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Herald of Holiness Volume 81 Number 07 (1992) - Olivet

Olivet Nazarene University Digital Commons @ Olivet Herald of Holiness Church of the Nazarene 7-1-1992 Herald of Holiness Volume 81 Number 07 (1992)

Olivet Nazarene University Church of the Nazarene

Digital Commons @ Olivet

Herald of Holiness

7-1-1992

Herald of Holiness Volume 81 Number 07 (1992)

Wesley D. Tracy (Editor)

Olivet Nazarene University

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http://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/cotn_hoh/79

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Herald of Holiness

i
II

PEK GUNN— POET
OF THE PEOPLE

DECISIONS AT LIFE’S
END

CHRISTIAN SEXUALITY
HOPE WITH “THE FAMILY

W. E. McCUMBER

Jesus for Pastor?
We Couldn’t Take It!

Do we have a church any- of mercenaries from the house of Imagine the pastor at a church
I where that would be will­ God—well, those are for the attic, board dinner girded with a towel
ing to have Jesus Christ as if we keep them at all. and carrying a basin of water!
Someone would promptly lend
its pastor? I mean Jesus Christ jusAt nother thing: Jesus preached him a library card with instructions
to check out Dress fo r Success.
as He thought, spoke, and acted about money much of the time.
Jesus called the power structure
during the years of His public min­ Check out the Gospels. He had of His community hypocrites and
thieves. He accused them of cal­
istry on earth? more to say about the right use of loused pride that scrambled for
honors while exploiting the helpless
Think about this— He wasn’t al­ material possessions than about underclasses. He did this to their
faces, not behind their backs. Talk
ways positive. At times He was ex­ any other subject. about flunking a Dale Carnegie
course, Jesus did it with gusto. If
asperated, frustrated, and sorrow­ On the subject of money, He your pastor showed up at city hall
and made such speeches, how
ful, and He made no effort to deny didn’t guarantee prosperity to lis­

or disguise His negative moods. He teners who supported His ministry.

wasn’t a flesh-and-blood smile but­ He never implied that tithing was a

ton. means of manipulating God for an

Certainly, He was not a grouch endless store of goodies. He never

or a pessimist. No man could have encouraged the building of ornate

attracted children as He did with­ houses of worship. He had no

out radiating joy. No man who be­ fund-raising sermons to in­

haved like a curmudgeon would spire the underwriting of

have received so many dinner invi­ monuments to human

tations as He did. I am sure that pride.

He was often the most pleasant Jesus talked about using

and entertaining person anyone money to meet genuine

could wish for company. But He human needs. He went so alk about flunking the
Dale Carnegie course,
wasn’t always “up” and was much far as to declare, “You can­ Jesus did it with gusto.

too honest to pretend otherwise. not serve God and m am ­

The church that expects its pas­ mon.” Imagine how that

tor to live all day each day in an sounds to affluent Ameri­

upbeat mood would soon com­ cans who think their

plain about Jesus. A pastor once church attendance is doing

said to me, “It’s hard to be ‘up’ all just that. We don’t like

the time.” It’s not only difficult, it’s preachers who “harp on

impossible and inhuman. Anyone money.” If they preach would you react? The district super­
intendent’s phone would be ringing
who seems to be always happy, al­ about it, let it be seldom and softly within seconds.

ways smiling, always optimistic, al­ done. An occasional appeal for spe­ No, we couldn’t accept Jesus as a
pastor. He was too honest, too de­
ways in a sunny frame of mind, is cial funds to reduce the mortgage manding, too undiplomatic. We tell
ourselves that we want pastors who
frequently putting on a front. Jesus or refurbish the fellowship hall we

didn’t. His anger showed. His dis­ can tolerate. But constant warnings

appointment showed. His exasper­ against materialism, and frequent

ation showed. His moods were seen references to the hungry and home­ are Jesuslike, but if they begin to

on His face and heard in His voice. less—that’s no way to win friends think and sound and act like Him,
we are going to scream for replace­
Gentle Jesus, stroking a child’s and influence elections. ments. Aren’t we?

head while its mother beamed—we When His disciples quarreled

would like to frame and hang that about who would be greatest in the

portrait in the living room. But kingdom of God, Jesus told them, W. E. McCumber is a preacher,

wrathful Jesus, withering a fig tree in effect, to get off each other’s teacher, author, and former editor

from its roots, or whipping a pack backs and to wash each other’s feet. o f the Herald of Holiness. ^

H erald of Holiness

Herald of Holiness

C H U R C H OF T H E N A Z A R E N E

FEATURE ARTICLES Volume 81, Number 7
JULY 1992

2 19 43

Which Is More The Wind and The Grace Notes
Important: the Sun of Life
Quantity or
Quality? A lice C r a n e Beh r N eil H ig h t o w er

M a r k R Littleto n 20 44

12 Decisions at Christian
Life’s End Sexuality: Law or
Special Report
G erald Oosterveen Convention
13
24 T e d F. Ba d e r
What Does It Take
to M ake a s -m -a -r -t
Preacher? Discipleship

J e r a l d D. J o h n s o n S tan M eek

CONTINUING 26
COLUMNS
Pek Gunn— Poet
Inside Front Cover of the People

Observer at Large M ark G raham

W . E. M c C u m b e r 34 POETRY

8 General Hope with “the Inside Back Cover
S u p e rin te n d e n t's Family” H eartfelt at Dawning
Viewpoint
J. G r a n t Sw a n k , J r . R uth G lover
W illia m J P rin ce
DEPARTMENTS
9 Rhythm s of the Spirit
5 E d ito r’s Choice
M o r r is A. W eigelt
W esley T racy
10 Into the Word
6 The Readers W rite
R o g e r L. H a h n
14-18, 38-39, 41 News
11 Christian M arriage
Journal M ark G raham
T om F elder
J. Pau l a n d M a r ilyn
T urner 31 Because You Gave

C h ris T a ft

37 Evangelists’ Slates
42 The Question Box
47 M arked Copy

M ark G raham

48 Late News

M ark G raham
T om F elder

A quantity o f nonquality items equals trash.

WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT:
QUANTITY OR

BY MARK R. LITTLETON

Pete Reiser, an outfielder with the Brook­ ods to solve ‘d ro p -o u t’ problem s in schools. A m er­
lyn Dodgers in the 1940s, built a repu­ ica’s arm e d forces utilize h u n d red s o f psychiatrists in
tation on his hair-raising crashes into hopes of curtailing desertions. Executives o f cor­
o u tfield walls snagging long drives. porations flee busy cities to hippie com m unes where
Frank Gifford writes in his book, On ‘dro p -o u ts’ congregate. . . . Few have a striving spirit
Courage, about one gam e in July 1942. like th a t o f R aphael. O nce he was questioned, ‘W hat
“Brooklyn was leading the league by 13 'A gam es is y o u r greatest p ain tin g ?’ H e sm iled, saying, ‘My
and the Cardinals were in town. It was the second next one.’”2
game of a doubleheader, there was no score and it
was in extra innings. Enos Slaughter belted a ball Persistence. Perseverance. A nd above all, quality.
deep to centerfield. R acing for it, Reiser thought, ‘If We speak of “quality control,” “quality tim e,”
I d o n ’t get it, it’s a trip le a n d there co u ld go the “quality products.” D etroit knows the power of qual­
game.’ ity. W h en th e Jap an ese c ar in v asio n cam e they
thought they had nothing to worry about. But the
“He slam m ed into the wall at full speed, dropped Japanese had em phasized quality. T heir long-lasting,
the ball and knocked him self out. In the hospital, he low m aintenance, easy-to-handle cars have made
learned he had a fractured skull. ‘Was I being fool­ steady inroads into the A m erican and world market.
hardy in going after that ball the way I did?’ Reiser For m any o f us it com es dow n to a choice: Will I
asked years later. ‘A fter all, we had a 13 V2 gam e lead. do w hat I do, pray w hat I pray, speak w hat I speak,
. . . You can slow up in those circum stances, c a n ’t and think what I think in a quantitative or a qual­
you? No, you can ’t. You slow u p a h alf step a n d it’s itative sense? A quantity o f nonquality item s equals
the beginning o f your last ball gam e. You c a n ’t tu rn trash. But a few quality products can not only make
it on and off any tim e you w ant to. N ot if you take m illions of dollars but can also benefit millions of
pride in yourself.’” 1 people.

A Contrast What Is Quality?
In contrast to that praiseworthy com m itm ent to W hat does it m ean to do som ething in a quality
quality performance, Dick Eastm an laments, “M uch way?
o f society has forgotten to persevere. We live in an It’s n o t perfectionism . T h a t leads to frustration
age of quitters. Society constantly seeks new m eth­

2 H erald of Holiness

: : : : 1 a ; :n c l : : : :

Illustration: Jim L egg e

and obsessive correction of imperfections. No, qual­ quality, nothing less than the power o f the Spirit will
itative perform ance is sim ply doing the best you can do. Look at Exodus 31:3. “I have filled him with the
possibly do. Spirit o f G od, with skill, ability and knowledge in all
kinds of crafts” (NIV). G od put within that work­
Henry Kissinger, when he was secretary o f state in m an a num ber of potent spiritual realities critical to
the N ixon ad m in istratio n , repeatedly em phasized quality control o f your life:
quality w orkm anship to his employees. W henever
an aide cam e to his desk w ith a report, Kissinger W isdom — the ability to see the best way of
would gaze at him piercingly and ask, “Is this the doing the job
best you can do?” T he aide knew the answ er and
would leave, only to return the next day with a bet­ Understanding— the ability to put it all to­
ter version o f the sam e report. Again, K issinger gether
would fiercely query, “Is this the very best you can
do?” O u t h e ’d go. Finally, th e th ird d ay th e aide Knowledge— the background, research, and
would co m e in triu m p h a n t. “ Yes, this is th e very experience critical to success
best I can do.” “All right,” K issinger w ould answer,
“now I’ll read it!” 3 Craftsm anship— the detail work so necessary
to working with skill
He d e m a n d e d quality. A nd he got it. W ithout the power of the Spirit “we can do noth­
ing,” as Jesus says, in Jo h n 15:5. We get th at pow er
through com m union and reliance on G od in faith.

Getting Quality into Your Life 2. Real quality takes thought, prayer, and medita­
W hat is the price o f quality? Let m e delineate four tion. I once read a prayer th a t said, “Lord, th ere’s
elements. never enough tim e for everything. Help me to do a
little less a little better.” In the area o f quality, less is
1. Real quality calls for the power of the Spirit. If m ore, and m ore is often less. By giving a project ad­
you w an t to p e rfo rm in th e s p iritu a l realm w ith equate thought, preparation, and m editation, qual­

July 1992 3

“Far better to
enjoy lunch, get ready, and be there

relaxed at 1:30 than to come in
seven minutes late, worn, harried,
and having lost my sanctification

over the slowpoke!”

itative results are not only possible but probable. for counseling a n d it’s already 11:15 a .m . T here are
Before A rturo Toscanini becam e an orchestra con­ messages to answer, a stop at the bank, books to
pick up at the C hristian bookstore. W ith lunch to
ductor, he was a cellist. Because he was extremely eat, I’ll never m ake it! Far b e tte r to enjoy lunch, get
n e a rsig h te d a n d d id n ’t like b e n d in g close to th e ready, a n d be there relaxed at 1:30 th a n to com e in
score sheets, he m em orized not only his part but the seven m inutes late, worn, harried, and having lost
part of every other instrum ent as well. O ne night, my sanctification over the slowpoke!”
the La Scala co n d u cto r fell ill. Som eone suggested
Toscanini take his place. The 19-year-old took the L arry concluded, “ I have to rem em b er I’m n o t the
podium and prom ptly closed the score book, then O m nipotent. I just work for Him.”
conducted the entire program from memory. Tu­
m ultuous applause climaxed his perform ance.4 4. Real quality requires practice, effort, energy.
Someone once asked Ignacy Paderewski, the famed
3. Real quality requires unhurried attention. Two pianist, why he practiced six hours a day, every day,
hundred years ago, Benjam in Franklin com m ented religiously. H e answ ered, “If I m iss one d ay ’s prac­
on the problem of hurry, saying, “Only fraud and tice, I notice it. If I m iss tw o days, the critics notice
deceit are ever in a hurry. Take tim e for all things; it. If I m iss three days, the audience notices it.”6
haste m akes waste.”
W illiam Barclay, the distinguished New Testam ent
M any craftsm en of the 18th century produced expositor, added to the sam e tru th w hen he said, “I
quality products. Those who have visited W il­ am no genius. I have a second-rate mind. A nything I
liamsburg, or collect antiques, know well the kind of have accomplished has been done by forcing myself
w orkm anship that m ust have gone into such goods. to sit dow n and write for several hours every day.”7
Yet, how is it th at such people w ithout m o d ern tech­
nology produced such m agnificent work? O ur ready To produce anything that counts and lasts, that
answ er is th a t they had m ore tim e. has an im pact such as Paderewski and Barclay did,
will take practice, effort, energy. People will not re­
But th a t’s utterly untrue! They actually had m uch m em ber how quickly you finished the job. But they
less. T h eir lifespans were shorter. T hey d id n ’t have will often recall how well it was done.
m odern m achinery. W ithout good lighting their
workday was curtailed.5 Ultimately, this choice of quality over quantity
could be the m ost im portant one any of us ever
Then how could they have m ade such rem arkable make. Choosing quality will m ake our tim e not only
contributions? It was all in the attitude: attention to productive but also enjoyable and m em orable.
detail; hard work; a desire to produce the best possi­
ble commodity. 1. Frank G ifford, On Courage, 24-25.
2. D ick Eastm an, No Easy Road (G ran d R apids: B aker B o o k H ouse, 1971), 96-97.
Larry Dyer, a pastor in Lake St. Louis, Mo., p u t it 3. Q u o te d in Sarnoff, Make the Most o f Your Best.
this way: “I have to resist the tem ptation to sand­ 4. Jam e s C. H um es, Speaker's Treasury o f Anecdotes About the Famous (N e w York: H arper and
wich in an ap p o in tm en t, or atte m p t m ore th an is Row, 1978), 137.
physically possible. Say I’ve got a 1:30 ap p o in tm e n t 5. Q u o te d in Reader's Digest, S e ptem ber 1973.
6. Humes, 68
7. Q u o te d in Christian Standard, Janu ary 7, 1979.

4 H erald of Holiness

s Lnoi WESLEY D. TRACY

What If...?

I was in the m iddle of com posing the July edi­ ception to raise funds to defeat a police reform
torial when the Rodney King verdict tore up bill?
our world. I felt dead inside. The riots fol­
W hat if, in G o d ’s eyes, there is no real differ­

lowed, a n d I felt n u m b all over. W hatever it was eInce betw een the slow violence o f poverty, h u n ­

was trying to w rite about suddenly seem ed trivial ger, discrim in atio n , an d oppression th at slowly

in light o f the ugly realities. I’m still in a sort o f kills body, soul an d spirit, an d the quick violence

w riter’s stupor. W h at can I say a b o u t the R odney o f the rioters?

K ing b e a tin g , th e LA PD , a n d th e S im i Valley W hat if A m ericans d id n ’t always see justice as

jury? All I have to w rite and pray and think about violence?

is a list o f “w h at if” questions, so here they are. W hat if the only thing that can really change

W hat if the jurors had shown com m on sense the hatred in o u r streets is the gospel o f Jesus

and com m on justice? Christ?

W hat if all the ju ro rs had had the courage of W hat if every C hristian opened his heart to the

Mrs. Loya? searchlight of the Spirit and perm itted G od to

W hat if Simi Valley changed its nam e to Seamy deal with any hatred or racism exposed by that

Valley? holy light?

W hat if the governm ent agent who moved the

trial to a lily white suburb had shown m ore cour­

age and prudence?

W hat if the policemen had been men enough

to plead guilty to what they know they did wrong? W h a t if Jesus really
W hat if policemen everywhere spoke out about

the pitiful behavior of the cops who beat Rodney meant what He said?
King, letting them and the world know how their

behavior had dim inished all law enforcem ent of­

ficers?

W hat if the videotape had shown several black

police officers beating a white traffic offender?

W hat if the Rodney King beating had been

only an isolated incident? W hat if Jesus really m eant it when He said that

W hat if the rioters and looters in Los Angeles if we are going to see G od we m ust love G od with

had listened to their religious leaders who urged all o u r heart, m ind, soul, and strength, and our

m oderation and lawful protest rather th an the neighbor as ourselves?

gang leaders who urged burning and murder? W hat if Jesus m eant that we had to love from

W hat if you had to keep the peace in the angry our hearts even those racially different neighbors?

streets o f L.A.? W hat if you co u ld n ’t get to heaven if you par­

W hat if there had been a lot more black people ticipated in or shut your eyes to oppression of

like those w ho rescued R eginald D enny, the truck people, any people, created in G o d ’s im age for

driver alm ost killed by gang m em bers for “being whom Christ died?

w h ite”? W hat if the Herald editor stuck to sentimental

W hat if C h ief G ates had sent his officers at editorials about lilacs and roses, sunsets and sea­

once to quell the riots instead of attending a re­ scapes? ^

July 1992 5

Positive Difference m inister to all people w h o are hu n g ry for the message o f Jesus. I

I’m a m issionary in P a p u a New G u in e a a n d I w a n t you to pray that we do not become a denomination that isolates and
estranges individuals th at m ay have a different view, a different
know I th in k y o u ’re doing a great jo b with the Herald. T h e one
politic. I would encourage all who read this to express your
word I would use to describe it is “ relevant.” I appreciate the
views to y o u r pastor, y o u r district su p erin ten d e n t, a n d the Her­
fact that you handle issues that are pressing on society and the ald. Please, keep the Herald politically neutral. My fear is that
church, and can be controversial. This is not always the safest
this type o f political message (antiabortion, antigay, anti­
route, and I appreciate your taking the risk. As an official voice
diversity) will ultimately divide us and distance us from those
o f the C h u rc h o f the Nazarene, I believe the Herald is m a k in g a
who need to hear the gospel.
positive difference in the way Nazarenes think. R obinson Welch
West Haven, Conn.
Keep up the good work.

Bryan Heil

Is the Herald Campaigning for the November Election? Cutting Edge Reality
I appreciate the atte n tio n given in th e recent Herald a b o u t
I cannot remain silent any longer. I am shocked with the re­
cent editorials, cover stories, and articles that have come out the issue o f divorce. It was gutsy, forthright, yet needed to be
against homosexuality, abortion, and cultural diversity (the real said. It is an issue we as a church are facing a n d need to co m e to
issue behind political correctness). W hat I am seeing is a move term s with. I appreciate o u r d e n o m i n a t i o n ’s sensitivity to these
cutting edge reality issues.
by the Herald to espouse conservative right-wing politics. Is this
M ike Barton
the stand of the church in general? Has the church and its pri­ Cedar Rapids, Iowa
mary publication become a political forum for the conservative
right? Do we really want the church to become political? Do we Victims of Divorce
want to huddle under the same leaky umbrella with right-wing
fundamentalist denominations? Do we wish to align ourselves The February issue article titled “Divorce and the C hurch”
with a politic that runs contrary to the message of Christ and caused me real heartache.
the inner-city ministry that is our heritage? Is it not our job as
Christians to live our lives as servants, ministers to the poor, the I am a victim of a promiscuous and abusive husband, and the
homeless, the thirsty, the naked? I am outraged if this is the di­ relationship e n d ed in divorce. T h a n k s to th e L o rd ’s grace, my
rection the church is moving. Is this the stance o f the church or son and I have come through the pain and I have married a
of a few powerful leaders that have taken the opportunity to use good Christian m a n who has taken m y son as his own, an d we
have a small daughter to com plete o u r family.
the Herald, with its influence, to preach a political message u n ­
O n page 32, middle section, last paragraph, you state, “.. . so
d e r the guise o f holiness? (It’s very h a rd n o t to notice a c o n ­ the ch u rc h can tell divorced people th a t there is hope, there is
nection between these editorials and articles with the upcoming
November election.) forgiveness for both perpetrator a n d victim . . . ”

One of the things that I have always respected about the T h e idea th a t the victim needs forgiveness from th e c h u rc h is
church is its political neutrality, its willingness, historically, to insulting. A victim is a victim no m atter w hat the circu m ­
stances, w h e th e r it be divorce o r a n o th e r situation in life. T he

Pontius' Puddle

— A N D F E W C U B A S T IA M S
B E H IN D T H E S T E E 'R lN C r
W HEEE OE

(AOV/E I T

O R DIE,
BO 7.0.

6 H erald of Holiness

victim needs help, understanding, an d support, but certainly heard nothing but good about the Herald. 1 am a board m em ber
not forgiveness. Victims o f divorce often are left with children at Bethel Church of the Nazarene in Nampa. Idaho. Since the
to bring through the ordeal— insufficient resources, both finan­ H erald has had such wide acclaim, I finally laid down the
cially and personally. T h ey often d o not have the skills and greenbacks for a subscription.
therefore are not able to obtain a sufficiently paying job to sup­
port their family. T he victims often have d one nothing wrong, I eagerly awaited my first issue. I took it out o f my mailbox
but come out o f situations such as m ine and begin putting their with enthusiasm. 1 tossed it into the trash with boredom. The
lives and the lives o f th e ir children back together. H erald is absolutely the most boring magazine I have ever tried
to read.
(Mrs.) Terri Ouim'et
Brampton. Ont. I am not trying to be negative but I just thought you ought to
know that the needs of all your readers haven't been met. Sorry,
Some Things Are Worse than Divorce please d o n ’t renew m y subscription.

I would like to know if C. G alen Britt or a u th o r Judith Wall- Daniel G. Snethen
Wilder. Idaho
erstein (February 1992 issue) has ever been beaten, a gun put to
Sold for Life
their heads, kept in their hom e a m onth at a time, not being
1 love your magazine and read it from cover to cover. All the
allowed to look outside. T heir children told not to com e hom e issues are great. You d o n ’t have to worry a b o u t losing a cus­
to m e r o r friend. I’m sold for life.
or chased with a double-blade ax. The story could go on as I
Duelene Morris
lived in such a m arria ge for 34 years. I asked for help to save m y East Dublin. Ga.

marriage from therapists, counselors, lawyers, and ministers. 1

was told by therapists a n d counselors, “ You are in control of

your life, you c a n ’t change a n o th e r person.” T h e m en tal hospital

where by husband went for help called m e telling m e that he

was alcoholic, p a ra n o id schizophrenic, a n d m ean. T hey told m e

that I had big problems, but not how to solve them. The minis­

ters told m e to “work things out.”

When I became terminal with cancer, I had to get out o f this THE HERALD OF HOLINESS
Home Is Where the Herald Is
marriage. 1 w ent to work in a shelter for battered w om en and

children, also husbands that have been battered. This has helped

me find answers to m y questions. 1 live with and work with the

pain of divorce. These people need support o f the church, which Fill out this form and mail today
start receiving the Herald o f
they d o n ’t get. T h ey are p u t d o w n for th eir failures. W hy is the Holiness. For faster service,
call toll-free 1-800-877-0700.
Church o f the Nazarene not facing this problem? At first I

thought it was m y problem and then heard person after person

telling how they are treated and not understood by the church.

My answer to the battered people I talk to is that we have to Enter my subscription for
□ One year, $9.00
pray for the c h u rc h a n d th e people th a t d o n ’t u n d e rs ta n d o u r □ Two years, $17.00 m e,'
□ Three years, $25.00 cum
problems. To help those with our problems and to understand
□ Enter a gift subscription at
that G o d never leaves us. He is o u r strength, o u r peace. T h a t we
$ fo r year(s) and send Ito:
may have lived in this valley so we can help others that are con­

demned.

After four years it still hurts when the people or the minister

puts you dow n for being divorced. T h a t is when I have to ask N a m e ________________________

God for strength and healing to take the pain away again.

Thank you for reading this. May G od give you some o f the Address______________________

answers to this problem. Pearl (Joyce) Whitt C ity _____________________ State/Prov._________ Zip.

Ashland. Ky. □ Bill me
□ Enclosed is my check for $---------
Misguided Effort To charge your order to Visa or MasterCard, call toll-free
1-800-877-0700.
I ap p lau d Russell Brewer’s willingness to tak e a stand o n a
social issue (Planned P aren th o o d Clinic Fight— April 1992), as I N a m e __________________________________________
think that kind of com m unity participation truly models Jesus
Christ. Address ____________________________

However, I also believe Rev. Brewer is misguided in his ef­

forts. Instead o f p u sh in g th e clinic a n d the people it w ould at­ City_____________________ State/Prov.---------------Zip
tract o u t o f the c h u r c h ’s neigh bo rh oo d, th e C h u rc h o f the N aza­

rene should have welcomed with open arm s the opportunity to Phone (_____ ) ---------------------------
Make checks payable to: Herald o f Holiness
serve a n d m inister to those people w ho so desperately need to The local Church of the Nazarene 1 attend is

hear and see the gospel of Jesus.
As a m entor of mine once told me as I was heading to Naza­

rene seminary to prepare for ministry: “If there are no cigarette Name of Church __________________________
butts o n y o u r c h u r c h ’s steps, you are n o t do in g y o u r jo b as a

minister." Jesus longed for and sought those who needed Him Address--------------------------------------------------------------

most. He did not protest their proximity. C ity____________________ State/Prov.__________Zip

Jim Wilcox If ordering by mail, clip and send to:
Yukon. Okla. The Herald o f H oliness

Most Boring Nazarene Publishing House
P.O. Box 419527 • Kansas City, MO 64141
1 am 26 years old and have been going to the Nazarene
Church since I was 8 years old. O v e r the last 18 years, I have

July 1992 7

General

VIEWPOINTSuperintendent’s

GOD’S PROVISION FOR HOLY LIVING

AND
THE CHURCH’S RESPONSIBILITY

FOR HOLINESS

BY W ILLIAM J. PRINCE, GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT

T he Bible speaks to us about ent condition. The plan of God for The prime seducer of our society is
God, perfection was shattered by unbelief
man, and disobedience. The result was the constant appeal of consumerism,
sin, death and all that is akin to death:
salvation through Jesus Christ, sorrow, alienation, and despair. which our culture has eagerly em­
and the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible also teaches us about God began to speak to humanity braced. Tom Sine in his book. Wild
God as through the people who would re­
spond to Him such as Abraham, Mo­ Hope (Word, 1991), has w ritten,
Creator, ses, various prophets, and finally
Lawgiver, through the incarnation of His own “The Western Church must repent.
Redeemer, Son, Jesus.
Sanctifier, We must unmask the powers in our
Judge, Jesus spoke more than words as He
and Coming King. Only by careful became the Paschal Lamb, slain be­ lives, congregations, and the culture
living in the Word do we learn our fore the foundation of the world. The
relationship to God and our respon­ teachings of Jesus Christ have be­ which has seduced us. We must be
sibility to each other. come the foundation of God’s con­
The plan of God was perfection of tinued plan for the life patterns of awakened to the reality that we are
holiness and love, but the disobedi­ humanity. The Church, through the
ence of Adam and Eve brought sin, en ab lin g of the H oly S p irit, is not called to advance the present or­
death, and disruption to the per­ charged as the caretaker and delivery
fection of the earth and of its rela­ agent of the Good News of salvation der but to be a part of the inbreaking
tionship to the Creator God. through Jesus Christ. The Church is
God came back to Adam and Eve also called to be the imitators of God of a radical new order” (p. 203).
at the same time and place after their as dear children. “And walk in love,
disobedience to His will. And in the as Christ also has loved us and given Every local congregation as the
“fulness of time” God sent forth His Himself for us, an offering and a sac­
Son, Jesus, to our world, and while rifice to God for a sweet-smelling Body of Christ can only be blessed of
we were yet sinners Christ died for us. aroma. But fornication and all un­
With His love and holiness, God cleanness or covetousness, let it not God as it continually reaches out to
had made a commitment to m an­ even be named among you, as is fit­
kind, even in our fallen and disobedi­ ting for saints” (Ephesians 5:2-3, others with the redemptive truth of
NKJV).
Christ Jesus. But the responsibility is
The people I see and hear look to
the Church for righteousness and ho­ also to lead these to a decision and a
liness. Even though many have seem­
ingly rejected the Church because of new-birth experience. Samuel Shoe­
its call to holy living, these same peo­
ple are now condemning the Church maker suggested that many church
because it no longer calls people to
the moral teachings of Christ and to attenders have never definitely, in
holy living.
any clear-cut way, begun a Christian

life.

Our responsibility is also to disci­

ple new converts into the biblical

doctrine and Christian life-style.

The gospel of Jesus Christ does ful­

fill the spiritual and life needs of all

humanity. Christ has not excluded

anyone, and neither should the

Church.

Every one of us who believes in the

Lord Jesus Christ has both the op­

portunity and call to share Jesus

Christ with others. The population

increase magnifies both the oppor­

tunities and responsibilities. By every

means available, let all of us who

profess Him be aggressive witnesses

for Christ. ^

8 H erald of Holiness

MORRIS A. WEIGELT

Spiritual Fitness

A caption on a poster on the Disciplines [Harper & Row], 146).
wall at the chiropractor’s
office read: TERMINAL The joggers who daily pound the
FITNESS. At first sight, I assumed
it must be talking about getting pavement in search of fitness are
ready to die or perhaps readiness
for the second coming of Jesus. obviously deeply motivated. Nei­ petuate the discipline. She observed

Instead, the poster prescribed a ther the heat of summer nor the that whenever a journal becomes a
series of exercises for persons sit­
ting in front of a computer term i­ frost of winter prevents them from taskmaster that enslaves, we nor­
nal. Evidently, persons who ex­
change stares with such a monster chasing the elusive goal of physical mally rebel by discontinuing the
need some kind of fitness.
fitness. process. She suggested that one key
The combination of concern for
fitness and concern for the envi­ Why is that motivation often to ongoing motivation would stem
ronment has begun to make a dif­
ference in our life-styles. Fewer missing in spiritual fitness? Why from “harvesting the journal”—a
people are smoking. More people
are exercising. are so many willing to talk and process George E Simons calls

A salesperson for a major firm write about spiritual fitness, but “Revisiting the Journal.”
that builds exercise equipment was
quick to inform me that the com­ never quite able to keep the mo­ In harvesting the journal, reflec­
pany for which he worked had
doubled its sales in the last four tivation high enough to keep work­ tion upon entries gathered over a
years and expected to double them
again soon. ing on it? period of time reveals patterns and

In reflections I tried to estimate Paul, himself, observed in 1 Tim­ rhythms and insights and new di­
the am ount of time, energy, and
money that people were pouring othy 4:8, “Physical training is of rections. All of the energy ex­
into physical fitness. I could not
help wondering what quality of some value, but godliness has value pended in the “regular” process is
spiritual life would result from a
similar investment of time, money, for all things, holding promise for repaid in the harvest process. The
and energy in spiritual exercises.
Interesting to reflect upon! both the present life and the life to insights gathered give motivation

Dallas Willard, in The Spirit o f come” (NIV). to continue the daily process.
the Disciplines, ponders the fact
that a number of denominations There is certainly no shortage of I shall not forget the day when a
designate the book that sum­
marizes their essential doctrines books written on the necessary dis­ student observed in class that the
and practices as “the discipline.”
One such denomination is the ciplines of the Christian
Methodist. That name derives from
the methodical “godly exercises” life. In fact, there is some
spelled out by John Wesley.
reason to believe that
Willard suggests that the glaring
absence of godly exercises today “how-to” books on spiri­ M a n y church people
among the children of Wesley illus­ tual growth are stored in
trates “the tendency . . . to admire
a great Christian leader in words, the same closets in have stowed their books on
but never to think of simply doing which we hide the equip­ the spiritual disciplines in
what he or she did in order to do ment we had hoped
the work of the Kingdom of God”
(Dallas Willard, The Spirit o f the would motivate us to the back closet with their
work on physical fitness.

At least we feel good abandoned “Exercycle”
about making a financial

investment in appropri­

ate directions. spiritual disciplines were significant
A person must have a chal­ values in his life, but he was having
a difficult time finding time for
lenging goal to keep working. The them. My teaching colleague re­
quality of the goal determines the sponded: “If you don’t find time
motivation. Dietrich Bonhoeffer il­ for them, such practices ought not
lustrates that principle in his dis­ to be designated as values. We find
cussion of chastity in Letter and time for whatever we really con­
Papers from Prison. He writes: sider valuable!”
“The essence of chastity is not the
suppression of lust but the total Although it was directed at an­
orientation of one’s life toward a other, I am still stinging from the
goal” (p. 163). The higher goal of rebuke! Would you care to join me
the law of love functioning in rela­ in a spiritual jog around the spiri­
tionship provides the motivation. tual block?

In a seminar on the discipline of

keeping a spiritual journal, the Morris A. Weigelt teaches New Testa­

leader spent significant time dis­ ment and spiritual formation at Naza-

cussing ongoing motivation to per­ rene Theological Seminary. ^

July 1992 9









NEWSNEWS | \ l I — 1 # \ # NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS •

N azarenes Respond in Afterm ath o f Riots

LOS ANGELES FIRST CHURCH SERVES AS HUB FOR RELIEF EFFORTS

As students and teachers huddled gathered in a parking lot outside. Thousands of buildings in south central
behind locked doors at the M id- The troops were called in to help Los Angeles were burned and looted like
Wilshire Christian School at Los A nge­ guard the community, which had these just a block from L.A. First Church.
les First Church of the Nazarene, mobs experienced more than 55 deaths,
began to loot sto res and set fires in thousands of injuries, and several Angeles on which to build a community
nearby buildings. Los Angeles First thousand fires. center. The center would house a food
Church found itself in the middle of the cooperative, tutoring program , and
violence that swept the south central As the sm oke began to clear other ministries for the community.
section of that city following the ver­ and the cleanup began a few days
dicts in the Rodney K ing case in late later, L.A. First Church remained Nazarene Compassionate Ministries/
April. in the cente r o f the activity by Canada and the U.S. continues to pro­
serving as a hub for relief efforts vide relief supplies to the L.A. area. All
Shelly Gearring, an assistant teacher in the com m unity. W orld Vision, contributions from local churches may
at the M id-W ilshire school, rem em ­ an international relief agency, count as a Ten Percent Special and
bered feeling trapped on that first after­ used the church for the center of should be sent to the general treasurer
noon of violence. For the c h ild re n ’s its operations in the city. Nazarene marked, "L.A. Crisis."
sake, though, she and the other workers Com passionate M inistries also
tried to remain calm, not knowing for based its relief efforts there. “The Church of the N azarene has
sure what was going on outside. played a pivotal role in the response to
Most of those relief efforts con­ the crisis in L.A..” said Michael Mata,
The follow ing Sunday m orning, sisted of providing food, clothing, and director o f the Bresee Institute at L.A.
G earring was playing the piano for assistance in finding shelter, according First Church and Los Angeles coordina­
worship services at L.A. First Church. to Ron Benefiel, senior pastor of L.A. tor for W orld Vision. “ Because of our
It w as the m onthly c o m b in e d service First Church. Two large trucks loaded n e tw o rk in g and the respect w e h ave in
for the Filippino, Korean, Spanish­ with food also arrived from A rizona the community, we had a high profile.”
speaking, and English-speaking congre­ within a week of the riots. The Arizona
gations at the church. The First Church project was spearheaded by Ron Lush,
congregation was also joined by m em ­ pastor of Phoenix Biltmore Church of
bers of Exposition Park Church of the the Nazarene.
Nazarene. The rented storefront that
served as the m eeting place for the World Vision sponsored a dialogue
Exposition Park congregation had been meeting May 8, at L.A. First Church.
looted and burned, along with a church- The meeting included top officials of
operated thrift store, on the first two World Vision and leaders of Los Ange­
nights of the riots. les’ minority communities. According
to B enefiel, it was a tim e o f “re p en ­
As the congregation worshiped and tance, sharing, and connecting.”
prayed inside, National Guard troops
As the days began to pass, L.A. First
The nursery at L.A. First Church was Church began to focus on meeting long­
pressed into service as a temporary food term needs in the c o m m u n ity . The
pantry. church and district are currently search­
ing for property on which to build a

church and th rift store to
replace the Exposition Park
Church. They are also searching
for property in south central Los

II15LU**- ’

Bob S ieple, president of
World Vision, speaks to a
group of community pas­
tors at L.A. First Church.
M ichael M a ta , Los Ange­
les coordinator for World
Vision (left o f speaker), and

Ron B e n e fie l, pastor
(right), participated in the
meeting.

14 H e ra ld of H oliness

:w s • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • F

BY MARK GRAHAM and TOM FELDER

CHURCH OFFICIALLY REGISTERED IN RUSSIA

The official registration of the Church regional director. “O ur goal is to place General NWMS Director Nina G. Gunter
of the Nazarene has been approved by the m essage of full salvation into as presents a commendation to missionary
the M inistry o f Ju stice, R ep u b lic of many hearts as possible, as quickly as Warren Neal during the 25th anniversary
Russia, according to R obert Scott, possible.” celebration of the Nazarene Hospital in
World Mission division director. Kudjip, Papua New Guinea.
Scott expressed grateful appreciation
“This entitles our church to work for the cooperation of the Union of PAPUA NEW GUINEA
throughout this vast republic, geograph­ Evangelical Christian Baptists of Rus­ HOSPITAL CELEBRATES
ically the largest in the world, with a sia and its president. Rev. Logvinieko, SILVER ANNIVERSARY
population of 180 to 200 million peo­ w ho has assisted the C hurch of the
ple,” said Scott. Nazarene in securing this governmental Nearly 600 persons gathered on the
registration. grounds of the Nazarene Hospital,
The registration also gives the Kudjip, in the Western Highlands of
denomination legal permission to build Rev. and Mrs. Chuck Sunberg, newly Papua New Guinea April 10 to cele­
churches, engage in evangelistic m in ­ appointed missionaries to Russia, will brate the 25th anniversary of the insti­
istry, purchase property, and do relief move to Moscow within the next two tution. The celebration capped a
and developm ent work. months. This sum mer, more than 150 weekend of festivities that included
Nazarenes will go to Russia to partici­ the recognition of those who have
"This may be the greatest challenge pate in W ork and W itness projects, as given 10 or more years of continuous
ever faced by the C hurch of the well as in evangelistic missions. service to the hospital.
Nazarene,” said Franklin Cook, Eurasia
Missionaries recognized were: Mar­
CHA CONFERENCE HELD C H A -sponsored program A flam e, on garet Bromley, 30 years; Virginia
the VISN cable netw ork during the Stimer, 26 years; Glenn and Ruth
About 50 Nazarenes attended the recent coming year. This brings the total that Irwin, 23 years; Jan Watson, 20 years;
Christian Holiness Association annual Johnson has raised for the project to Vernon and Bobbie Vore, 13 years;
meeting in Harrisburg, Pa., according to almost $100,000, Stone said. A flam e, Warren and Janet Neal, 12 years; and
General Secretary Jack Stone. The featuring T hom H ermiz, is aired three Bob and Bessie Black, 10 years.
theme for this year's convention was times weekly on VISN.
“The More Excellent W ay.” Greetings were brought by Levi
"I think A flam e is one o f the most Sialis, PNG Secretary for Health;
Stephen G reen, senior pastor of significant efforts ever undertaken by Yuants Kaman, Deputy Premier of the
Pasadena First Church, was among the the C H A ," said Stone. “It allows us to Western Highlands; Michael Mel,
featured speakers. reach the masses with our holiness mes­ member of the National Parliament;
sage.” and Br Tol, member of the Western
G eneral S u p e rin te n d e n t Jerald D. Highlands Provincial Parliament.
Johnson raised about $41,000 from
convention participants to help fund the Nina Gunter, general NWMS direc­
tor, gave the main address at the silver
LAMB’S VIDEO WINS AWARD changed at The L a m b 's,” Best said, anniversary ceremony. She reviewed
“ interviews with staff bring the mission the hospital’s legacy and challenged
"The L am b's: Restoring Lives in New to life, and testimonies by clients and staff and students to continue their
York City" was honored as the Best of church m em bers tell of hurting lives ministry in the years ahead.
Festival at the recent N Y C /SC E Film ­ changed and relate personal victories.”
makers Network Film Festival, accord­ Funds for the construction of the
ing to David Best, executive director of Best added that production crew hospital in Kudjip were raised by
The L a m b ’s C e n te r and senio r p a sto r o f members, many who were not Chris­ NWMS as a 50th anniversary project
The L am b's M anhattan Church of the tians, cried during taping of the inter­ in 1964.
Nazarene. views. He also said that many of them
cleaned out their own closets to find
The 17-minute video was produced clothing for the homeless. They also
by C indy D upree, a m em ber of The offered their lunches to hungry persons
Lamb's board of directors. on the street.

“Dupree and a dedicated group of Located just a block from New
film industry volunteers. L a m b ’s staff, Y o r k 's T im e s Square, T he L a m b ’s C e n ­
and clients have done their best to tell ter is a not-for-profit com passionate
the stories of lives being touched and m inistry o rganization that operates in
conjunction with L am b ’s M anhattan
Cindy Dupree, produc­ Church of the Nazarene.
er; and David B est,
executive director of The video documentary and a 16-mm
The Lamb’s, display film version are available for viewing
the Best of Festival by local churches. For more informa­
aw ard p resen ted by tio n , c o n ta c t T he L a m b 's C e n te r at
the NYC/SCE film fes­ (212)575-0300.
tival.

July 1992 15

NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEW

SMALL CHURCH CONFERENCE ATTRACTS BIG CROWD

Pastors and district superintendents rep­ with other small church pastors on their Dave Dravecky, former pitcher for the
resen tin g 70 d istricts in the U nited districts. San Francisco G iants and San Diego
States and C anada participated in the Padres, greets members of the Trevecca
first Small Church Institute April 27-29 “Our whole concept is built around Nazarene C ollege baseball team .
in St. Louis, according to Bill Sullivan, our delivery system ,” Sullivan said. Dravecky attended a TNC baseball game
Church Growth division director. “Pastors of small churches who need while on campus recently. He was also
training are not usually able to attend the featured speaker a t a TNC ath letic
The institute, directed by Neil Wise­ conferences because of their financial fund-raising dinner.
man, focused on four areas: rebuilding situations. So, we have designed a sys­
the Sunday School, establishing a week­ tem to take the training back to them.” Dravecky retired from major league
ly evangelistic program , understanding baseball after his left arm was amputat­
small churches, and methods for orga­ Sullivan hopes that the Small Church ed because of cancer. He had battled
nizing a multi-church evangelistic blitz. Institute will enable small churches to back from an initial bout of cancer to
In addition to presentations by Sullivan achieve economic viability and the evan­ p itch a g ain s t the C in c in a tti Reds in
and Wiseman, General Superintendent gelistic effect that comes with such via­ August 1989. He was the winning pitcher
William J. Prince provided the keynote bility. “It is my desire to see all o f our for that game despite suffering a broken
address, and sociologist Ken Crow pro­ churches that currently live in financial arm as he threw a pitch late in the game.
vided a presentation on the single cell desperation become large enough to pay
church. their pastors a living wage, keep their Cancer set in and his arm had to be
churches in good repair, and provide amputated.
Pastors attending the conference were basic programs that meet the needs of
selected by their district superintendents their people." Dravecky has spent the past couple of
for their demonstrated ability in leading years telling audiences about his ordeal
small congregations, according to Sulli­ Sullivan added that the conference, and the way in which he and his w ife,
van. They had agreed to take the skills w h ich is sp o n s o re d by the C h u rc h Jan, drew closer to God and each other.
gained at the conference and share them Growth Division, will add new areas of
emphasis each year. LAW APPOINTED EDITOR OF
THE NAZARENE WEEKLY
NAZARENE HEALTH INSTITUTIONS DEEDED
TO INDIGENOUS CHURCH Jo An Law has been
appointed editor of
The Church o f the N azarene and the Z a n n e r, A fric a re g io n a l d ire c to r. S. The N azarene W eekly
Swaziland Church of the Nazarene have Maseko and R. Mpapane, chairman and at N ash v ille. Tenn.,
signed agreements donating Nazarene secretary respectively of the National First C hurch of the
health-care and training institutions in Board, Church of the Nazarene, Swazi­ Nazarene, according
Swaziland to the church in that nation, land, signed on behalf of the Swaziland to pastor Stan Toler.
according to Robert H. Scott, W orld National Board. The signing was wit­ L aw succeeds E dw ard F. C ox w ho died
Mission division director. nessed by the district superintendents of Feb. 18 o f cancer.
Swaziland. Law has served as secretary/adminis­
The recent cerem ony included the tra tiv e a s s is ta n t to th e p a s to rs at
signing of a new constitution for The action was the culm ination of Nashville First Church for the past 20
Nazarene health institutions in the King­ two years of intense and far-reaching years.
dom of Swaziland and a deed of dona­ negotiations between the denomination Law was also appointed to the pas­
tion. The action effectively donated all and the church in Swaziland, according toral staff as director of com m unica­
the d e n o m in a tio n ’s health-care assets, to Scott. tions. T oler said. In addition to editing
properties, equip m en t, and facilities in the 62-year-old W eekly, Law will be
Sw aziland to the new ly established “ T h e C h u rc h o f the N a z a re n e in responsible for all areas of greeting,
National Board of the Church of the Swaziland has come of age,” said Zan­ events coordinating, marketing, media,
N azarene, S w azilan d , acco rd in g to ner. “The worldwide Nazarene church history/archives, and publications.
Scott. This includes Raleigh Fitkin has faith in the strong will and the per­ T he N a za ren e W eekly is one o f the
Memorial Hospital, Nazarene Nursing sistent efforts o f N azarenes in Sw azi­ oldest and most popular church
College, and related clinics. land to make Nazarene health institu­ newsletters in the denom ination. More
tions one of the best medical care net­ than 6 ,0 0 0 p ersons receive it.
All authority and responsibility for works in this part of Africa.”
administration of Nazarene health ser­ H erald of Holiness
vices in Swaziland were transferred to Scott expressed best wishes for a glo­
the National Board of the Church of the rious future on behalf of the Board of
Nazarene, Swaziland. In keeping with General Superintendents and the Gener­
the actions of the board, a newly formed al Board. He added that the donation
board of trustees im m ediately took was m ade in the strong b elief that all
adm inistrative responsibility for the that had been established throughout the
daily operations of these institutions. decades by dedicated churchm en and
professionals in the medical field will
Signing on behalf of the international continue to serve the needs of the peo­
denomination were Scott and Richard ple of Swaziland.

16











Herald Campaign Winners

Enjoy Cruise

Do n a ld a n d M ary L ou cam paign. R alph West is the dis­ D eR idder, La., C h u rc h o f the
i Walker and Larry and trict superintendent. Rev. H ucker N azarene. “ The speakers, the
’ Jolene H ucker had led the Illinois D istrict. John Christian entertainers, and sing­
never been on an H ancock is the Illinois superin­ ers— all w ere in sp iratio n a l. 1
would give it a five star rating!”
ocean cruise, b u t they spetnetn dtheen t . L o u is ia n a c o m p e te d
The H uckers, who celebrated
second week o f February 1992 on with other districts with an aver­ their 26th wedding anniversary
while on the cruise, said it was a
board the Star Ship Atlantic with age Sunday m orning attendance tim e to rem em ber. “ We were
thrilled,” said Rev. H ucker. “It is
o th er C h ristians. T he W alkers of 6,000 or less, w hile Illinois a tim e we will never forget.” Rev.
H ucker pastors First Church of
and Huckers received their ocean com peted with districts averaging the N azarene in Olney, 111.

vacation com plim ents o f the Her­ m ore than 6,000.

a ld o f H oliness and N azarene “We enjoyed good fellowship

P ublishing H ouse. Rev. W alker with so m any other Christians,”

led the Louisiana District Herald said Rev. W alker, p asto r o f the

(Left) Jolene and Larry Hucker with a friend on
board the S tar Ship Atlantic. (Right) Donald and
Mary Lou Walker arrive in Nassau.

H erald o f Holiness

Kansas / Louisiana
Winners!

ro u is ia n a a n d K a n sa s led the K ansas District. Q uito, Ecuador, on the South
o th er d istric ts in the L o u isian a, rep resen tin g dis­ Am erica Region, com plim ents of
. Herald o f Holiness sub- tricts with Sunday m orning at­ the Herald o f Holiness and Naza­
scription campaign this te n d a n c e o f less th a n 6,000, rene Publishing House. Mr. D ick­
y ear, a c c o r d in g to W esley rDea.ched 105.9 percent o f its goal erson has generously passed the
Tracy, ed ito r o f the Herald. (th e h ig h e st p e rc e n ta g e o f a n y award along to his district super­
D onald W alker served as the district in either category). K an­ in tendent, W. T. Dougharty.
district cam paign coordinator in sas won in the 6,000 and up cate­
the L ouisiana D istrict. Dr. R alph gory with 91.2 percent o f its goal. T he m en will be hosted by
West is the d istrict su p e rin te n ­ As a re su lt o f th e ir a c c o m ­ South America Regional Director
d en t. H a rry D ic k e rso n w as th e plishm ents, Rev. W alker an d Mr. Louie Bustle and his wife, Ellen,
district cam paign coordinator for D ickerson will receive a trip to later this year.

Congratulations!

The winning district coordinators of this year’s H erald subscription drive will have an opportunity to visit the
spot marking the equator, just outside Quito.

SMART
DISCIPLESHIP

BY STAN MEEK, PASTOR, CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE, PRYOR, OKLA.

Not again,” I pro­ notch condition. I had just been that regularly scheduled m ainte­
tested to m yself, so busy. I was preoccupied with nance keeps m inor problem s
pum ping the ac­ other interests. There was no from becom ing m ajor and ex­
celerato r pedal, plan. No reminders. pensive ones. T hat m akes sense
but fin d in g no for Christian living too! 1 mean, if
One of the leading car m anu­ we have tim es to let the M aster
power. facturers has a m aintenance plan Technician run His sophisticated
“This d u m b car is going to kill called SMART. It stands for analysis on o u r C h ristian lives,
Scheduled M aintenance At Regu­ He can identify m inor problems
m e yet,” I said out loud this tim e, lar Tim es. They advertise th at early.
as I engaged the clutch and hit “p ro tectio n is sm art for one o f
the starter. your larger investm ents— your It m ight be a sim ple apology
vehicle.” th a t needs to be m ad e before it
Fortunately, the m otor started leads to a m ajor carbon build-up
and I cleared one of the busiest A n d now I’m a sk in g m yself, o f resentm ent. Neglect o f Bible
intersections in town w ithout get­ reading, prayer, or church atten­
ting clobbered. I spent the re­ Inspiration is great, dance can clog up our spiritual
m aining tim e on the drive hom e fuel injectors. A failure to confess
wondering why this sophisticated but tambourines som e sin m ay lead to spiritual
m achine called an autom obile foul-out.
was failing me. I needed per­ can be fickle and
formance and dependability, and SM ART discipleship will seem
I thought I was paying for it. moody. expensive at the tim e, b u t it will
actually avoid enorm ous cost
Pulling into o u r driveway, I “Do 1 have a larger investm ent down the road.
swung the car door open, when it than my spiritual-life vehicle?”
suddenly occurred to me to check W o u ld n ’t it be s m a rt to have a O ur cars may not need daily
the service sticker on the door­ plan for m y spiritual life too? A care, but our souls do.
post. A quick glance back to the kind of “soul-care plan”?
odom eter startled me. “ Surely O u r re la tio n sh ip w ith G o d is
not! T h irteen th o u san d m iles? Preventive Maintenance personal and involves choices
T h a t c a n ’t b e,” I m u tte r e d . “ I This car m anufacturer insists m ade out o f love— not feelings.
w o u ld n ’t go th a t lo n g b etw een
tune-ups!” But I had. Like the marriage relationship,
it cannot be ignored for a single
I knew this car was performing day w ithout suffering. “Planned
badly because “som eone” had ne­ togetherness” is essential in keep­
glected sim ple car-care p ro ­ ing a relationship alive, w hether
cedures. I d id n ’t need a m irro r to with your spouse, your children,
discover who th at som eone was. or w ith G od. T o g eth ern ess
d oesn’t ju st happen.
Now m ind you, my car-care in­
tentions were very good. I had a Admittedly, the idea of a daily
desire to keep this car in top- quiet tim e does not excite the av-

24 H e ra ld o f H o lin e ss

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PEK GUNN—

Poet of the People

BY MARK GRAHAM

A p o stle o f Sunshine” is the draws tears with his favorite story Ever dutch an unfilled stocking
Double-darned at heel and toe
designation a form er of a depression era Christmas.
A fter trusting in his goodness
/ % governor of Tennessee Christmas Disappointment W onder why he fa ile d y o u so.
-A- JA .. gave him. But to th o u ­
sands o f persons who have lis­ Were you ever disappointed Then a kid on bike a shining
tened to him reciting his poetry, In the things that life had dealt Peddled right up to your door
he prefers to be known simply as
“Uncle Pek.” A n d you suffered on in silence S a id O le S a n ta C laus h a d left it
With the pain your heart had felt A t his house the night before

R ichard M. (Pek) G u n n is the D id you ever long fo r som ething He had other pretty toys
Glove and ball and bat and
poet laureate o f Tennessee, a posi­ L ik e a glove, a bat or ball such

tion bestowed upon him by the Hope that Old Saint N ick would Just the kind that you had asked
for
Tennessee G eneral Assembly in bring them
A nd had wanted O! so
1970. Twenty-two years later, at A n d he d id n ’t com e at all. much.

the age o f 88, he continues H e ’d been m eaner than all
git-out
to crisscross the U n ited
Every day throughout the
States and the world, bring­ year

ing a sm ile and an occa­ ’C ause he k ille d a little
chicken
sional tear to young and old
H u n g a kitten by its ear.
alike.
H e sassed his M a until she
He refers to his work as had

“ A m e r ic a ’s R e m e m b e re d An awful case o f weeps
A nd he won a big red agate
V alues.” He uses sim ple
In a sinful gam e o f keeps.
words in deftly crafted verse
H e had robbed the little
in w hich he upholds such birdsnest

values as honesty, kindness, Stirred the fo re st ranger’s
ire
loyalty, and d ev o tio n to
’C ause he left so m e leaves
God. ab tim ing

Pek has the unique ability That had set the woods
on fire.
to take his listener back to
H e cut-up in all his classes
his growing-up days in the A n d he worked a lot o f
sham s
little com m unity of Tum-
For he brought the teacher
blin’ Creek, about 60 miles apples

west of N ashville. It was But he cheated on exams.

there that Pek and his family We would never tell things on
him
of three brothers and four

sisters learned lessons from

Christian parents that he has

tried to pass on through al­

m ost half a century of tell­

ing sto ries and q u o tin g

rhymes. Tennessee Poet Laureate Richard M. “Pek” Gunn in
He stirs the hearts of his his Tumblin’ Creek room. (Photo: Mark Graham)

audience as he tells how he

would sign the nam e for his dad,

an illiterate sharecropper, as his

father touched the pencil. O r he

26 H e ra ld o f H o lin e ss

Pek pauses to
reflect as he visits
a spot near his
boyhood home.

(Photo: Mark Graham)

T h a t’s the reason he could do his verse. “I write to try to touch A nd he tagged along behind us
All the had things that he wanted people, and I write for the com ­ Everywhere that we w ould go.
m on m an, of which I am a part.”
A n d could still p la y goody too. A t the m onthly country singings
Pek loves to m ake people “Uncle M o ” was alw ays found,
Then I wondered why the laugh. He discovered he had this
difference gift at an early age w hen he Sam pling o f the tasty dishes
would share stories of his child­ At the dinner on the ground.
In this other kid and m e hood on T um blin’ Creek with
W hen I ’d tried to be the fello w When he found one to his liking
I write to touch “M o " would ta ke a bowl and
That a g o o d g u y ought to be. sit,
people, and I
I had never sassed m y M am a To the housew ife’s consternation
A nd at school was never late write for the H e would eat up all o f it.

Didn't cut up in m y classes common man, W hen we went to church on
M ade a grade o f ninety-eight. Sunday
of which I
When the bully jum p ed the new “M o " sat on the fo rem o st pew,
boy am a part.” From a twist o f burley homespun

A nd for fu n he blacked his eye others. P ersons w ould sit for H e ’d bite o ff h im s e lf a chew.
I took up for that new fellow hours and listen to him . It w asn’t
long before he and his wife, A unt While the offering plate was
A n d I whipped that bully-Guy. Frances (Thom pson) G unn, were passing
appearing at club meetings across
Guess som ebody wrote to Santa m iddle Tennessee. Usually Pek “M o " changed seats and
Told him I was ju st a flop would speak and they would do a moved about,
hilarious routine known as the
Put a black-m ark on m y roof-top nervous politician. H e reduced the church collection
So the reindeer w ou ld n ’t stop. By the m oney he took out.
G etting a job at a Nashville fire
I just straightened up m y hall, Pek found that the fire chief When the preacher preached on
shoulders would often send him out to de­ sinning
liver after dinner talks. His repu­
M a d e out like I d id n ’t care tation as a hum orist and as a Special kind that scorched the
But I couldn't keep the tears back wholesom e speaker spread rap­ pew,
idly.
’C ause a hurt in ’ heart was “M o ” would point a n d sa y to
there. “Uncle M o ” someone
M a m a ’s brother was a moron
It was double kind o f hurlin’ “H e ’s uh preachin straight at
A n d what m ade it all so bad We all called h im “Uncle M o, ” you. ’’

Santa failed to com e to m y house M am a blushed as fo lks were
A nd the kids all knew he had. watching

Little did I know the value “M o ’s ” accusing finger roam,
O f the disappointm ent then P ointing as the preacher’s serm on

That such things when met if M a tch ed the things h e ’d heard
conquered at home.

Turn the boys into men. It caused a stir am ong the
members
(copyright 1971, used by perm ission)

“I d o n ’t try to im press people,”
Pek explains, when asked about

July 1992 27

A n d the preacher co u ld n ’t quell ‘If the word I choose C hurch in dow ntow n Nashville
it is the right one, finds him eating at a table with
he’ll curl up and the assistant to the Speaker of the
But it stopped the spicy gossip go to sleep like House of Representatives. W hile
’C ause they knew that “M o " they eat, a prom inent state sena­
would tell it. a baby in his tor walks over to greet Pek. O th­
m other’s arm s.” ers walking into the room , from
(copyright 1972, used by permission) judges to city councilm en, give
and was presented to more than hearty hellos to the smiling poet.
Pek sits back in a Q ueen A nne 600,000 young people. Pek was
chair in his Tum blin’ Creek room later appointed by Gov. Frank G. T h e teens w orking at W endy’s
on the low er level o f his east Clem ent as the first secretary of just down the street from where
N ash v ille h om e. T h e ro o m is the Tennessee Alcoholism C om ­ Pek lives know him well. He
overflow ing w ith aw ards and mission treating alcoholism as a jokes w ith them as they get his
m em orabilia of a career spent in disease. The program he devel­ o rd er— a burger, fries, and a
service to others. Pek has been a oped gained international recog­ “Frosty,” w ith a stack o f sliced o n ­
fireman, a grocery store manager, nition. ions on the side. Pek smiles and
an autoworker, a writer of ads, a talks to everyone he passes in the
campaign worker for politicians, A close personal friend o f Billy restaurant. He asks a young
a newspaper columnist, a travel­ G raham and the m em bers of m other if he can give her little
ing salesm an, a lay preacher, a G ra h a m ’s evangelistic team , Pek boy a stick of gum . She agrees,
Sunday School teacher, a singer coordinated 18 trainloads o f per­ and Pek m akes a new friend.
in a barber shop quartet, and a sons from Tennessee to G raham
publisher. crusades in the U nited States, C hildren at N ashville First
Canada, and even G reat Britain Church of the Nazarene, where
As director of prison services (they took a train to New York Pek has been a m em ber for more
for the State of Tennessee, he de­ where they boarded a plane). than 60 years, flock around the
veloped a crim e prevention pro­ alert, sm artly dressed, blue-eyed
gram. Training five prisoners (in­ Pek is a friend o f p o litician s gentlem an as he enters the fellow­
cluding one death row inm ate) in and entertainers. A lunch at Var- ship hall for d in n er before the
public speaking, Pek took them a l l o ’s R e s t a u r a n t a t 7 th a n d midweek prayer service. Chewing
across the country, where they gum and hugs are bestowed on
shared th eir stories w ith high each one, along w ith a special
school and college students of han dshake a n d a phrase, “You’re
how petty crim es led to greater my buddy from now on. Nothing
ones. The program was adopted can change this. I’m y our buddy,
as a model for the entire nation
by the U.S. D e p a rtm en t o f Justice

(Left) Pek shares a special handshake
and a piece of gum with a friend at
Nashville First Church. (Photo: Mark
Graham)

(Right) Pek delivered a special oration
as part of the inaugural ceremonies for
Trevecca Nazarene College’s new
president, Millard Reed. (Photo: Mark
Graham)

One of the highlights of the 18 train trips to Billy Graham crusades was the
Tennessee Country Ham Breakfast, also coordinated by Pek. (Left) Pek speaks at
one of several breakfasts held at New York City’s Waldorf Astoria. The late Ethel
Waters is at his right. (Center) Pek at another breakfast with Roy Rogers and
Billy Graham. (Right) Pek ana his late wife, Frances (foreground), arrive at a Billy
Graham crusade in Los Angeles with a trainload of Tennesseans.

and you’re m y buddy. I love you, and treasures o f a lifetime The cruel lash, the thorn, the
and you love me, and Jesus loves spent, spear
both o f us.” Som e m en and
women of First Church, now with When all about your world Our fu ll redemption to restore
children o f their own, still retain explodes M akes all our pain seem less
pieces o f gum along w ith fond severe.
m emories of loving hugs given to a n d all th a t’s left is broke or
them by a younger Pek G unn. bent Though days all reach to
tiresome length.
Pek is know n best as a h u m o r­ When suffering reaches souls
ist, b u t he says he uses his h u m o r travail A nd months drag on that seem
for a purpose. “If 1 can get people as years,
to laugh with me and get them to and needed help is so remote
listening, then they open up their He sees our weakness, gives us
hearts,” says Pek. “W hen they do W hen praying seem s to no avail strength
that, th ey ’ll listen to the serious and pain defies the antidote.
things that I w ant to say to them . To trium ph with a smile,
W hen I close, I always wrap up When imps o f doubt who m ake through tears.
with som ething serious, and they afraid,
always accept it.” (copyright 1972, used by permission)
invade the room, stand by your
Certainly Pek has known dis­ bed, Born w ith flam ing red hair,
a p p o in tm e n ts in life. H is only P ek’s b u d d ies at school said he
son, R ichard M. G u n n , Jr. (Little A n d laugh at earnest prayers looked like a woodpecker. W hen
Pek), was born a “blue baby.” He y o u ’ve prayed a grade school sweetheart started
died at the age o f four. Pek’s be­ calling him Pek, the nam e stuck
loved wife o f 51 years, Frances, A nd sincere words o f praise and has been with Richard ever
suffered from cancer twice before y o u ’ve said. since.
losing the battle to lym phom a in
1978. Pek felt the loss deeply, but You’ve never p a ssed this way “I started out telling stories just
he w anted her hom egoing to be a before to my friends,” says Pek. “One
celebration, which it was. day a woman came through who
You’re tossed upon an was booking a certain person to
Triumph with a Smile, unknown blue entertain in the schools. She lis­
Through Tears tened to m e an d said, ‘Mr. G u n n ,
So tired, yet straining at the oar d id y o u k n o w t h a t ’s s a la b le
When sorrow com es or health stuff?' She w ent on to say, ‘People
erodes Through waters that are enjoy th at kind o f thing. You’ve
strange to you. really got a gift.’”

Yet fa ith a n d hope behold a cross To see Pek in action is a de­
With outstretched arms, one light. He looks rather laid-back
hanging there, sitting in a chair on a stage, but
when he steps up to the podium ,
W hose losing fa r exceeds our loss
With pain beyond that which
we bear.

W hile gazing on the wounds He
bore,

July 1992 29

h e b e c o m e s a d y n a m o . W ith I have heard the um p call ’em in Tomorrow will even the score.

sparkling eyes, raised voice, and pinches, S o I ’ve lived all m y life as I ’ve
an uncanny sense of good timing, when the gam e was still fo u n d it,
Pek resurrects the characters of
Tum blin’ Creek for his audience. hanging on fate; A nd to m e the gam e has been
I ’ve heard h im scream "Out!” good.
Pek loved poetry as a child, es­
pecially such writers as Longfel­ when by inches Som e o f the players have cheated
low and Scott. But he chose to The runner was safe at the But most played the best that
develop his own style using the they could.
plate.

language o f the com m on m an. A n d then the scene changed with A n d i f you should ask m e one

He sums up his approach to writ­ the inning; question,

ing this way: “I’d rather take sim ­ The grandstand cam e up with A n d give m e no room fo r to

ple words and paint pretty pic­ a shout; rave;

tures th at will gladden I ’d have to be honest

the hearts of those who and tell you—

have long since ceased to I ’ve received a lot

smile and die unknow n more than I gave.

as a writer, than to have (copyright 1963, used by perm ission)

the acclaim of the liter­ Frettin' “ W hen I sta rt out,
ary world with everyone
trying to figure out what R ic h a r d M. Fek G u n n there seem s like there is
I had in m ind w hen I an aw ful crust, and I
wrote.” ft>«t Laureate oI Tennessee

The Evened Score se been frettin' 'bout de fu ture * J {,( start digging through it,”
And de things d a t l'se been to ld ; Pek says in explaining
I have lived all m y life how he writes his verse.
as I've fo u n d it 'Bout uibat happens to us fo lkses “ A fter a w hile, I get
When we starts t o g i t t in 'o ld .
A m assed neither silver
nor gold; B u t 1 took a little journey through that crust, and I
fall into a great reservoir
A nd I fin d as the years To de e a s te r n part of s t a t e ; o f all kinds o f m aterial,
close around it, and the words becom e
G a z e d a t all d a t pretty scenery. like little people. T hey’ll
The things that count com e aro u n d saying,
most, I can hold. ‘Til de tim e was dittin' late. .1 ‘Let m e in! Let m e in!’ If
S a k e s alive what g o rg e o u s colors; I stop and let one in, and
I have played the gam e 1 he i s n ’t th e r ig h t o n e
fa ir as I ’ve seen it, y, h e ’ll j u s t sc re a m a n d
Like de rainbow in d e s k y ; ■— —
According to m y point
o f view; I ju s t caint explain my feelin's/'(

But realize that others B u t I couldn't help bu t cry. J o
who saw it
. 7 i , Lp y z P itA
M ay choose to take
issue— a nd do. A s I_ sta re d at dem bio mountains —

I have seen good men Trees and flowers every where ^
pitch when their
pitching my heart there welled up praises' 5

Was tops, and they 'C a u s e my Lord had put 'em there.
gave all they had;
, Now, I's e ain't fr e ttin ' any l ° ng e ^ G ^ z carry on until I have to
A n d lost, not because o f m ove him . But if he is
their pitching, i', „ For there's one thin g d a t I See; S: cA; th e right one, he’ll curl
ny g o o d Lord made aem mountains up and go to sleep like a
But because all the fielding te can shore ta k e care o f m e^^ ^
was bad.
I. V b a b y in h is m o t h e r ’s
Another man pitched and his arm s.”
pitching
P e k ’s b o o k s, a lo n g

Written in the vernacular of the Tennessee cotton fields, with fram able prints of
“Frettin’ ” uses simple language to reverently reflect on som e of his best-loved
God’s providence. It is one of Pek’s best-loved poems poem s, m ay be found in
and the one he uses to close every presentation. a special rack at Cracker

Barrel C ountry Stores

T he um pire yelled “S a fe!”fo r the along interstates across
runner the U nited States. They are also
so ld a t th e 10 T e n n e sse e sta te
When everyone knew he was parks and at bookstores in Nash­
out. ville and G atlinburg, Tenn.

Was poor— still he got the But somehow these things will be The octogenarian continues to

hurrahs— righted, m aintain a slate o f appearances

A n d he won, not because o f his We reap what we sow perhaps at co n v en tio n s an d in schools.

pitching, more; The honorarium that he receives

But because o f the person he A nd the things that today seem for speaking is usually sent to

was. benighted— help Nazarene missionaries. Pek

30 H e ra ld o f H o lin e ss







HOPE WITH “THE FAMILY”

BY J. GRANT SWANK, JR.

She clu tch ed her Bible w alked in to the room . Yet, th is was 18 years old. It was a b o u t the
and then entered the tim e she seem ed m ore at ease. second com ing of Jesus. God
study. spoke to my heart recently to ask
Once again, no one pried. Each m e if I were ready to m eet Jesus
No one had ever regular attender sim ply m eshed if He returned. I knew that I was
seen her before. in with the lively exchange con­ far from G od. Yet I did n o t want
It was evident that this young cerning the Bible section exam ­ my soul to be lost forever,” she
w om an felt aw kw ard breaking ined that particular night. explained.
into this new circle. She did not
appear comfortable with church A fter the study was finished, “So you sought us out?”
folk. Jean lingered. My wife sensed “Yes, I w ould pass your church
“Please, have a seat,” som eone that she w anted to share som e­ m onths on end. There I would
invited. thing; so we m ade ourselves par­ see the sign th at lists the tim es of
She sat down gingerly looking ticularly available when everyone your services, and I w ould say to
about, trying to be strong within. else had left. myself that I would walk through
W hat was her name? W here did those doors one day. But I kept
she live? “Could I speak with you for a p u ttin g it off. T hen, finally, I con­
“ W ould you sign o u r guest cluded that I could not wait any
book?” another offered. A t times the longer. I had to start living for
She signed the sheet, but only God.
her first name. No address. No church family “ I got m y Bible, w hich had
rem ark under the heading “C om ­ been stashed aw ay for a long
m en ts.” wondered if this tim e. I dusted it off, to o k it in
The evening proceeded with hand, and started to head for my
the usual midweek N azarene Bi­ pioneer spirit car. It w as th en th a t I was
ble forum. Everyone, sensing the tem pted to turn back, not going
mystery of the situation, tried to could m ake it. to church. But then I knew that I
appear as if all were usual; how­ had to follow my conscience to­
ever, we all knew otherwise. few m inutes?” she stam m ered. ward Jesus. Therefore, I put one
At the close o f the session, Jean The three of us pulled up our foot in front o f the o th er and
was greeted by everyone present. ended up with you people.
“Please com e back again.” “We chairs and settled in to uncover “ I am so glad th a t I did. You
are so glad that you joined us this the intrigue that surrounded this people have been very friendly
evening.” “G ood to m eet you.” visitor. toward me, w ithout being prying.
She sm iled gently, obviously I appreciate th at very m uch.
ap p reciatin g the kindnesses W hat was it that we learned? T here is too m u ch a b o u t m y life
shown. We cam e to understand th at of which I am not proud. There­
W ould she, in fact, retu rn ? this was a woman who had been fore, I need som e tim e to find my
Would she even dare to join the battered by an extrem ely cruel way.”
believers for worship? Was she husband. He thrived on por­ We stared into the eyes of this
married? Did she have children? nography. She had borne several young lady who had walked dark
The next W ednesday this children. She had lived too long alleys, stum bled dow n passage­
woman appeared again for Scrip­ in aw esom e fear for her ow n life. ways. W hat scars were hidden
tu re study. She held her Bible “W hat brought you to o ur Bi­ within? How could she discover
3c4lo s e to h e r b o d y w h e n s h e ble study?” I asked. healing?
“I rem em bered several weeks
ago a serm on I had heard when I H erald of Holiness

f' X

’S'

S h e had been
battered by a
cruel husband
who thrived on
pornography.
She had lived too
long in mortal fear
for her life.

“We are happy that you found own children. This cluster had in­ her family apart, those attacking
our B ible stu d y too. We will deed found their way hom e to her offspring.
surely give you all the tim e you family. O ur congregation felt grat­
want to find your way back to ified to have been the shelter in Some m onths were spent on
the heart o f G od,” I assured her. which they could hide. welfare, living with other aban­
doned selves in state-run housing.
She sm iled her weary smile, Years have passed since th at A small motel room proved to be
grateful to hear com forting words first m idweek study. The church hom e for one season when she
of sincerity. My wife reached over folk have walked with Jean and otherwise would have been out
to touch her arm gently. her children through m azes. on the streets.
T here have been frightening
As tim e passed, Jean becam e a nights when she was threatened Women within the congrega­
regular enthusiast at our church. by those who would have torn tion became her surrogate m oth­
Tagging alongside her were her ers and sisters, providing counsel

July 1992 35

and comfort. wavered. She clung to every op­ life,” she testifies. “ It m eans more
W ould she fall by the wayside portunity the church offered her
for empowering. to m e than any other life-style. I
when days became particularly
difficult? C ould she find the Today, this wom an stands tall have found a chu rch th a t leads
courage to co n tin u e w hen it in o u r c h u rc h ’s history. S he is
seem ed hopeless? T here were confident. She is an exam ple o f me into the ways of holiness. 1
tim es w hen the church fam ily G o d ’s m ight. She is reliable.
w ondered if this pioneer spirit am so thankful for these treasures
could m ake it, even with all the Her husband abandoned her
help from caring hearts. when he finally realized that he that my soul has com e upon. I
could not force her away from
Yet, service after service, study Jesus. Her com m itm ent had been could never turn back.”
after study, Jean and her children cem ented into the cause o f the
were always found within church Cross. T o d ay she is m a rrie d to a
walls w hen the lights were on. We
could count on her when others “I have come upon not only preacher. They m inister to others
salvation but also the sanctified
w ho have lost th e ir way. Now

Jean can speak boldly w hen she

says, “I know where you are com­

ing from,” as she looks into the

faces o f those w anderers w ho seek

her out. ^

Contact us for help in building a solid Benefits Q uestions
Will or a sound C haritable G iving plan.
Answered by Dean W essels
Rev.
Mr. Who makes the decisions about pensions?
M rs____ The present Board of Pensions and Benefits USA
Miss was incorporated in 1952. However, a board to
Address. “ oversee the disbursement of funds to retired
ministers” has existed since 1919 when the General
C ity . Board of Ministerial Relief was established. In
1923, this board became one of the original six
S ta te . .Z ip . departments of the General Board: (1) Department
of Foreign Missions, (2) Department of Education,
Telephone ( ). (3) Department of Publication, (4) Department of
Church School, (5) Department of Home Missions,
Birth D ate_________ (Day) (Year) and (6) Department of Ministerial Relief.
(Month) Although the names changed, those six original
departments continued until the 1980 reorganiza­
Spouse's Birth Date -— tion which established the present five divisions of
the General Board: (1) Church Growth Department,
Please send inform ation on □ W riting a W ill □ Gift Annuities □ Trusts (2) Communications Department, (3) Finance De­
partment, (4) Sunday School Ministries De­
Call Toll Free P lanned partment, and (5) World Mission Department. The
f t G IV IN G Board of Pensions now reports to the General Board
1-800-544-8413 through the Finance Department.
6401 THE PASEO The Board’s membership is based on regional
36 representation. From nominations of the Board of
KANSAS CITY, MO 64131 General Superintendents, the U.S. members of the
General Board elect one representative from each
of the U.S. regions and one member-at-large for a
total of 9 members. No fewer than 4 of the members
are to be ministers and no fewer than 4 are to be
laypersons.

Q uestions about benefits may be sent to the
Board of Pensions and Benefits USA, 6401 The
Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131-1284.

H erald of Holiness

EVANGELISTS’ SLATES 16-26'; Lancaster, OH, 30—Aug. 7'; Frazer, PA SMITH, C. HASTINGS: East Tennessee District
(Philadelphia), 8-16; Sacramento, CA, 17-23; Camp, July 6-12; Iowa District Camp, Aug.
ARMSTRONG, LEON & LINDA: Malden, MO (First), Mena, AR, Aug. 1-6 Las Vegas, NV (Henderson Grace), 24-28; 11-13
July 6-12; Roanoke, VA (Garden City), 13-19; FADER, WES A MARY: Canada Central District Roanoke, VA, 30— Sept. 7’
Roanoke, VA (Grandview Heights), 20-26; MANN, THURL A MARY KAY: White Springs, FL SMITH, DUANE: Scipio, IN, July 9-19'; Ellicott City,
Craigsville, VA (Estaline Valley), 27— Aug. 2 Camp Meeting, July 11-19,24— Aug. 2; Keyser, (Suwanee River), July 20-26; Monroe, LA (First), MD (Washington), 25— Aug. 2; Imperial, PA, 7-9;
WV, 14-16'; Tangier, VA, 22-23'; Tamagua, PA, 29—Aug. 3; Colorado Springs, CO (Indian West Baden, IN (Springs Valley), 16-19
BAGGETT, DALLAS W.: Madison, AL (First), July 12; 2 9 _ s e p t 7* Heights), 18-23; Pawhuska, OK (First), 26-30;
Decatur, AL (Bethel), 19-26; Hartselle, AL (First), Georgetown, IL, Sept. 1-6 THE SPEER FAMILY, BROCK: Leesburg, VA, July 10;
Aug. 7-9; Lexington, AL (Marys Chapel), 14-16; FRANK, RICHARD A.: Columbiana, AL, July 5; Mis­ McMAHON, MICK A HELEN, VICTORY MINIS­ Central Ohio District Camp, 14; Eckerman, Ml,
Decatur, AL (Larkwood), 23 sissippi Teen Camp, 5-10; North Carolina Teen TRIES: Sheffield, AL (First), July 5; Libson Falls, 18'; Xenia, OH, 19; Greenville, SC, Aug. 8';
Camp, 13-17; Tennessee NYI Convention, 24- ME, Aug. 2-7; Gardner, ME (First), 26-31 Bear Creek, AL, 21'
BALLARD, DONALD It: Millington, TN, July 5 25; West Virginia Teen Camp, 27-31; Florida Teen McWHIRTER, G. STUART: Tyler, TX (Lakeview), July
BAPTISTE, MATHIEU J : Naples, FL (New Haitian), Camp, Aug. 3-7; Donalsonville, GA (First), 9 7-12; North Central Ohio District Camp, 15-19; STANIFORTH, KEN: Barstow, CA, July 27—Aug. 2;
Butler, PA (Pittsburgh), 26— Aug. 2; Bethany, OK Long Beach, CA, Children's District Camp,
July 19-26; West Palm Beach, FL, Aug. 9-16' THE FREY FAMILY, DONALD: Alabama, Concerts, (Southwest Oklahoma), 5-9 17-22; Chula Vista, CA, Children’s District
BLUE, DAVID & DANA: Fishkill, NV, July 10-12; July 5,12; Cullman, AL (First), 6-10; Manton, Ml, MILLHUFF, CHARLES R.: Vienna, VA, July 5'; Cir­ Camp, 30— Sept. 4
19-26'; Southwest Indiana Children's Camp, cleville, OH, 13-19'
Northwest Indiana District Camp, 21-26; New Aug. 4-7; Bloomington, IN (First), 9 AM .; Bed­ MONK, JIM: Yuba City, CA, July 16-26; Allison, PA, STREET, A. DAVID: Iowa District Assembly, July
Mexico District Camp, Aug. 4-9 ford, IN (Valley Mission), 9 pm ; Seymour, IN Aug. 16-19 13-17; Cedar Falls, IA, 20-26; Waukegan. IL
BOCK, DON: Mount Carmel, OH, July 29— Aug. 2'; MORGAN, EARL L.: Upstate New York District (First), 29— Aug. 2; Lexington, KY (Lafayette),
Chrisman, IL, Aug. 18-23 (First), 16; Oaklawn, IL (First), 17-23 Camp, July 6-11; Sumner, Ml (Center), 25-26; 10-16; El Paso, IL, 18-23
BOQUIST, DOUG A DEBBIE: Southwestern Ohio GESSNER, DON A SHIRL: Fern Creek, KY, July Streator, IL, Aug. 23
District Camp Meeting, July 1-3; Maine District MORRIS, JAMES A.: West Virginia Children's Camp, TAYLOR, BOB: Ohio District Assembly, July 15-18;
Camp Meeting, 6-11; Indianapolis District Camp 10-19'; Chattanooga, TN (First), 20-23; Lexing­ July 6-10; Seth, WV, 13-19; Butler, PA, 25— Aug. Dayton, OH (Parkview), 19; Indianapolis Camp
Meeting, 20-25; St. Albans, VT, 29—Aug. 2; ton, KY, 24-31'; Salem, IL, Aug. 3'; Mayfield, KY, 2; Northeastern Indiana Boys' and Girls’ Camp, Meeting, 22-26; Camby, IN (Indianapolis),
Ithiel Falls, VT, 5-16' 10-16; Southeast Oklahoma District Assembly, 3-7,10-14; Welch, WV, 24-30 27— Aug. 2
BRISCOE, JOHN B.: New England and Maine, Con­ 18-23; Maybee, Ml, 24-30' MOSS, UDELL G.: Hyndman, PA, July 20—Aug. 2'
certs, July 1-5'; Livermore Falls, ME, 7-12; HAINES, GARY W.: Flint Ml (First), July 11-15; Bur­ MURPHY, MARK: Georgia District Camp, July 6-12 TAYLOR, C LIFF-FAM ILY EVANGELIST: Seattle,
Rockland, ME, 14-19; Maine, Massachusetts, ton, Ml (Flint South), 16-19; Northwestern Ohio NAJARIAN, BERGE A DORIS: Sanford, FL (First), WA, July 7-12; Hermiston, OR, 20-26; Con-
Connecticut, Concerts, 22-31'; Pennsylvania, Family Camp, 25— Aug. 2; Amarillo, TX (First), Aug. 28-30 conully, WA, 27—Aug. 2'; Hermiston, OR, 3-9
Concerts, Aug. 2'; Harrisonville, PA (Pleasant 8-12; St. Augustine, FL (First), 22-26 PETTIT, ELAINE C.: Michigan District Assembly,
Ridge), 4-9; Berkley Springs, WV, 15-16; West HALBERT, KIRK A JOYCE: Missouri and Kansas, July 8- 9; Michigan District Camp, 12- 19; North­ TAYLOR, MENDELL L.: Michigan District Camp, July
Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Concerts, 19-31' Concerts, July and Aug.; Kansas City, MO (St western Ohio District Assembly, 26— Aug. 2; 12-19; Indianapolis, IN (Westside), Aug. 9-30
BROWN, ROGER N.: Cowden, IL, July 17-26'; Ken- Paul's), Aug. 23 Napoleon, OH, 3- 9; Pittsburgh District Boys’
dallville, IN, Aug. 2; Bethel Park, PA 5-16' HANCOCK, TIM: East Kentucky Youth Camp, July Camp, 10-14 a m .; Pittsburgh, PA (Ohioville), 14 TSO, ALVIN C.: Pinon, AZ, July 13-19', 26-31', Aug.
BURKHALTER, PAT I DONNA: Altus, AR, June 6-10; Southwest Oklahoma Youth Camp, 13-17; p m - 16; Pittsburgh District Girls' Camp, 17- 21; 1-2'; Sanostee, NM, 11-15'; Bluff, UT, 17-29'
30— July 5; Charleston, MO, 14-19; Oklahoma Mount Vernon, OH (First), 26; Bonnie, IL Aug. Muskegon, Ml (First), 24-30
City, OK (Oakcliff), July 28— Aug. 2; Blanchard, 6-16'; Wisconsin District Camp, 19-23; Creston, PFEIFER, DON: Eastern Kentucky District Camp, ULMET, ALECK G.: Van Cleve, KY, July 24—Aug. 2';
LA, 4-9; Dallas District Assembly, 12-14; Madill, OH, 3 0 -S e pt. 2 July 20- 26; Center Valley, PA, 28— Aug. 2' Bonnie, IL, 6-16'
OK, 18-23; Vivian, LA, 25-30 HARRINGTON, MILTON: Roseville, CA (First), July RUNYAN, DAVID W.: Casey, IL, July 8- 12; Nevada,
BYERS, CHARLES A MILDRED: University Park, IA, MO, 17- 19; Duncan, OK (North Heights), 22- 26; WELLS, LINARD: SURINAME, South America, June
July 1-5'; Iowa District Assembly, 15-17; Cen­ 19—Aug. 16 Ringing, OK, 29— Aug. 2'; ALBANIA, 4- 24; 30— July 24; McGehee, AR, 28—Aug. 2; Gra­
terville, IA, 20-26; Montrose, IA, 27—Aug. 2; HICKS, JOHN DAVID: Wilmington, NY, Aug. 5-16; Davenport, IA, 26-30 ham, TX (First), 4-9; Drumright, OK, 11-16;
Falls City, NE, 17-23 RUSSELL j- REYNDAL Crowley, LA (Ellis), July Clarksdale, MS, 18-23; Cory, IN, 25-30
CASWELL, GERALD: Irma, NJ, Aug. 19-30' San Pedro, CA (Peninsula), 20-23; Eureka, CA 23-26
CHAMBERS, LEON A MILDRED: Camby, IN (Indi­ (First), 27-30 WILLIAMS, CURTIS D.: Fairfield, OH, July 5; West
anapolis), July 27—Aug. 2; Circleville, OH, 7-16' HOLSTEIN, J. TED: Mercer, Wl, July 14-19 Carrollton, OH, 12; Hillsboro, OH, 19; Nich-
CHANEY, REEFORD A BARBARA: Leesburg, VA, JETSTREAM MINISTRIES, PAUL A TRISH: South olasville, KY, 26', a.m.; Lexington, KY (Lafayette),
July 12; Virginia District Assembly, Aug. 5-6 Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Illi­ 26, pm.; Xenia, OH, Aug. 12
CLAY, M. E.: Warrenton, GA, July 16-26' nois, Kentucky, Concerts, July 8-15; Wilmore,
CLEGG, DARRELL W.: Titusville, PA, June 30—July KY, 16-25'; Kentucky, Tennessee, Concerts, WRIGHT, E. GUY & LIL: Front Royal, VA, July 1-5;
5; Arborvale, WV, 16-26'; Union Point, GA, 28-31, Aug. 2-11; Cookeville, TN, 12-16 Summersville, WV, 8-12; Arbovale, WV, 16-26';
29—Aug, 1'; Hortense, GA, 6-16'; Barberton, JONES, GRACE L.: Guadalajara, MEXICO, July Warsaw, OH, 29—Aug. 2; Hortense, GA, 6-16';
OH (Mount Summit), 21-23 9-12, Aug. 18-30 Asbury, WV, 19-23'; Barberton, OH (Mount
CORENSON, KEN A PATTI: Eugene, OR (Faith), JONES, TERRY A LAQUITA: Nebraska District Summit), 26-30
Camp Meeting, July 9-12; Salina, KS (Belmont
Aug. 29—Sept. 3 Boulevard), 19; Cheyenne, WY, 24-26'; Okla­ 'D e notes Non-Nazarene Church
COVINGTON, NATHAN A.: Gilmer, TX, July 14-19; homa District Camp Meeting, Divide, CO, Aug.
3-7; Littleton, CO (Denver Columbine Hills), 16; “This is Sherry’s answ ering service. Please leave your
Stuart OK (Friendship), 28— Aug. 2; Louisville, Colorado Springs, CO (Southgate), 19-23; name, age, length of y our hair, and w hether or not
KY (Trinity), 4-9; Greenbrier, AR, 11-16; Clinton, Mount Enterprise, TX, 26-30" you have an earring, at the sound of the heep!”
JUNEMAN, JOHN A TRINA: Annapolis, MO, July
OK, 25-30 1-5; Columbus, OH (Mifflin), 7-12; Crown Point,
DELL, JIMMY: Carson, WA, July 12-19; Prescott Val­ IN, 14-19; Columbiana, AL, 21-26; Guthrie, OK,
28— Aug. 2; Torrington, WY, 5-9; Worland, WY,
ley, AZ, 25-29; Patchogue, NY, Aug. 2-7; New 18-23; Green River, WY, 25-31; Laramie, WY,
York District Camp, 8-16; West Monroe, LA Sept. 1-6
(First), 19-23 KEENA, EARL E.: Sacramento District Family Camp,
DENNISON, MARVIN E.: Hixson, TN (Chattanooga
Grace), June 30— July 5; Newton, IA, 6-9; New Aug. 17, 23
York District Boys’ and Girls' Camp, 13-18, KELLER EVANGELISTIC MINISTRIES, GREG A
20-25; Rock Hill, NY, 28—Aug. 2; Greensburg,
KY, 4-9; Carrollton, MO, 11-16; Topeka, KS SUE: White House, TN (New Life), Aug. 15-19;
Erin, TN, 22-26
(First), 25-30 LAXSON, KIP: Michigan District Camp, July 14-19;
DESKINS, GROVER C.: Arcade, NY (Crossroads), Parrish, AL, Aug. 5-9; The Plains, OH, 19-23;
Salem, IL (Grace), 26-30
July 31—Aug. 9 LAXSON, WALLY A GINGER: Mount Vernon, OH
DOCTORIAN, SAMUEL: REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA, (North Central), July 15-19; St. Mary's, OH
(Northwestern Ohio), 26—Aug. 2; Houston Dis­
July 1-8'; Baton Rouge, LA, 11-19'; Beirut, trict Camp, 4-9; Salem, IL (Grace), 26-30
LEBANON, Aug. 2-12'; Sidney and Perth, AUS­ LOMAN, LANE: Crowley, LA (First), July 5, 7-12;
TRALIA, 14-31' Tilden, IL, 16-26'; Toronto, OH, 30—Aug, 9';
DOROUGH, JAMES D.: Blossom, TX, July 21-26; Valley, AL (First), 16-19; Bowling Green, KY
(New Life), 23-26; Gallatin, TN, 3 0 -S e pt. 2
Jacksonville, TX, Aug. 18-23 MANER, ROBERT E.: Northwest District Camp, July
DUNMIRE, RALPH & JOANN: Indianapolis Camp 7-11
MANLEY, STEPHEN A DELPHINE: Pleasant Hill, CA
Meeting, July 27—Aug. 2; Mount Vernon, OH, (Northern California), July 6-12; Pelion, SC,
6-16'; Antioch, TN (Nashville Cherokee Hills),

26-30
DUTTON, BARRY A TAVIA: North Carolina District

Camp, July 2-12; Maine, Concerts, 14-26;

July 1992 37









THE QUESTION BOX ‘HONORING THE TRUST
AND
C onducted by Wesley D. Tracy, E ditor
“SERVING THOSE
Unsaved Family Members WHO SERVE"

Can I claim Acts 1631 as a promise that if I believe in Christ Dr. Dean Wessels
all the members of my family will someday be saved?
YOUR PENSIONS AND BENEFITS
I wish I could say yes. But there is nothing in this verse that FUND IN ACTION
guarantees the salvation of the relatives o f believers. You refer,
of course, to the words of Paul and Silas to the repentant Philip­ Your support of the Pensions and Benefits Fund
pian jailor. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be makes possible the "B asic” Pension Plan for over
saved, and thy house.” 3,700 retired Nazarene m inisters and widowed
spouses of m inisters. Since your support has made
W hat is reflected here is an old Hebrew tradition o f receiving this pension possible, you deserve to know the
whole families of Gentile proselytes into the Jewish religion results of the over $6.7 m illion paid from this Fund
through the rite of baptism. The apostles, everyone of them in 1991. The follow ing excerpts from letters
raised in the Jewish tradition, were just carrying forward into received recently by the Pensions office dem on­
early Christian practice the Jewish practice of baptizing whole strate the impact of your faithful giving.
h o u se h o ld s in to the faith. N o te th a t ev ery on e in th e ja i l o r ’s
household was instructed in the gospel before they were bap­ . . . T hank yo u f o r the very g en ero u s check. It is
tized (verses 32-33). This indicates that each m em ber of the alm ost a life-saver fo r us and has eased the strain
household heard the gospel, accepted it, and m ade this public considerably. G od bless our Church o f the N aza­
by receiving baptism. O ur unsaved family members must also rene. We still need your prayers.
hear and accept the gospel if they are to be saved.
. . . M y hu sband p a ssed aw ay recently. / w ant to
Although this verse does not mean what your aching heart so thank the B oard o f Pensions fo r the m any things
desperately w ants it to say, the sacred Word does assure us th at that were done fo r us over the years. It m ade us
G od loves our not-yet-saved family members even more than fe e l so good to be remembered.
we do. We know He will meet them at every corner, and con ­
tinue to call them to himself. .. .W e really do not know what we would do if we
didn't know that you loved, cared, and prayed fo r
Does the Pastor Tithe? us.

A few months ago I became the treasurer o f our church. Imag­ . . . Thank you and the B oard o f Pensions fo r
ine my shock to discover that our pastor does not pay a full everything you have done fo r me. The checks you
tithe. I can tell by the weekly amount that he puts in that he is send to m e every m onth help out so very much.
not tithing on the $50.00 per week car allowance we give him or
on the $490 payments we make on the parsonage he lives in. I'm . . . I have told fo lks fo r years that the Church o f the
disillusioned. W hat should I do? N azarene is w onderful to all o f its retired ministers.
I think I am one o f the oldest on your list. I will be
I am afraid, dear friend, that you are not only disillusioned, 98 this year.
but ill informed. Please understand that the $50.00 car allow­
ance is a reim bursem ent of expenses and not salary. Not even . . . Thank you fo r yo u r fa ith fu ln ess in sending us
the IRS regards reimbursement of corporate expense as taxable our church pension check every month. We do
income. T he pastor’s car allowance is no t personal incom e, b ut appreciate it so much.
a regular expense o f the church, ju s t like the light bill.
The “ B asic” Pension Plan and related services
The payment that you make on the parsonage that your are made possible through the Pensions and
ch urch owns c a n n o t be regarded as the pastor’s personal inco m e B enefits Fund received from local churches on
either. The pastor certainly benefits by the church's provision of p a rtic ip a tin g d istric ts. Y our c h u rc h ’s pay m en t o f its
living quarters, but the parsonage belongs to the church, not the Fund am ount is essential to keep your Pensions and
pastor. The parsonage benefit, to quote a tax agent, “is one part B enefits Fund in action.
of the pastoral support package that the church keeps when the
pastor leaves or retires. The church always keeps the equity." BOARD OF
PENSIONS AND BENEFITS USA
Pastors also have many other professional expenses, many of
which are not refunded by the local church. But the pastors that Church of the Nazarene • 6401 The Paseo
I k no w d o n ’t c o u n t p ennies o n these matters, rather they gener­ Kansas City, MO 64131-1284
ously pay more than a strict accounting o f a 10% tithe would
require. Most pastors that I know give 15% to 30% o f their in­
come year after year, counting tithes and special offerings. Some
pay even higher percentages.

As to your question: "W hat should I do?” You should talk to
your pastor about these m atters— which is w hat you should
have done in the first place instead of writing me.

The views expressed in this column are those o f the editor and do not constitute official
statements by orfo r the Church o fthe Nazarene. The editor is not able to send replies to
questions not selected for publication. Address: Herald o f Holiness, 6401 The Paseo,
Kansas City. MO 64131.

42 H era ld of Holiness

THE GRACE NOTES OF LIFE

BY NEIL HIGHTOWER

Grace notes are those lit­ gives is sordid, cheap, an d gro­ with our Christian walk? To me,
tle m usical notes set tesque; but, on the other hand, the application is th at we live in a
■ dow n in a m u sical there are m om ents and places world that challenges every step
score as “ ex tras,” where the attractive and noble we take in Christ. However, God
w hich m ay be played at the vault through. T his is especially gives H is grace, a benefit over
choice o f the m usician if he sees tru e w here th e old m eets the new. and beyond any clever striving
them as useful for com m unicat­ T here is, for instance, a chaotic we may make. O ur Lord never
ing the message of the song. They charm and energy generated be­ forces us into som e cul-de-sac,
are a gift from the m ind of the tween the old Bangkok and the but rather bestows His loving fa­
com poser, saying, “T h ere’s no ne­ new Bangkok. The traditional vor without any determinism or
cessity, b u t if they will help you city is still alive and well, we are necessity. We m ay gratefully re­
com m unicate, my friend, use told in Portfolio, w ith country ceive this added benefit to en­
them .” m arkets and narrow canals, and hance the m usic o f our lives.
golden palaces and temples. Both
This m eaning springs out of quaintness and “quackery” sur­ G race is th e h a rm o n y and
the original usage of the Greek beauty o f Jesus settling upon us,
word from which the New Testa­ j \ -S/»T! healing our restlessness and calm ­
m ent gained its word for “grace.” ing o u r irrational fears. G race is
The word in G reek was charis, —r1 the sm ile o f G od breaking in
and m eant “ attractiveness or up o n us in th e m o m en ts of
charm ; easy, natural elegance or J. . . 7 . . F. 7 .... ..........z ....... 7 gloom. Not to be irreverent, b u t it
harm ony; beauty of line or move­ is the “eye” o f G od w inking at us
ment.” Those ancient peoples in­ J when we stub our toe and stum ­
stinctively saw that real beauty or ble, and saying to us, in the words
harm ony was not a hum an W h e r e wcmid w e o f Jo h n ’s first letter, “ But if any­
achievement, but rather a gift of be without G od’s body does sin, we have one who
God. “grace notes” speaks to the Father in our de­
written in Iove fense— Jesus Christ, the R igh­
At every step we take along the throughoult the teous O ne” (1 John 2:1, NIV).
pilgrim age o f life, G o d ’s grace is score of o ur lives?
given to us as a free expression of G race is the them e o f gratitude
the happiness that flows from His round this trad itio n al setting. that rumbles in our souls as it in­
love and mercy. Perhaps u n th in k ­ However, the trad itio n al setting is terweaves the song of mercy pen­
ingly, because o f the P u rita n or being challenged, as it is every­ etrating there and gushing forth
Pietistic background from which where on this planet, by hotels from our character as a peace and
we spring, we tend to link som ­ and autom obiles, office towers a mellowness. To use a term con­
berness and pain with spirituality. and executive suites, com puter nected with guitar-playing, grace
In fact, G od has attached m uch banking and plastic credit cards. is the clam p across the bridge of
joy to the saving w ork of His o u r life, setting the key for w hat­
grace. In the m idst of this collision, ever tu n e we ought, in G o d ’s will,
the T hai concept of sanuk still to play. T he com position is a co­
An article in N orthw est A ir­ prevails. Roughly equivalent to operative affair, for G o d ’s salva­
lines m agazine, Portfolio (D ecem ­ the English word fu n , it really tio n is by grace th ro u g h faith.
ber 1988), described som e inter­ tra n s c e n d s th a t c o n c e p t. It is G od takes the initiative, but m an
esting things about Bangkok. It rather the philosophy th at the responds in free involvement.
told m e th at “Sanuk, sabaay, sad- real values o f life can best be
ua k” is a m otto often repeated in found “in its grace notes.” Where would any of us be to­
this city of 6 million. Freely trans­ day, i f it w e re n o t fo r G o d ’s
lated, it m eans, “Savor your fun W hat does all this have to do “grace notes” w ritten in divine
and well-being. G o w ith w hat life love throughout the score of our
gives you.” lives?

As in every megacity, w hether Neil Hightower is administrator o f the
Western or O riental, developed or
developing, life in th is context Canadian National Board, Church of
“gives” a lot. M uch o f w hat it
the Nazarene. ^

July 1992 43


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