Missionary Renegade: eConnection from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - November 2015 - Carla Sunberg, NTS President for Friday, 6 November 2015

Friday, November 6, 2015

eConnection from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - November 2015 - Carla Sunberg, NTS President for Friday, 6 November 2015

eConnection from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - November 2015 - Carla Sunberg, NTS President for Friday, 6 November 2015

Recently I have been reflecting on all that God is doing here at NTS — in and through our students. One night as I was perusing Facebook, I noticed all the photos and posts about the places our students are ministering. I was overwhelmed to realize that on any given Sunday our students are spread over a vast territory sharing the love of Jesus with those in need.
Click here to read more of President Sunberg's letter.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Dear Friends,

One Sunday as I was worshipping at KC First Church, I discovered nearly three rows of pews filled with NTS students engaged in the service. One of our students was helping to lead worship; the next thing I knew he was leading that congregation to sing in Spanish and somehow the tears just began to flow. Here they are — becoming KINGDOM LEADERS! Isn’t that what it’s all about!

Near the end of October, I had the joy of providing lunch for our first cohort of the new KC Spanish DMin degree. Dr. Mario Zani, Dr. Roger Hahn and Prof. Wilfredo Canales made up the NTS leadership team that journeyed with the 11 students over a 2-week period of time, wrestling with ministry in our increasingly diverse and complicated world. Over the weekend they were in town, these DMin students spread out and ministered throughout the KC district. They made an impact — off and on the campus!

Then later that same week, a group of church planting students came to our home for supper and fellowship. Each shared what God was doing in and through their ministries. They are in love with Jesus and are serving him from Iowa to Texas, Kansas City to Nashville, and beyond. We ended the evening in prayer and I felt blessed to have simply been a part.

You see, God is at work in and through the students at NTS! We are making substantial changes, building capacity and reshaping the Seminary for a sustainable future. There is no question: God has been raising up KINGDOM LEADERS through NTS for 70 years! And now, I need your help to build a foundation for the next 70 years. Will you partner with me?

First: will you commit to being a prayer warrior? We need many to commit to lifting NTS up in prayer on a regular basis.

Second: your regular ongoing financial support is vital to building a strong foundation for the future. Regular gifts to our annual fund ultimately make it possible for our students to receive an education and to be formed into the minister that God has called them to be; they enable us to respond to unexpected needs, recruit and retain top-notch faculty, and focus on our mission of preparing KINGDOM LEADERS. Please prayerfully consider partnering with NTS at one of the levels below, or at the level to which God might lead you to give:

SILVER LEVEL & CLUB 300 ($300/yr or $25/mth): Your $300 gift assists us in preparing KINGDOM LEADERS. As our thanks, you will receive a 50% discount on a membership to the NTS Center for Pastoral Leadership (CPL) website.

GOLD LEVEL ($1,000/yr or $83.33/mth): Your $1,000 gift assists us in building our capacity to support students who are called to prepare for their work in God’s kingdom. As our thanks, you will receive a free membership to the NTS CPL website.

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE ($5,000/yr or $416.60/mth): Your $5,000 gift is a partnership with NTS to assist us in building our capacity to more effectively grow and sustain the ministries which are part of Dr. Sunberg’s vision. Your investment will be used in part to fund the President’s Leadership Grant, which provides full-ride grants to first year students who have been highly recommended as leaders. As our thanks, you will receive a free membership to the NTS CPL website. Also, Dr. Sunberg will host an annual gathering of those who are a part of the President’s Circle. This circle of supporters will receive an invitation to meet together with theologians, ministers, and biblical scholars for a weekend of robust theological conversation around some of the important issues of our day.

Thank you for partnering with us and making an intentional investment in PREPARING FUTURE KINGDOM LEADERS. You may make a gift online on our website: NTS.EDU/INTENTIONAL-INVESTMENT

Grace and peace,

Carla Sunberg

President

Connecting with our Alumni
November Phone-A-Thon

Did you know that some 5,000+ NTS Alumni are ministering around the world? Here are some of the ways we are connecting with our them:
Our First Annual Homecoming, Sept 2015
Partner Homecoming Events at Regional Colleges/Universities
Regular Email Updates
The Connection Magazine & this eConnection Newsletter
The Center for Pastoral Leadership (CPL) Website
CLUB 300: Thanks to those already giving $300/yr!
Next on the Docket? NOVEMBER PHONE-A-THON!
We will be updating contact information.
We want to let you know what's going on at NTS and how you can be a part.
We want to know,"What is your most memorable impression of your relationship with NTS?" And, "If someone were to ask you the impact of NTS on your life and ministry, what would you say?" Your answer could be featured in upcoming editions of the eConnection!
Faculty Corner
Dr. Steve McCormick & "The General Thanksgiving"

THE GENERAL THANKSGIVING
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.[Book of Common Prayer]
Click here to read Dr. Steve McCormick's reflections on this prayer

FACULTY CORNER: Dr. Steve McCormick

THE GENERAL THANKSGIVING

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.[Book of Common Prayer]

Reflections from DR. STEVE McCORMICK

NTS William M. Greathouse Chair for Wesleyan-Holiness Theology

The Faith of the Church has been formed by Prayer. And the faith of John and Charles Wesley was deeply shaped by the church’s Prayer Book. “The General Thanksgiving,” is perhaps, the single most important prayer that illumines the best of their theology. After all, they were following in the faithful steps of the Ancient Church’s practice: the “law of prayer” (lex orandi) is the “law of faith” (lex credendi). That is to say, their prayer was their theology, and their theology was their prayer. And so, from the poets songbook, to the preachers sermons, theirs was a life shaped by the prayer of “The General Thanksgiving.” All the salient marks of this prayer are easily traced in the faith and mission of these Anglican brothers of Methodism.

During this Thanksgiving season why not spend time praying this prayer daily? Let the words of the Church’s prayer and the meditations of all our hearts desire be pleasing in your sight O Lord. May we be transformed and re-ordered to partake of God’s desire for the redemption of the whole world. As we pray this prayer, may we hear John Wesley’s prayer as a “faith filled with the energy of God’s love,” and doxological vision and mission for the life of the world. We are all “coming from God and returning to God,” says John Wesley, so let this prayer reorder our posture to be one of humble gratitude for the unending mercies of God the Father, for the immeasurable redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the ‘means of grace,’ that is the very gifts of God’s presence in these gracious means to reach our true end—the glory of God. “The Spirit will not let us miss providence’s way,” says Charles Wesley. That is our ‘hope of glory.’ Our doxological return to God is God’s promise. So in the betwixt of God’s time, may this prayer of “General Thanksgiving” make us attentive and mindful of all God’s mercies so that we will be courageous with our bodies and actions as we give witness to the glory of God filling all of heaven and earth. May our faith be so reordered with God’s desire that our faith “only breathes to breathe thy love.”—Charles Wesley. May this prayer reorder our desires so that our holiness and righteousness truly reflects the glory of the Cross in the redemption of the whole world. Amen.[Soli Deo Gloria!]

Student Spotlight
Katie Dexter, 365m

Our 365m program is a year-long global mission experience that couples together graduate-level intercultural studies with hands-on experience in cross-cultural settings around the globe. In 365 days, through intensive module classes, online course work, and on-the-ground training and mentoring, students earn a 24-credit graduate Diploma in Cross-Cultural Ministry, while embarking on an experience of a lifetime.
One of our current 365m students, Katie Dexter is currently ministering and learning in Ireland. Click here to read her journal in which she shares some of the ways that God is revealing himself to her through her studies and her ministry experiences.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Katie Dexter

I find myself in a coffee shop where I’ve spent a lot of my time studying, but surprisingly also building friendships (so maybe not quite as much studying!). I’ve met a dear friend here who is the manager in this coffee shop. I don’t think she is aware of how much she’s impacted my life, as much as she says I’ve impacted hers. I want to thank you all for your love, prayers and support which has given me the opportunity to build relationships with people here in the Republic of Ireland. Last week marked 8 months of my 10.5 months living in the Emerald Isle. These months here in Ireland have been FULL of me learning about who God is, who I am as his daughter, and how God’s mission is taking flesh here in the Republic of Ireland. I’ve been challenged and encouraged in so many ways during these months.

In early September I began a pilgrimage around Ireland with classmates and mentors exploring the celtic roots of Ireland. While on this journey, I unfortunately heard news back home of my aunt’s passing. This was especially hard while being so far away from home, but I was blessed to be surrounded by fellow pilgrims and friends who prayed for me and my family and supported me throughout the remainder of the pilgrimage. I spent a week and half journeying around Ireland on this pilgrimage learning about the Celtic way of Christianity through those like as St. Patrick and St. Brigid who helped transform pagan Ireland to Christianity. Throughout this pilgrimage, I saw first hand High Crosses which dated back as early as the the 8th century. These crosses told the Story of God by depicting parts of Biblical narratives on each panel to those who were illiterate. Learning about how these high crosses served to share the story of God in Celtic times, reminded me how throughout this year I have been able to serve as a high cross to those who don’t know or fully understand the story of God.

Like my friend who manages a coffee shop, God has given me the opportunity to share with her stories in the Bible which have offered hope to her, but I’ve also been able to share the story of God just through my presence as our friendship continues to grow. It is in my relationships that I have been able to share the story of God, and therefore, serve as a high cross in my community.

After returning from the pilgrimage, my rhythm of life here in Ireland began back up again. I have the opportunity each week to serve in various places in the community. And just to share with you a couple opportunities I’ve received recently… I just began helping co-lead a health and well-being module for young people; covering physical health, social health, spiritual health, and mental health at the youth project I volunteer at in the community with youth who are at-risk. I also have the opportunity this Friday to lead a creative arts night at our local youth cafe—which I am looking forward to. Throughout this year I was given the opportunity to engage with a local community and each opportunity I have been given has shaped me significantly. As my time here in Ireland comes to a close, I look forward to sharing with you all about how I’ve been shaped and how God has allowed me to participate in His mission and I can’t wait to hear what this year has held for you and how you too were able to engage in God’s mission. My challenge to you is to become high crosses in your communities and to share the story of God with those around you. Christ has died, Christ has risen and Christ will come again.

Grace & Peace,

Katie Dexter

Alumni Spotlight
James Holman ('48)

On September 29, we gathered together at KC First Church of the Nazarene to celebrate our 70th anniversary. One of the highlights for all in attendance was when President Sunberg and former President Ron Benefiel recognized Dr. Reuben Welch and Rev. James Holman, members of the first class of NTS. Click here to read about Rev. Holman's experience in this article written and generously shared by the Abilene Reporter-News.

Holman returns to seminary 70 years later

Loretta Fulton

faith and values

When Nazarene Theological Seminary opened its doors in Kansas City in 1945, James Holman was sitting in the classroom.

When the seminary celebrated its 70th year with a banquet Sept. 29, Holman was sitting in the audience, waiting to be honored. Of the 40-plus who entered the seminary in 1945, 38 graduated in 1948, including Holman. Five are living today, but only Holman and one other man attended the banquet.

“They made quite a deal out of our being there,” Holman said.

After graduating from the seminary, Holman was a Nazarene pastor for 12 years before entering Perkins School of Theology at SMU and becoming a United Methodist pastor. He served numerous churches in the Abilene area and didn’t retire until December 2014.

His last pastorate was at Hamby UMC, and his last sermon was delivered there on Dec. 28, at age 92. Holman is now 93 and lives in Clyde, where he attends Clyde UMC, pastored by Monty Barnett, who Holman baptized as an infant.

Holman saw many changes at the seminary from when he entered in 1945. During his first year in 1945, the seminary was located in a temporary building before moving into a permanent structure. Now, the seminary is located “way out from where we were,” Holman said.

Against the advice of his three children, Holman drove himself to Kansas City for the banquet. All went well, Holman said, although he doesn’t foresee future trips of that distance. He’s glad he made that one, though.

“It was a spiritual experience,” Holman said. “It was really good.”

On the Sunday after the banquet, Holman attended services as usual at Clyde United Methodist Church, where his accomplishments were celebrated.

The trip to Kansas City, getting a plaque at the dinner, and being recognized by friends at church when he returned was enough to keep Holman content for a long time. In fact, he expects to stay pretty close to home from now on — until his final journey.

“I think my next graduation is going to be to heaven,” he said.

We are grateful to all who joined us for our 70th anniversary and alumni reunion dinner. It was a wonderful night of celebration. Thank you for celebrating with us! We plan to have an Alumni Reunion dinner again next fall...keep watching for details!
Table of Contents

Quick Links

Quick Facts
Did you know that NTS is the only Nazarene institution in the U. S. whose Master of Divinity Program is nationally accredited by the Association of Theological Schools?
Did you know that our 2015 fall enrollment was up by nearly 13% over last year?
Did you know that our online program has been ranked in the top 10 of online graduate theology programs nationwide?
CPL Website
The NTS Center for Pastoral Leadership has launched its website! A premium subscription gives ministers access to amazing resources--enough to fulfill their annual requirement of 20 lifelong learning hours! Other benefits include a copy of MS Office 365 for 5 PCs and 5 Mobile Devices, and access to the NTS library and all its resources. Click here to learn more and subscribe.
Upcoming Events
Keep informed about upcoming continuing education events, CPL webinars and other happenings at NTS by visiting the EVENTS page of our website regularly!
COMING UP NEXT:
The Earle Lectures on the Old Testament, featuring Dr. Walter Moberly, Nov 16-17.
CPL Webinar on "Prayer: Sharing Intimate Space with God", led by Dr. Dean Blevins and Dr. Doug Hardy, Nov 30.
Experience China
Is visiting the Great Wall on your bucket list? Are you available June 3 – 14, 2016? Would you like to travel with an enjoyable and thoughtful group of new and old friends? Do you want to experience interesting site-seeing adventures on a well-planned trip?
Then you should consider joining NTS as we journey to China: from Beijing to Shanghai. Included are 11 guided tours, all meals, and four and five star accommodations. You will see China through new eyes!
Click here to learn more, including how to reserve your spot; as well as to view a video of a past study trip with NTS.
NAZARENE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
1700 East Meyer Boulevard

Kansas City, Missouri 64131 United States

816.268.5400
View and Download NTS Promotional Videos
development@nts.edu

www.nts.edu

DONATE NOW