August 2020

At the last General Assembly, I hung out with our teen sponsors one evening. They challenged me to join them at an Indianapolis Escape Room. Together ten of us were locked in a room that simulated a bank. The task was to find clues, locate combinations to locks, and solve puzzles progressing from locked door and safes within a set time until we found the golden key to unlock the main door. I almost made it without crying help.

Isaiah 58:1-14 (invite you to read it now). One commentator interprets the passage as identifying the passkey to the New World.  “Isaiah says it is the key of charity -- acts of justice, mercy, compassion, sacrifice – magic keys to open to a Jubilee world.” A better translation of the word charity is “righteousness” or “justice.”  Isaiah would have it that “the genuineness of prayers and petitions, fasting and faithfulness, were all measured by works, not words.  The commentator relates modern-day absorption into an identifying question, “What are you standing for?”  Isaiah asks, “Whom are you walking with?” It’s troubling that many have no problem taking a stand for the poor but avoiding a significant relationship with the poor. Here are some areas where churches are walking with the impoverished.

El Centro Nazarene focuses on deportees in Mexico. The church fronted funds for the purchase of land in Mexico to establish a deportation center that assists low-income families. The mother church planted next to the site. (We thank the El Centro Church Board, Rev. Sergio & Rosa Estrada and Rev. Alex & Violet Iniguez).  This week we established a relationship with a Nazarene church in Tijuana and secured funding from the International SDMI ministries. Renovation began months ago with a SoCal W&W team (Director Rev. Rob Altice). SDMI raised funds through the Vacation Bible School Program, “Kids Helping Kids.” The kids’ offering is for the ninety-bed project. Thank you, Dr. Scott Rainey and Rev. Juan Jose Mareno (Central COTN, Tijuana). 

San Bernardino First, the former “Cornerstone,” and Colton have targeted homelessness. Three churches have agreed to start transitional housing for disenfranchised and marginalized populations. The groundwork was laid by former pastors, and Evangelist Dr. Norman Moore instigated this venture. Costa Mesa Lighthouse (Rev. Phil Eyskens, Mrs. Lindah Miles, and Rev. Ronnie Steen) inspired the work and provided invaluable wisdom. In the last two weeks, we have met with a member of the San Bernardino Commission on Homeless. COVID has offered a change of attitude among government officials. The vision and strategy plans for male and female detox centers and parolee assistance. This journey is laced with amazing details and has evidenced the Holy Spirit fingerprints all over it.  If you would be interested in a Work & Witness trip to help Colton begin to start the work to build transitional housing.

Victorville Church (Dr. Dez Fedoryszyn) focuses on immigrants.  The church has planted two Russians churches and is working on two more. Dr. Scott Rainey and Dr. Carla Sundberg provided their Russian digital libraries for these new pastors. Dr. Rainey is working to establish a relationship between Ukrainian Nazarene clergy and these new church planters. One of the pastors (Pastor Sergiy Korelov) won the immigration lottery, moved here, and after the witness and aid of Victorville Slavic Pastor Peter, found a way out of poverty and into thriving construction business. He hopes to plant in Rancho Santa Fe. His daughters now attend PLNU.

The commentator of Isaiah 58 summarizes, “The modern world focused on an understanding of truth as rational principles and propositions that led one to “bear witness” by “taking stands,” formulating positions, drawing lines, and passing resolutions. In short, the words this world needs to hear from the church are not “Here I Stand” but “There We Go.” The SoCal churches have multiple expressions of compassionate ministries.  Let’s not settle for rhetoric over the realization of charitable, righteous, and just relationships as we WALK in the way that truly leads to life!

-- DSTTaylor

 
Hammer and the Dance. The COVID strategy is framed as the Hammer and the Dance. The “hammer” reference measures to flatten the curve of infection and minimalize exposure. The “dance” alludes to synchronized steps forward and back for reopening and closing of church facilities for worship towards the public availability of an effective vaccine.  The two-step reacts to medical intelligence, political maneuvering for responsible safety and health, and government mandates for managing worship, gathering size, and space. Currently, most of the SoCal District Counties forbid inside gatherings but allow outside open-air meetings. --DSTTaylor
 
We reminded our ministers. Under a representative polity, all Church leadership is recommended to (1) consider the witness of the church in the community and avoid unintended consequences that would hinder the church’s testimony in the community. (2) Consider the vulnerable in the congregation and the community. While the government may have relaxed the restrictions about physical distancing, local congregations must consider the impact of their decision on the vulnerable populations to whom they minister. (3) Consider the value of our polity. Decisions concerning reopening need to be made jointly by the pastor and the local church board.  (4) Consider developing a plan to reopen. While most churches and church leaders are waiting patiently to reopen, this time of restriction may be a good opportunity for churches to develop their ministry plans under the new normality. Ideally, reopening plans need to be shared with the district superintendent. (5) Consider the uncertain nature of the pandemic. As you reopen the church, you need to be prepared to apply restrictively, or even closing measures as the impact of the pandemic affects your communities, and as the local authorities mandate new restrictions on social gatherings. TEMP07-2020-06

WEF FUNDS: Thank You for your continued support of the World Evangelism Fund.  We are thankful that Nazarenes continue to remember the Missional World both here and around the world. The Global Ministry center anticipated a 25% reduction in WEF support but realized only a 12% loss of revenue. This is amazing, Thank you, SoCal Churches, for your continued support with funds for ministry to others! -- DSTTAYLOR
 
ORDINATION SERVICE: Join us online for the Southern California District Ordination Service!  The service is scheduled for the weekend of October 17-18 at Escondido First Church of the Nazarene.  Watch for more details.  We will be ordaining Salomon Chavez (Barstow), Robert Churchman (SD Zephyr House), Jose Herrera (San Jacinto Shepherd House), Thomas Hogan (Escondido First), Alex Iniguez (El Centro) and Dan McCandless (Big Bear).  Because of social distancing requirements, we will not be able to have a large crowd.  Please plan to watch on the Southern California Facebook page.
 
Strive or Thrive: For many, the safety net from uncertainty is more precious than confidence in Christ. These are the days for improvisation with massive opportunities to connect, disciple, and deploy.  Dave Travis and Tim Shepherd offer a free-ebook, Beyond: Forward Focus. In April, we introduced pastors to this resource and asked that they consider their present church model and disciple-making ministry – is it more consumer-driven than co-laborer designed? More platform than pastoral driven? More hierarchal and staff-driven than lay-propelled? More fixed than flexible in methodology? Does the ministry model revolve around a central figure more than mobilized to multiple time/space/leadership expressions? Has the local church taken seriously the need to cultivate generosity? There is no better time to develop non-givers whose hearts are open to help. Sometimes it takes a crisis to expose the weakness of infrastructure. What is the real level of your church’s engagement with believers and those who have yet to know the saving power of Christ in your neighborhood? https://resources.generis.com/beyond-ebook
 
The following is a report of the past SoCal District Pastor-2-Pastor (P2P) ZOOM workshops and their descriptions.
 
April 8-9, 2020     COVID Impact: How SoCal Churches are Responding: One session offered six times
April 21, 2020,     The Pandemic and Compassionate Ministries Opportunities | Presenter: Jay Height, USA/CANADA Regional Compassionate Ministries Director and Executive Director of Shepherd Community Center. Jay offered numerous ideas.  Session Recording
http://www.shepherdcommunity.org
May 5, 2020,       Enhancing Your Church’s Online Presence |Presenters: Large Church Digital Consultants Andrew Statezny and Sammy Deguido |impact research, content & engagement, presentation, futuristic digital shifting, etc. Memorable quote to question – Why are abortion-clinics considered essential and churches are not? Social perception is “One is a necessary procedural surgery, and the other is a book-club.” Ouch – it questions our level of engagement.  Session Recording
May 26, 2020,     COVID Reopening Policy and Procedures & Leadership Competency Survey Initiative Results (Part 1): Presenter: Leadership Consultant Derek Taylor (PLNU CPL)
June 8, 2020,       COVID Impact: SoCal Pastor’s welfare: What are you learning about yourself and the church? (Results conveyed in District Newsletter) | one small-group session offered eight times.
June 16, 2020,     COVID and the International COTN | Presenter: Jurisdictional General Superintendent Dr. Crocker.  Session Recording
June 30, 2020,     Leadership Competency Survey Initiative Results (Part 2) | Presenter: Leadership Consultant Derek Taylor (PLNU CPL)
July 11, 2020,      SoCal District Hispanic Congregation Pastors |Pastoral Welfare.
July 14, 2020,      Black Reconciliation Action Steps: Black Nazarene History | Interview with Rev. Barry Cunningham/ Rev. Roger Bowman (with PLNU Dr. Montague Williams) Session Recording
August 8, 2020,   COVID Research and Realities | Presenter Medical Doctor/ Professor of Research Dr. Dan Spaite (recorded session made available to PLNU Region). Dr. Daniel W. Spaite is an emergency medicine physician in Tucson, Arizona and is affiliated with one hospital for over twenty years. He is the director of EMS Research at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and serves as a medical director at multiple fire stations. Dr. Spaite has published over 200 research papers and abstracts. He is a gifted communicator and in great demand. He has addressed over 100 national and international gatherings. His medical education & Residency was at UCLA Medical Center. He served his internship in internal medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.  Also, as a Nazarene, he has served or is serving on the Arizona District Advisory Board, on the Point Loma Nazarene University Board of Trustees, on the Nazarene Theological Board of Trustees, and the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene (COTN). Dr. Spaite has spoken at many Nazarene conferences, retreats, seminars, camp-meetings, and revivals. He now serves on staff at Renovation COTN Phoenix. His wife serves as pastor to public schools at Renovation.  Session Recording
August 18, 25,   Leadership, Discipleship, and Generosity. Our Presenter works with Generis, Rev. Jon Hauser. 
 
Open-Space Possibilities: California Governor has restricted indoor worship gathering. Here are some outdoor innovations for church lots, lawns, and open fields. See link for drive-in worship design, pop-up play park, day camp, community farmer’s market, drive-through prayer, outdoor dining, an outdoor art fair,  and hosting community events – all helping connect the neighborhood to your church.  https://www.ncfgiving.com/stories/how-to-use-your-church-parking-lot-for-7-day-a-week-ministry/
 
COVID took its toll on other districts in the USA/Canada Regional. The SoCal District Advisory Board responded with financial assistance to help a district that is not able to respond with the technological wherewithal of most of the districts.  Basic utility services are alarming absent in many areas of this district besides the absence of internet services. Snail mail and land-line telephone services are the main form of communication. Many of these churches cannot afford digital public services when they are available.  I appreciate a DAB that responded favorably to this need.  
 
District Prayer Team: Prayer team leaders Joan Reed and Angie Serrano prayerfully engaged passionate young protestors and civic leaders in Escondido and LaMesa. Initial conversations began with “thank you for your heart for justice” and a smiling face. Asking for permission to pray a prayer of blessing over each of them, they vocally petitioned “God to give them discernment, wisdom, protection” and that “He would use them greatly in their generation.”  Angie shared the story that “one young man who was holding a sign that had harsh words did not cause us to fear, because we simply thanked him for his heart for justice and prayed blessings over him.  He was impacted positively by the look on his face.”  The day ended without riots. Because both Joan and Angie had previously connected with civic leadership, they were contacted to pray for another scheduled protest by city officials. They received this note from a civic leader:  “Thank you so much for your prayers.  The protest last night in La Mesa was mostly peaceful.  Around 250-300 attended.  Other than brief skirmishes between 2 opposing groups, protesters and counter-protesters, the La Mesa Police were able to reach their goal of providing each group the ability to protest peacefully - and the ability to keep La Mesa residents and community safe.” Thank you to Joan, Angie, and the district prayer team.