In the next few months, we are offering several opportunities for continuing education, dialogue and fellowship; please join us at any or all of the events below (several of which you can join for free from the comfort of your own home or office).
Click here to bookmark the Upcoming Events Page on our website to stay up-to-date on NTS events.
CPL WEBINAR: PREACHING PHILIPPIANS
Dr. Roger Hahn | March 2 @ 2:00pm (Central)
Dr. Roger Hahn, NTS Dean of the Faculty and Professor of New Testament,will lead this webinar which is intended to refresh your knowledge of this beloved Christological Epistle and gain new understand about how to preach it effectively.
Click here to learn more and register today for FREE.
CPL WEBINAR: LONGEVITY IN THE MINISTRY
Rev. Phil Stout | April 14 @ 11:00am (Central)
Rev. Phil Stout has led Jackson First (commonly known as JaxNaz) since 1987. In the time that he has served as pastor, the church has grown in size from 125 to 1400 worshippers.
In this webinar, Phil will talk about the challenges as well as the benefits of serving a church for the long haul. He’ll describe ways he has kept himself motivated for the journey and always growing.
Click here to learn more and register today for FREE.
CPL WEBINAR: EVANGELISM WITH MILLENIALS
Rev. Keith Davenport | April 25 @ 7:00pm (Central)
In this webinar, Phil will talk about the challenges as well as the benefits of serving a church for the long haul. He’ll describe ways he has kept himself motivated for the journey and always growing.
Click here to learn more and register today for FREE.
CPL WEBINAR: EVANGELISM WITH MILLENIALS
Rev. Keith Davenport | April 25 @ 7:00pm (Central)
Rev. Keith Davenport, an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, serves as a volunteer for communications for the NTS CPL. He also serves as the Manager of Student Activities & Leadership Development at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS.
In a world where every opinion counts and every belief acceptable, how do Christians effectively share the Gospel with young adults? The webinar will share key theological and practical insights on how to reach young adults with the Good News. Discussion will include both personal evangelism and church ministry models.
Click here to learn more and register today for FREE.
WOMEN'S CLERGY GATHERING
NTS President Carla Sunberg
April 26 | 11:30am - 2:00pm
Dr. Carla Sunberg will be the featured speaker at an April lunch gathering for women clergy in the Kansas City area. The event will be Tuesday April 26, 11:30am - 2:00pm, at Tasso’s Greek Restaurant (8411 Wornall Road). Come enjoy good local food, rich conversations and perhaps make a new friend.
For more information and to RSVP, contact Dana Preusch at dpreusch@nts.edu.
CPL WEBINAR: IMAGES OF HOLINESS IN SCRIPTURE
Rev. Jim Fitzgerald | May 17 @ 11:00am (Central)
In a world where every opinion counts and every belief acceptable, how do Christians effectively share the Gospel with young adults? The webinar will share key theological and practical insights on how to reach young adults with the Good News. Discussion will include both personal evangelism and church ministry models.
Click here to learn more and register today for FREE.
WOMEN'S CLERGY GATHERING
NTS President Carla Sunberg
April 26 | 11:30am - 2:00pm
Dr. Carla Sunberg will be the featured speaker at an April lunch gathering for women clergy in the Kansas City area. The event will be Tuesday April 26, 11:30am - 2:00pm, at Tasso’s Greek Restaurant (8411 Wornall Road). Come enjoy good local food, rich conversations and perhaps make a new friend.
For more information and to RSVP, contact Dana Preusch at dpreusch@nts.edu.
CPL WEBINAR: IMAGES OF HOLINESS IN SCRIPTURE
Rev. Jim Fitzgerald | May 17 @ 11:00am (Central)
Rev. Jim Fitzgerald has served as Senior Pastor at Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Duncanville, TX, since June 2001.
Why is it that we can come up with images of sin and brokenness more readily in our preaching than images of grace and salvation? This webinar will look at the imagery we find in Scripture that helps us speak vibrantly and joyfully of holiness – what God’s grace accomplishes in our lives.
Click here to learn more and register today for FREE.
Table of Contents
CPL Website
Can't make it one of the CPL webinars but would like to listen in later? All CPL webinars are recorded and made available on the CPL website to subscribers. YOU can subscribe for just $99 and have access to more than just our webinars--you will also have access to a wide variety of continuing education that will allow pastors to annually earn all their required lifelong learning credits! In addition, members have local and remote access to the NTS Library, fresh new blogs from pastors, NTS professors and alumni, and more. Log on toCPL.NTS.EDU and join TODAY!
Quick Facts
Did you know that in the 2014/2015 academic year, NTS had 366 "unduplicated" students enrolled in our courses? (The average for our peer schools was 210.)
Did you know that of the 270 seminaries accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), NTS ranks in the top 40 in regard to overall financial health?
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?
Why is it that we can come up with images of sin and brokenness more readily in our preaching than images of grace and salvation? This webinar will look at the imagery we find in Scripture that helps us speak vibrantly and joyfully of holiness – what God’s grace accomplishes in our lives.
Click here to learn more and register today for FREE.
Table of Contents
- CPL WEBINAR: PREACHING PHILIPPIANS
- CPL WEBINAR: LONGEVITY IN THE MINISTRY
- CPL WEBINAR: EVANGELISM WITH MILLENIALS
- WOMEN'S CLERGY GATHERING
- CPL WEBINAR: IMAGES OF HOLINESS IN SCRIPTURE
CPL Website
Can't make it one of the CPL webinars but would like to listen in later? All CPL webinars are recorded and made available on the CPL website to subscribers. YOU can subscribe for just $99 and have access to more than just our webinars--you will also have access to a wide variety of continuing education that will allow pastors to annually earn all their required lifelong learning credits! In addition, members have local and remote access to the NTS Library, fresh new blogs from pastors, NTS professors and alumni, and more. Log on toCPL.NTS.EDU and join TODAY!
Quick Facts
Did you know that in the 2014/2015 academic year, NTS had 366 "unduplicated" students enrolled in our courses? (The average for our peer schools was 210.)
Did you know that of the 270 seminaries accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), NTS ranks in the top 40 in regard to overall financial health?
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?
---------------------
eConnection from Nazarene Theological Seminary of Kansas City, Missouri, United States - February 2016 with Carla Sunberg, NTS President
FROM PRESIDENT CARLA SUNBERG
eConnection from Nazarene Theological Seminary of Kansas City, Missouri, United States - February 2016 with Carla Sunberg, NTS President
FROM PRESIDENT CARLA SUNBERG
What does it mean to be called to the ministry? I think that’s a question that a number of people are asking themselves these days. Dan Aleshire, executive director for the Association of Theological Schools recently commented that the days are gone when the winds of culture and society would simply blow people into our churches and fill the pews. As a result, those who have a call to ministry may not find themselves serving in a traditional setting. Instead, we discover clergy who feel called to coffee shops, bakeries, hospitals, schools, community and international development, chaplaincy, and the local church. If this is the case, then how does a Seminary help to prepare clergy for the 21st century who serve the whole church?
Read more...
PRESIDENT'S BLOG
INDEX
Read more...
PRESIDENT'S BLOG
INDEX
THE BEST TOOLS
CLERGY, MINISTERING TO THE WHOLE CHURCH OF THE 21st CENTURY
What does it mean to be called to the ministry? I think that’s a question that a number of people are asking themselves these days. Dan Aleshire, executive director for the Association of Theological Schools recently commented that the days are gone when the winds of culture and society would simply blow people into our churches and fill the pews. As a result, those who have a call to ministry may not find themselves serving in a traditional setting. Instead, we discover clergy who feel called to coffee shops, bakeries, hospitals, schools, community and international development, chaplaincy, and the local church. If this is the case, then how does a Seminary help to prepare clergy for the 21st century who serve the whole church?
While there is great diversity in the context of ministry these days, there are also features which are relevant to all who are called. It is those common features which must be the focus of theological education and preparation for those who will minister.
No matter where one serves, a minister needs to know why he or she is serving. When my husband was young his father told him, “If you’re called to be a pastor it’s the best job in the world. If you’re not called, it’s the worst job in the world.” The why question must be related to a call from God and not a call from family or friends, or because one thinks it would feel good to help needy people. Throughout all of history God has been in the business of calling individuals to vocational ministry. God called the Levites who began serving at the tabernacle when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness. That was their context. They prepared daily sacrifices and cared for a portable place of worship, but they knew that this was their calling. Today the calling carries into a new context where God continues to use his servants.
No matter where one serves, a minister needs to know what he or she believes theologically. Since her inception the Church of the Nazarene has existed within the stream of the Wesleyan/Holiness movement. This movement has filled a distinctive role within the body of Christ, challenging believers to a deeper walk with the Lord, resulting in a life of holiness. Our theological beliefs create the blueprint for all of ministry. Whether serving coffee in a café or preaching in a pulpit, our Wesleyan theology informs the ways in which we minister.
No matter where one serves, a minister needs to live as an authentic servant leader. The Apostle Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1Cor. 11:1) He knew that the people whom he served would be watching the way in which he lived every single day of his life. He could have never preached or taught about a life of faithful service if he weren’t willing to live that way himself. The daily life of a minister may say more about their ministry than what is preached from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. Effective ministers throughout the centuries have been those who have been willing to serve others with an attitude of humility.
No matter where one serves, a minister needs to have a passion for knowing Christ. Too many people have struggled in ministry because they have failed to make knowing Christ a priority. The goal of the Christian life is to become more and more like Christ. Time must be set-aside for prayer, scripture reading and study. This intentionality and self-discipline has formed the ministers of the past and will continue to shape and form effective ministers in this century.
No matter where one serves, the more the minister knows Christ, the more his or her heart will break for those who are lost and suffering. Passion for the lost grows out of love for Christ. If the motivation for ministry comes from the latest program it will eventually lose its energy. Far too many ministers have found themselves burned out by their dependence on their own merits rather than relying on the passion which comes from Christ. When one truly becomes united with Christ, then the burdens of Christ become personal. Christ died for the lost and when this becomes a living reality within the heart of a minister, there will be an overwhelming desire to reach out and touch a very broken world with the good news of Jesus Christ.
The context in which the church is ministering is rapidly changing and this is creating numerous challenges. The whole church is now being found in the sanctuary and in the coffee shop around the corner. Ministers are needed to serve in a variety of capacities and the church and Seminary must be ready to support them in these new settings. At the same time, we must continue to nurture the core and fundamental needs which remain unchangeable. The principles of clergy preparation remain timeless as God continues to call, and the Seminary continues to prepare faithful and effective ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
THE JOY OF GIVING
Tim McPherson, Dean for Advancement
This article is the first in a series I'm calling "The Joy of Giving." A quick Google search will show that my title is not unique. Certainly, the Bible teaches "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35 ESV). Many people have found that giving to God and others brings much joy to their lives.
In this column, I plan to explore our personal theologies for giving and examine our relationship with money. Everyone has a story--what is yours? What has shaped your beliefs and practices? What is the health of your relationship with finances? Do you consider yourself a generous person? Have you found joy in giving?
Read more...
THE JOY OF GIVING
This article is the first in a series I’m calling “The Joy of Giving.” A quick Google search will show that my title is not unique. Certainly, the Bible teaches “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35 ESV). Many people have found that giving to God and others brings much joy to their lives.
In this column, I plan to explore our personal theologies for giving and examine our relationship with money. Everyone has a story—what is yours? What has shaped your beliefs and practices? What is the health of your relationship with finances? Do you consider yourself a generous person? Have you found joy in giving?
As we consider what shapes our theology of money, let’s start at the beginning with a very important question: “What is your earliest memory of giving or receiving?”
The first thing that comes to my mind is my mother pressing a coin in my upturned palm as a little boy. I knew that this was a gift from both my mom and my dad, and that they didn’t have to do it. I somehow understood that it cost them something, but also had a hunch that there was more where that came from. Furthermore, I knew I wasn’t to keep this gift to myself! The reason they gave me money on Sunday morning was so that I, in turn, could give it back to God, the true Source, when the Sunday school offering was taken. They didn’t have to remind me each Sunday; as a child, giving to God and others simply made me happy. I was glad to receive so that I could give it all away.
I must admit that my relationship with money got a bit more complicated with the responsibilities of adulthood. Is it possible to recapture the simple joys of giving? Can one recapture simple faith, making the connection between gift and Giver? Can we participate in graced giving today? Yes! Many have found the joy of giving!
So, “What is your earliest memory of giving or receiving?” I’d love to read your responses and share some of them in the next eConnection.
Tim McPherson
Dean for Institutional Advancement
tmcpherson@nts.edu(816) 787-5911
FACULTY CORNER
Dr. Roger Hahn - "Matthew: A Commentary for Bible Students"
In the preface to his Matthew commentary (Wesleyan Publishing House, 2007), Dr. Hahn shares, "The joys of working with the gospel of Matthew are many. The question of Matthew's structure is intellectually intriguing and never fails to challenge me. The alternating patterns of narrative and teaching blocks model a most effective method of communicating both the life and the message of Jesus. Matthew's clear dependence on the Old Testament and the ways in which he links Jesus and the Old Testament are extremely helpful, especially in an era when resurgent gnosticism threatens the Church. Working with the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord's Prayer, and the Great Commission puts one in touch with some of the most influential texts of the New Testament. Matthew's treatment of discipleship is readily applicable to life in the Church today."
Click here to read more about Dr. Hahn's Commentary on Matthew, including how to order a copy.
The preaching of the Kingdom provided a new lens by which Jesus demonstrated the meaning of the Old Testament for His followers. The Kingdom teachings, the story of Jesus' life and ministry, and the theological truths of the Old Testament instruct the Church in right living before God and with other believers.
An excellent resource for personal study, and especially helpful for those involved in the teaching ministries of the church, the Wesleyan Bible Study Commentary series will encourage and promote life change in believers by applying God's authoritative truth in relevant, practical ways. Written in an easy-to-follow format, you will enjoy studying Scripture insights that are faithful to the Wesleyan-Armenian perspective.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Megan Krebs
Rev. Megan Krebs is another of the many NTS students who receive scholarships to assist in the financing of their Seminary education. We asked Megan to share a bit of her testimony with the family who provided her scholarship, as well as talk about the importance that the scholarship played in her ability to attend NTS. With her permission, we are sharing her letter with you below:
Thank you so very much for your generosity in providing a scholarship for me to attend NTS. Without this support, seminary would be a nearly impossible financial burden. My name is Megan Krebs, and your assistance is paving the way for me to follow the call that God has placed on my life. I grew up in the Inland Northwest—Saint Maries, Idaho to be exact. Although I was raised in the local Presbyterian Church, during junior high I began attending the youth group at the Saint Maries Community Church of the Nazarene. During Northwest District camp, just before my freshman year of high school, God called me to be a pastor.
Read more...
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: MEGAN KREBS
CLERGY, MINISTERING TO THE WHOLE CHURCH OF THE 21st CENTURY
What does it mean to be called to the ministry? I think that’s a question that a number of people are asking themselves these days. Dan Aleshire, executive director for the Association of Theological Schools recently commented that the days are gone when the winds of culture and society would simply blow people into our churches and fill the pews. As a result, those who have a call to ministry may not find themselves serving in a traditional setting. Instead, we discover clergy who feel called to coffee shops, bakeries, hospitals, schools, community and international development, chaplaincy, and the local church. If this is the case, then how does a Seminary help to prepare clergy for the 21st century who serve the whole church?
While there is great diversity in the context of ministry these days, there are also features which are relevant to all who are called. It is those common features which must be the focus of theological education and preparation for those who will minister.
No matter where one serves, a minister needs to know why he or she is serving. When my husband was young his father told him, “If you’re called to be a pastor it’s the best job in the world. If you’re not called, it’s the worst job in the world.” The why question must be related to a call from God and not a call from family or friends, or because one thinks it would feel good to help needy people. Throughout all of history God has been in the business of calling individuals to vocational ministry. God called the Levites who began serving at the tabernacle when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness. That was their context. They prepared daily sacrifices and cared for a portable place of worship, but they knew that this was their calling. Today the calling carries into a new context where God continues to use his servants.
No matter where one serves, a minister needs to know what he or she believes theologically. Since her inception the Church of the Nazarene has existed within the stream of the Wesleyan/Holiness movement. This movement has filled a distinctive role within the body of Christ, challenging believers to a deeper walk with the Lord, resulting in a life of holiness. Our theological beliefs create the blueprint for all of ministry. Whether serving coffee in a café or preaching in a pulpit, our Wesleyan theology informs the ways in which we minister.
No matter where one serves, a minister needs to live as an authentic servant leader. The Apostle Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1Cor. 11:1) He knew that the people whom he served would be watching the way in which he lived every single day of his life. He could have never preached or taught about a life of faithful service if he weren’t willing to live that way himself. The daily life of a minister may say more about their ministry than what is preached from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. Effective ministers throughout the centuries have been those who have been willing to serve others with an attitude of humility.
No matter where one serves, a minister needs to have a passion for knowing Christ. Too many people have struggled in ministry because they have failed to make knowing Christ a priority. The goal of the Christian life is to become more and more like Christ. Time must be set-aside for prayer, scripture reading and study. This intentionality and self-discipline has formed the ministers of the past and will continue to shape and form effective ministers in this century.
No matter where one serves, the more the minister knows Christ, the more his or her heart will break for those who are lost and suffering. Passion for the lost grows out of love for Christ. If the motivation for ministry comes from the latest program it will eventually lose its energy. Far too many ministers have found themselves burned out by their dependence on their own merits rather than relying on the passion which comes from Christ. When one truly becomes united with Christ, then the burdens of Christ become personal. Christ died for the lost and when this becomes a living reality within the heart of a minister, there will be an overwhelming desire to reach out and touch a very broken world with the good news of Jesus Christ.
The context in which the church is ministering is rapidly changing and this is creating numerous challenges. The whole church is now being found in the sanctuary and in the coffee shop around the corner. Ministers are needed to serve in a variety of capacities and the church and Seminary must be ready to support them in these new settings. At the same time, we must continue to nurture the core and fundamental needs which remain unchangeable. The principles of clergy preparation remain timeless as God continues to call, and the Seminary continues to prepare faithful and effective ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
THE JOY OF GIVING
Tim McPherson, Dean for Advancement
This article is the first in a series I'm calling "The Joy of Giving." A quick Google search will show that my title is not unique. Certainly, the Bible teaches "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35 ESV). Many people have found that giving to God and others brings much joy to their lives.
In this column, I plan to explore our personal theologies for giving and examine our relationship with money. Everyone has a story--what is yours? What has shaped your beliefs and practices? What is the health of your relationship with finances? Do you consider yourself a generous person? Have you found joy in giving?
Read more...
THE JOY OF GIVING
This article is the first in a series I’m calling “The Joy of Giving.” A quick Google search will show that my title is not unique. Certainly, the Bible teaches “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35 ESV). Many people have found that giving to God and others brings much joy to their lives.
In this column, I plan to explore our personal theologies for giving and examine our relationship with money. Everyone has a story—what is yours? What has shaped your beliefs and practices? What is the health of your relationship with finances? Do you consider yourself a generous person? Have you found joy in giving?
As we consider what shapes our theology of money, let’s start at the beginning with a very important question: “What is your earliest memory of giving or receiving?”
The first thing that comes to my mind is my mother pressing a coin in my upturned palm as a little boy. I knew that this was a gift from both my mom and my dad, and that they didn’t have to do it. I somehow understood that it cost them something, but also had a hunch that there was more where that came from. Furthermore, I knew I wasn’t to keep this gift to myself! The reason they gave me money on Sunday morning was so that I, in turn, could give it back to God, the true Source, when the Sunday school offering was taken. They didn’t have to remind me each Sunday; as a child, giving to God and others simply made me happy. I was glad to receive so that I could give it all away.
I must admit that my relationship with money got a bit more complicated with the responsibilities of adulthood. Is it possible to recapture the simple joys of giving? Can one recapture simple faith, making the connection between gift and Giver? Can we participate in graced giving today? Yes! Many have found the joy of giving!
So, “What is your earliest memory of giving or receiving?” I’d love to read your responses and share some of them in the next eConnection.
Tim McPherson
Dean for Institutional Advancement
tmcpherson@nts.edu(816) 787-5911
FACULTY CORNER
Dr. Roger Hahn - "Matthew: A Commentary for Bible Students"
In the preface to his Matthew commentary (Wesleyan Publishing House, 2007), Dr. Hahn shares, "The joys of working with the gospel of Matthew are many. The question of Matthew's structure is intellectually intriguing and never fails to challenge me. The alternating patterns of narrative and teaching blocks model a most effective method of communicating both the life and the message of Jesus. Matthew's clear dependence on the Old Testament and the ways in which he links Jesus and the Old Testament are extremely helpful, especially in an era when resurgent gnosticism threatens the Church. Working with the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord's Prayer, and the Great Commission puts one in touch with some of the most influential texts of the New Testament. Matthew's treatment of discipleship is readily applicable to life in the Church today."
Click here to read more about Dr. Hahn's Commentary on Matthew, including how to order a copy.
Matthew: A Commentary for Bible Students (Wesleyan Bible Commentary) (Wesley Bible Commentary) Hardcover – November 20, 2007 by Roger Hahn (Author)
The Matthew commentary explores Matthew's vision of discipleship and how to live the Christian life when one's traditional moorings are under attack.The preaching of the Kingdom provided a new lens by which Jesus demonstrated the meaning of the Old Testament for His followers. The Kingdom teachings, the story of Jesus' life and ministry, and the theological truths of the Old Testament instruct the Church in right living before God and with other believers.
An excellent resource for personal study, and especially helpful for those involved in the teaching ministries of the church, the Wesleyan Bible Study Commentary series will encourage and promote life change in believers by applying God's authoritative truth in relevant, practical ways. Written in an easy-to-follow format, you will enjoy studying Scripture insights that are faithful to the Wesleyan-Armenian perspective.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Megan Krebs
Rev. Megan Krebs is another of the many NTS students who receive scholarships to assist in the financing of their Seminary education. We asked Megan to share a bit of her testimony with the family who provided her scholarship, as well as talk about the importance that the scholarship played in her ability to attend NTS. With her permission, we are sharing her letter with you below:
Thank you so very much for your generosity in providing a scholarship for me to attend NTS. Without this support, seminary would be a nearly impossible financial burden. My name is Megan Krebs, and your assistance is paving the way for me to follow the call that God has placed on my life. I grew up in the Inland Northwest—Saint Maries, Idaho to be exact. Although I was raised in the local Presbyterian Church, during junior high I began attending the youth group at the Saint Maries Community Church of the Nazarene. During Northwest District camp, just before my freshman year of high school, God called me to be a pastor.
Read more...
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: MEGAN KREBS
Thank you so very much for your generosity in providing a scholarship for me to attend NTS. Without this support, seminary would be a nearly impossible financial burden.
My name is Megan Krebs, and your assistance is paving the way for me to follow the call that God has placed on my life. I grew up in the Inland Northwest—Saint Maries, Idaho to be exact. Although I was raised in the local Presbyterian Church, during junior high I began attending the youth group at the Saint Maries Community Church of the Nazarene. During Northwest District camp, just before my freshman year of high school, God called me to be a pastor. At the time, I had no idea what that meant or what this calling would look like, but God used the mentors in my life to grow and shape me.
Through the next few years, my youth pastor pulled me into a role of servant-leadership. I learned a lot from him; and the way in which he modeled the love of Christ to us still has a lasting impact on my ministry. After high school, I began my schooling and training for ministry at Northwest Nazarene University. Through my classes, I was challenged and nurtured. Our professors became pastors to us and called us to constantly seek the Kingdom of God in everything we did. I quickly fell in love all over again with the Scriptures, particularly the Old Testament. Additionally, it was at NNU that I fell in love with the history and doctrine of the Church of the Nazarene. It was there that I became committed to serving our denomination.
While at NNU, it became obvious that the call to ministry that God had laid on my heart was not going to be as simple as I thought. God has established within me a deep love for preaching, and I hope to one day be the lead pastor of a congregation. However, my passion for the Old Testament has only deepened, and I believe God is also calling me to one day teach and prepare young ministers in training at the university level. Nazarene Theological Seminary’s robust programs will empower and enable me to pursue these callings that God has placed on my heart.
In December 2013, just before graduating from NNU, I took an associate pastor placement at Boise Euclid Community Church of the Nazarene. There I oversaw the youth and their families while also serving in worship planning and in many other capacities in our community. By the time I left to come to NTS, I had served for nearly two years at Euclid. That community has shaped me in innumerable ways. While serving there, I was able to truly step into the mantle of pastor. I loved the Euclid church and my teens, but I knew that in order to minister more effectively, I needed to pursue more preparation and education; in order to best serve the Church, I needed to attend seminary.
Again, your generous gift is making this possible. I cannot adequately express my thanks because without scholarships like this one, I simply would not be able to attend seminary. Thank you so much for your work in the Kingdom and in my life.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT - "Faithful & Effective"
The mission of NTS is to prepare "faithful and effective ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." The stories of alumni in ministry are the story of NTS.
Jeremy Selvidge ('10)
Rev. Jeremy Selvidge graduated from NTS in 2010 with his Master of Divinity degree and is a current student in our Doctor of Ministry program. He is also the Member-At-Large for the ONU Region on the NTS Alumni Council and serves as Pastor of the Mount Pleasant (MI) First Church of the Nazarene. Recenlty a ministry of his church that helps provide clothing to families in need was featured in a local video. They are making an incredible impact in their community!
Click here to view the video and learn more about this important ministry. Thank you for your leadership and your ministry, Jeremy!
Honor a Loved One by Starting a Scholarship at NTS
“Just today I was listening to a sermon on my phone, and this scripture was used: ‘A good name is better than fine perfume (Ecc. 7:1).’ I was taking notes, and wrote down that scripture, circled it, and wrote ‘Dad’ next to it. My Dad was a very good man, and left a legacy of goodness. His prayer for us was that we would, ‘strive to be good rather than great, and right rather than rich.’ He lived this way himself, as it was his father’s prayer for him as well. Everything my Mom did was for other people, and she gave sacrificially.”
Stephani (Powers) Cochran wrote the words above about her parents, Dr. J. Dudley (pictured at right) and Mrs. Joan Powers. Both are now in heaven. Even though there were many issues to be handled with their loss, Stephani opted to begin a scholarship fund at NTS to honor them.
Click here to read the rest of her story and about how you can honor the memory of a loved one, pastor or friend by starting a scholarship fund at NTS.
A GOOD NAME
My name is Megan Krebs, and your assistance is paving the way for me to follow the call that God has placed on my life. I grew up in the Inland Northwest—Saint Maries, Idaho to be exact. Although I was raised in the local Presbyterian Church, during junior high I began attending the youth group at the Saint Maries Community Church of the Nazarene. During Northwest District camp, just before my freshman year of high school, God called me to be a pastor. At the time, I had no idea what that meant or what this calling would look like, but God used the mentors in my life to grow and shape me.
Through the next few years, my youth pastor pulled me into a role of servant-leadership. I learned a lot from him; and the way in which he modeled the love of Christ to us still has a lasting impact on my ministry. After high school, I began my schooling and training for ministry at Northwest Nazarene University. Through my classes, I was challenged and nurtured. Our professors became pastors to us and called us to constantly seek the Kingdom of God in everything we did. I quickly fell in love all over again with the Scriptures, particularly the Old Testament. Additionally, it was at NNU that I fell in love with the history and doctrine of the Church of the Nazarene. It was there that I became committed to serving our denomination.
While at NNU, it became obvious that the call to ministry that God had laid on my heart was not going to be as simple as I thought. God has established within me a deep love for preaching, and I hope to one day be the lead pastor of a congregation. However, my passion for the Old Testament has only deepened, and I believe God is also calling me to one day teach and prepare young ministers in training at the university level. Nazarene Theological Seminary’s robust programs will empower and enable me to pursue these callings that God has placed on my heart.
In December 2013, just before graduating from NNU, I took an associate pastor placement at Boise Euclid Community Church of the Nazarene. There I oversaw the youth and their families while also serving in worship planning and in many other capacities in our community. By the time I left to come to NTS, I had served for nearly two years at Euclid. That community has shaped me in innumerable ways. While serving there, I was able to truly step into the mantle of pastor. I loved the Euclid church and my teens, but I knew that in order to minister more effectively, I needed to pursue more preparation and education; in order to best serve the Church, I needed to attend seminary.
Again, your generous gift is making this possible. I cannot adequately express my thanks because without scholarships like this one, I simply would not be able to attend seminary. Thank you so much for your work in the Kingdom and in my life.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT - "Faithful & Effective"
The mission of NTS is to prepare "faithful and effective ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." The stories of alumni in ministry are the story of NTS.
Jeremy Selvidge ('10)
Rev. Jeremy Selvidge graduated from NTS in 2010 with his Master of Divinity degree and is a current student in our Doctor of Ministry program. He is also the Member-At-Large for the ONU Region on the NTS Alumni Council and serves as Pastor of the Mount Pleasant (MI) First Church of the Nazarene. Recenlty a ministry of his church that helps provide clothing to families in need was featured in a local video. They are making an incredible impact in their community!
Click here to view the video and learn more about this important ministry. Thank you for your leadership and your ministry, Jeremy!
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/150796059" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/150796059">MAC Gives Back: Clothing, INC</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/mactvnetwork">MAC TV Network</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
MAC Gives Back: Clothing, INC from MAC TV NetworkPRO1 month agomore
DownloadShare
Staff from MAC TV invite you to give back to your communities and hope to bring awareness on opportunities for you to get involved. In this episode we went to Clothing INC at the Mt. Pleasant First Church of the Nazarene where they collect and sort donated clothes for people in need.
For more information on how you can get involved with this volunteer opportunity
visit: mpnaz.com/ or call: 989.773.3904
A GOOD NAME Honor a Loved One by Starting a Scholarship at NTS
“Just today I was listening to a sermon on my phone, and this scripture was used: ‘A good name is better than fine perfume (Ecc. 7:1).’ I was taking notes, and wrote down that scripture, circled it, and wrote ‘Dad’ next to it. My Dad was a very good man, and left a legacy of goodness. His prayer for us was that we would, ‘strive to be good rather than great, and right rather than rich.’ He lived this way himself, as it was his father’s prayer for him as well. Everything my Mom did was for other people, and she gave sacrificially.”
Stephani (Powers) Cochran wrote the words above about her parents, Dr. J. Dudley (pictured at right) and Mrs. Joan Powers. Both are now in heaven. Even though there were many issues to be handled with their loss, Stephani opted to begin a scholarship fund at NTS to honor them.
Click here to read the rest of her story and about how you can honor the memory of a loved one, pastor or friend by starting a scholarship fund at NTS.
A GOOD NAME
HONOR A LOVED ONE BY STARTING A SCHOLARSHIP
“Just today I was listening to a sermon on my phone, and this scripture was used: ‘A good name is better than fine perfume (Ecc. 7:1).’ I was taking notes, and wrote down that scripture, circled it, and wrote ‘Dad’ next to it. My Dad was a very good man, and left a legacy of goodness. His prayer for us was that we would, ‘strive to be good rather than great, and right rather than rich.’ He lived this way himself, as it was his father’s prayer for him as well. Everything my Mom did was for other people, and she gave sacrificially.”
Stephani (Powers) Cochran wrote the words above about her parents, Dr. J. Dudley (pictured at left) and Mrs. Joan Powers. Both are now in heaven. Even though there were many issues to be handled with their loss, Stephani opted to begin a scholarship fund at NTS to honor them. Her story continues below:
“Quite honestly, doing this (working on the scholarship) in the midst of deep grief is a blessing, but my emotions are still so raw that talking about, or even typing about my parents still brings tears to my eyes daily. They were my best friends. I am still sorting through their remaining belongings as well, so each day it seems the wound both heals and hurts all at the same time.
“Having a scholarship at the Seminary is such a fitting way to honor my dad, along with my mother. He loved teaching God’s word. One of his friends once said that he knew no other layman that was a better student of God’s word. Dad would spend hours studying and preparing. His study table was always covered with open Bibles, books, and research materials.
“I have begun to think more and more about my Mom. She supported my Dad in all his endeavors throughout their lives together. She worked and put him through medical school, while having a small child at home. She went to the mission field with him and taught children how to read and write. She stayed home and took care of us kids when Dad took many trips over the years.
“In awarding this scholarship in my parents’ name, I think not only of the students who will receive it, who will be in school full-time preparing for the ministry and how they will impact the Kingdom; but I also think of their spouses who will be making sacrifices and supporting them as well. Their role is significant.”
In order to fund this scholarship, Stephani worked with the current teacher of Dr. Powers’ former Sunday school class. Friends of the Seminary inside the class pushed for the class to give to honor Dr. Powers. Family gave to honor him. And, in a relatively short time, the fund was fully endowed and will now provide scholarships to NTS students in perpetuity.
Do you know someone you would like to honor by beginning a scholarship in their memory? Click here to read more about student scholarships, or contact us at development@nts.edu or at 816.768.5434, and we will gladly help you with the process.
“Just today I was listening to a sermon on my phone, and this scripture was used: ‘A good name is better than fine perfume (Ecc. 7:1).’ I was taking notes, and wrote down that scripture, circled it, and wrote ‘Dad’ next to it. My Dad was a very good man, and left a legacy of goodness. His prayer for us was that we would, ‘strive to be good rather than great, and right rather than rich.’ He lived this way himself, as it was his father’s prayer for him as well. Everything my Mom did was for other people, and she gave sacrificially.”
Stephani (Powers) Cochran wrote the words above about her parents, Dr. J. Dudley (pictured at left) and Mrs. Joan Powers. Both are now in heaven. Even though there were many issues to be handled with their loss, Stephani opted to begin a scholarship fund at NTS to honor them. Her story continues below:
“Quite honestly, doing this (working on the scholarship) in the midst of deep grief is a blessing, but my emotions are still so raw that talking about, or even typing about my parents still brings tears to my eyes daily. They were my best friends. I am still sorting through their remaining belongings as well, so each day it seems the wound both heals and hurts all at the same time.
“Having a scholarship at the Seminary is such a fitting way to honor my dad, along with my mother. He loved teaching God’s word. One of his friends once said that he knew no other layman that was a better student of God’s word. Dad would spend hours studying and preparing. His study table was always covered with open Bibles, books, and research materials.
“I have begun to think more and more about my Mom. She supported my Dad in all his endeavors throughout their lives together. She worked and put him through medical school, while having a small child at home. She went to the mission field with him and taught children how to read and write. She stayed home and took care of us kids when Dad took many trips over the years.
“In awarding this scholarship in my parents’ name, I think not only of the students who will receive it, who will be in school full-time preparing for the ministry and how they will impact the Kingdom; but I also think of their spouses who will be making sacrifices and supporting them as well. Their role is significant.”
In order to fund this scholarship, Stephani worked with the current teacher of Dr. Powers’ former Sunday school class. Friends of the Seminary inside the class pushed for the class to give to honor Dr. Powers. Family gave to honor him. And, in a relatively short time, the fund was fully endowed and will now provide scholarships to NTS students in perpetuity.
Do you know someone you would like to honor by beginning a scholarship in their memory? Click here to read more about student scholarships, or contact us at development@nts.edu or at 816.768.5434, and we will gladly help you with the process.
---------------------
1700 East Meyer Boulevard
1700 East Meyer Boulevard
Kansas City, Missouri 64131, United States
816.268.5400
Address postal inquiries to:
Nazarene Theological Seminary
1700 East Meyer Boulevard
Kansas City, Missouri 64131-1246, United States
Address postal inquiries to:
Nazarene Theological Seminary
1700 East Meyer Boulevard
Kansas City, Missouri 64131-1246, United States
---------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment