One thing I’ve thoroughly learned in 38 years of pastoral ministry is that we get lots more accomplished together than we do separately. For all of you giving me the “Well, duh!” look, just let me have a few minutes of your reading time. This editorial is from my heart and does not, as they say, represent the sentiments of any person or auxiliary body or the sponsoring agency at large. Just my opinion.
My roots are firmly grounded in a nameless (you’ll have to figure it out on your own) Nazarene District in the Midwest. Back in the olden days, I kid you not, our district was hoppin’. It’s not my job to defend the prevailing legalism of that time and group, but the obvious passion of our particular district was remarkable. Those were the days of campmeetings and camps and revivals and zone rallies and missionary rallies and district tours. How they came up with and sustained the energy to continually conduct such programs still boggles my mind.
Since my dad was a pastor, I was in more meetings and heard more sermons by more speakers than…Carter has liver pills (a saying from back in those days, for those of you under 40 years of age). This isn’t to glorify anything in particular, except to say that a District Team Spirit was a consuming passion “amongst” us. We loved contests and we loved breaking records and, most of all, we loved it when people came to the altar and cried out to Jesus for forgiveness and hope and freedom.
If you think I’m advocating for a return to the good old days, you’d be wrong, except for one thing. My heart longs for the team spirit of yesteryears…those days when we knew each other and cared for each other and pulled for each other and prayed for each other. One of my insights from those days revolves around the “watering hole” concept. Just like the critters of the field will die without water, so will we. Not talking H2O. Talking about the H2O of being together. Having a common mission. Caring about each other. Something has happened along the way to pull us away from each other. That is not good. In the words of old what’s his name, “We really do need each other.”
The district of my childhood is on a rather significant, steep statistical decline. I mean it’s just plain alarming back there. Thirty years ago over seven thousand folks would gather in their Nazarene churches. Today the count is down to four thousand. Not good. And my perception is that the decline is a rather graphic picture of what is happening in many/most of our districts all throughout North America. So, where does WaPac fit into this picture? Thanks for asking.
All things considered our district is in some ways an exception. This past Assembly we registered our highest worship attendance ever and, all things considered, reported a stellar financial year. My personal concern for us is what I would call a…leadership concern. To just jump to the bottom line, “Have we come to grips with the immensity of the challenges we face?” Some interesting momentum has brought us to our current status. Nearly all signs point towards times of immediate and significant change. The status quo and gradual growth are most likely luxuries of the past. We can no longer count on them!
Okay, I need a soft drum roll, please. My prediction / prophesy is that if we continue in the direction of more distance and more time away from each other (pastors, associates, and lay leaders) we will not achieve God’s dream for His purpose in bringing us together. On the other hand I’m plenty willing to stick my neck out here and make a prediction/prophesy in the exact other direction. If the pastors, associates and lay leaders from our ninety-five churches make a fresh commitment to being connected and to actually synergize their faith, well, Katie-bar-the-door…an extra-ordinary, immeasurably above future is going to intersect with all of us, and, our future in advancing God’s Kingdom will be dramatically beyond anything that all of us could ever accomplish working separately by ourselves. Probably a good place for, “Well, duh!”
Our Interim DS, Dr. Keith Wright, has recently invited us (pastors/spouses; associates/spouses) into some Priority Meetings. What a great beginning point! It’s high time to make those meetings top priority, to hear Dr. Wright’s heart and to receive a fresh message straight from God’s heart to ours! Those dates again: Thursday, August 12th at Olympia Mt View Church, Bill Bowers, host pastor; Thursday, August 26th at Liberty Bible (Vancouver area), Larry Rounsley, host pastor; Thursday, September 9th at Seattle Aurora, Jim Manker, host pastor.
I know you know that God has called us into relationships. Our being together on the Washington Pacific Nazarene Team is no accident. Time to seize the moment!!!
Chairman Wes Smith
A BIG THANKS
I would like to express my deep thanks for all of you who prayed for me during my surgery a couple of weeks ago. What we thought would be a routine surgery turned into a week of misery. I am still left with blood clots in my right lung and an irregular heart beat. They are treating both with medicines. Again a big thank for the many prayers and especially the prompt reporting. I was able to get my report in to KC on time.
Our Sympathies Extended
On behalf of the District Board of Christian Life we offer our sympathies to the Edgar Bibb family. Pastor Bibb was a great supporter of Sunday Schools and always cooperated with what ever program was in place. He has left a legacy for all of us to emulate in our ministries. Please keep the family in your prayers.
