We tend to think of holiness as an attribute of people—God and humans. But a curious aspect of holiness in the Bible is how things such as the Sabbath and temple utensils are regarded as holy. The fact that even things can be holy gives us an important insight: To be holy is to be placed in a…

Flying into Palm Springs, California, USA, brought a new understanding to a passage of Scripture I had read often. Looking out the airplane window, everything suddenly changed from barren desert to lush green grass. It didn't take any scientific analysis for me to know the reason for the change—…

A perception exists that if there is a problem between a pastor and congregation, the district superintendent can fix it. I have found that many people are afraid to speak to their pastors about an area of their ministry or an issue in the church until the situation spins out of control. My…

Among the many legends that come from the Greek myths is the story of Orpheus. He was so blessed by the gods with the gift of song that nothing could withstand the power of his beautiful singing. The story of Orpheus is of course a myth, but the Christian Church has a real "Orpheus." His name is…

What do you do when the word "church" carries all the wrong connotations? When "Christian" is either something one is by cultural heritage or something society has recently moved beyond by becoming "post-Christian?" When "love" means sex, warm feelings, or an anything goes approach to life? Well…