Speaking of praying, I heard the late Dr. J. Kenneth Grider, highly esteemed professor emeritus of Nazarene Theological Seminary, reflect on his own need to grow in grace through service.  He often prayed the following prayer before beginning his class sessions. His prayer, and prayers, impacted me deeply. This prayer can be found his book, A Wesleyan-Holiness Theology.

I remember the conviction I felt approximately 20 year ago when I was asked about my personal mission statement. I had worked throughout the previous decade with college, university and seminary administrators and governing boards in crafting institutional statements of mission.

But, when asked about a statement of mission that was honed by and for me, I drew a blank…because I had not formulated one. Yes, it was in my head in broad strokes, but not made precise on paper.

During the following few months, I prayed, prepared drafts, and shared with my family what I believed should characterize me at my best and “drive” my life, thoughts and actions. I shared the following personal mission statement in May 1993 with my family and in the fall with the faculty and staff of Mount Vernon Nazarene College (now university):

“My mission is to be a Christian role model and leader to my family first, and subsequently to the Mount Vernon Nazarene College community in the context of servant and visionary leadership.

I will give attention to the financial needs of my family, including retirement, and keep myself physically and emotionally conditioned to enable me to function with maximum effectiveness.

I am a growing professional who gives priority time to strategic planning for the institution I serve. In this context, I will enable and energize my family, friends, and colleagues to give their best to their unique roles and assignments.

All of my activities initiate from and operate out of a pastoral calling as one who views himself first and foremost as a follower of Jesus who articulates, models, and is committed to His life and teachings.”

On August 1, 2009, I revised the above personal mission statement to reflect a new phase of ministry to which I had been called following my retirement form MVNU:

“I want my ‘senior’ years to be characterized by personal growth, professional development, maturing faith, mentoring leaders, nurturing family, cultivating friendships, compassion for the poor, and passing on to a new generation of  Christian leaders, particularly through writing, what has been so freely passed on to me.”

I remain captive to these convictions, as I assume your “mission” drives and compels you!

Will you share your personal mission statement with me? I would like to post your “driving forces” as you seek to serve others by enabling them, through teaching and example, to live their lives under the Lordship of Christ, and to understand, accept and fulfill their ministry to each other and their mission in the world.

A meaningful statement of mission can guide you like a laser beam as you fulfill your leadership ministry. Again, please share your statement with me.

LeBron Fairbanks

8/6/2010

Birthday celebration with the help of my friends! 

A Very Special 48th Anniversary Adventure. Indeed!

Anne and I recently celebrated our 48 wedding anniversary by spending four weeks on the campus of The Nazarene Seminary of the Americas in San Jose, Costa Rica. We worked on several projects, but primarily spent the time studying the Spanish language. It was a great experience for us!

I spend a significant amount of time working with the leaders of the Church of the Nazarene schools where Spanish is the primary language of instruction and communication. I felt I should try to learn their language in order to talk with them and the students in their own language.

While on the Seminary campus in Costa Rica, I taught a class session to a group of students in a master’s level class. The subject was:

“When Good and Godly People Collide Over Vision”

I shared with the group seven “anchors” to hold us steady as leaders when the vision we have for the faith community we lead is not embraced by the good and godly people with whom we live and work. The seven anchors are:

1. Speak Gracefully – Hablar con Gracia
2. Live Gratefully – Vive con Gratitud
3. Listen Intently – Escucha con Atención
4. Forgive Freely — Perdona libremente
5. Lead Decisively – Lidera Decisivamente
6. Care Deeply — Cuida Profundamente
7. Pray Earnestly — Ora Intensivamente

Click here to read the full text in English — the Spanish text is being translated and will be posted soon!

Included here are photos taken from our fours weeks in Costa Rica.

Christian Academy of Language & Learning (CALL) students and professors

Ruthie Cordova teaching us to count Colones in Spanish for the bus 

 Shopping at the Fruit Market

 Studying with our good tutor, Ruthie Cordova

Lots of laughter as we learned to make tortillas, empanadas and plantains!!! Yummy

We were blessed with excellent professors, entertaining relationships, hard working study partners and many great new friendships on our 48th Anniversary Adventure.

Grace and Peace to you.

Is this vision statement sufficiently broad and inclusive to engage the 54 International Board of Education, Church of the Nazarene colleges, universities and seminaries without undermining the mission statement of each individual school?

I welcome your participation in this discussion.

LeBron Fairbanks

July 12, 2010

This material is an excerpt from a longer article I co-wrote, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Introduction:  

Lausanne 2004 … Conference on World Evangelization … addressed many of the key issues facing the church and its mission in this decade.  Participants at the conference were invited to join one of over 30 “Issue Groups,” with each group assigned on a specific topic to present a paper reflecting their work.  Group #27 was asked to address the issue of “Funding For Evangelism And Mission.” 
 
Group #27 consisted of 27 ministry leaders representing several types of ministry and various countries.  The majority of the participants lead ministries in what is commonly called “the developing world.”  The Group was co-led by Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks (USA) and Dr. MacMillan Kiiru (Kenya).  Dr. Charles Roost (USA) and Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks (USA) served as co-editors of this article. 

The Challenge:

God often chooses to use the resources of this world to accomplish His work.  Human resources and financial resources seem to be those most significant in the work of the church.  History proves that funding for evangelism and mission is very important for the work of the kingdom.
 
The funding of evangelism and mission has hosted both great achievements for the benefit of the kingdom and significant pain and economic abuse within the body of Christ.  As was demonstrated in Christ’s ministry and the life of the early church, money is a God-given tool for catalyzing mission but when used without integrity and good stewardship it has the potential to create significant harm.  
 
The challenges faced in the funding arena seem to fall into three categories:

1. Shortage of funds to accomplish reasonable goals.
2. Misuse of funds on the part of ministry personnel and organizations.
3. Distortion of biblical principles and standards in fund development.

The Current Scene In Mission Funding:

 

This vertical model, because of its hierarchical nature, has created major problems within the body of Christ.  The donor has been reduced to a “source” for funds.  The ministry organization has been reduced to “operators” of fund raising schemes primarily related  to organizational budgets.  Missing in the model is the character that honors biblical principles for the effective use of God’s resources to accomplish His purposes.  The top/down relationship within the body of Christ disfigures stewardship and cries out for redemption and transformation. 

A New Model

What is required is acceptance of the proper theology of funding and subsequent practices that will point the church to fulfillment of the task of evangelism and mission while affirming the equality of all believers and unity within the body of Christ.
 
The challenges in funding evangelism and mission in the current environment can be traced back to the lack of an adequate theological framework for the role stewards as they manage financial resources.  In the absence of a comprehensive theology and a reflecting set of principles for financial resources, the world of non-profits has fallen prey to ineffective models and strategies characterized by the following:

1. Lack of a functional theology regarding fund development and resource management.
2. Lack of mutual understanding, effective strategies and clear funding models concerning the biblical relationship between giver and receiver.
3. An assumption of limited local resources available to the emerging church and the lack of effective leadership in the management of resources.
4. Education and training that is sufficient . . . 
                     …in stewardship and fund development at both ministry leadership 
                     training institutions and local congregations.
                     …for funders in mission strategy.
                     …for mission agency executives and their development staffs.
5. Attitudes of dependence on the part of receivers and co-dependence on the part of providers.

The new model, strongly recommended by Lausanne Issue Group #27 “Funding Evangelism and Mission,” changes the way giving and receiving is perceived, approached and accomplished.  It is recommended with the understanding that such a major paradigm shift will not be easily adopted.
 
This model, called the “Mutual Commitment” model, is horizontal in structure, placing all parties in the fund development effort on an equal plane.  In this model, all believers enjoy an equal standing before the throne of Christ.
 
This new model can best be understood in the reorientation of five key concepts within giving and receiving: stewardship, relationship, accountability, dependency and the role of intermediaries. 

Stewardship:

Relationship:

Our relationship must never be defined by, nor become limited to, the mechanisms of financial transfers.  Relationship value reflects the Body of Christ, not some economic standard or potential.
 
The remainder of the article (click here) focuses on accountability issues and outlines an implementation strategy. I welcome your comments.

LeBron Fairbanks
June 28, 2010

Other questions flow from this fundamental question for Christian leaders: 

If “in Christ all things are made new,” then how does my relationship with Christ convert or transform the way I view and lead the faith community for which I am responsible? How do we communicate within a community of faith so that the Christian faith we profess is witnessed not just an intellectualized belief system to be learned, but a life to be lived, and the driving force compelling us in the way we lead?

Ephesians 4:11-16 enunciates such a model. The passage outlines the context, task, goal, dynamic, and purpose for us as Christian leaders in our passion to equip those for whom we are responsible to shape as “Christ-like“ disciples in communities of faith, regardless of their sizes, locations, and spheres of influence.

The context…is “God’s people” (Ephesians 4:11). The key focus is participation.

Since all Christians are called to serve others in Jesus’ name, all Christians are also called to give witness to this lifestyle of service.  The “bias” to serve others in Jesus’ name permeates all of the different roles and responsibilities to which we commit ourselves.

All of us are on a spiritual pilgrimage and are in process of becoming what God the Father, Creator, and Redeemer envisions for us. On the basis of a person’s testimony of faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, I relate to her/him as a sister or brother in Christ who is a graced, blessed and gifted child of God. To this person and other believers, I am privileged and empowered by God to participate with Him in the shaping of these individuals as the people of God for their ministry to each other and their witness to the world.  This is the context and perspective within which I minister.

The task…is to “prepare God’s people” (Ephesians 4:12). The key idea is formation.

Christian formation or “preparing God’s people” means enabling and equipping the individuals for service to others and growth in Christ-likeness. This responsibility on my part demands an acquaintance with the Christian tradition, an awareness of world issues, development of personal faith, competence in vocational skills, a philosophy of life, a global perspective and growth in community life.  Our lives lived before others must radiate a love for the Bible, reflect the Christian hope and communicate grace through the words we use and the actions we take in relation to others.

Our lives lived before others must also reflect our own continuing need for guidance in developing a lifestyle of devotion to Christ.  We also are being shaped as we nurture our own spiritual lives, relate to other world citizens, develop personal and professional leadership qualities, and inculcate biblical values by which we live and die. Please review the April and May blog entries on “For This We Stand” for further discussion on the values that characterize us at our best and convict us at our worst.

The goal…is “works of service” (Ephesians 4:12). The key thought is expression.

Our “works of service” or mission is a function and expression of the entire faith community. Our goal is to prepare God’s people to participate in this mission, which is to proclaim the kingdom of God, nurture the people of God, and serve the whole human community.

The Church of the Nazarene has captured this mission in very succinct words: “To make Christlike disciples in the Nations.” We must be captured by this vision.

In a local church setting, this means transcending service to the congregation and for the congregation, to service with the congregation and by the congregation.  And so it must be in and with every community of faith.

The dynamic…is “love within the Body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:15-16). The key concept is interaction.

Interaction is defined as an intimacy or closeness of relationships between members within the Body of Christ. In every New Testament passage where the Body of Christ is discussed, there is a relational context in which this kind of mutual nurturing takes place.

Passing on information does not produce a servant of Christ. Trust needs both to be explained and demonstrated in an intimate relationship context. Love and trust free us to know and reveal ourselves to one another. Modeling, rather than indoctrinating, is the method of leadership for lifestyle change.

The purpose…is transformation for a “holiness lifestyle” (Ephesians 4:13). The key issue is Christ-likeness.

The purpose of Christian leadership is, by grace, to participate with God in the reconciling and transforming of humankind so that holy people may be equipped and shaped for their Christ-like ministry of service to others in Jesus’ name as they fulfill their vocational responsibility. A holiness lifestyle of the leader focuses on the progressive transformation of the Christian toward the character, values, motives, attitudes and understanding of God Himself.

Christian leadership is humble service to others, for the purpose of enabling them, through teaching and example, to live their lives under the Lordship of Christ, and to understand, accept, and fulfill their ministry to each other and their mission in the world.

I encourage you to reflect on a model I developed several years ago regarding “The Leader as Catalyst in Transforming a Community of Faith.” Click here to see the model. I welcome your comments.

LeBron Fairbanks

6/17/2010

Administration Building Caribbean Nazarene College

Thoughts from the commencement address at the
Caribbean Nazarene College
Port of Spain, Trinidad
May 29, 2010
E. LeBron Fairbanks

A colleague said to me recently, “Life is too short not to live together kindly,
compassionately, and forgivingly.” I was immediately reminded of the last verse of Ephesians 4, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

As I reflected on the scriptural passage and the words of my friend, I said to
myself, “I don’t want to live my life as a ‘bitter’ man…and I don’t want my
students, colleagues, and friends to live their lives with ‘bitterness, rage, and
anger…slander…and malice.’” (Ephesians 4:31). And, I say that to the class of 2010.

My challenge to each member of the CNC graduating class as you depart from this campus:  Make it your prayer, intention, commitment—your resolve—to be known as a kind, compassionate, and forgiving person. Life is too short to live otherwise. New beginnings for you may include some old, tried and true principles of living and leading with the mind of Christ. Some things will not change for you, even with your new beginnings!

 I invite you to reaffirm three passionate convictions that I believe will strengthen you and me on our journey toward this Christlike way of living kindly, compassionately, and forgivingly. They are deceptively simple. These steps are:

      #1    Speak carefully.
      #2    Care deeply.
      #3    Forgive quickly.

LeBron Fairbanks; Dr. Scoffield Eversley,  President of Caribbean Nazarene College; Dr. Michael Scott, Board Chair and Professor of Sociology, University of Guyana;

 Let me explain!

Step #1: Speak Carefully (Ephesians 4:30a)
Our words to others can bless or burn. The words we speak, in New Testament perspective, are to communicate grace to those who hear (4:29).

The reality is that we often live and work in an unkind, uncompassionate, and unforgiving world. Increasingly in the work place, and sometimes in the home…abuse, slander, and misunderstanding are the norms, rather than the exception.

And the differences we experience because of our background, temperament, social status, or religious faith, often divide us rather than provide a bridge for greater understanding and perspective.

For Paul, our words should communicate grace. They should…
Focus on others in conversation, not self;
Focus on encouragement, not discouragement;
Focus on building up, not tearing down;
Focus on supporting, not undermining;
Focus on healing, not hurting;
Focus on caring, not indifference.

Dialogue, for Paul, was a sacrament.Through our words, God’s very grace should flow. Jesus said, “Out of our mouths come the overflow of the heart.”

Dr. Victoria Phillips-Jerome (sister of Dr. Oliver Phillips)

II. Step #2: Care Deeply.
Our care for others can be intimate or distant. But what do we mean by “care?”

The word “care” finds its root in the Celtic term “kara,” which means lament. The basic meaning of care is “to grieve, to experience sorrow, to cry out with.”

I am coming to understand that biblical compassion is not a skill which we acquire. Rather, it is a quality of the human heart which must be revealed.

The late Henri Nouwen often stated that you cannot get a Ph.D. in caring. Nouwen helped me to realize that when we see the other person and discover in that person gentleness, tenderness, and other beautiful gifts which he or she is not able to see, then our compassionate heart is revealed!

What a profound thought! Our compassionate heart is revealed as we enable others to see what they have not, nor cannot, see in themselves!

To be compassionate is not, first of all, something we do for others, but rather it is discovering with others their divinely given resources and inner qualities. It is a way of being present with others and standing with them in their times of need.

CNC Provost, Dr. Anthony Manswell and CNC President, Dr. Eversely at CNC Board of Trustrees Meeting

III. Step #3: Forgive Quickly.
Our forgiveness of others can be immediate or delayed.

The words of Jesus on the cross regarding forgiveness are profound. “Father,
forgive them, they know not what they do.”
His words did not change the situation.
His words did not change the people involved.
His words did not reduce the pain He felt.
His words did not change things externally.

 His words of forgiveness on the cross, however, changed everything internally.

He was not going to let what others said and did to him create within himself bitterness, resentment, and anger within Him.  He was not going to permit what others said and did to him to create a break in the relationship with God the Father. It simply was not worth it! He was not going to give others that much control over His life.

It was as if He was saying, “Do what you have to do, say what you have to say, but I will not permit these words and deeds done to me and said against me to create a break in the relationship with the Father. It’s just not worth it!”

LeBron Fairbanks, Dr. Anthony Quimby; Sr. Pastor, St. James Church of the Nazarene, Port of Spain, Trinidad

• Jesus spoke words of grace to others. Therefore, we are to speak carefully.
• Jesus humbled Himself and did for us on the cross what we could not do for
    ourselves. Therefore, we also are to care deeply.
• Jesus forgave us while we yet sinners. Therefore, we are to forgive quickly.

I say to you again: As we speak carefully, care deeply, and forgive immediately, our Christian life will be effective and productive. And, this kind of Christlike living will make a difference—today and throughout your life—
in the home,
in the community,
in the workplace,
in the lives of others, and within yourselves.

Class of 2010: Remember, “Life is too short not to live together kindly, compassionately, and forgivingly.”

Click here to read the full test of the address.

Click here to view the CNC Best Practices of Strong and Effective Governing Boards PowerPoint presentation.

CNC Commencement Celebration

What is a Quality and Missional Review?

Following is a glimpse of the review process as presented in the introduction to a report by Dr. Kent Brower, International Board of Education chair and member of numerous quality and missional reviews.

A Review team site visit is a requirement of the International Board of Education (IBOE) for an institution of higher education that is connected to the Church of the Nazarene. All 54 colleges, universities, seminaries, Bible institutes, schools of nursing, and teacher education participate in the process.

This Review is based upon the four Benchmarks for Quality in Context established by the IBOE. This review is not the work of one person writing his or her opinion about the institution but it is the opportunity for institution-wide self-evaluation—from students, faculty, staff, administration, and board representatives. The Manual of the Church of the Nazarene requires the Education Commissioner and the International Board of Education to verify that the policies of the College are clearly set by the duly elected Board of Governors and that implementation of those policies is clearly in the hands of the administration of the College.

According to the IBOE Handbook, the four Benchmarks for Quality in Context that guide the Quality and Missional Review are:

Benchmark One addresses the clarity of mission and how it demonstrates “the church in education.”
Benchmark Two examines institutional planning.
Benchmark Three studies the academic program and assesses student learning.
Benchmark Four addresses the people of the institution.

A team, led by Dr. Brower, including LeBron Fairbanks, recently visited Institut Théologique Nazaréen/Nazarene Theological Institute, Ghana, and Nazarene Theological College of Central Africa, Malawi on the Africa Region. Pictures in this entry are from both schools. The full report to both schools and to the IBOE leadership is nearing completion.

Affirmation #3

As I mentioned in the previous blog posts, I have been asking myself throughout the past few years some fundamental questions about our Nazarene colleges and universities: (1) What drives or motivates our colleges and universities as Christian institutions of higher education? (2) What characterizes us at our best and convicts us at our worst? (3) What shapes the lifestyle - the words, action, and behavior - of our campuses as faith communities?  (4) What is foundational to our conviction that God calls all believers to a life of holiness? (5) What are the values for which we stand?

 I began to answer these questions in the previous blog.

Affirmation #1 - WE LOVE GOD. Therefore, we value and stand for:

1. A Worshiping Community
2. A Biblical Faith
3. A Christlike Lifestyle
4. A Holiness Ethic
5. A Global Mission
6. A Creation Vision
7. A Spirit-Empowered Devotion

Affirmation #2 – WE RESPECT OTHERS. Therefore, we value and stand for:

1. A Magnanimous Spirit
2. A servant Mentality
3. A Trustworthy Character
4. A Positive Influence
5. A Courteous Response
6. A Giving Motivation
7. An Appreciative Attitude

Affirmation #3, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OURSELVES.  Therefore, we value and stand for…

1. An Inquisitive Mind

“Truth will ultimately prevail” is often quoted.  And this is true if committed Christians believe that God is the Source of all truth.  If this be so, seekers after truth have no fear in pursuing questions about God, humankind, life, death, or eternity.

“The mind is a terrible thing to waste” is another oft-quoted statement.  And, again, it is true.  To always let other people think for you is a terrible indictment of anyone.

Students on Nazarene campuses are encouraged to read good books, journals, magazines.  Obsessively read them.  Invest in them.  At the same time, with John Wesley, determine to be a “man (or woman) of one book - the Bible.”

“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.”  (Philippians 4:8 NIV)  — What a life verse!

Nazarene colleges, universities and seminaries are at their best faith communities of learners. 

2. A Disciplined Schedule

“Begin with the end in mind” is habit #2 in Steven Covey’s book Seven Habits of Highly Successful People.  This statement can refer to a lifetime, a project, or a daily schedule.  Members of a campus community tend to accomplish more if we begin the day (or project or life) with a sense of perspective of what the end result should be and a plan of action to guide them step by step in the process.

Elaborate “time planners” and good calendars are available are available to assist faculty, staff and students to organize the day, week, or month. Campus life challenges everyone to be creative and create a time management system that works for each individual.

Some students benefit from the consultant many years ago who earned $25,000 after advising the CEO of a major company to organize his days in the following manner:

1. Each evening identify the six most important things to be accomplished the next day.
2. Number the six in order of priority.
3. The next morning begin the day by starting with the first priority and staying with it until it is finished.
4. Then go to the next priority.
5. Continue this process throughout the day.
6. At the end of the day, repeat #1.

Life on Nazarene colleges and universities require everyone on campus to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.  Students need to so schedule study time that they devote some time to each of their courses every day.  The challenge to balance “precious” free time is real. Campus life demands that students choose wisely between the numerous good programs: athletics, clubs, social activities, and projects available to you on campus. Students enrolled in on-line, non-traditional or decentralized programs must balance their time between family, work and school responsibilities. 

Plan your work.  Work your plan.  Sounds simplistic for a Nazarene campus community.  But it works. 

3. A Modest Attire

Modesty has long been affirmed as a standard within the holiness churches.  In fact, modesty, neatness, and cleanliness form a three-legged stool on which rests much of the Student Life Handbooks and lifestyle guidelines for Nazarene colleges and universities.  But defining modesty is difficult.  It seems as if everyone has his or her own opinion regarding the nature of modesty.  There are extreme examples of clothes and appearance, and advocates of both extremes strongly - and sometimes loudly - proclaim “their” view is the right view.

Most Christians affirm the principle of modesty; yet few agree on the details.  This makes it particularly difficult for Christian institutions, which affirm the principle of modesty, to find a standard acceptable to all.  In fact, it can’t be done to the satisfaction of everyone - believe me! 

Whatever modesty is or is not, the Spirit-filled Christian (or institution) seeks to look and live in a way that is qualitatively different than individuals (and institutions) who do not profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.  Our appearance, including the clothes we wear, should be…

• appealing, but not seductive,
• attractive, but not revealing,
• appropriate, but not offensive or extreme.

The big question for the Christian, male or female, growing in Christlikeness, is not, “How far can I go and get away with it?” but, “How can I dress in such a way as to bring honor and glory to God and strengthen my friends in the faith who may not be as strong spiritually as I?”

4. A Balanced Diet

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?…Therefore honor God with your body” (I Corinthians 6:19-20).

Nazarene college and university leaders talk often about the need for a balanced diet.

What we eat - or don’t eat - can build us up or break us down.  When we eat a balanced diet, we feel better, look better, sleep better - we are better physically!

Students are encouraged to learn about fat grams, carbohydrates, calories, vitamins, food supplements, and nutrition.

The key word is balanced.  Since each individual is different, what balanced means to you will differ from that of your roommate, friend, or spouse.  Parents, knowledgeable friends, physicians, school nurses and books on health and nutrition assist the campus community in providing information on a balanced diet.

And one final word.  Don’t skip meals.  Remember, the key word is balanced. 

 5. A Physical Fitness Commitment

We’ve heard the admonition from so many experts that we ought to believe it.  Exercise for at least thirty minutes three times a week.  Nazarene campus leaders encourage students to get involved in a physical fitness program.  The issue isn’t how good or bad they are at athletics — the issue is exercise…and fun. Students should find an intramural basketball, volleyball, soccer, or softball team with which they can exercise on a regular basis.

Nazarene campus communities are encouraged to walk or jog around campus regularly or to bike for so many miles each week. 

Faculty members set good examples of a commitment to physical fitness by regularly playing basketball or soccer. Others jog early each weekday morning.

Students are encouraged to get a good night’s rest each evening. There is a strong correlation between a good night’s rest and physical fitness.  The entire resident community needs to respect the common quiet hours in the dorms designated for study and respect the “quiet” guidelines for others’ sake as well as your own. Same goes for students studying in homes.

Whatever is right for students and faculty, campus communities are committed to make a plan - a systematic schedule - of physical fitness.  Your long life and health may depend on it!

6. A Reliable Word

It is important that members of our campus communities, be known as persons who keep her/his word.  God’s answer to the prophet’s complaint in Jeremiah 12:6 is, “Do not trust them, though they speak well of you.”  No more pathetic words can be spoken of a person than these - you can’t trust her/him.  What an indictment!

Conversely, one of the greatest compliments a person can give to another is this:  You can trust her/him.  Our word, our integrity, our credibility are ultimately so much more important and long lasting than popularity, fame, or fortune.  These can and do pass.  But our word remains.

Therefore, by God’s Spirit, Nazarene faculty and students are challenged to be honest, trustworthy, truthful and to speak with others in such a way that when they hear you, they trust you.  Adhere to Jesus’ words when He said, “Let your yes be yes, and your no, no.”  Don’t say one thing and mean another.  Don’t deceive or mislead others.  Shoot “straight” with them.  Your personal integrity and credibility is intrinsically linked to a reliable word.  Protect your integrity and credibility with a passion. Our schools seek to preach, teach and model this value before others within the faith community.

7. A Lifelong Learning and Growth Perspective

Years spent at a Nazarene college, university or seminary should instill within the student a desire for a lifelong pursuit for personal and professional growth.  It is folly to believe that in such a brief span of time all that needs to be known will be grasped.  Just the opposite should occur.  The more you know about a subject, the more you find there is to know.  This relates to your vocational choice, and to your walk with God.

Let us hope that the Nazarene educational experience will ignite a spirit of inquiry that will last a lifetime.  Students should at least know the right questions to ask.  You should be pointed in the right direction.  Students, administrators and faculty should be forever committed to a quest for truth and righteousness.  Increasingly, we desire the integration of faith and learning.

Paul could say while in prison near the end of his lifetime, “Not that I have already obtained… but I press on….  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on…”  (Phil. 3:12-14).

And this is the perspective on Nazarene campuses, regardless of where we are in the journey of life, we will never be content with where we are in our growth we will “press on.”  After completion of your academic program, continue your personal development through seminars, workshops, graduate programs, short-term institutes, attending cultural events, and reading.  Cultivate your insatiable desire to learn and grow. 

Conclusion

Do we always live by the values we affirm?  Unfortunately, not always.  But for the Spirit-filled Christian, increasingly these values flowing from the foundational principles of the biblical mandate to live a holy life will “mark” or characterize and challenge us.

Holiness is a way of life - a lifestyle.  In reality, this means that throughout our relationship with Christ, we will continue to grow and mature in the Christian faith and in our walk with the Lord.

A gospel song has as its theme, “It was all because of God’s amazing grace.”  And it’s true.  God’s grace extended to us — though undeserved — empowers and enables us through faith in Jesus to live the holy life to which we have been called.  It’s not by our efforts.  The scriptures remind us that “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

May each student’s experiences at a Nazarene college, university or seminary strengthen the values that she or he has begun to affirm.  The greatest compliment a Nazarene institution can receive from a graduate is that he or she is much stronger and more developed in mind, body, and spirit than when he or she enrolled at the school.
 

Affirmation #2

As I mentioned in the previous blog post, I have been asking myself throughout the past few years some fundamental questions about our Nazarene colleges and universities: (1) What drives or motivates our colleges and universities as Christian institutions of higher education? (2) What characterizes us at our best and convicts us at our worst? (3) What shapes the lifestyle - the words, action, and behavior - of our campuses as faith communities?  (4) What is foundational to our conviction that God calls all believers to a life of holiness? (5) What are the values for which we stand?

 I began to answer these questions in the previous blog. Affirmation #1 (above) briefly developed the thought that “WE LOVE GOD. Therefore, we value and stand for:

1. A Worshiping Community
2. A Biblical Faith
3. A Christlike Lifestyle
4. A Holiness Ethic
5. A Global Mission
6. A Creation Vision
7. A Spirit-Empowered Devotion 

Affirmation #2 is this: WE RESPECT OTHERS. Therefore, we value and stand for…

1. A Magnanimous Spirit

Spirit-filled Christians on our campuses are big-spirited. They give others the benefit of the doubt. They recognize that mistakes can be made, even by themselves. They believe the best, not the worst, in others. They want others to succeed, not fail. They are happy when others receive attention, awards, and accolades. They don’t “put people down” in order to build themselves up, or have a healthy self image. They freely forgive, even before forgiveness is asked

Jesus taught us an unforgettable lesson about forgiveness. He said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” It’s ironic. His “enemies” had not asked for forgiveness, nor did their behavior toward Jesus change when Jesus extended forgiveness to them. What difference, then, did forgiveness make? Not in outward circumstances, for sure. They continued to kill Him. However, His words of forgiveness made all the difference inwardly. He would not permit what others said or what they did to create anger, resentment, and bitterness within Him. His relationship to the Father was so much more important. Others’ behavior toward Him would not be permitted to rupture the relationship with the Father. “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” A magnanimous, forgiving spirit. And this must be our spirit.

2. A Servant Mentality 

Christians embracing the lifestyle of holiness are challenged on our campuses to find tangible, concrete ways to serve others in Jesus’ name and say to fellow believers within the fellowship, “I love you. I care for you. You are my brother or sister in Christ.”
 
In its briefest and most general understanding, ministry is service to others in Jesus’ name. Certain words help us understand the various dimensions of Christian ministry - words like caring, sharing, growing, relating, teaching, and confronting. Ministry in New Testament perspective takes the form of holding the hand of a person engulfed in fear, listening intently to a person in trouble, crying with a person who is hurt, or embracing the individual who is grieving. It may include taking friends to the store for groceries, sharing your talents with others, or confronting in love the lack of discipline or careless habits. Ministry encompasses the sharing of the Christian faith or a verse of scripture with another in time of need.

Christian ministry is the extension of Jesus in our world, incarnating the healing, guiding, sustaining, reconciling work of Jesus in the lives of those with whom we work and live. If you are a Christian, you are called to Christian ministry. Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s motto is: To seek to learn is to seek to serve. A servant mentality is in the DNA of our Nazarene institutions.

Ministry understood in this broadest sense is the context for our specific ministry. We may be specifically called and gifted for pastoral ministry, teaching ministry, evangelism ministry, music ministry, or leadership ministry. But it is futile and self-defeating to seek to function within our particular calling while ignoring the broader calling to serve others in Jesus’ name.

3. A Trustworthy Character

“Character is what you are,” someone said, “when no one is looking at you.” Character is the sum total of our values, priorities, commitments, and decisions. Increasingly, spirit-filled Christians develop a Christlike character as they grow and mature in Christ.
 
Ephesians 4:25 exhorts us not to lie. “Put off falsehood” one translation states. The specific reference is to “speaking the truth” within the body of Christ, the fellowship of believers. But do Christians lie to one another?
 
I choose to believe that we don’t lie to one another on purpose. Christians do, however, sometimes ignore other believers with whom their differences have created barriers. Conversation is therefore superficial. Discussion, if any, focuses on everything but the issue dividing the Christians. Is this lying?

Increasingly, our word must become our bond. What people “see” is what they should “get.” Our lives should assume an authentic, transparent, and genuine nature. Our character is trustworthy, even in the academic arena. The  school’s code of academic integrity affirms the commitment to  truthfulness in the exams taken on campus and the assignments submitted to teachers. Academic integrity is an essential component of Nazarene colleges, universities and seminaries.

Administrators and faculty members want students on our campuses to see us as honest, not just with facts, dates, and figures, but with our emotions - particularly negative emotions that tend to divide and separate the Christian fellowship.

4. A Positive Influence

Have you ever been around someone that, when you left their presence, you felt about three inches tall? Some people act as if the only way to build themselves up is to put other people down.

Likewise, you have been around other people that, when you left their presence, you felt big, strong, and confident. You believed that with God and you, you could make a difference, overcome the obstacle, or succeed where you had failed

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful to others, that it may benefit those who listen.” This admonition in Ephesians 4:29 puts most of us under conviction. Our words tend to be self-serving rather than for others.

Sanctified Christians increasingly make a positive rather than a negative difference in the people with whom they as yourself is this: “Do people with whom I associate feel better or worse about themselves, their work, their denomination, their college, university and seminary  life, and God as a result of my involvement with them?”

Mature Christians on our campuses focus on building up others who are less mature in their faith, not tearing them down; on encouragement, not discouragement; on supporting, not undermining; on healing, not hurting; on caring, not indifference; on others, not on ourselves. Our influence is positive, not negative.

5. A Courteous Response

The way of holiness is a path whereby committed Christians “are being renewed in the attitude of their minds.” For sure, this is true on our campuses.The Ephesians 4:23 passage is given in the context of a contrast between ways Christians and non-Christians live their lives and respond to others.
 
Attitudes of the heart that should increasingly characterize Spirit-filled Christians include the following:

I love you - you are my brother/sister in Christ;
I need you - you have strengths and gifts I do not have;
I accept you - you are being changed by Christ as I am being changed;
I respect you - you are different, yet we are one in Christ;
I trust you - you desire to serve the same Christ as I;
I serve you - I want to minister grace to you.

These attitudes of the heart enable us to respond courteously to others, even on a Nazarene campus when others do not reflect the same attitudes and behavior towards us. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).

6. A Giving Motivation

We have heard throughout our lives the biblical reference, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). And the usual context in which we focus this admonition is in reference to money.

Money, for sure, must be included in the discussion. Another equally strong biblical principle states, “to whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48 b). But “giving” on the Nazarene campuses for most of us, if it relates only to money, permits us to get off the hook and allows us to miss the principle. A commodity just as rare as money on campus is time. And the giving of our time is included in the biblical injunction.

Time is needed to greet students on campus, to get acquainted with them, assist them in adjusting to a new, if not strange, environment, bring them into our friendship loop, invite them to walk with us to class, to chapel, to coffee. Returning students remember their first days on campus. Anxiety. Fear. Homesickness. Perceived lack of  freedom. A sense of being an outsider and even rejected. Much pain.
 
Nazarene campus communities are encourages to find someone who is new to campus and spend some time with them. It is right and it should be done. It is something you students, faculty and administration can give, often, to others!

 
Their first language of some new students may be a language different from first language of the returning students. New students whose language and culture is different from the returning students need friends, others to help them. Ask them (and others) these questions:

1. How are you doing?
2. How are you coming along with…(a specific problem, project, etc.)?
3. How can I help you in…? (Be as specific as possible.)

“Christ died while we were yet sinners.” We did not deserve the gift of eternal life He gave to us. Look around, often, and see people in need of something you can give. You give, like Christ, not because the other person “deserves” the gift necessarily, but because you desire to love others as Christ loved us.

7. An Appreciative Attitude

The contemporary song asks the question, “How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me - things so undeserved … the voices of a thousand angels cannot express my gratitude. All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe it all to You.” The refrain of the song continues with thanksgiving to God for all that He has done.

Holiness people are grateful people. Grateful to God, through His unmerited grace, for saving, sanctifying, and establishing them firmly in the way of holiness. A spirit of thanksgiving must be the continuous response of the committed Christian to the goodness of God in his/her life.

Yet, our expressions of appreciation should extend to others who help us along the journey. This includes other students, roommates, teachers, and … yes, even administrators!

Song writer and musician Ray Boltz was on campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University several years ago for a concert. During the concert, he shared the background for writing one of his top hits at that time. He wrote the song for Pastor’s Appreciation Day in his local church. The heart of the song expresses gratitude to his pastor. “Thank you for giving to the Lord, I’m a life that’s been changed…Jesus took the gift you gave. That’s why I’m here today.”
 
In addition to expressing praise and thanksgiving to God, find another person, daily, to whom you can say - honestly and genuinely -

I thank you.
I’m grateful to you.
I appreciate you.

And be as specific as you can in expressing your gratitude to the other person. You may have to look hard each day for someone to whom you can express gratitude. But keep looking…you will find someone.

The Swedish family therapist, Swen Walroos, in his outstanding text, Family Communication, concluded from his extensive work with troubled families that the ratio of criticism to compliments in dysfunctional families was 7 or 8 to 1; that is, there were seven or eight criticisms to every one compliment. He states, “My goal in family therapy is to reverse the ratio; that is, to help families give seven to eight compliments to every one criticism.”
 
I’m concerned when the pervasive mood or conversation of a campus, dorm, a “clique” or group, a family, or an individual is overwhelmingly negative. Something is fundamentally wrong with that individual, group, or institution. Usually we can find what we look for if we’re looking for the negative in others or in this institution. Likewise, if you focus on the positive in others or in this institution, you will find it

And when you find it…discipline yourself to express appreciation. Develop an appreciative attitude. It is healthy for you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Find someone each day to whom you can say…

I thank you.
I’m grateful to you.
I appreciate you.

TO BE CONTINUED