Rob Prince's Blog, page 3

A Word about Nazarene Institutions of Higher Learning and their Leadership Teams

The toughest job in the Church of the Nazarene is college president. I’ve written a blog on that topic before, you can read it here.  Don’t believe me, ask Dr. Carson Castleman of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Following a vote of no confidence from by the faculty a few weeks ago, I have friends that love the guy; I have friends that… umm… less than love the guy. It’s hard being a college president. Dr. Jeren Rowell has done an excellent job leading Nazarene Theological Seminary in spite of the seemingly endless accusations and unfounded detractors. (FYI the seminary is the only institution where every faculty member is vetted by the Board of General Superintendents. No other school’s religion department is. Still, NTS is constantly taking inflammatory hits of being less than Nazarene. An argument can be made, it’s the MOST Nazarene.). Being a college or seminary president is a tough.

There are those who have done very well. Dr. David Spittal, who recently announced his retirement, came out to retirement to help MidAmerica Nazarene University and has stayed longer than many probably anticipated. He served MNU through trying times and was a blessing to that school in many ways. Speaking of leaving the ease of retirement, Dr. John Bowling is coming out of retirement to help give interim leadership to Nazarene Bible College. The NBC trustees could not have picked a better candidate. Also speaking of retirement, I sat in Trevecca’s own, Dr. Dan Boone’s seminar at the M-25 conference last week; let’s do all we can to keep that guy from retiring… ever. His seminar was masterful. I wish every District Superintendent in the United States could have heard it. Last fall, the Nazarene Theological College in Manchester, England’s principal, Dr. Deirdre Brower-Latz, was our revival speaker. She was terrific. What an exceptional mind and gifted speaker. Moreover, I recently spent a few days in the Philippines at the Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary. Drs. Larry and Lynne Bollinger are a treasure to the Church of the Nazarene. If there are better people than Larry and Lynne, I haven’t met them (although they are a little too rabid about the Boston Celtics). 

Bias Alert: Olivet Nazarene University President, Dr. Gregg Chenoweth, grew up at Flint Central. It is his home church. The family center is named “The Chenoweth Center,” after Gregg’s parents, Bob and Arlene Chenoweth. We have a “Chenoweth Scholarship” that has given thousands of dollars to Olivet students. Moreover, his grandfather, Rev. Robert Milner pastored several churches on the Eastern Michigan District and for a time, I was his grandmother’s pastor. All this to say, Gregg is the favorite son in these parts. You will not hear a discouraging word around here about Gregg. 

Nazarene institutions of high learning are going through challenging times (i.e. Eastern Nazarene College). Some of our schools are in the midst of transition (I’m looking at you Dr. Kerry Fulcher at Point Loma and the presidential search committees at Northwest, MidAmerica and NBC). Can Nazarenes everywhere commit to praying for our university leadership teams. As rumors and innuendos from all sides fly on the internet, I’ve learned that I don’t always know the facts. I am not always privy to first-hand information. Usually those that are, avoid social media. Before slinging any mud or jumping into the fray, can we pray? Before hopping into a gossip mill and drawing conclusions, can we seek the Lord? 

Leadership is hard. Competing voices are everywhere. It’s not always cut and dried. Sometimes decisions made are not of the “lesser of two evils” variety, instead are of the “all-the-choices-stink” variety. Not every decision will be agreed upon. Some things the leaders will get right and other things will prove to be wrong (leaders are people too). When people’s livelihoods are involved, it is understandably unsettling. Obviously, we must comfort the grieving. We can do so, without passing social media judgement on matters of which we know little. 

In all things, especially for those of us on the outside looking in, we need to exude Christ-like consideration, mercy, and grace. Our colleges and universities are taking hits on all sides, we need not add to the angst. 

Hey Nazarene Pastors, what are you waiting for?

Nazarene Pensions and Benefits has tried to help Nazarene pastors’ meager retirement plan. Last year P&B announced that pastors could get up to a 50% match of what a local church/pastor contributed in their Fidelity 403b account (up to a $2500 or 50% of $5,000). The latest addition of the NBUSA Quarterly–the newsletter for the Nazarene Benefits (see it here) has a troubling statistic. Through the first three quarters of last year, a whopping 76% of Nazarene ministers did not receive a match in their fidelity account. 

76%?

What are you waiting for my fellow pastors?

This is free money for you? Who not named Elon Musk or Bill Gates turns down free money (I think even those guys would take free money). 

As the church pays some (if not all) of the Pensions apportionment and the pastor/church contribute to the pastor’s Fidelity account; then Pension and Benefits matches (read: free money) up to $2500 (read again: free money) into their account. For example, my church pays its pension budget in full; then the church matches what a pastor contributes up to $2500. So the pastor gives $2500; our church gives $2500 and the denomination gives $2500. The grand total is $7500 in the pastor’s retirement account.

For old guys and gals like me, it helps a little bit. For younger pastors getting $7500 into a retirement account is a game changer. If young pastors do this year after year, when they become an old pastor like me, they will not need to worry about their retirement years. 

Last year, I thanked P&B for this change (you can read that article here). The old adage, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink,” seems to be true. As it relate to Nazarene pastors’ retirement maybe it should read: “You can try to provide a better retirement for Nazarene pastors, but 76% have said, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Pastors this is the best retirement plan ever offered by our church. Please take advantage of it. Even if the local church and pastor can’t contribute the full $5000, pay your P&B budget and do something, anything. 

It’s a good deal. 

What are you waiting for?

When “Ghosted” Rely on the Holy Ghost

To be “ghosted” by someone is to end all contact without warning or explanation. Every pastor (who has been in church life for very long) knows the hurt that accompanies this response by parishioners. It’s disheartening when a pastor invests in a family’s life; been beside them in some of their most difficult circumstances and then the family leaves the church. Usually this occurs over a minor issue, that is, if the pastor ever discovers the true reason for the hasty exit.

Such “ghosting” is not limited to the wandering sheep of the pastor’s flock. Pastors have been “ghosted” by their district superintendent. They hear from their leader only if their church has failed to pay their apportionments, if at all. Denominational leaders ghost pastors too. Don’t return calls. Hedge on the truth. Are less than forthright. It happens. 

Disappointment in people (whether lay people or denominational leaders) is part and parcel with life in the ministry. People are people. They are broken. They sin. They lie. They go on social media with such nonsense. It hurts. It’s not new. Disappointment in people’s decisions have been around since Adam and Eve first grabbed the forbidden fruit in the garden. Still it hurts when people behave in such ways. The knife cuts even deeper when the hurt comes from people one has loved and respected.

Dismayed by such “ghosting,” often pastors feel all alone. As it happens again and again, this disappointment in lay people coupled with indifference from leadership has led many pastors to throw up their hands and quit. Ironically, when the pastor walks away, lay people and church leaders then attribute the minister’s exit to “burn out.” Failing to recognize that their ghosting silence and indifference led to the pastor’s demise. All this to say, it’s tough being a pastor these days.

To the laypeople and church leaders reading this: Don’t neglect the local pastor. Their job is immense. It’s hard. They are on the front lines of the Enemy’s attack. They need cheerleaders not mudslingers. They need people they can count on–  that have the pastor’s back, not those who will put a knife in it. They need encouragement, not silence. 

To the pastor’s reading this, you’d expect me to quote Jesus words that He will never leave you or forsake you. That’s true, but you already know that. Maybe you’d think I would remind you to keep your eyes on Jesus and not people. That’s also true, but I surmise you already know that too. Here’s my word for the disheartened and discouraged: You are not alone. You are not the only one who feels the way you feel. I’ve been there. All good pastors have been there. Press on. Don’t quit. Love those sheep who have stayed. Pray for those who have left and the clueless leaders who do not understand your plight.

Maybe what’s needed most is this:  Grab a cup of coffee at an out-of-the-way shop. Read a novel. Take a nap. My prayer for all of us (Church leaders, pastors, lay people) is Paul’s prayer for the Roman Church (in King James English): Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13 KJV. Allow the Holy Ghost to renew your “ghosted” and heavy heart.

(Edited to read:  To my dear friends at Central Church who might be reading this, we have so many encouragers at our church! If every pastor had parishioners like Central Church there would be far less walking away! Thanks for your love and generosity).

Christmas Eve Eve (aka…the Night before the Preacher’s Super Bowl)

It’s Christmas Eve Eve. 

In the sentence above, the red squiggly line on my computer screen under the second “Eve” indicates it should not be there. The computer wants to delete the repetitive word. But that’s the point, it’s Eve’s Eve. Today is the day before Christmas Eve. It’s the day for getting last minute things done. It’s a day like no other. 

Today is the frazzled day of last minute shopping. Need anything from Wal-Mart? Count the presents. Make sure everyone is fairly gifted. Volunteer to battle the crowds for the good of the family; grab a last minute stocking stuffer and a gallon of milk. It’s the day to wrap the last few items. The family begins to gather from faraway places. What’s for dinner? Order a pizza. It’s Christmas Eve Eve.

When you are a believer but not the preacher on Christmas Eve, today is the day to remind your friends and family of the Christmas Eve service time. It’s the day to give that last minute invite to non-churched friends. It’s the day to make sure your row is packed with people who are ready to celebrate the Object of all our gatherings—Jesus.

When you are the preacher, Christmas Eve Eve is the night before the Super Bowl. The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service has the highest percentage of non-church goers than any other service of the year. More than Easter. More than Mother’s Day. Christmas Eve is the big day. Tomorrow is it. Which means, with all of the Christmas joy and carols and lighting of candles, still the Gospel must be preached. It’s not for nostalgia sake that we are gathering, but for Jesus. Folks need to know that there is an answer to their deepest needs. Jesus is the One who proclaimed, I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades (Revelation 1:18). So on this Silent Night, the preacher can’t be quiet about the Good News. It’s too important.

Dear Christmas Eve preacher, no pressure, but it’s game time! The Super Bowl is tomorrow. Get plenty of sleep. Be ready. Be excited. Preach well and let Jesus do the rest. Go tell it on the mountain (or from the pulpit): Jesus Christ is born and that Good News makes all the difference. 

Good News About the Good News This Christmas

Ready for some good news this Christmas?  According to Leonard Sweet, a renowned missiologist, there are more Christians in China than there are people in the United States. The largest officially atheist country is (because so many people are coming to Christ) soon becoming the largest Christian nation!  

Let that sink in. 

There will be more people celebrating Christmas in China than in the United States. I’m not sure that they will all have Christmas trees. They might not all go out caroling in their neighborhood. They might not be able to express their faith as openly as you and I, but God is on the move in China. Praise the Lord!

It’s not just China. Africa is booming with those turning to Christ too. At the turn of the 20th century, there were about 10 million Christians on the continent of Africa,. Today, there are 734 million followers of Jesus in Africa.Simultaneously, atheism, which peaked around 1970 with 165 million adherents on the planet, is on the decline. Their numbers are falling from 147 million in 2020 to 146 million in 2024.* Praise the Lord, again!

In some of the most troubled hot spots in the world, with wars, famines and displaced people groups, God is still working. People are still responding to the Gospel. In spite of danger and difficulties, people are coming to Jesus! 

Sometimes we look around at empty churches in the United States and think that is the way it is around the world. Not so! God is working. We in the United State simply need to get on board with the rest of the world. Stop fighting about our differences and start focusing on the Difference Maker. All across our spinning globe, people in different languages and from different tribes and traditions will celebrates the birth of our Lord this week. In fact, more people are claiming Christ than ever before in the history of the world!

There are plenty of troubling statistics concerning death and destruction. There are plenty of things over which to grieve. Turn on the evening news, and you might only hear bad news. But there is good news about the Good News! As we gather this Christmas and sing “O come All Ye Faithful” rejoice in the good news that there are more faithful people coming to Jesus than ever before! There is Joy in the world. The Savior is still coming and changing lives!!

*According to the Study of Global Christianity of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Pastor, the New Year is in Sight… you can make it!

Christmas season is in full swing. It’s the busy season for retailers– and pastors too. There’s parties, programs, gift exchanges, benevolence requests, of course, sermons to write and everything else that goes into the season. Then it gets busier. Toss in a sick child, a funeral, a broken down car, a troubled teenager, a disgruntled member, a financial crisis either at home or at the church (you know, the everyday life of a pastor) and it gets even more complicated. It was 17 years ago this week (December 20, 2007), while reading a letter from a disgruntled member during a financial crisis that my brain hemorrhage occurred. I’m convinced (and my neurologists concur) that the reason for the aneurism was (in part) due to the stressful season. 

Stress is an ever present “friend” for pastors. Besides the burden of carrying the parishioners’ troubles and sicknesses and the pastor’s own family circumstances, there are all the church financial and building issues. Pastors get anonymous letters and a few signed by disgruntled members over any number of topics. Top that off with pastors enduring the lies, rumors, and troublemakers’ shenanigans. Social media has made the stress level of pastors’ lives rise to new heights. All of these stressors are compounded at Christmas time. 

Pastors, if your worship attendance numbers, offering total or sermon wasn’t great this past Sunday. It’s OK. To, in part, quote the late great, Tony Campolo, “It’s Monday, but another Sunday is a comin’.”  In other words, you get another chance this week for all those things to improve. If you received an unwanted email about this or that (I received one over the weekend), take a deep breath, count to ten and give that person over to Jesus (I’m still working on that one, to be honest). If you’ve got to take a break, take it. If you need to hand off some duty to someone in the congregation, do it. If you need to simply settle it for a long winter’s nap, sleep away. 

Pastors, during the hectic Christmas season make sure you take care of yourself. The Kingdom needs you healthy and well. Your church needs you healthy and well. Your family (and you) need you well too. So stop listening to the naysayers, go for a walk and enjoy the crisp winter air. We’re in the homestretch toward Christmas. You can make it! Take care of yourself, drink a cup of hot chocolate (or eggnog) and enjoy the season once more.

Merry Christmas! The lights of the New Year are in sight, you’ve almost made it.

Stop Counting Worship Attendance!

Worship Attendance numbers have caused more pastoral anxiety (and more false pride) than any other number listed on the Nazarene Annual Pastor’s Report (APR). Those numbers don’t reflect the what’s really happening or not happening within a church. Church growth (or lack of growth) does not necessarily reflect the health of a church. Too many good pastors have been defeated because a group got miffed at what the faithful pastor said or didn’t say and stormed off to the Baptists down the street. Attendance fell and so did the pastor’s confidence. Others were puffed up when the Baptist church in town split and half their crowd hopped over to the Nazarene church. There is a solution to this less-than-holy enticement. Stop counting. Stop asking how many were in church last Sunday. Just stop.

All those experiencing modest growth and the church growth prodigies in the crowd are having a heart attack: “We have to count people because people count.” Thank you Elmer Towns (Don’t know Elmer? Google him). No, we don’t have to count people. Who says? And we don’t have to focus on numerical realities because there is a book in the Bible called Numbers (I heard that lame argument back in the day too). Just stop counting.

In most cases, in USA/Canada anyway, the numbers are useless. Here are the facts:

Fact 1: Most churches are declining or have flatlined in USA/Canada. 
Fact 2: Most growth occurring is transfer growth (sheep changing pastures, not lost sheep coming home).
Fact 3: On-line attendance is the most inaccurate number of all.
Fact 4: Combining on-line and in-person attendance is a deceptively inaccurate grand total. It’s inclusion on the APR is for bragging rights only and no other reason.

All this to say, why count worship attendance numbers?

If anyone knew the fickleness of numbers, it was Jesus. He fed 5,000 on one occasion and 4,000 on another (someone was counting), but how many of those folks were there when he really needed them? A few women and the teenager John were the only friendly faces on Golgotha. Even after He was raised from the dead and lots of people saw Him, only 120 showed up for the prayer meeting until Pentecost. Not exactly earth shattering numbers (yeah, yeah, I know someone counted the 120 people and someone counted the 3,000 who were “added to their number” on Pentecost too. Blah, blah, blah…does it really matter what those numbers were?). 

Can’t we count the things that Jesus said were important (see the Great Commission if you need a lesson on what’s important). Count Baptisms. Count Disciples-in-training. Count those engaged in ministry. Like the nameless mathematician in the disciples’ circle (probably Matthew the tax collector), count the number of people fed. In other words, count community impact? Count those numbers, not how many butts are in seats or clicks made on Facebook live. 

The church growth movement (and it’s prioritizing noses and nickels) is in part to blame for the declining mess we are currently in. We were counting people, but didn’t care for them. We were counting nickels, but not nurturing neighbors. Let’s stop caring about who has more people in a pew and start caring more for the hurting people not in our pews. Let’s start calculating ways to show Jesus’ love to the “never attenders” and “down-in-outers,” instead of building brownie points with power brokers in a denominational office.   

Stop counting worship attendance and start serving!

This Pastor’s Wife is “Worth Far More Than Diamonds”

By my calculation, tonight’s Board and Pastors’ Christmas Dinner will be the 34th such affair for Karla’s culinary expertise. We started in Bad Axe, when Karla cooked a meal for the church board and the entire pastoral staff (me, myself and I). She has carried on the Christmas tradition at each church. The board and staff for years was small enough to have the meal in our home. As the churches grew, so did the size of the gathering. Now, the event is held in the church foyer (Karla didn’t want a “funeral dinner feel” to the meal, and Central Church’s foyer with big Christmas trees and a high ceiling makes for a lovely setting). Tonight, there will be 50 or so folks for dinner. 

Karla plans and searches for the perfect recipes all year long. She keeps notes on what folks ate and what they didn’t eat (Note to self: No Liver and onions. C’mon, she has never served liver and onions). She thinks and rethinks how to make a meal that even Goldilocks would say,  “everything is just right.” This year’s main entre is ham. There will be a potato dish that she first tried out on our home group (aka “the guinea pigs”). There will be veggies and salads and I don’t know how many deserts. All homemade. All prepared to perfection.

It can be a dangerous effort too. A few years back, she was taking the glazed carrots out of the convection oven, but the food tins proved to be too heavy. As the carrots dropped all over the floor into a sugary, sticky mess, she slightly tore her rotator cuff. She might not have given” life and limb” for this meal, but she has given a “limb.”
 

Some pastors’ spouses play the piano or lead a ministry. Back in the day, when it was mostly male pastors, the question most frequently asked at interviews was, “can your wife play the piano.” Karla played the flute (and she did accompany congregational singing with it, but that’s another story for another day). She doesn’t lead Ladies Bible studies. She isn’t the missionary president type. If you want to get on her “naughty list” ask her to do something up front. More “Martha” than “Mary” (the sisters of Lazarus from the story in Luke 10), Karla is a behind the scenes worker-bee. Hospitality and serving are her gifts. 

Solomon once wrote: A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. (Proverbs 31:10 MSG). He ought to know and apparently Solomon looked and looked and looked for a good woman (he had 700 wives and another 300 concubines… umm… maybe he looked too much.). It only took me one try to find “a good woman worth more than diamonds.” 

Karla is invaluable to me. She keeps me going when I’m ready to quit; helps me in more ways than I can list; and has made me look good more times than I can count. When she finally has time to sit down and read this article (probably sometime next week), she won’t be happy. She’d rather be in the background than in the spot light. Still, I’m very thankful for the love and effort she puts into tonight’s meal. Central church is blessed to have a great church board and wonderful pastoral staff, but I’m most thankful for tonight’s chef. 

What makes a “Joyful and Triumphant” Pastor?

The Pastor’s Christmas Banquet is tonight on the Eastern Michigan District. The district is blessed to have Frankenmuth, a quaint Christmas village, nearby (technically, the town is located in the Michigan District’s territory but the drive is not too far for most EMD pastors). The dinner is at the iconic Zehnder’s restaurant and its famous family style chicken dinners. Karla and I always leave a little early for the dinner so we can stop at Bronner’s (the world’s largest Christmas store) in Frankenmuth to purchase a few ornaments. All this to say, the Eastern Michigan Pastor’s Christmas dinner is a far cry from some district’s pastor’s Christmas dinners in musty church fellowship halls or at greasy truck stops along the freeway. 

When I first started attending this event, it was a much more dress-up affair. I once called the gathering the “Nazarene Prom.” It’s not as “promy” these days. There will be still be red sweaters and a few Christmas ties, but no gowns or corsages. We will eat chicken (and schnitzel), sing Silent Night and see pastor friends from across the district. It will be a nice evening.

I’m thankful for the brother and sisterhood of ministry. Some of the finest people, I know are pastors. While pastoring has its moments of glorious victories, there are also many times of disappointment, betrayal, loneliness and heartache. It’s not always easy being a pastor (believe me, I know). Some have toiled in difficult situations with little thanks, yet are still faithful. Some have been slandered, lied about, criticized by carnal members and still serve Jesus. Social media has butchered plenty of fine pastors (or their families) and caused many sleepless nights. Some have been passed over because leaders have listened (whether consciously or not) to those corrupt and sinful voices. They have endured loss and hurt but press on. It’s a calling not a job. It’s that calling that gets them up every day and keeps them working hard into the night. There once was a commercial saying being a U.S. marine was “the toughest job you will ever love.” Not true. Being a pastor has that distinction.

All this to say, tonight, as we are singing “O Come All Ye Faithful,” I will look around the roomful of pastors and see plenty who are “joyful and triumphant.” They are so, not because of accolades or church statistics. Instead these faithful shepherds, empowered and enabled by Jesus, are fulfilling the call He placed upon their lives. The Kingdom is enlarged because of these “joyful and triumphant” men and women

I will be honored to be standing in their midst. 

Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15

Being Thankful if Today’s Dinner is at a Mission or a Mansion

Karla and I didn’t go to Kansas City this Thanksgiving, and our kids didn’t come here. But we won’t be alone. This morning we will be at the Eastside mission, helping feed their neighbors a Thanksgiving meal. 

I haven’t served Thanksgiving Dinner at a mission in a long time. 

My internship during my seminary years was at the Kansas City Rescue Mission. Back then, I was a regular on the holidays at the mission. Had you asked me during that time, I would have told you that I would be a director of a rescue mission “when I grow up.” I had no visions of pastoring a church. I thought my calling was to the down-and-outers of the world not the up-and-comers. What I’ve learned, in the last 37 years, is that both groups need Jesus. 

Many folks eating the free meal at the mission have Jesus. But others there will think that their past sins and behaviors have blown their chances with God Almighty. They haven’t. That’s not how God works. God is willing to enter any surrendered heart (no matter our past). 

Many church-going regulars eating thanksgiving dinner around a big dining room table with lots and lots of food have Jesus too. But some church folks act like they need just a little “dash of Jesus” who makes their already full life just a little better. That’s not how God works either. Jesus isn’t a condiment to our lives. Jesus must be the main course. It’s an all or nothing deal with Jesus. Either we have Him or we don’t. The question then becomes “does Jesus have all of us?” 

Michigan native, Hillsdale college graduate and evangelist Judson Van DeVenter had the answer for all people no matter where one eats thanksgiving dinner.  His words penned over 125 years ago still ring true. “All to Jesus, I surrender. All to Him, I freely give.” 

Everyone is in the same boat. We all need Jesus and Jesus needs all of us. When we don’t have Jesus we are doomed. When Jesus doesn’t have all of us, we are living a far less than fulfilled life. We are never satisfied (even if our cupboards are full and surrounded by family). But when we have Jesus and Jesus has us, then no matter the circumstance or trial (even if our cupboards are empty and we are alone), we can be living a thankful, blessed life. 

True thankfulness flows from a heart fully surrendered to Jesus. Those people who know they have all of Jesus and Jesus has all of them are the most thankful people around whether eating their meal at a rescue mission or in a mansion.