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East Ohio District Church of the Nazarene
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January 22, 2016
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| OUR DISTRICT PASTOR | 
January hasn't always been kind to me. In fact, this month and it's very evil twin, February, have conspired to ruin me. Let me tell you my very personal story. A few years ago I noticed that when the first of the year came around I started struggling emotionally. Normally I'm a pretty well adjusted, balanced, good-natured person. I have a good attitude, I'm friendly and nice to others and overall happy. But it was during winter a few years ago I didn't feel any of those positive emotions.
At church everything was going well. We were having great worship services and attendance was good. Our Upward Basketball program was booming and Saturdays were exciting. Home life was fine. On the outside it didn't seem like I had any problems. But slowly in my mind and spirit I became depressed. I started to notice it in my attitude and self esteem. We had hired a new staff person and started a Sunday evening service that was very contemporary and full of energy. People loved it and it was the buzz and talk of our church. I didn't have responsibility for that service so none of the compliments or accolades were directed to me. It sounds very petty and small to write this, but the truth is I became jealous. I was jealous because other people were the center of attention and I felt taken for granted, overlooked, and unappreciated. I was working my tail off and carrying the load of responsibility and it seemed like no one noticed or cared. I'm not sure if this was the catalyst for the time of depression or if they just happened to overlap, but I was overwhelmed.
I don't know if you've ever had these types of feelings but it's a dark place to live. I mentioned that I felt jealous.
I was extremely sensitive to any comments people would make to me. Things overwhelmed me and at times I felt paralyzed by work and decisions I needed to make. At church I went through all the motions and I tried to keep people from noticing how I struggled, but at home I was withdrawn. All of this came to a head one Sunday morning. Our band was leading the worship music and I felt so bad I didn't think I was going to be able to preach. I didn't know if I was having an anxiety attack or what was going on. I sat on the front row and prayed and begged God to help me make it through the morning. I told Him if He would help me I would talk to someone and get help. God came through for me, but I didn't keep up my end of the bargain. I didn't talk to anyone or get help. You see, externally in my life I had no problems. Things were good! I always thought, "Eliminate the problem, life gets better." But the only problem I had was the way I felt. It was a dark, lonely, horrible place to live for about 3 months. Then, just as I seemed to slip into that depression, I slipped out of it and life returned to normal. I told no one about what I went through.
The next year when the calendar turned to the next year my anxiety quickly increased because I remembered what I went through the year before. I was so afraid I would sink into that dark place again. And I did. Only this time it was deeper and darker. All the things that I was so sensitive about the year before bothered me again. I couldn't go through another winter living like this. I did some research about depression and found that SAD is a real thing. It stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder. The lack of sun, the cold weather, and not taking care of yourself can lead to a time of depression. I talked to my wife about it and she immediately flew into "take care of Dave" mode. And like a bad husband, I resisted her and ignored her efforts to help me. You see, outwardly our life was good. We were blessed. I felt like I didn't have the right to be depressed which only made me feel worse about myself. I counseled people who were depressed and they had things going on their lives that gave them every reason to be depressed!
I felt absolutely horrible about myself to have such a blessed life yet also to feel this depressed. Again, just as I slipped into the depression for a season, I slipped out of it. Life was once again normal.
I had read a little book several years ago called "Peaks and Valleys". I've reread it several times. It's a small book but full of good wisdom. It's not necessarily about mental health, but I've applied it to that. It tells us that life is full of peaks and valleys. That's the normal rhythm of life. It goes on to say that the wise decisions we make in life prolong the peaks and shorten the valleys. Foolish decisions lengthen the valleys and shorten the peaks. I had to confess that during these times of SAD, I was making foolish rather than wise decisions.
Last year I decided I would do things differently. And the results were incredibly different as well. My valley didn't turn into a peak, but life was significantly better. Let me tell you a few things I did.
- I listened to my wife. Sometimes it's hard to submit and let others care for you. But I had to do that and allow my wife to take the lead. I told her I would listen more, obey more, and submit more. She helped me.
- I confided in a few trusted friends. I opened up about what I had gone through the previous years and asked for their prayers and help. They were enthusiastic and sympathetic. They prayed for me, checked up on me and were a huge encouragement. Before I felt ashamed to admit how I felt but with friends my load was lighter.
- I took better physical care of myself. Janet came up with the idea of cross-country skiing. Our town had skis that you could check out for free. We had a large back yard so we started skiing. It got me out in the sunshine and the exercise made me feel better. It changed my attitude because when it snowed 3 or 4 inches I celebrated the new snow because I could go skiing!
Life was significantly better last year. It's significantly better this year. I tell you all of this because it's important to take care of yourself. If you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of others. You can't minister and serve from where you are empty. If you try, it's a dark and lonely and dangerous place. We often hope that we will wake up one day and everything will be better. But it doesn't work that way. Your dark place isn't a dream, it's reality. You have to make some wise decisions to journey through those valleys. This first month of the year is a good time to take inventory of your life and make some decisions and take some action about your life. I'm glad I did.
Praying for you, Dave Lutz Back To Table of Contents |
| TOP TENS FOR DECEMBER | 
Top Numerical Gain Morning Worship - East Liverpool First (18); Lisbon (13); Grace (11);
New Hope Community (10); Newton Falls (8); Canton Calvary (7); Caldwell First (7);
Akron Southeast (6); Shadyside (5); and Uhrichsville (5)
Top Numerical Gain Sunday School Attendance - Kenmore Community (12);
Canton Calvary (12); Newcomerstown (9); Windham (6); Fishcreek (6); Newton Falls (5);
Barnesville (3); Greentown (3); Lisbon (3); and Greene (2)
Top Percentage Gain Sunday School - Windham (40%); Kenmore Community (29%);
Barnesville (25%); Newcomerstown (23%); Canton Calvary (22%); Newton Falls (19%);
Greentown (9%); Greene (7%); Lisbon (6%); and Fishcreek (6%)
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| MINISTERS' AND MATES' RETREAT |
February 2-4, 2016 at the Carlisle Inn, Sugarcreek, OhioIf you have not registered please call the District Office ASAP to let Beth know you will be attending.
We are looking forward to this year's retreat with our special guest speaker,
Dr. Eddie Estep.
Dr. Eddie Estep is the District Superintendent of the South Carolina District Church of the Nazarene. In addition, he is an author, and gifted speaker. His wife, Diane, will be attending also.
Click HERE for a flyer
Click HERE for room descriptions and directions
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| LOCAL CHURCH NEWS |
  RAISE THE ROOF DINNER AND CONCERT!
January 30, 2016
Join us as we "Raise The Roof" at Kenmore Community Church of the Nazarene. To help raise funds for our Family Life Center roof replacement we are having a Dinner & a Concert. The meals will be a pasta buffet, salad and dessert.
The concert will feature Emily Dorland and Dennis Ankrim.
Click HERE for the flyer (pdf) and for further details.
Any questions, please contact Pat Gaugler at 330-289-0310.
Tallmadge
Thank you East Ohio District!
Amanda Brant began her journey Monday morning, January 4, 2016, with a 7am flight from Cleveland towards Papua New Guinea.
Thank you for your prayer support, please continue!
Financial support is still needed, please continue! Tallmadge Church of the Nazarene
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DISTRICT BLAST / LEADERSHIP EXPLOSION
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 January 29-30, 2016 District Blast Registration
1) Go to MVNU.edu/blast to register online.
2) Send waiver/registration form (both forms need to be filled
out completely) and check to:
Molly Davis
44733 Heck rd
Columbiana, Oh 44408
3) Make check for registration fee payable to: "East Ohio NYI"
- Adults/Sponsors FREE!
- Regular Fee (postmarked by 1/13/16): $25
- LATE FEE (postmarked 1/14-1/20-16): $30
- No Money will be accepted on the 29th
- Community Center non-competitor: $15
(Registration fee does not include room/board)
District Blast Schedule
FRIDAY
Salem Community Center
7:00 Athletics & Arts/Crafts Events at Salem Community Center
7:00 - 9:30 Swimming Pool open
12:00 To hotels
SATURDAY
Columbiana Nazarene
9:00 Opening Worship @ Columbiana Nazarene
9:30 Youth Break-out sessions and Youth Leader Training
10:30 Music/Creative Ministries/Academic Events
2:00 President's Report, NYI Elections & Awards
3:30 Depart for home Click HERE for BLAST Registration Leadership Explosion
Leadership Explosion is our District NYI convention. It will take place at the conclusion of Blast on January 30th at 2pm. It will take place at Columbiana Church of the Nazarene. Convention is where we elect our district NYI officers for the upcoming year as well as hear from our District NYI President. You will hear about new and upcoming events for NYI and put faces with names of our leadership team. Pastors and leaders: It is a chance for you to see some of the outstanding talent that has been shared at Blast and support your students during the awards that follow NYI Convention. Below are a couple of resources that will need filled out for convention. One is a form to fill out with your leader's information and names of delegates. The other is a check list with items that we feel are important to youth ministry at the local level. It's a check list just for you to look back at the balance of your youth ministry. Those can be turned into Renee' Avery or Chad Taylor at or before Leadership Explosion. If you choose to come to part of Blast there will be a Youth Leader Training Session that morning at 9:30am. Click HERE for Rating Form Click HERE for Delegate Form |
| ANNUAL SEMINARIAN OFFERING |
A Message from Dr. Jeren Rowell, Chair of our Board of Trustees and Superintendent for Kansas City
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| CLERGY KIDS RETREAT |
Can you believe this winter will be our 10th Annual Clergy Kids Retreat? It has been an amazing event God has truly used and a tremendous blessing to so many of the pastoral families across the East Central Region Districts.
The details and registration info is found at http://www.mvnu.edu/churchrelations/ckretreat. Here are the basics:
- Date: Saturday - Monday, February 13-15, 2016
- Who: Teens (grades 7-12) of Nazarene clergy
- Location: Kalahari Resort & Water Park - Sandusky, Ohio
- Cost: $109/person for single-student families; $99/person for multiple-student families (The East Ohio District will give each clergy kid a $50 scholarship toward the registration cost. When registering please subtract the $50 off what you send in and Tom Duncan will notify the district what is owed following the retreat.)
- Sign-up: Registration & $25 deposit is due Jan 7. Balance & Medical Release due Feb 2.
Thank you again for your support of this wonderful event! Tom Duncan ps. I have also attached a sheet of testimonials in case you are interested. Click HERE for the testimonial sheets |
| TRAINING FOR 10 - MVNU |
Training for 10
There is no "I" in Youth Leader:
Developing Student and Adult Leaders in your Church
February 27, 2016 9:30am-3pm
- This training event is priced and planned for you to bring your youth ministry leadership team for a day of interactive training!
- Coming alone? No problem. We will connect you with other youth leaders flying solo to network and brainstorm together about your ministries!
- It doesn't matter if you are full-time, part-time, volunteer or something in between... this day will apply to everyone and any team... we may even ask some of the most experienced youth pastors attending to help lead some of the small group discussions!
- We've added a couple hours to the day based on feedback from past training events, so we have more time to allow you to talk through things with each other!
- Space is limited to first 120 participants.
- Trainer: Chris Riggs is the Associate Pastor to Families with Youth at South Charleston First Church of the Nazarene.
WHAT DO YOU GET? - Over 4 hours of engaging youth ministry training
- Continental breakfast
- A link with all the content from the seminar for you to download, including: Seminar Outlines, Seminar Presentation Slides and other free resources.
This event will be at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University and the cost is $10.
Go to gotomvnu.com to register.
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CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL LITERATURE FROM NPH
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Click HERE or on the graphic below to connect to the website.
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| NYI BIBLE QUIZ SCHEDULE 2016 |
East Ohio NYI 2016 Bible Quiz Schedule
| January 9 | Greentown | Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, thru Colossians 1 | February 13
| Orrville | Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon | | March 11-12 | Akron Arlington | District Finals All 5 Books | April 9
| Massillon
| Top 30 Quiz-off | | May 5-7 | Mt Vernon | Field Quiz |
Coaches' meetings will start at 8am, and quizzing will start at 8:15am. Come and Bring your teens! This is a great chance to encourage your teens to study the word of God, promote fellowship with other teens from across the district and disciple your teens in their relationship with Christ.
Costs:- District quiz meets: $3 per quizzer
- Tri-state quiz: $35.00 per team entry fee, $5.00 discount for bringing any blue or computer working jump seats, $5.00 discount per team for multiple team entries from the same church
- District finals: $3 per quizzer, $10 per team
Tim Lee, District Quiz Director
330-324-1988
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| MVNU WOMEN'S AUXILIARY SPRING CONFERENCE |
Click HERE for registration information Click HERE for a Flyer |
LEAP SEMINAR - SAVE THE DATE
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LEAP Seminar: Reinventing Jesus - Answers to the New Testament Critics
With Dan Wallace
Friday, April 15, 2016
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Foster Hall, Ariel Arena, MVNU Main Campus
Cost: $49 per person, $45 for two or more from the same church, and includes materials, lunch and snacks.
Complimentary Registrations: You will receive a complimentary registration if you have registered for the MVNU PALCON by April 1, 2016
Reinventing Jesus - Answers to the New Testament Critics:
Dan Wallace will give answers to the questions asked by critics concerning the authenticity of the New Testament. In short, he will show us how we know that what we have in our hands today is reliable and tells the truth about Jesus.
Questions the critics are asking:
- Can we trust the New Testament?
- Weren't the stories about Jesus made up long after he lived?
- Didn't the ancient scribes deliberately corrupt the copies of the New Testament, shaping it to their own preconceived notions of what was "the truth"?
- What about the books that became the New Testament: Hadn't the victors simply suppressed scores of other Gospels and epistles that were circulating?
About our Speaker:
Dr. Wallace has been on faculty at Dallas Seminary for more than a quarter century. He is Senior Professor of New Testament Studies. His academic society memberships include the Society of New Testament Studies, the Institute for Biblical Research, the Society of Biblical Literature. Wallace specializes in Greek grammar, textual criticism, NT exegesis, and biblical theology.
In addition to his duties at Dallas Seminary, he is also the Executive Director of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (csntm.org). This is an independent non-profit institute whose initial goal is to digitally photograph every Greek New Testament manuscript and post the images on the Internet.
Wallace has written, co-authored, or contributed to more than two-dozen books, and has been a consultant for four different Bible translations. His Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament is the standard intermediate-advanced Greek grammar in the English-speaking world, and it has been translated into more than half a dozen languages.
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2016 CMP REGISTRATION FORM
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To All Certificate of Ministry Preparation Program Participants: Listed here is the registration form for the 2016 CMP classes as well as a link to the MVNU CMP website. Please make note that you can register ahead of time for all classes, or you can register one session at a time. However, the registration deadline for each session is the Monday of the WEEK PRIOR to the start of the session.
Blessings,
Rev. Tracy Ogden Johnson
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| CHURCH PLANTING BASIC TRAINING |
Church Planting Essentials (CPE) is a three-day church planting "basic training." The materials were created by Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI), based upon years of working in mission areas where the church is expanding rapidly. Churches Planting Churches (CPC) is a three-day church sponsorship 101. Certified Trainer Training (CT) equips and certifies participants to re-teach the materials in their local context. It is provided at no extra cost and requires attendance at a session the day before one's other chosen track and the day after (see schedule below). Please note that lay people are encouraged and welcome to participate. Why this training and not something else?- It's Simple: Basic principles to apply to a variety of church plant models in many contexts
- It's Reproducible: Geared toward creating churches that will multiply
- It's Re-Teachable: Contains sessions that certify attendees to reteach the material
- It's Low-Cost: The cost (noted below) covers your registration fee and some meals. Travel, lodging, and any remaining expenses would be on your own.
Where will it be held and how much will it cost?
Wadsworth Church of the Nazarene - 734 High Street - Wadsworth, OH 44281 - Your $39 cost covers your registration fee and three lunches (Tuesday - Thursday). Lodging is recommended at the following hotels: Holiday Inn - 231 Park Center Dr. - Wadsworth, OH 44281 - (330) 334-7666 OR Comfort Inn - 5 Park Center Dr.- Wadsworth, OH 44281 - (330) 336-7692 Breakfast is included at both hotels. Travel & other expenses are on your own.
What does the basic schedule look like for this training?
(CT)
| Monday, April 18 | 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Certified Trainer Training Part 1 |
| Tuesday, April 19 | 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | CPE & CPC Day 1 |
| Wednesday, April 20 | 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | CPE & CPC Day 2 |
| Thursday, April 21 | 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | CPE & CPC Day 3 | (CT)
| Friday, April 22 | 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Certified Trainer Training Part 2 |
More information, a sample schedule, and video: http://www.usacanadaregion.org/planting-training
Other questions? Contact Special Events Assistant, Joy Wilson at jwilson@nazarene.org
Click HERE for a flyer and more information (pdf)
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TRAVEL TO ISRAEL AND JORDAN WITH MVNU
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Friends,
The School of Theology and Philosophy will be traveling to Israel and Jordan in the Spring of 2016. This is an amazing trip which will offer once in a lifetime opportunities for district leaders, pastors, lay leaders and anyone interested in learning more about the Biblical lands. This is your special invitation to join our MVNU faculty and students!
You can take this trip as a leisurely activity but if you sign up for a class (undergraduate or graduate, audit or for credit, courses) offered with this trip, it can count towards lifelong learning hours and continuing education. Certificate of Ministry Preparation credit in Bible can be earned on this trip as well.
It is our desire to introduce many of our pastors and people to the Holy Land and we hope that you can help us promote this wonderful trip. For more information please visit our website at mvnu.edu/bibletrips.
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Itinerary Includes:
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Tel Aviv
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Sepphoris
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Mount Carmel
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Caesarea
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Petra
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Jordan River
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Nazareth
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Bethlehem
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Sea of Galilee
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Caesarea Philippi
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Jerusalem
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Dead Sea
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Capernaum
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Qumran
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Gethsemane
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We will visit many of the most sacred and significant sites of the Bible including the Mount of Beatitudes, the Church of the Nativity, the Mount of Olives, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Dome of the Rock, and much more. Check out our full itinerary here.
Contact:
Dr. C. Jeanne Serrao, Dean of the School of Theology and Philosophy
800 Martinsburg Road | Mount Vernon, OH 43050
740-392-6868, ext. 3600 | Email: jeanne.serrao@mvnu.edu
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DISTRICT PASTORAL AND RETIREES BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES FOR JANUARY
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 - Jeff & Terri Gilkerson - 1/2 (New Covenant)
- Ed & Karen Spangler-1/4 (Retired)
- Jeff Gilkerson-1/4 (New Covenant)
- Brett & Serenity Warkentine-1/5 (Rush Community)
- Darryl & Tracy Ogden Johnson-1/6 (Ravenna First)
- Rick Chappell-1/7 (EOD)
- Bonnie Burns-1/9 (EOD)
- Axa Whetstone-1/14 (EOD)
- Rhonda Coker-1/14 (Powhatan Point)
- Zelda Burns-1/17 (Retired)
- Paul Decker-1/17 (Retired)
- Carolyn Hardy-1/17 (East Liverpool LaCroft)
- Ron Whittenberger-1/18 (Retired)
- Gay Lee-1/21 (Massillon First)
- Arnie Yost-1/21 (Shepherd's Hill)
- Josiah Brown-1/22/04 (Lisbon)
- Don Lawson-1/25 (Martins Ferry)
- Georgia Patton-1/25 (Cuyahoga Falls)
- Terri Smith-1/28 (EOD)
- Olivia Patton-1/31/11 (Cuyahoga Falls)
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