Summer 2004 Rev. Dr. Jossie Owens see the school’s president over some concerns she had. “That started a Talks to New Horizons dialogue that continued to this day; he pursued me to teach there, and I took By Carol Blessing, Editor Inside this Issue the position, “I’m having the time of my life!” This thinking it would be Rev. Dr. Jossie Owens is how the Rev. Dr. Jossie Owens for three months. It Talks to New Horizons 1 describes her work as the District turned out to be 16 Superintendent of the Church of the years.” She moved How Did a Nazarene Like Nazarene. She was elected on the first from associate Me End Up Here? 3 ballot to her position of leading the New director to principal England District on May 28, after to president of the The Care of Photo credit: Holiness Today serving as interim D.S. since February, board of the school, Clergywomen 4 and as Associate Superintendent before stepping down recently to member of that. She is the first woman ever to be the board of directors. Women’s Studies elected to that position, let alone the Program at NBC Her story of becoming a pastor is as 5 first African-American woman. remarkable. One day, the pastor of the What’s Happening Talking to Dr. Owens via a cross- Nazarene church she attended put a 5 country phone call, I could hear her ministerial training handbook in her strength and enthusiasm, making it easy hands. “It was red—and it seemed like Come to the Water to understand why she was elected. She fire,” Dr. Owens recalls. She put it 7 Conference does everything whole-heartedly away because she felt she was too busy because of her sense of God’s telling to pursue something else. But one day Our Nazarene her to be right where she is. Feeling led she opened it and felt led to call 8 Foremothers by God even as a young girl who had Nazarene Headquarters in City moved with her parents from Selma, to find out about courses of study, and New Horizons Team: Alabama to Boston, she became a ordered some books. “God told me He Diane Miller, Clergy Resources and member of the wanted me to complete the course of Website Coordinator study in four years, He had something Carol Blessing, Editor at age 13. After graduating from Vicki Copp, Columnist and News Eastern Nazarene College in 1974 with for me to do,” she says. She enrolled in Liaison an English degree and a secondary the Reynolds Institute in Boston to Stan Ingersol, Columnist teaching credential, she says: “God sent complete her studies. When she Rebecca Laird, Columnist changed congregations in order to gain George Blessing, Layout and me to work at Blue Cross/Blue Shield.” a mentor, she was assigned to be Design Dr. Owens enjoyed her work there and envisioned herself as the first black vice minister of education at that church and pastor of the private school she worked Materials may be photocopied for use in president, seeing this as her lifetime at. At that time, though, she did not Church of the Nazarene ministries, with the career. She excelled at administration, want to be a senior pastor: “I just understanding that material will not be sold. especially assessing people’s leadership The following credit must appear: capabilities. After she became a wanted to preach and teach.” One day, From: New Horizons divisional manager, however, her life Dr. Owens called her friend and mentor Summer 2004 took another turn. The private Christian Chuck Zink, whom she had met at a Used by permission. school her children attended had a pastors and spouses retreat, about a changeover in principals, so she went to nearby church that was without a pastor.

...... Summer 2004 Zink said he would include her on the clergy/wynkoop.html] “The District suggests those females who feel a call to list of guest preachers. Meanwhile, Superintendents are going to have to ministry should first meet with at least Owens began to have dreams she feels push this issue, including putting names one women pastor in their district, to were sent from God about becoming a forward to the church boards” when discuss all that entails. Being a part of senior pastor. When Zink asked her if pastoral vacancies arise. “We also need an accountability group is crucial as she would consider becoming the senior to educate the boards, to tell them to well; she formed one four years ago, pastor of the church, Dorchester Second spend time in prayer that the best comprised of professional women from Church of the Nazarene in the Boston candidate would come forward, different denominations, including the area, her unusual silence gave away her regardless of if it is a man or a woman. Rev. Mary Paul, who co-pastors with what her answer would be. Her The laity needs schooling.” She also is her husband another Boston area divinely-inspired dreams had been adamant that the language the church Nazarene church. The group still meets fulfilled. uses be more gender inclusive, for once a month. Unfortunately, though example, not assuming that a senior many of the obstacles Owens has That was in February 2004. Owens pastor would be male. When asked if encountered are from other women who enjoyed leading Dorchester Second, and she had encountered any difficulties in are critical of a woman in authority. it was difficult to leave her position this becoming a pastor as a female, she says: “Sisters need to bond with one another,” February when she felt a call to resign. “I can tell you a lot of horror stories,” Dr. Owens asserts. She sensed, though, that there was including exclusion from fellowship something else for her to do, once again with other ministerial students. Things Besides her mentors and accountability a leading that proved correct. The became so frustrating that three times group, Dr. Owens thanks the support of experience of bringing together diverse she asked God to remove her from the her husband of 26 years, Tom, her “soul segments of the multicultural church, Church of the Nazarene, but three times mate and best friend” who has been which includes Haitian, English, and she was answered back “faster than an completely behind all she has done. Cape Verdean congregations, has email” that this is where she was to be. She also has two grown children and provided Owens a model for The third time, “God said: ‘you are not puts her family high on her priority list, administering the New England District. to ask me again!’” A woman who was right below God and above any of her The biggest challenge she sees for her following Owens’ career wondered why positions. “Sometimes people just don’t new role is bringing the district she would stay in the Church of the understand that—my relationship with churches together. “Each church sees Nazarene that is “all white males,” to my Father comes first, then my itself as wholly separate unto itself,” she which Dr. Owens responded “I am here relationship with my family, and then explains. “We need to be united in because God sent me.” my job.” She also has a strong order to grow. The New England educational basis of support in District, in fact, is one of the few Dr. Owens credits Chuck Zink, her leadership and administration with a districts that are growing.” To do this, “spiritual brother” with helping her Master’s degree in Public Education Dr. Owens states: “we need to educate greatly. “He literally stepped aside for from Northeastern University and a the pastors and laity. We need to bring me,” she says, describing Zink’s leaving Doctor of Education in Policy, Training, more unity to advance the kingdom.” his position as District Superintendent and Administration from Boston Owens is currently working on to become head of Clergy Services, thus University. reinforcing area directors and pastors opening the DS slot for her. However, through Bible study and pastors’ her calling is strongly reinforced by the There will be difficulties in the path to retreats, “calling them to read the Bible vote she received in May. She is only ministry. Rev. Owens knows that as an more and calling them to the second district superintendent in the African American and a woman she is accountability.” United States to be elected on the first subject to increased scrutiny and that ballot—“that is affirmation.” She went the criteria for her success are more On the issue of women in ministry, into the vote thinking it would be difficult than the norm. However, these Owens has some definite ideas, echoing remarkable if that occurred, feeling God facts have not deterred her, and she says Rev. Jeren Rowell’s sermon at the had told her it would, and it did. they should not deter others. In her Wynkoop Center for Women in matter-of fact manner, Owens states: “a Ministry. [This sermon is available on Women thinking about entering the sister who feels a call must become like the web at ministry need mentors, as Dr. Owens the woman in Luke 18” who refused to http://nazarene.org/ssm/adult/women/ has found through Zink and others. She

2 ...... NEW HORIZONS give up. “We weren’t called to be misunderstood God’s guidance? Or was the exams and do my job without comfortable.” placement, which I believe is the fighting the polity. It was the right number one problem for women decision. ministers in our denomination, simply Carol Blessing is the Editor of New tripping me up too? I’m still Nazarene and on loan for a few Horizons Resources for Nazarene years. The Presbyterians don’t Women Clergy, and a Professor of When I learned by either providence or understand why I don’t want to come all Literature at Point Loma Nazarene serendipity while attending a one-time the way over, but they’ve learned to University in San Diego, California. adult education seminar led by my trust who I am. Most seem to also husband at Central Presbyterian Church understand that someone from a spirit- that they were searching for an focused and holy living denomination How Did a Nazarene Like Associate Pastor to focus on adults, my like ours has something good to offer a eyebrows went up. I asked to see a job church steeped in the right thinking Me End Up Here? description just for my information. I tradition of the Reformers. never imagined working outside the By Rebecca Laird Wesleyan/Holiness tradition. It is Over the past year and a half, I have clearly who I am. fallen in love with this congregation, Often when I park my car in one of the and they with me. That to me is the three clergy spots and head up the But I looked and prayed and decided to greatest mark of God’s activity in this sidewalk toward one of the main make a phone call. The committee odd arrangement. Our small group entrances to Central Presbyterian called me back and ministry is off to a good start. People Church, the carillon rings. More than for nine months we who would never pray aloud are once, I’ve looked up at the stone bell were tested with beginning to volunteer to pray tower sounding the tune to “Great is denominational sometimes. People are knocking on my Thy Faithfulness” and asked myself, hurdles. door and believing that I’ll listen and “How did a Nazarene like me end up Denominations with point out the ways God’s activity is here?” historic high walls apparent in their lives. I’ve learned to to protect trust more in providence and encourage For the past year and a half, I’ve been themselves theologically have lots of others to assert their free will. It’s a serving as an associate for spiritual protocols and safeguards Several times good trade off in learning about the development for a fairly large and vital we all nearly gave up. They looked at fullness of God’s presence among all congregation. Either providence—if you other candidates. I looked at other ways the faithful. are more reformed in your theology—or to use my gifts. a free and God-affirmed choice—if you I’m in my second year now. I’ve walked are more Arminian—brought me here. Finally, the path became clear: If I up the sidewalk listening to the carillon would take the ordination exams in the snow, while the leaves fell, while I was ordained on the Metro New York required of all seminary graduates the flowers bloomed, and now in the district in 1995. I received a welcome seeking ordination as a Minister of heat of a second summer. That question, and a few invitations to preach, but Word and Sacraments, they would “How did a Nazarene like me end up nothing more. I talked to a few churches recognize me as a corresponding here?” still has no perfect answer. I’ve informally but nothing came of the member of the Presbytery with all rights decided to just accept that the Spirit led discussions. There never seemed to be a and privileges. It was an understandable me here for a good reason even though good fit for someone like me who feels but weird request. I was free as a fully it is not clear to me why or for how specifically called to adult spiritual ordained person to preach, teach, long. But that is where faith kicks in. development and spiritual direction. I perform weddings and funerals yet I I’ll lean on that and try to listen to the knew that I would need to find church was barred from officiating at the music from the bell tower day by day with a multiple staff. Few of those exist sacraments—but only for this local without demanding any final answers. near me. I also spent most of one decade congregation. My Nazarene ordination before ordination and another after freed me to freely serve in every way working in publishing wondering why I everywhere else. I didn’t like the idea Rebecca Laird is currently serving as felt led to be ordained when I didn’t of proving myself, but I felt God’s hand Associate Pastor for Spiritual seem to fit anywhere. Had I on my shoulder. I decided to study for Development at Central Presbyterian

...... 3 Summer 2004 Church in Summit, , an function as loving mothers to their to find time to nurture their own ordained minister in the Church of the congregations.” Research has found spiritual lives because of perceived Nazarene, and author of Ordained that some clergywomen do ‘mother’ demands from family and church. The Women in the Church of the Nazarene. their parishioners as a means of issue of sexuality for clergywomen was overcoming resistance to women manifest through accounts of isolation, holding authority in the church. loneliness—particularly in single The Care of Clergywomen Research also indicates that these clergywomen. Themes that emerged women are more likely to work at being clustered around the balance of work By Donna Techau approachable, emotionally vulnerable, and family, boundaries, the need for tactile, and willing to share of more free time, cultivating more A recent study of female clergy in the themselves personally with their support, sexuality, and having an United Methodist Church has caught the congregations. Their focus tends to be opportunity to develop their own attention of many of us involved in the more on pastoral counseling than spiritual lives more fully. preparation of women for ministry. In administration. This study indicates an article* summarizing their findings, that by relying on traditional female Respondents to Frame and Shehan’s Frame and Shehan note that three main roles, the congregation is often more survey indicated that coping with role areas of concern arise for women comfortable having a female minister, strain involved both healthy and clergy: 1) the effects of gender on their but “the fallout from this relational unhealthy coping strategies. Positive work, 2) special challenges (personal approach … is that many clergywomen coping strategies included taking time and professional) clergywomen face, experience more overload than their for self, being involved in support and 3) positive and negative coping male colleagues.” groups, seeking counseling and spiritual strategies. While the number of direction, and the maintenance of a clergywomen has increased According to this study, clergywomen strong friendship network both within significantly over the past 30 years, perceive themselves to have and outside of the church. Negative clergywomen continue to report a fundamentally different leadership coping mechanisms included addictive considerable amount of role strain, styles than their male counterparts: behavior, such as overeating and finding themselves caught in impossible clergywomen see themselves as not substance abuse. conflicts between pastoral duties and using power over the congregation, and family responsibilities. “Much of this instead being intentional about Frame and Shehan conclude: “The role overload is a result of being in a empowering the laity. When questioned responses of the participants in this profession that is considered a ‘sacred about their greatest perceived study reveal that the most effective way calling,’ a ‘way of life,’ and a job whose challenges, the clergywomen surveyed for female clergy to gain acceptance and demands are unrelenting twenty-four most frequently mentioned struggling authority is to extend their roles as hours a day, seven days a week” writes with gender-based discrimination, caregivers in the home into the Frame and Shehan. institutional issues such as the workplace. As a result, this extra bureaucracy of the church, and the lack caring, along with other life stresses, The first area of concern, the effects of of role models. Frame and Shehan also often leave clergywomen depleted, gender on clergywomen’s work, has suggested that their findings indicate depressed, and discouraged about their implications for the female pastor, and that male clergy may perceive future in ministry. Based on the results if she’s married, her spouse, as well as themselves to be more supportive of of this study, we believe there is a her congregation. Gender here is female clergy than clergywomen tremendous need for care for the understood not as biological experience. caregivers.” characteristics, but as social construction. That is, we “do” gender Personal and professional challenges While this article is written for by our assumptions of what we consider that contributed to clergywomen’s role clinicians, we must ask ourselves what to be normal and appropriate roles for strain tended to revolve around issues of we (as parishioners, DSs, board persons in a specific sex category (male being able to delineate clear and members, etc. and even clergywomen or female). These gender-based appropriate boundaries in order to ourselves) can do to help alleviate expectations carry over into the balance personal and family needs with unnecessary role stress on our female ministry. “Clergy women are expected professional demands. These women clergy? How can clergywoman better to be caring and compassionate and reported that they found it challenging care for ourselves? Can we (clergy and lay alike) abandon archaic notions of ‘a

4 ...... NEW HORIZONS woman’s place’ or what it means to be 1986 catalog outlined as three ministry in light of contemporary ‘feminine’? Can we respect boundaries objectives: spiritual enrichment, female concerns. of ‘time off’ and the need for pastoral personal growth and development, and sabbatical? Can we alleviate outside equipping for service. By 2001, there The names of courses and descriptions stressors, such as financial concerns, in was in place an Associate Degree in have been changed to reflect a order to free up these women for better Women’s Ministries, which emphasized commitment to a more diverse service? Can we listen to the needs of support of the male spouse in pastoral understanding of ministry, particularly these women (instead of presuming to ministry and/or training for women who the diversity of professions related to know what they are and in turn were interested in developing women’s and enhancing the ministry of a local imagining that we are meeting them ministries in local churches. church for which one can receive adequately)? training at NBC. So whether one is The reality today at Nazarene Bible preparing to be a pastor, teacher, * Marsha Wiggins Frame and College is that more women than ever counselor, or a layperson, there are Constance L. Shehan “Care for the before are coming to the Colorado courses provided for those interested in Caregiver: Clues of the Pastoral Care of Springs Campus or enrolling in the preparing for pastoral care to women. Clergywomen”, Pastoral Psychology, NBC online program to pursue Some program specifics regarding Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2004, p. 369-380. ordination in the Church of the course development and its ongoing Nazarene. Some seek to be ordained place and function in the curriculum themselves, with their male spouses in have yet to be determined, but the desire Donna Techau is a PhD candidate at supportive non-ordained roles. Some to promote women in ministry as lay or Garrett-Evangelical Seminary, are seeking ordination along with their clergy leaders in the Church of the concentrating in Systematic Theology spouses. Granted, there are still many Nazarene will be the guiding principle and feminist theory. who see themselves in roles supportive of our endeavors at NBC. of their male spouses, yet these wish to

define the role according to their own Women’s Studies Program sense of calling, instead of being put Rev. Janice Duce is presently a into the mold of a traditional preacher’s Professor of Women’s Studies and at Nazarene Bible College wife. Christian Thought at Nazarene Bible College, after serving in the pastoral By Prof. Janice L. Duce It has become more apparent that what ministry for 17 years. is called for is an academic focus which In order to prepare women for relevant encompasses a broader study of women, ministry in today’s society, Nazarene in order to minister more effectively in Bible College has changed the name of What’s Happening today’s society. its program, from Women’s Ministries The term Women’s By Vicki Copp to Women’s Studies. The Women’s Ministries, because Studies program is focused on women of the way it is We are in PALCON season. The last who plan to be in a supporting role to normally used in time I thought about going to a their male spouses who are ministerial church life, tends to PALCON, I was just beginning to students. Since the beginning of the limit the role as respond to my call and was not feeling college in 1967, there has been a well as the realm confident enough about it to attend. I program focused on training women. through which women’s gifts for was afraid I might not be able to By the mid-1970s, topics covered ministry can be expressed. This was a adequately justify my presence there. included general and practical problem in terms of how the program So, I opted to stay home. When I heard instruction relative to work in the local was being perceived and developed at that the conferences would be church, the role of the minister’s wife, the college. Therefore, the name conducted again, I didn’t want clergy and speech training. Women were not Women’s Studies was chosen because women to hesitate to attend. So, I barred from pastoral ministry classes, it of its usefulness as an academic term approached Ron Blake in Clergy was simply assumed that the interest of encompassing a larger scope. This term Services with a request to have most would be in that of a supportive involves a much needed examination of something offered specifically for role. Thus a special program was women’s issues and ways of developing women clergy. I figured this would be a designed which would focus on what a clear call for women clergy to

...... 5 Summer 2004 participate. With his blessing, I began positive, uplifting and educational. One all went well. There were around 15 to locate women clergy in each of the of the most exciting things was an women at the networking workshop and regions who decided to organize and impromptu ladies’ prayer and share time then around 30 came to the gender administrate two workshops and also to in our dorm which lasted until almost 2 mutuality workshop. I was encouraged staff an exhibition booth. As of this am. We rejoiced in victories and prayed by the ten men who came. They were writing, four of the regional conferences for each others’ families and ministries. specifically there because they were have been held: Olivet Nazarene We prayed also for Pastor Metcalf who planning to or in the midst of hiring University, Southern Nazarene was to speak the next evening. It was a women on their staff. Their desire was University, Northwest Nazarene fantastic experience. I believe that our to find ways to not only work well with University, and Eastern Nazarene presence was noted in a very positive the women on their staff but also to find College. I want to share with you some way. We were wonderfully received by ways in which they could help their of the exciting reports that have come our fellow ministers and by SNU churches effectively transition into back to me from these dedicated women leadership. I also believe that there is a accepting this new leadership. I also clergy. greater intentionality to include us and noticed that many women were to give us the opportunities necessary to gathering around Jossie Owens Deborah Bell, associate at College fulfill God's calling upon our lives. throughout the week--she was a great Church in Kankakee said, “I believe May God be glorified as we continue to encouragement to all.” there has been a yield ourselves to his service.” major paradigm I am looking forward to attending my shift in the Church Professor Diane Leclerc of Northwest first PALCON on my own PLNU of the Nazarene Nazarene University reported, “On region. I plan to share the reports I regarding women Thursday morning, we had the gender receive on the remaining PALCONs in clergy since last mutuality workshop. There were about the next issue of New Horizons. Sunday. This is 20 people there, including four men. I something I sense had asked Dr. Rob Thompson, professor in my spirit.” Margie Bryce, who also of philosophy to speak for a few helped with the workshops said, “I have minutes on gender inclusive language in to say... if the PALCONs that follow are the church, one of his passions. There anything like ours, God will be present was great response and discussion about in a mighty, mighty way. The Holy that. Then I had a panel of six persons Spirit was definitely upon us. It was answer questions regarding being on indeed incredible.” Jeanne Serrao, a staff with the opposite gender. The New Testament professor at Mount discussion was most elaborate around District Superintendent Carlton Vernon, was pleased with the turnout two or three issues, including what male Hansen Recalls the Influence of there. “We had some great discussion pastors can do to validate women on Women Clergy on his Life and and I personally was excited to meet so staff, and the appropriate boundaries District…in his own words many more of the women clergy on our needed in a mutual staff relationship. I educational region and begin to develop thought it was a great workshop.” Carol The Church of the Nazarene has always some relationships.” Rotz, another NNU professor who encouraged women to respond and assisted said, “The women and men serve where God has called them. Dee Boyt, a pastor on the SNU region who met for the workshop on When I was 19, a lady evangelist, reported, “The networking on Tuesday networking and resourcing highlighted Gertrude Ward, came to our church, and was great because we were able to the need for ongoing community. The on Sunday morning May 8, 1960, I connect with each other at the beginning participants plan to keep in contact with accepted Christ as my personal Savior. of the week. That helped us to one another for sharing, mentoring and Gertrude was confined to a wheelchair intentionally look for opportunities to be encouragement. PALCON both because as a young 20 year-old she was together throughout the week. We used affirmed women clergy and underscored stricken with polio. Her husband, an every chance we got to share, encourage the need for further acceptance.” ardent supporter of her ministry, took all and pray with each other. (We also the necessary steps to assure that she laughed a lot, which we all seemed to Mary Paul, a pastor on the Eastern could fulfill her God-given call. need) The workshops remained Nazarene College region reported, “It Through the years, Gertrude won many

6 ...... NEW HORIZONS to Christ. Her example was a deep Alice Piggee-Wallack, Dr. Laura influence on me as a young pastor. I Nazarene Women Clergy Moore, Donna Techau, Norma Runion, saw then that God used both men and Attend “Come to the and Rev. Mary Rearick Paul. women to fulfill the Great Commission. Water” Conference This For many participants, in addition to the When pastoring in Dayton, Ohio, my workshops and plenary sessions, the first staff person was a licensed deacon. Spring most beneficial aspect to attending was I did my best to encourage her to seek one that could not be placed on a ordination, which she did. She was with by Pamela Thompson schedule or fit into a workshop session. me for nine years. Although she is Over 150 Nazarene clergy women Being with other clergy women and retired now, I have her serving a small attended the Wesleyan Holiness sharing ministry over meals, through church in Dayton. There have been five laughter and tears, was a powerful Women’s Clergy Conference, “Come to women pastors on the district and each the Water,” in Cincinnati, Ohio on April reminder that although being a woman of them has been used of God. 15-18, 2004. Nazarene participants in ministry can difficult at times, we are never alone. College and seminary One of these ladies founded a church; traveled from the USA, Canada, and even Russia for this conference. There students expressed appreciation for now at retirement age, she just resigned was also strong attendance from each of meeting women who have gone before to enter back into the field of them, to whom they now will look as evangelism. the Nazarene colleges/universities and Nazarene Theological Seminary. mentors, as they begin their ministerial journey. One NTS student commented, One lady pastor has been in her current General Superintendent Dr. Bond and “I came out of curiosity, and I left assignment for 16 years, and God has Mrs. Bond attended the 10-year energized for ministry. I met women used her to touch young people as well anniversary service of the conference, not only within our denomination, but as adults of all ages. She has a great and General Superintendent Dr. Jerry also within our Wesleyan tradition, who cadre of men who follow her leadership. Porter and Mrs. Porter were there for the denominational leaders’ meeting. are strong, competent leaders, who lead After watching these ladies and others I General NMI director, Dr. Nina Gunter, without apology, who preach the Word with excellence, and yet are not trying have known through the years, I am was also in attendance. convinced that women have a unique to be a man. This has changed my way role in the church and often bring a Dr. Porter hosted a question and answer of thinking. God can use me just the perspective to the ministry that men do time for the Nazarene contingent, way that I am.” Another group of not have. My associate in Dayton was responding to questions of gender seminary students decided to make it a able to bring a perspective that I could inclusivity, education for churches “classmate reunion” and plan to meet not into counseling other women. regarding the Biblical basis for women together at the next conference. in ministry, and the Church’s support of I am glad that at the foot of the cross women clergy. “We celebrate the Rev. Vicki Copp, Arizona District Assistant for Community and both men and women are equal, and He exceptional company of devoted women uses people for His glory without regard who are valiantly responding to God’s Equipping, who represents the Church to their gender. call to ministry in the Church of the of the Nazarene on the planning board, commented: “The conference was a Nazarene. It behooves all of us to Carlton D. Hansen, District cooperate with the Holy Spirit wonderful time of inspiration and Superintendent, Southwestern Ohio encouraging, facilitating, and assisting sharing. It was especially encouraging to meet our female students who are District these servants of the Most High as they fulfill their challenging missional preparing to serve our church and the

assignments,” commented General kingdom.” Rev. Vicki Copp is Assistant for Superintendent Porter. Community and Equipping in the The next “Come to the Water” Arizona District. Nazarene presenters included Dr. conference will be held in San Diego, California, on April 20-23, 2006. Estelle Gross (plenary session speaker),

Dr. Susan Armstrong (plenary session

worship leader), Dr. Jeanne Searrao, Dr. Pamela Thompson is a recent graduate Jan Lanham, Rev. Elaine Pettit, Rev. of Nazarene Theological Seminary,

...... 7 Summer 2004 soon to be the Communications father, distraught and unable to raise soon afterward and moved to Los Coordinator at Marysville Church of the them alone, regained his bearings. Angeles to attend Deets Bible College. Nazarene in Marysville, Ohio. Wilson remarried two years later, and the children were reunited over time in Haldor and Bertha met through one of the home their new stepmother the college’s many traveling music Our Nazarene Foremothers provided. The family also grew, as four groups. Her contralto and his tenor other children were born to Wilson and complimented one another. They The Clergy-Couple Who Birthed a his second wife. married in 1910 and formed a talented Publishing Company team. Both preached, sang, and W. C. Wilson joined the Church of the composed songs. Their careers By Stan Ingersol Nazarene in 1905, after an appeal from alternated between co-pastorates and C. W. Ruth, who assured him that the periods of full-time evangelism, but in They are buried in Kansas City’s Forest Nazarenes whatever field of service they were in, Hill Cemetery, a four-minute drive from represented a they shared the preaching and music the Nazarene Headquarters and democratic form of responsibilities. Nazarene Theological Seminary. “old-fashioned Legendary baseball pitcher Satchel Methodism.” A Their first ministry together was at the Paige’s tomb and monument are about few months later, in Sacramento, which 35 yards north of their graves. A small the family left they led for one year. Next they co- hill, across a shady lane to their east, is Kentucky for pastored the Nazarene church at the burial place of Confederate veterans California, where W. C. Wilson Lompoc, California, from 1911-1912. and their families, including General Jo emerged as one of Phineas Bresee’s Both were ordained by Dr. H. F. Shelby, while west of their gravesite right-hand men, serving as pastor of key Reynolds at the 1912 assembly of the many African-Americans are buried. churches and as superintendent of the Southern California District. They 1 subsequently co-pastored at Pomona, He was an immigrant, born in Norway. Southern California District. In 1906 Cal. (1912-1914), Auburn, Ill. (1916- She was a native of Kentucky. Their Bertha joined her brother Guy as a 19), Peniel, Tex. (1919-1920), and lives intersected, then joined, in student at Deets Bible College, the Redlands, Ca. (1920-23). The most Pasadena, California. A simple small Nazarene school in pivotal pastorate of their career, though, tombstone bears the immigrant’s that would grow into Pasadena College proved to be First Church surname: “Lillenas.” Footstones add (now Point Loma Nazarene University). of the Nazarene. details. One is inscribed: “Father & There Bertha met Haldor Lillenas, a Husband, Haldor Lillenas, young Norwegian born on an island The Lillenases served as the Writer. 1885-1958.” The other says: south of Bergen. His family immigrated congregation’s pastors from 1923-26, “Wife & Mother, Bertha Mae Lillenas, to America when Haldor was two, the membership growing from 150 to Hymn Writer. 1889-1945.” moving during his childhood from the 250 during their tenure. During these years, Bertha Lillenas’ sermon, The name is well-known to those raised Dakotas to Oregon, then back east to “Christian Freedom,” was published in in the Church of the Nazarene before Minnesota. At 21, Haldor returned to The Nazarene Pulpit, an anthology that 1970, and “Lillenas Publishing Astoria, Ore., the place of many showcased Nazarene preaching. Her Company” has been imprinted on music cherished memories. In 1906 he came brother, Mallalieu Wilson, states that published by the Nazarene Publishing into contact with the Peniel Mission during this pastorate, “as Haldor gave House since 1930. Haldor and Bertha there and experienced an evangelical increasing attention to music, Bertha Lillenas were a Nazarene clergy-couple, conversion. He joined the Nazarenes took more of the preaching and a splendid little tale hangs on that 2 1 W. C. Wilson was elected as one of responsibility.” fact. the Church of the Nazarene’s general superintendents in 1915. Bertha and Bertha was the second child of W. C. Haldor Lillenas were with him at the Wilson, a Methodist pastor and General Assembly in Kansas City when 2 Mallalieu Wilson, William C. evangelist. Her mother died in 1893. this occurred. They, and the whole Wilson: The Fifth General She and her three siblings were placed church, were stunned when Wilson died Superintendent (Kansas City: with different relatives while their from an infection just a few months Nazarene Publishing House, 1995), p. later. He was only 49. 71. 8 ...... NEW HORIZONS Indeed, Haldor dreamed of heading his Bertha’s health declined in the late own music publishing company, and in 1930s. In about 1940, the couple 1926 they resigned. Bertha began moved to “Melody Lane,” a stone house conducting revivals, assisted by Haldor that they built in central Missouri, near when he could, but his energies were the Lake of the Ozarks. Haldor visited now focused on launching a successful the publishing house in Kansas City one Christian music business. day a week for meetings but did composition and music editing out of The Lillenas Publishing Company’s his home office. Bertha assisted on success depended on Haldor’s talent and many of his projects, and her death in enterprise, but it also succeeded partly 1945 ended a wonderful thirty-five year because of his unique marriage—a true partnership. anomaly of its day. American women of that time, even those with college After Bertha’s death, Haldor married degrees, typically enjoyed careers only Lola Kellogg, a nurse. They traveled if they remained single. Those who extensively together. He died in 1959 married invariably gave them up. But in Aspen, Colorado. Nazarene clergy women were among the few exceptions. Stan Ingersol has been manager of the Bertha Lillenas’ Nazarene Archives at the international career was a key headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, element in her since 1985. He has a Ph.D. from Duke husband’s ability to University and is a specialist in put wings under his American religious history. He is dream. The financial contributions she married to the Rev. Cheryl Somers- made served as the family’s financial Ingersol, a pastor in Overland Park, buffer as the Lillenas Publishing Kansas. Company made its way through the rocky early years of its existence. If you have comments, news, articles, It was not an easy go, but it proved personal accounts of your journey in successful. The Nazarene Publishing ministry, or other items of interest to House in Kansas City noticed. It Nazarene Women Clergy, please wanted to improve its music program contact Carol under the leadership of someone with a Blessing, editor, at proven track record in the field, and in CarolBlessing@ 1930 it offered to buy the Lillenas ptloma.edu. Be Publishing Company as a subsidiary and sure to check out retain Haldor as its manager. The offer additional resources ensured the company’s survival and fit for Women in the Lillenases’ notion of Ministry at churchmanship. It was accepted and http://www.nazarenepastor.org/women_ they moved to Kansas City. clergy.html.

For the remainder of their marriage, Other helpful information is available at Bertha and Haldor worked on music the Come to the Water website, for together and often traveled, promoting Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy, the product of the music company that http://www.messiah.edu/whwc. bore their name.

...... 9