Month: November 2024

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

On By Rob PrinceLeave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s Why I am Thankful for the Church of the Nazarene

On By Rob PrinceLeave a comment

Is the Church of the Nazarene perfect? No.
Are there faults in the Church of the Nazarene? Yes.
Can I point to bad churches, bad pastors, bad leaders, bad DSs, bad, bad, bad?  Yes. Yes and Yes.

Still, I am thankful for the Church of the Nazarene. 

Here’s why:

I found Jesus in the Church of the Nazarene.
The church building is now a doctor’s office. The small, rag tag body of believers split apart when the church closed. The preacher, who preached the message that prompted me to invite Jesus into my life, lost his credentials. But I found Jesus at the Elmwood Church of the Nazarene in Westland, Michigan in 1974. Fifty years later, He is still with me.

The theology of the Church of the Nazarene is rock solid.
I’m a Nazarene because I believe in the theology and doctrine of the CotN. If I didn’t, I would leave. Would I change this or that in the Manual? Oh maybe, but it’s not enough to scream about on social media.

The Preaching Collaborative has been a breath of fresh air. 
Dr. David Graves led an initiative (thanks to a Lily Grant) to make more effective, evangelistic preachers. The effort will probably make better preachers (the curriculum is good), but it’s been most refreshing because of the relationships I’ve established with the very gifted ministers in my cohort (I’m looking at you Dave, Travis, Christen, Nate and Ajay!!!).

USA/Canada’s Emphasis on The Cycle of Resurgence instituted was needed.
The emphasis on Blessing our Community; Bringing People to Jesus; and Becoming Christlike Disciples is simple enough, but vital for a turnaround. (Full Disclosure: Maybe I like it because it aligns perfectly with the three core commitments of the church I pastor: Being the Best Neighbors; Jesus changes Everything and Growing Together.)

The diversity in the General Superintendents’ board room.
GSs born in Guatemala, Columbia, Mozambique, Germany, and two in the United States make for a global room (Don’t quote me on this, but I believe Scott Daniels was born in Detroit Michigan, which is…well…  let’s just say a lot of good people were born around Motown… ahem). Having the group include a woman is also great. 

The Church of the Nazarene cares for its missionaries.
I’m thankful the CotN believes in missions. I’m glad Nazarene global missionaries don’t have to beg churches for financial support, but have an agreed upon salary and health insurance. In my weak moments, I’ve complained about the apportionment system, but I am thankful for WEF funding of our missionaries. 

The Church of the Nazarene has a commitment to higher education.
Even with the sad closing of Eastern Nazarene College this year, there are still over 40 educational institutions in the world where Nazarenes gather to learn. Learning has always been an important hallmark of the CotN. (Again my bias shows, my siblings and I all went to Olivet. All of my parents grandkids went to Olivet too – except for the lone “black sheep,” my son, who went to MidAmerica Nazarene University).

The Church of the Nazarene is family. 
When out and about, I love knowing that I have Nazarene brothers and sisters that I could call in an emergency. In 164 world areas, I have family. That is incredibly comforting to know I have a 2.7 million member extended and blended family! (We added seven more to that number yesterday at Central Church).

My local church is awesome.
The church is about the people I rub shoulders with on a weekly basis. These folks in Flint Michigan love Jesus and it shows. They are missional. They are intergenerational. They are generous. The church board is great. So are the pastors. I’m super biased, but I’m convinced my local church is the best Nazarene church on the planet (with apologies to the other 30,746 other Nazarene churches that are vying for the second best church). 

Yes, I’m thankful for the Church of the Nazarene. 

The “Sometimes” Truth about People (and you)

On By Rob PrinceLeave a comment

It shouldn’t surprise us, when people disagree and are not nice. Jesus was perfect. 100% perfect. He lived a perfect life. And yet, there were people, lots of people, who hated him. People called him names. People spat upon him. People tried to throw him off a cliff, and, of course, people clamored for and succeeded in crucifying him. People aren’t always nice.  Sometimes, downright ugly.

News flash: You ain’t perfect (neither am I). As such, here are a few other “sometimes” to keep in mind…

  • Sometimes you will be wrong and people will rightly disagree. Hopefully “politely” disagree.
  • Sometimes you’ll be right, and they will still disagree. 
  • Sometimes people who are wrong (just like you) will say, “Hooray, for you!” But both of you are still wrong. 
  • Sometimes people are wrong (unlike you) and will say, “Boo to you!” But you are still right and they are still wrong. 
  • Sometimes people will bald face lie about you. That’s always wrong. 
  • Sometimes (in fact most times, these days), they won’t say “Boo” or lie to your face. They won’t even private message their disagreement. Keyboard boo-birds and liars post it on social media for all to see. 
  • Sometimes it really hurts—especially when you are right or innocent. There’s no defending yourself on social media. You just have to take the “Boos” and the lies and ride out the storm. But that doesn’t make it fun or leave you without scars.
  • Sometimes you discover who your true friends are when the lies and boos are headed in your direction.
  • Sometimes you should not post anything, not blog, not hit “send,” and turn off your devises. (Are you reading what you are writing, Rob? I am. Good). 

When you are wrong apologize or change or stop thinking wrongly. Then move on.
When lies are spread about you, remind yourself of the truth, hold your head high and then move on.
When you are right be humble (no boasting allowed) but do not change (at least don’t change your thinking regarding that one issue). Then also move on. Always move on. Never stay put.

Right or wrong try your best to maintain relationships. Those people who say, “Boo to you” are like you (not perfect). They just think differently on whatever issue they are booing you. It doesn’t make them bad (although it would have been nice if their boos were in a private message). It doesn’t make them an enemy. It only means they think different than you on that issue. That’s all. 

The liars are bad. Lying is bad. Always (duh). Still treat the liars with the same respect and kindness the Lord has extended to you when you’ve lied. Forgive. Even when thy don’t ask for it. “Love your enemies” is a good reminder when lies are flying in your general direction. 

There’s too much spewing of hatred these days. Too much booing. Too many pointing fingers, wagging fingers and when it’s really bad middle fingers. Yikes!

Let’s be open to the fact that we could be wrong. Allow the Holy Spirit to help us. Let’s work harder on loving our neighbors who boo us and our enemies who lie about us. While we are far from perfect, let’s live into Paul’s instructions to the Philippians: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5). Peter’s instruction isn’t a bad reminder either: Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). 

Sometimes as you love the boo-birds and enemies with the mindset of Christ Jesus, they become your friends. 

Sometimes.  

NEWS FLASH: The Election is Over–  Let’s Love One Another Again. 

On By Rob Prince1 Comment

Donald Trump is the president elect. There are those in our church who are glad and those in our church who are unhappy with the results of last week’s national election.  That is the way elections work. Someone wins. Someone loses.  My concern is how the country and more specifically how the church moves forward (no matter who happens to be residing in the White House). 

I’m going to sound like an old man (which is Ok because I am an old man): We don’t have to be so divided. We don’t have to be this way. It wasn’t always like this. Democrats and Republicans could be friends. Hang out together. Actually, enjoy each other’s company. They knew how one another voted and it didn’t send either into a tailspin. It was OK. Everyone loved the country. They just had different ideas on how it should be governed. 

I’ve talked to so many people who have lost friendships or worse over the election. They aren’t going to Thanksgiving family celebrations because of the political divide within their family. Are you kidding me? (OLD MAN ALERT AGAIN: Everyone needs to grow up).

Repeat after me: Relationships are more important than politics. Relationships are more important than politics. Relationships are more important than politics. 

People who voted for Kamala Harris are good Americans. So are those who voted for Donald Trump. Are there crackpots on both sides of the aisle? Of course, but let me remind you, Jesus said we are to love our neighbors (presumably even the goofballs). Even if our neighbor had yard signs for a candidate we didn’t like, we still need to love them. Paul wrote: “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:15). Jesus said this about our family members with whom we may disagree, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:22-23). In other words, relationships matter! Even if our crazy cousin Harold spouts crazy conspiracy theories all day long. We still need to love him and his booger eating kid. 

Love means you talk. Love means you care. Love means you are present. Love means you are respectful. Love means you say, “I’m sorry.” Love sometimes means you zip your lip and say nothing. Love means you are constantly looking for the good, not the bad. Love means you say (or type on your keyboard) things that build up and not tear down. Love means… love. Honest. Faithful. True. Consistent. Persistent. Keeping no record of wrongs. Love Always Protects. Always trusts. Always Hopes. Always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:6-8a)

News Flash: the election is over. One side won. The other side lost. That’s the way the system works. No gloating. No bitterness. Let’s move forward as a country. Let’s try to be legitimately called “the UNITED States of America” (ALL CAPS ON PURPOSE). Let’s work together. Let’s be the great hopeful nation that everyone wants it to be. Let’s love one another again.

The Pastors I Admire

On By Rob Prince1 Comment

As I embark upon my twelfth year at Central Church, I am impressed by those pastors who have given their entire lives to one community (this is my fifth pastorate). Pastors on the Eastern Michigan District like Rev. Bob Hunter who went to Detroit Grace Church of the Nazarene straight out of Bible College in 1978 (or something like that) and has never left. Rev. John Wright who has only pastored Detroit New Hope and has been there around 40 years. Rev. Mike Kempton, a classmate of mine at Olivet and Nazarene Theological Seminary, has only pastored the Hazel Park, Michigan church. He is at 35+ years in that assignment. Those men, and many other pastors around the country like them, are heroes.

Flint Central is my longest pastorate. Compared to those pastors in the previous paragraph, I’m a newbie. Mine is the second longest pastoral tenure in the history of Flint Central church (Rev. John Andree was here longer). I’d like to say that my time here has been without worries or trouble. I’d like to say it, but I can’t. There have been peaks and valleys (as with any church). There have been times when the Enemy has said, “Be like a bread truck and move your buns” or something to that effect. But through it all, God has been faithful to remind me of my call to Flint Central Church. I wasn’t “hired” to be the pastor of Flint Central Church, I was called by God to be here. It’s that calling that hasn’t left me and has kept me here. 

All this to say, I’m sure Revs. Hunter, Wright, and Kempton have had moments of frustration and problematic people. They may have been wooed to go to other places. But they’ve stayed through thick and thin. They have remained faithful to the cause of Christ in their communities. They have fought the good fight, through all times. It is an admirable quality that I cannot match (unless I keep pastoring until age 104). 

Uncle Buddy Robinson, an evangelist of a century ago, understood the challenges of the ministry. Of course, he didn’t have today’s keyboard critics hiding behind their screens using social media to spread venomous lies and gossip. He didn’t know of maliciousness of rumormongering technology that could land below-the-belt gut punches with the stroke of a key. Still he knew the Enemy would put up a fight, trying to get beat-down pastors into throwing in the towel. He described a determination to stay in the fight that the three pastors mentioned above (and many others not named) exemplify.

Put iron shoes on my feet along with galvanized britches. Hang a wagon load of determination upon the gable end of my soul and help me to sign a contract to fight the devil as long as I’ve got a fist and to bite him as long as I’ve got a tooth and then gum him ’til I die.

In-it-for-the-lang-haul pastors like Revs. Hunter, Wright, and Kempton signed that contract years ago to keep on fighting no matter the circumstances. They have heroically remained faithful. I can’t match their longevity, but I pray all pastors (myself included) would strive to match their resolve, fortitude and grit. Keep on fighting and “gum him ‘til we die.”