Olivet Nazarene University Digital Commons @ Olivet Preacher's Magazine Church of the Nazarene 9-1-1985 Preacher's Magazine Volume 61 Number 01 Wesley Tracy (Editor) Olivet Nazarene University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/cotn_pm Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, International and Intercultural Communication Commons, Liturgy and Worship Commons, Missions and World Christianity Commons, and the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Tracy, Wesley (Editor), "Preacher's Magazine Volume 61 Number 01" (1985). Preacher's Magazine. 600. https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/cotn_pm/600 This Journal Issue is brought to you for free and open access by the Church of the Nazarene at Digital Commons @ Olivet. It has been accepted for inclusion in Preacher's Magazine by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Olivet. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, 1985 MAGAZINEAUG 28 '89 UNCONDITIONAL LOVE IN FREMONT............ 11 NEW HEIGHTS FOR LOS ALTOS................ ----- 14 SAYING “I LOVE YOU” IN SAN ANTONIO ....20 THE FORGOTTEN FLOCK............................ ....26 DRAMA AS OUTREACH IN KANSAS CITY ....34 12 IDEAS FOR CREATIVE MINISTRY....... ... .40 STRATEGIZING FOR EVANGELISM.......... ... .45 s u i t a b l e Fram ing Som etim es we preachers get discouraged, not so much because of worries concerning content or technique— as important as these are—and not so much because of a congregation that seems unreceptive, but rather because of who we are. For preaching has a way of revealing our personal weaknesses. We tend to get weary, drained of physical and mental energy; we feel the weight of a weekly obligation. We start to feel guilty about our superficiality, our glib and banal words, our lack of prayer and preparation. But most of all, in our most honest moments, we know we are really not w orthy of such a role in the Christian community. The people in the pews often seem closer to the gospel then the people in the pulpits. We almost envy the janitor and the ushers whose jobs seem so simple or the organist who contributes a wordless skill. But our offering is made of words, our imperfect and fragile words. And even if our last effort seemed to have some merit, we are not at all sure we can do it again this Sunday! We feel judged by the very words we speak. Our unhealed wounds hurt us even if we can hide them from the people. The real danger is not being puffed up w ith vanity but instead becoming depressed w ith our faults, our foolishness, and our failures (and our alliteration!). We did not start preaching because we’re good, but because Jesus cared enough to call us. And we will continue doing preaching w ith wonder and delight only if we care about Him and His people. Willard F. Jabusch, The Person in Che Pulpit. Nashville: Abingdon Press. Used by permission. BENNER LIBRARY olivet NAZARENE COLLEGE KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS cWe. Get Lettexs Likes Editorials Did I Miss Something? Greetings to you. I felt I should drop you a short note to let Thank you for the Preacher's Magazine, which I’m enjoying you know how much I appreciated the past issue of the and from which I am receiving real help. Preacher’s Magazine. In fact, I do appreciate your editorials, Along with the gratitude let me raise a question concerning and for the most part the Preacher's Magazine is very infor­ an article in the September/October/November 1984 issue. mative and very helpful to me as a minister. Robert W. Smith’s article, “A Theology of Evangelism,” while — Morris Chalfant insightful and quite well written omitted any reference to the Holy Spirit at all. My question is, “How can you develop any The Price Is Right theology of evangelism without consideration of the Holy Spirit?” Was there a deletion of some part of his material I am long overdue in sending this letter. I want to thank you submitted for publication? And can we presume to approach for the superb job you do with the Preacher’s Magazine. evangelism only in the name of Jesus, without the power of I get bombarded with advertisements for professional jour­ the Holy Spirit who reveals Christ in His redemptive power to nals of some kind. I have, in the past, subscribed to a few of men? these. Yet, the Preacher’s Magazine excels them all, and the I grew up on the theology that we live in the dispensation of price is right. Our church has done a great service over the years to the Holy Spirit. That He is God and that we benefit from His provide a meaningful, quality magazine for its pastors. Keep presence, counsel, and guidance. I haven’t heard of any change in regard to our position as a church on these con­ up the good work. — Earl R. Marvin cepts. If I missed something in my review of Pastor Smith’s article, Minister’s Wife Issue Meets Need please enlighten me as to what he really is saying. I am not usually the writer of critical comment on our publi­ I am writing to let you know that I am a regular reader of the cations, but couldn’t pass this by in silence. Preacher's Magazine. It’s a fantastic magazine and I enjoy — H. Harvey Hendershot reading it. My husband is a pastor in the Nazarene church, so we get the magazine regularly. Brighter Day I especially wish to say thank-you for the December/ There are times when we seem to be divinely directed to an January/February 1984-85 issue on “The Minister’s Wife.” It unexpected source of help or personal enrichment. Such an was great. The articles really speak to me and my needs. experience was mine today. When the latest issue of the They are a great help and encouragement; especially “Coun­ Preacher's Magazine arrived, I started to file the previous is­ seling Ministers’ Wives” and “How to Deal with Criticism.” sue. Then I realized that in the press of trying to deal with — Barbara Basdeo personal and church problems, it had been laid aside before a complete reading. Read It Again Thus, your article in the December/January/February All of us ought to read Eugene L. Stowe's exhortation from 1984-85 issue, “The Personal Growth of the Small-Church Ezekiel 34, “Fat Shepherds and Scrawny Sheep,” 10 times Pastor,” captured my attention and ministered to my heart at over. just the “right” time. Such a sense of appreciation for your The truth of the passage is a model for the '80s. I am more work compels me to express my gratitude to you personally. and more aware of the need for superlative interpersonal rela­ Thank you for making the light brighter for me today! tions between a pastor and his people. The motive and skill in — William H. Doan such is the first prerequisite of a growing church, both in numbers and enrichment. While I recognize the pivotal im­ Time for Change? portance of preaching, I am also greatly aware of the need for Just a note to say that I have always enjoyed the Preacher's a quality of fellowship that is spoken of so well in Dr. Stowe’s Magazine, and that you are doing a good job. exhortation. The June/July/August issue, and the article “When You’re — Oscar F. Reed Out, You’re Out,” I read with interest and a real concern for all of our pastors, myself included. Kind Words from Church of God Also the comments in the December/January/February is­ I am deeply impressed with the Preacher's Magazine, hav­ sue about this article. Especially the one by W. S. Muir I agree ing seen a copy in the office of my colleague, Rev. Clyne W. with. It seems to me that most pastors would like another way Buxton, in Cleveland, Tenn. The December/January/February for the pastoral change. 1984-1985 issue was filled with tremendously well written, Could you and would you take a poll of our Nazarene pas­ well prepared material. As a free-lance writer, and former edi­ tors through the Preacher’s Magazine, as to how they would tor of SOW Magazine, our denominational missions publica­ like to see the direction of our church go concerning the pas­ tion, I suppose I am somewhat of a critic. I found your maga­ toral change? This might help to get the true feeling of our zine refreshing and a blessing. men. —James E. Cossey — Clark Langford IN THIS ISSUE CREATIVE OUTREACH MINISTRIES 8 REACH FOR THE PEAK...............................................................................................................Keith A. Maule Acrostically speaking: Prayer, Evangelism, Abiding Koinonia add up to higher ground than Pikes Peak. 11 HERE’S ANOTHER “OPPORTUNITY”! ..............................................................................................Tom Shaw Some people thought Fremont, Nebr., was overchurched because, from a distance, the population looked like wall-to-wall Lutherans. 14 NEW HEIGHTS FOR LOS ALTOS..............................................................................................Robert Appleby A grand old church begins again to live up to its name: “The Heights.” 18 ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS......................................................................................................David Plunkett All the needy people are not in the ghetto— some are in rural Ohio. 20 SAYING “I LOVE YOU” IN SAN ANTONIO...........................................................................Leonard W. Adams The fragrance of the new “Rose of San Antonio” may be the blossoming of creative Christian ministries at the Eastside Church of the Nazarene. 23 MISSIONS AND THE GREAT COMMISSION COME HOME......................................................Nathan Price The grapes of Eschol were special but so is the fruit of a cluster of creative Christian ministries in Lakeland, Florida.