Nazarene Communications Network Global News Summary - Volume 1422 for Friday, 30 May 2014

Nazarene Communications Network Global News Summary - Volume 1422 for Friday, 30 May 2014
NMI celebrates 100 years with worldwide participation 
Nazarene Missions International announced the more than 1,400 initiatives for its 100th Anniversary Project are now accessible in several languages through a Google Translate button on each Web page.
The NMI 100th Anniversary Project gives districts the opportunity to assist with ministry needs in other districts around the world as NMI reaches its 100th anniversary in October 2015. In the fall, leaders from JESUS Film Harvest Partners, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, the Church of the Nazarene's International Board of Education, and districts, fields, and regions throughout the denomination submitted lists of initiatives they would like to see accomplished in their areas. More than 1,400 initiatives were submitted and processed by NMI and Donor Services. Each district is encouraged to meet the needs of another district through adopting one of the 1,400-plus initiatives listed and sending in funds for the sponsors to complete the project by October 2015.
In the past, NMI projects named one topic and set a monetary amount for the project goal. For the 100-year celebration, NMI leaders wanted to focus on participation, whether it be giving of financial resources or being involved in a hands-on project. The goal for the 100th Anniversary Project is "100 percent participation by each of the 461 districts globally," and that goal is being realized.
Initiatives are varied — providing poultry for women to start small businesses, offering theological training for Nazarene leaders, digging wells, and many others. The initiatives offer a wide variety, whether districts want to minister to others physically, spiritually, emotionally, or socially.
Amounts needed for initiatives are as low as US$20 and as substantial as US$560,000. With a broad range, all districts can find an initiative within their congregations' budgets. On some districts, children and youth are adopting their own initiatives from the list, while adults adopt other initiatives. Districts may adopt as many initiatives as they wish; while most districts adopt one to six initiatives, a few others have adopted up to 27 submitted assignments.
"The Global NMI Council is thrilled that districts around the world are so readily meeting real needs on other districts," said Daniel Ketchum, global NMI director. "This kind of global celebration will generate far more than resources as together we evangelize lost people, disciple new Christians, develop churches, and support missionaries in more than 159 world areas."
To access the initiatives list, visit the NMI 100th Anniversary Guidelines page.--Nazarene Missions International
Caribbean Nazarene College selects new president 
Santa Cruz, Trinidad
By Sarah Glass for NCN News
Caribbean Nazarene College announced Anthony Manswell as its new president during the college's graduation ceremony on May 23. 
Scoffield Eversley, CNC's 10th president, retired in April after 16 years in the position. 
Manswell has served as the academic dean at CNC since 2004. Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, he was the first West Indian to serve in the position.
Prior to joining the CNC staff, Manswell was a pastor. He began preaching at age 19 for street meetings, youth conventions, and revivals. Manswell pastored the Laventill Church of the Nazarene in Trinidad for two years before serving as associate pastor for the Belton, Missouri, Church of the Nazarene while attending seminary. He and his wife, Barbara, later moved to Canada, where Manswell served as an associate pastor in Manitoba and Alberta.
He is a 1990 graduate of Caribbean Nazarene Theological College (now CNC), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology. Four years later, Manswell graduated with honors from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, with a Masters of Divinity degree and a concentration in doctrinal theology. He graduated with his Doctorate in Education from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2008.
To view video of the Manswell announcement (posted to Facebook by Comunicaciones Región Mesoamérica), click here.
Analysis shows increasing challenges for Asia-Pacific leaders 

Tokyo, Japan
District superintendents from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan met with Asia-Pacific Regional Director Mark Louw in Tokyo, Japan, May 19 through 21. They discussed ways the three districts could work together to make Christlike disciples on the Asia-Pacific Region. 
Louw and the three district superintendents — Han, Gi Dong of South Korea; Tang, Shi-Li of Taiwan; and Ishida, Manabu of Japan — were joined by various district leaders and members of the regional staff.
On the opening night, host district superintendent Ishida outlined the development of Christianity in Japan and highlighted some of the current challenges facing the Church. The current Christian population of Japan is 0.7%, but if trends continue, this figure will decrease to 0.6% in 20 years.
One of the challenges is the unsuccessful attempts to reach Japanese young people, which has resulted in a steadily increasing average age for church members. Several Nazarene pastors are in their 70s, and two current pastors are over 80 years old.
Another challenge is that rather than the Church influencing society through the high moral standard of its members, the result has too often been that the society has influenced the Church. The Church's overemphasis on the personal nature of salvation has weakened the communal aspect of the faith, according to Ishida's analysis.
Ishida called on the Church to reaffirm the reality that we are God's holy people, called to live according to a truly Christian belief and value system, confronting the structures of the world. He said we should be conscious of the fact we are a counter community to secular society, a blessed minority with a clear mission and mandate. A positive note was that there seems to be an increasing number of women being called into the ministry. Japan Seminary President Sakamoto, Makoto reported that of the 10 current seminary students, nine are female.
In the discussions over the following two days, it became clear that the Church in these three developed nations faces many of the same challenges in terms of aging populations, affluence, secularism, and the need for a passionate well-trained clergy. Leaders spent time praying that God would give wisdom to address these pressing issues.
Tang expressed the need for Taiwan to revive and expand its theological education program so more young people can be prepared for ministry. Louw concurred that the key is the pastor, citing Manual paragraph 605: "The perpetuity and effectiveness of the Church of the Nazarene depends largely upon the spiritual qualifications, the character, and the manner of life of its members of the clergy."
"We must regain the power of the Holy Spirit," Han said. 
He further said that a priority must be to recover the health of the Church in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
As a follow-up, Louw challenged each of the districts to do a careful self-analysis so the seriousness of the challenges become clear to all. Once the problems are known and "owned," the next step is to answer the question "So what?" The idea of a regional think tank to grapple with the issues from a regional theological perspective was discussed.
The leaders of the three districts were encouraged by the times of sharing, discussion, prayer, and fellowship. 
Han expressed great pleasure in this historic visit to the nation of Japan.
"You are my first Japanese friends," Han told Ishida. "And this is the first time in my lifetime to visit Japan. It only took a two-hour flight, but it took 62 years for me to finally visit."
The Tokyo meeting was the third annual meeting of the district leaders from the three districts. Tentative plans were made for a meeting in South Korea in 2015.--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region
Genesis initiative takes church to the cities 
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Given just 200 pesos, which in the Dominican Republic is equivalent to about US$5, Daniela González Guerrero and six other missionary trainees purchased the bare cleaning necessities that money would buy, and began visiting homes in an impoverished area of Santo Domingo to clean residents' bathrooms.
For González, entering the neighborhood was her first experience with culture shock. Growing up in Mexico, the 26-year-old said everyone complained about poverty, but nothing she'd seen in Mexico compared with the conditions in this area of Santo Domingo.
As she cleaned up dead leaves and debris on one family's patio where their children were playing, she found herself stepping in human waste, which dirtied her clean shoes. She had no idea the family was using their patio as an outdoor bathroom.
"The people were just amazed that we were there to help them clean, so that provoked me to continue serving and it didn't matter what was wrong with my shoes," González said.
The cleaning activity was part of several weeks of missionary training prior to González's group being sent 2 May to their two-year ministry assignment in Veracruz, Mexico.
González is in the first cohort of as many as 112 planned missionaries who will be deployed to 28 selected sites across the Mesoamerica Region by 2020 in a region-wide church planting initiative called Genesis. The objective of Genesis is to push the Church of the Nazarene into metropolitan areas where the denomination — which mostly flourishes in rural areas on the region — has little or no presence.
For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.
Speakers announced for M15 Conference 
Lenexa, Kansas
The USA/Canada Region announced the plenary speakers for the Mission 2015 Conference, to be held in Kansas City, Missouri, February 9 through 11, 2015. 
In selecting these speakers, the planning committee sought speakers who demonstrate the strategic priorities of the USA/Canada Region, and are able to express the conference theme of "honoring the past and shaping the future." In addition, the planning committee was informed by the results of an online survey, which sought input on M15. 
Conference speakers include:   
Scott Daniels brings more than 20 years of ministry in the church and Christian higher education to his role as dean of Azusa Pacific University's School of Theology. In addition to being dean, he is currently senior pastor of Pasadena, California, First Church of the Nazarene. Previously, Daniels served as senior pastor of Richardson Church of the Nazarene in Richardson, Texas.
Alan Hirsch is a South African-born missiologist, author, and leader in the missional church movement. He lectures at events throughout Europe, Australia, and the U.S., and is an adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary and George Fox Seminary, among others. Hirsch is also the author of such books as The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church, and The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st-Century Church, co-authored with Michael Frost.
Cheryl J. Sanders has been senior pastor of the Third Street Church of God (Anderson) in Washington, D.C. since 1997, and professor of Christian ethics at the Howard University School of Divinity since 1984. She published more than 100 books and articles, including Ministry at the Margins and Living the Intersection. She was also a contributing guest editor for Leadership, a journal for pastors, from 2000 to 2007.
David A. Busic was elected as general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene at the 28th General Assembly held in Indianapolis, Indiana, in June 2013. At the time of his election, he had been president of Nazarene Theological Seminary since 2011. Previously, Busic served as the senior pastor at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene in Bethany, Oklahoma. He was also co-editor of Preacher's Magazine from 2000 to 2007.
Gustavo A. Crocker was elected the 41st general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene at the 28th General Assembly. At the time of his election, Crocker served as the Eurasia regional director for the denomination. Previously, he served as the senior vice-president for programs at World Relief Corporation, and before that as director of field management for Compassion International.
M15 will also include jurisdictional General Superintendent David W. Graves, who will help host the event. See the M15 website and the M15 Facebook page for upcoming information on registration, schedule, workshops, and exhibits. Questions on M15 may be directed to M15@nazarene.org.--Church of the Nazarene USA/Canada Region
Additional NCNNews.com Stories This Week
Regional News
Nazarenes in the News
Global Ministry Center
Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.
England church reaches out to children
Skegness, England
(Skegness Standard, May 26) The Skegness Community Church of the Nazarene have been focusing their charitable efforts on Skegness's Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre (DCHC) recently.
The children staying at the DCHC in Skegness over the weekend of 17 and 18 May enjoyed a doughnut and a cold drink at the Meeting Point Charity Shop in the County Hotel when they visited the shop. 
Along with two of the Centre's leadership team, Hayley and Yasmin, the children received a donation of £120 from the Skegness branch of the Community Church of the Nazarene. 
The donations were part of the church's continuing commitment to local charities since opening The Meeting Point shop, North Parade, Skegness.
The Reverend Ian Banks said, "We have supported many local charities since the shop opened, with total donations now amounting to £4,320. This latest donation is yet another example of our dedication to working as a church in and with the local community."
For the rest of the story, click here.
MNU players invited to NFL Rookie Camp
Olathe, Kansas
(Olathe Edge, May 23) Kamaron Riley and LaDon Hudson - MidAmerica Nazarene University football standouts - have been invited to participate in an NFL Rookie Camp. Both Pioneers caught the eye of the Carolina Panthers and got the chance to show what they can do this week. 
If they can impress the organization in their time at camp, they have the chance to make the team. 
"The MNU football family and coaching staff are very excited for both LaDon and Kamaron to have this opportunity," says MNU Head Coach Brian Willmer. "We are proud that they will represent us." 
For the rest of the story, click here.
Stories to share? Send them to submitnews@ncnnews.com.--Compiled by NCN News
Asia-Pacific
Nazarenes safe in Thailand amidst coup
Bangkok, Thailand
The Church of the Nazarene and the Asia-Pacific Regional Office are keeping a close eye on the political developments in Thailand. On May 22, the military seized power in an effort to bring calm to escalating protests within the country.
Area personnel report that all is currently calm in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. A ministry team from Olivet Nazarene University is doing well with no concerns at this point.
The following report was received on May 29 from a contact who serves in Thailand:
"So far, day-to-day feels fairly normal. The 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew just got reduced to midnight to 4 a.m. There are lots of soldiers and check points everywhere; at every intersection. But they are young kids — 18, 19 — and are very friendly. You can talk to them, take pictures with them, etc. Lots of helicopters flying overhead all the time. So it's just kind of surreal."
Continued prayer is requested for the nation of Thailand and Nazarene missionaries, national leaders, churches, and church families.--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region
Mesoamerica
Flags of the Nations: Suriname
Global Ministry Center
Since September 1, 2009, each week the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center (GMC) proudly flies a flag of one of the many nations in which the denomination is present in ministry. Leaders were invited to send a national flag to be flown at the GMC alongside the flag of the United States*. The national flags rotate weekly, and photos of them raised are sent to the church leaders of that country.
This week: Suriname
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Suriname in 1984.
Suriname had a population of 566,846 in 2013. That same year, Suriname reported nine Churches of the Nazarene, six of which had been officially organized. Suriname has 928 total members.
Suriname is a Phase 1 district on the Mesoamerica Region. 
According to the Mesoamerica Region, the first Nazarenes gathered in a cottage prayer meeting in the Suriname capital city of Paramaribo in August of 1982. The fist church was officially organized during a charter signing ceremony in October 1984. Eighteen people signed the charter. In March 1985, the second congregation was formed in Liverno. This congregation held services in English but Sunday School in Dutch.
For more information on the history of the Church of the Nazarene in Suriname, see the Mesoamerica Region's website by clicking here.
Previous flags featured:
Argentina
Aruba
Belize
Benin
Bolivia
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Chile
Colombia
Côte d'Ivoire
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
France
Gabon
Guatemala
Germany
Ghana
Guam
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Conakry
Guyana
Haiti
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Liberia
Madagascar
Mali
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Paraguay
Peru
Senegal
Sierra Leone
South Africa
South Sudan
Suriname
Swaziland
Togo
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Venezuela
Additional World Areas
NOTE: Some countries cannot be represented in this project in order to maintain security of those working there.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the Church of the Nazarene.
USA/Canada
Registration open for Come to the Fire 2014
Grove City, Ohio
This year's Come to the Fire conference will feature a team of women who have found the secret of embracing Jesus' passion. Testimonies, special music, and speakers will bring the message that Jesus not only invites us, but also enables us to share His desires.
The event is scheduled for October 2 through 4.
Hundreds pray for the Come to the Fire conference, and each registrant is prayed for by name.
Last year thousands of women viewed Come to the Fire via simulcasting. Some gathered weeks and months later to hold their special event. Simulcasting is possible by connecting to Come to the Fire's website, cometothefire.org.
"I thought it was a great conference," said Sherry from Indiana. "I wasn't able to attend, but was able to watch it via live streaming. What a blessing to hear the speakers and the music and to enjoy the presence of God — even while watching it on my computer screen. He is so good. To God be the glory, great things He has done!"
For more information about simulcasting, email pam@cometothefire.org.
Come to the Fire will be held at Grove City Church of the Nazarene in Grove City, Ohio. Registration is now open at cometothefire.org.--NCN News submissions
Retired missionary Natalie Holstead passes away
Temple City, California
Retired missionary Natalie Holstead, 87, passed away on May 28. Natalie and her husband, Jack, served for 34 years in Taiwan and Hong Kong. 
The couple met at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts, in the late 1940s. 
Jack went from ENC to Nazarene Theological Seminary, where he earned a master's degree in divinity. He became a pastor in Brantford, Ontario, not far from his hometown of Toronto. Jack felt a call to missions as a teenager, so in 1956 he and Natalie landed in a small island called Formosa (Taiwan) off the coast of Mainland China. 
The Holsteads were involved with many aspects of ministry, including church planting, church growth, and education. Jack was also a district superintendent and Bible school president.
Jack passed away about five weeks before their 62nd anniversary.
A memorial service for Natalie is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11 at: 
Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene
3700 E Sierra Madre Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107
Condolences may be sent to the Holstead children (Kathy, Kian, and John) at: 
4962 Persimmon Ave.
Temple City, CA 91780
ngholstead@gmail.com
More information will be posted as it becomes available.--Global Mission
Global Ministry Center News
Dates announced for General Assembly 2017
Global Ministry Center
By NCN News staff
Hoosier hospitality will welcome global Nazarenes to Indiana once again.
The General Assembly Site Commission unanimously chose Indianapolis, Indiana, as the site of the Church of the Nazarene's next General Assembly. The host city was announced in January, and the dates were recently finalized. The quadrennial event will be held June 21 through 30, 2017.
This will be the sixth time Indianapolis has hosted the event. Most recently, the Hoosier State hosted the 2013, 2005, and 2001 assemblies.
General Assembly is the "supreme doctrine-formulating, lawmaking, and elective authority of the Church of the Nazarene" (Manual, 300). The Assembly, conventions (Nazarene Missions International, Nazarene Youth International, and Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International), and additional activities bring Nazarenes from every world region together for a time of business, celebration, and worship. 
Planning for the 2017 event was originally delayed by a resolution brought to the 2013 General Assembly that could have lengthened the interval between assemblies from four to five years. Ultimately, the decision was made to keep the interval at four years. 
Ten cities were examined for 2017, and two finalists chosen based on space availability, dates, housing potential, and proximity to Nazarene population centers. 
"Indianapolis was one of two cities that met our criteria, and it met our criteria better than any other," Wilson said at the time of the host city announcement.
While General Assembly is returning to a familiar place, the event may not resemble its predecessors. 
"Some ideas have emerged on ways to give a facelift to General Assembly, making it more appealing to new Nazarenes and the younger generation," Wilson said. "These ideas that have emerged could also help us with funding for global delegates.
"The best place to utilize these ideas is the city of Indianapolis." 
The city was notified of the church's decision. 
"We are very excited about the city of Indianapolis; it fits us well," Wilson said. "They are eager to have us come back."
The Site Commission is working in advance on the 2021 General Assembly.
In Memoriam
Global Ministry Center
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received May 25-30, 2014. 
Mary (McLanigan) Allison, 99, of Ono, Pennsylvania, passed away on May 24. She was the widow of ordained elder Forrest Allison, who passed away in 1982.
C. A. Bost, 95, of Gold Hill, North Carolina, passed away on May 27. He was a retired minister, serving in North Carolina and South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy (Freeman) Bost, who passed away in 2005.
Louis Dodson Sr., 78, of Kaibeto, Arizona, passed away on May 23. He was a minister, previously serving in Arizona. He is survived by his wife, Etta Dodson.
Virginia (Gilstrap) Durr, 83, of Henderson, Texas, passed away on May 15. She was the widow of ordained elder Robert Durr Sr., who passed away in 2010. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, ordained elder Orville Tweedy, who passed away in 1984.
Margaret Gore, 92, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on May 26. She was the widow of retired minister and educator Robert Gore Sr., who served in Florida, Hawaii, and Tennessee. Robert Gore Sr. passed away in 2001.
Helen Haggard, 98, of Amelia, Ohio, passed away on May 27. She was the widow of retired minister and evangelist William Haggard, who served in Ohio and Florida. William Haggard passed away in 2004.
John Hall, 68, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away on May 24. He was a retired minister and educator, serving in Oklahoma and Illinois. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Hall.
Natalie (Wheeler) Holstead, 87, of Temple City, California, passed away on May 28. She was a retired missionary, serving in Taiwan and Hong Kong. She was preceded in death by her husband, retired minister, missionary, and educator John "Jack" Holstead, who passed away in July 2013. (story)
Alice Rickey, 87, of Guntersville, Alabama, passed away on May 23. She was the widow of retired minister Norman Rickey, who served in West Virginia, Alabama, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida. Norman Rickey passed away in December.
G. Ann Ward, 64, of Sykesville, Maryland, passed away on May 25. She was the wife of minister Joseph Ward, who pastors the South Carroll Church of the Nazarene in Eldersburg, Maryland.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section on ncnnews.com by clicking here.
Note: Please join with us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to submitnews@ncnnews.com.--Compiled by NCN News
GMC employment opportunities
Global Ministry Center
By NCN News Staff
The following positions are available at the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center:
Information Technology — Senior Software Developer
Members of the software development team are primarily responsible for facilitating the ministry of the Global Ministry Center through the analysis, design, implementation, and support of software solutions.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Computer Programming Coordinator
The person in this position will lead NCM's development team in developing and maintaining NCM's web applications, systems, and websites. 
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Program Assistant (Partner Relation Specialist)
This position will work in conjunction with the communications manager, marketing manager, and social media community manager to enhance and strengthen relationships between individual, church, organizational, design, development, and vendor partners.
Stewardship Ministries — Program Coordinator
This position works closely with the Director of Stewardship Ministries and oversees projects within the department. Major responsibilities include content writing, customer service, administrative tasks, and project management. 
About
Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the Global Ministry Center is the administrative, mission, and service hub for the denomination's ministries in 159 world areas. All GMC positions report to this location. To obtain additional information, please call (913) 577-0500 and ask for Human Resources
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
The Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, sex, or veteran status. The Global Ministry Center is an "at will" employer.
Our Faith-Based Organization
We are a faith-based organization. Acceptance of our Christian Code of Conduct is required and membership in the Church of the Nazarene is required for certain positions. The GMC and applicable remote work sites are smoke, alcohol, and drug free Christian workplaces.
Application Processing
Our Human Resources Office receives and processes many employment applications annually for a limited number of positions. While we regret that we cannot respond to each applicant, we do contact those individuals possessing the skills, education/training, and experience that best match the requirements of the open position for which the application was submitted.
An application must be completed by all applicants and an application must be completed for each position for which one wishes to be considered. Applications are retained for one year. Resumes are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions. Resumes may be submitted by mail.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application forms may be requested by calling (913) 577-0500, or obtained in person from Human Resources at the Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas, 66220, Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office at the same address.
General Board approves corporate name change
Global Ministry Center
In its recent meetings, the Church of the Nazarene's General Board gave final approval to changes in its corporate structure. These changes included new articles of incorporation and bylaws, as well as a change of name from General Board Church of the Nazarene to The Church of the Nazarene, Inc.
The corporate changes were approved by the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri, on March 18 and registered with the Missouri Secretary of State on April 1.
The Church of the Nazarene, Inc. is a Missouri nonprofit corporation registered in Kansas. The General Board Church of the Nazarene was organized prior to modern nonprofit corporation laws and existed as an unincorporated association created by the Jackson County, Missouri, court. As a result, it did not include many of the protections now available to corporations.
The name change also clarifies the confusion that came from the denomination having the same name as its board of directors. When referring to "the General Board" in the Manual and other legal documents, it was not always clear whether that meant the organization or the elected group of individuals who govern it. With this change, the board of directors retains the name "General Board," and the organization becomes "The Church of the Nazarene, Inc."
The Church of the Nazarene, Inc. is not a new entity, but is the same entity with a different name. This means any legal document entered into prior to the change of corporation name remains valid since that was the legal name of the organization at the time of the origination of the document. Agreements made after the change of name will need to reflect the new name.
"This is a major step for the Church of the Nazarene," said David Wilson, general secretary. "It will help us better manage the resources of the denomination."
Resources
Olivet dean releases book on conflict management
Bourbonnais, Illinois
Conflict happens in every area of our lives. And one of the worst ways to deal with conflict is to ignore it.
In his new book, Conflict Management for Faith Leaders, Houston Thompson of Olivet Nazarene University provides guidance and encouragement for dealing with conflict. Thompson currently serves at Olivet as dean of the School of Professional Studies, dean of Academic Affairs for the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies, and director of the Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership degree program.
"One of my goals in writing this book was to provide a framework for understanding and assessing conflict, and then knowing how to manage it in a way that preserves the dignity and respect of all involved," Thompson said.
With a wealth of experience in nonprofit management and social work, Thompson draws on real life situations and biblical truths for the practical insights included in this book. He offers several techniques for managing conflict, as well as guidelines for choosing which technique to use in a particular situation.
"Houston Thompson has provided a field manual for 'faith leaders' that clearly and pragmatically guides the leader through the key steps of assessing, engaging and navigating conflict toward resolution," said Jeren Rowell, district superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene's Kansas City District.
Thompson's academic and professional interests include leadership, positive youth development using a strengths-based approach to working with youth and their communities, and not-for-profit and organizational management. Currently, he serves on the board of directors for United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois counties.
Before taking on his current administrative positions, Thompson was chair of Olivet's Department of Social Work and Criminal Justice. A licensed social worker in the state of Indiana and an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, he served as a pastor in Nazarene churches in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Indiana; a school social worker; and executive director of a faith-based community ministry.
After earning his associate's degree from Nazarene Bible College, he went on to receive his bachelor's degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University. He holds a master's degree in church management from Olivet and a master's in social work degree from Spalding University. In 2007, he received his doctorate degree from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Conflict Management for Faith Leaders is available online through Nazarene Publishing House, on Amazon.com, and at Hammes Bookstore on Olivet's campus.--Olivet Nazarene University
Collegiate News
2014 USA/Canada Commencement Report
NCN News compiled the following list of spring commencement reports from each of the Nazarene institutions of higher education on the USA/Canada Region:
Ambrose University College 
President: Gordon T. Smith
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Web: ambrose.edu
Date of Graduation Exercises: April 26
Commencement Speaker: Melanie Humphreys, President of The King's University College
Number of Graduates: 128
Fast Facts: This was Ambrose's 73rd Undergraduate Convocation and the 43rd Seminary Convocation... Ninety-three students graduated from the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, 16 from the School of Ministry, and 19 from the seminary … Convocation events were held in Ambrose Gymnasium and broadcast live over the Internet... Full story.
Eastern Nazarene College 
President: Corlis McGee
Location: Quincy, Massachusetts
Web: enc.edu
Date of Graduation Exercises: May 3
Commencement Speaker: Gabriel Salguero, Co-Pastor of Lambs Church of the Nazarene in New York, New York, and president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Number of Graduates: 306
Honorary Doctorate Degrees: Gabriel Salguero
Fast Facts: This was ENC's 92nd Spring Commencement ... John U. Free, professor of physics, was recognized as faculty emeritus ... The college presented awards to Raymond Cheung and Julianne Atwater (outstanding seniors), Ashley Tamara Alvaro (outstanding student, adult studies), Shawn Lynch (outstanding graduate, Master of Science in Management), and Vickie Mello (outstanding graduate, Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy) ... The senior class presented ENC President Corlis McGee with a gift of $10,000 to begin a fully-endowed scholarship ... Photos ... Video.
MidAmerica Nazarene University 
President: David J. Spittal
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Web: mnu.edu
Dates of Graduation Exercises: May 3-4
Commencement Speakers: Cmdr. Brian D. Weigelt, deputy chaplain for the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon
Number of Graduates: 783
Honorary Doctorate Degrees: Michael G. Palmer and Cmdr. Brian D. Weigelt
Fast Facts: MNU's 43rd Commencement was held at Olathe College Church of the Nazarene ... The Harvest Prayer Ceremony continued after the Baccalaureate on the Campus Mall in the Legacy Circle ... Honorary doctorates of divinity were awarded to Michael G. Palmer, Missouri district superintendent and MNU Board of Trustees member, and Cmdr. Brian D. Weigelt ... Stephen L. Cole, professor of biology, was recognized as faculty emeritus ... Duane Buchanan received the Robert I. Brower Award for excellence in teaching Professional and Graduate Studies ... The American Heritage Award, the highest award for one undergraduate male and female, was awarded to Luke Letsinger, ministry major, and Hannah Young, nursing major ... Young was also commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force ... Photos ... Full story. 
Mount Vernon Nazarene University 
President: Henry W. Spaulding II
Location: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Web: mvnu.edu
Date of Graduation Exercises: May 17
Commencement Speaker: Carla Sunberg, President of Nazarene Theological Seminary
Number of Graduates: 488
Fast Facts: This was MVNU's 45th Spring Commencement ... The Class of 2014 included 250 traditional undergraduate students and 238 graduate and professional studies students ... Commencement details.
Nazarene Bible College 
President: Harold B. Graves Jr.
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Web: nbc.edu
Dates of Graduation Exercises: May 23-25
Commencement Speaker: Eugénio R. Duarte, Church of the Nazarene General Superintendent
Number of Graduates: 82
Fast Facts: This will be the 44th Spring Commencement at NBC ... The traditional Call and Response of the Apostles will be held in the Apostles Court ... Awards will be bestowed on seven Delta Epsilon Chi members and 10 students on the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges list ... Bachelor of Arts in Ministry degrees will be awarded to 74 individuals, with 31 of those individuals majoring in pastoral ministries, the largest single designation of majors among the graduates.
Nazarene Theological Seminary 
President: Carla Sunberg
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Web: nts.edu
Date of Graduation Exercises: May 11
Commencement Speaker: Henry Spaulding II, President of Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Number of Graduates: 49
Fast Facts: This was the 68th Spring Commencement at NTS ... Commencement activities were held at Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene ... The 49 graduates of the Class of 2014 received degrees as follows: 17 Master of Arts, 25 Master of Divinity, and 7 Doctor of Ministry  ... Sixteen of the graduates earned additional certificates or diplomas along with their degrees, including four who received the Diploma in Cross-Cultural Ministries (365m Program) and four who received the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Wesleyan Pastoral Theology ...  The graduates represented three countries: U.S., Canada, and Germany ... Janette Platter preached the Corlett Senior Sermon at Kansas City First Church.
Northwest Nazarene University 
President: David Alexander
Location: Nampa, Idaho
Web: nnu.edu
Date of Graduation Exercises: May 10
Commencement Speaker: Gene Schandorff, NNU Chaplain
Number of Graduates: 527
Honorary Doctorate Degrees: Gene Schandorff, William "Bill" Jackson, Anna Marie Jackson, and James "Jim" Jackson
Fast Facts: Degrees were conferred on the Class of 2014, made up of 191 graduate students and 224 undergraduates ... The following honorary degrees were awarded: Gene Schandorff, Doctor of Divinity; William "Bill" Jackson, Doctor of Science; Anna Marie Jackson and James "Jim" Jackson, Doctor of Humane Letters ... NNU's graduates represented 18 countries ... The university honored 44 "Golden Grads" who received their NNU degrees 50 years ago ... The NNU School of Nursing held its 12th annual pinning ceremony on May 9 ... Photos ... Commencement citations.
Olivet Nazarene University 
President: John C. Bowling
Location: Bourbonnais, Illinois
Web: olivet.edu
Date of Graduation Exercises: May 10
Commencement Speakers: Gustavo A. Crocker, Church of the Nazarene General Superintendent (undergraduate student ceremony), and John C. Bowling, Olivet President (graduate and adult student ceremony)
Number of Graduates: 1,537
Honorary Doctorate Degrees: Gustavo A. Crocker, Lindell Browning, Kay (Embick) Browning
Fast Facts: This was Olivet's 101st annual commencement... The Baccalaureate Service was held in Centennial Chapel on May 9 with Olivet President John C. Bowling addressing the graduates ... At the undergraduate ceremony, awards were presented for outstanding male and female graduate and for scholarly and teaching excellence ... During the Graduate and Continuing Studies ceremony, degrees were awarded to the first cohort of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, the first cohort of the fully online Reading Specialist Degree program, and the first student in the Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry program ... Awards were presented for teaching excellence and student excellence ... The university celebrated its largest graduating class, 1,537 ... There were 541 undergraduate degrees, 244 continuing studies bachelor's degrees, 718 master's degrees, and 16 doctoral degrees ... Full story.
Point Loma Nazarene University 
President: Bob Brower
Location: San Diego, California
Web: pointloma.edu
Date of Graduation Exercises: May 10
Commencement Speakers: Kim Hogelucht, Point Loma Associate Professor of Business (undergraduate convocation), and Ron Benefiel, Point Loma Dean of Theology and Christian Ministry (graduate convocation prayer)
Number of Graduates: 598
Fast Facts: This was PLNU's 109th annual commencement ... All three ceremonies (two undergraduate, one graduate) were held in the historic Greek Amphitheater on PLNU's campus ... Dawn Michelle Gorel, who graduated in the first undergraduate ceremony, and Nicholas Michael Erze, a student from the second undergraduate ceremony, were each honored for earning the highest GPA among their fellow graduates ... Photos ... Full story.
Southern Nazarene University 
President: Loren Gresham
Location: Bethany, Oklahoma
Web: snu.edu
Date of Graduation Exercises: May 10
Commencement Speaker: Walter Quanstrom, retired Vice President of British Petroleum
Number of Graduates: 416
Honorary Doctorate Degrees: Barbara L. "Barbi" Moore and Ken Stallings
Fast Facts: This was SNU's 111th Spring Commencement ... Barbara L. "Barbi" Moore, pastor of Global Outreach at Bethany, Oklahoma, First Church of the Nazarene, received the Doctor of Humane Letters and Ken Stallings, senior pastor of the Forest Home Church of the Nazarene in Jonesboro, Arkansas, received the Doctor of Divinity degree ... Inaugural Crimson Awards were presented to Don and Joy Beaver and to Walter "Wally" and Fay Quanstrom ... The Board of Trustees named Loren and Linda Gresham, SNU's president and first lady, honorary alumnus and alumna of Southern Nazarene University ... Stan West and Allie Oakes received The President's Award, the highest award for undergraduates, in recognition of their academic excellence, service, campus leadership, and demonstration of the qualities reflected in SNU's motto, "Character, Culture, Christ" ... The morning commencement was followed by the Tradition of the Ivy Ring with graduating seniors and their families ... Full story.
Trevecca Nazarene University 
President: Dan Boone
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Web: trevecca.edu
Date of Graduation Exercises: May 3
Commencement Speaker: Michael Jackson, Associate Professor of Religion
Number of Graduates: 727
Fast Facts: After a soggy 112th Commencement, Trevecca's 113th Commencement returned outdoors to McClurkan Quad, where 7,200 seats were positioned for families and friends to watch 727 graduates accept their degrees … Michael Jackson served as commencement speaker, following the university's tradition of having a faculty member serve in that role ... Photos ... Full story.
NTS seeks director of recruitment
Kansas City, Missouri
Nazarene Theological Seminary announced an opening for a full-time director of recruitment at its Kansas City, Missouri, campus. 
The director of recruitment is responsible for developing and implementing an overarching recruitment plan that will communicate the seminary's vision for potential students and attract a high-achieving and diverse student body to the seminary. This position is responsible for all aspects of the recruitment process primarily throughout North America, including Nazarene universities and colleges as well as non-Nazarene schools, by providing leadership to a team of recruiters, strategic planning, communications in all forms, and by managing the recruitment budget and daily office operations.
A master's degree or its equivalent is required.
Read the full position announcement here.
NTS- Director of Recruitment
Date May 19, 2014
Position Title: Director of Recruitment
Hours:  Full Time
Education Requirements: Master’s degree or equivalent
Job Description: The Director of Recruitment is responsible for developing and implementing an overarching recruitment plan that will communicate vision for potential students and attract a high-achieving and diverse student body to the Seminary.  This position is responsible for all aspects of the recruitment process primarily throughout North America, including Nazarene Universities and Colleges as well as non-Nazarene schools, by providing leadership to a team of recruiters, strategic planning, communications in all forms, and by managing the recruitment budget and daily office operations.
Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, and completed application attention Human Resources: 1700 E Meyer Blvd, Kansas City, MO  64131 or email HR@nts.edu by May 31, 2014
Please click here to download the full job discription.
Please click here to download an NTS job application.
Employer name: Nazarene Theological Seminary
Employer Address: 1700 E. Meyer Blvd. l Kansas City l MO l 64131
Contact Email: HR@nts.edu
Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, resumé, and completed application by May 31 to:
Human Resources
Nazarene Theological Seminary
1700 E Meyer Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64131 
Email: HR@nts.edu--Nazarene Theological Seminary
Trevecca students, employees volunteer at K-LOVE Fan Awards
Nashville, Tennessee
When the K-LOVE Fan Awards 2014 event begins this weekend in Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University will be the event's only education institution partner. The university will have a booth at the event, and throughout the weekend, 100 students and Trevecca employees will serve as volunteers in various venues.
K-LOVE, a network of Christian radio stations, hosts this annual Christian music awards show in which winners are chosen by the votes of fans. The event, which begins May 30, will be held in the Gaylord Opryland Resort and includes 14 concerts, opportunities for fans to meet their favorite Christian artists, a 5K fun run, celebrity basketball games, and the K-LOVE Fan Zone, where families can relax and play games and sports. The awards presentation takes place at the Grand Ole Opry House on June 1. This final event begins at 6 p.m. and will be hosted by author Candace Cameron-Bure and musician Matthew West. 
Through a partnership with World Hope, K-LOVE is using the voting process to build houses in Detroit, Michigan. For each 500,000 votes submitted, K-LOVE will build a house. The goal was to garner 2 million votes and build new houses for four Detroit families. By Wednesday afternoon, fans cast 1.5 million votes, and the network committed to build three houses, with another house possible if voting reached the 2-million mark.
Nominees for awards are grouped in 11 categories, which include several categories for artists and songs, but also categories for "Film/television impact" and "Best live show," among others. Fans can vote here. 
Trevecca volunteers will serve in several capacities — ticket sales, photo booth operation, merchandise sales, staff for greeting, directing autograph signings, and working at the celebrity basketball game, among other tasks. Twenty students will serve as escorts for artists on Sunday, responsible for ensuring that artists arrive at events on time and providing assistance for those artists. Additionally, student-volunteers for this event are able to earn internship hours for their participation. This is Trevecca's second time to be the K-LOVE education partner for this event.--Trevecca Nazarene University
NCN Sports
Olivet second baseman selected NAIA Softball Player of the Year
Bourbonnais, Illinois
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the 2014 Softball All-America teams, selected by the NAIA All-America committee. Senior second baseman Hannah Gardner of Olivet Nazarene University is recognized as the NAIA Player of the Year and sophomore Nicole Nonnemacher of Saint Xavier is honored as the NAIA Pitcher of the Year.
Gardner finished her season ranked first in the NAIA in RBIs per game (1.33), second in total RBIs (73), third in runs scored (74), sixth in total hits (90) and sixth in batting average (.533). On the season, Gardner started in 55 games and tallied 20 doubles, a team-high 12 home runs and only struck out six times in 169 at-bats. The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Player of the Year hit safely in 47 contests and had a season-long 13-game hitting streak. She was part of a team to win the CCAC regular-season and tournament titles, advance to the NAIA Softball World Series and hold a No. 4 ranking in the final Coaches’ Poll.
Nonnemacher, the younger sister and teammate of Megan, was the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. The native of Bloomington, Ill., led the NAIA in ERA (0.67), ranked third in batters struck out per game (10.68) and was 16th in total wins (21). On the year, she went 21-6 overall, starting 24 games and compiled 16 shutouts. She tossed 189 1/3 innings and had an opponent batting average of .153, which was good for third in the NAIA. Nonnemacher led the Cougars to a No. 8 ranking in the final Coaches’ Top 25 Poll (May 6) and a trip to the National Championship Opening Round.
Since the Player of the Year award inception in 1998, Gardner earns Olivet Nazarene University’s first such honor. Nonnemacher is the first Cougar to become Pitcher of the Year since it began in 1999.--NAIA 
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Senior Editor: Frank M. Moore 
Managing Editor: Chad E. Schnarr 
Associate Editor: Sarah A. Glass  
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