Thanks so much Debby! Encouragement like that is always needed and welcome!

Thank you for the comments. You might want to know that the Church of the Nazarene has always recognized the call of God on women's lives. In fact, before the official organization of the church in 1908 there were already women pastors in the churches. The college has no business convincing anyone of a call to the ministry - we believe it is God who calls people, both men and women. Go to page 371 of the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene for more information: http://nazarene.org/files/docs/Manual2009-2013.pd... -- and, for others who read this: I'm not interested in debating this topic. I am a minister in the Church of the Nazarene - this is what we have always believed and practiced. If you want more information on the topic, you might want to read this from a Nazarene theologian: http://www.ccel.us/place.praise.html. Second, of course I desire that there be no hell. What kind of a person would wish people were going to hell? Still, I think the Bible is abundantly clear that it not only exists but that those who reject Christ will spend eternity there. Still...and I've said this over and over again: people aren't saved because they believe there is a hell. In fact, people aren't saved for believing any "right" things. We're saved by the Savior as we respond to his provision of salvation for us. If you think about it, making salvation about our believing all the right things makes us our own saviors because that makes salvation about what we do and not what Jesus did.

I hope this helps. I suggest that you prayerfully read the portion of the Manual and the article by Cowles that I mentioned to you. If the Lord is calling your daughter to the ministry you don't want to work against God in the matter. (And again - before someone reads this and cranks up the "no women preachers" debate - I'm not going to debate you and I won't publish your posts - you can read what the Church of the Nazarene has believed and practiced for over 100 years - the links I posted say it better and with a lot more authority than I ever could anyway.

Thanks Pastor - It's great knowing that you feel the devotionals are worth using. I'd be interested in how they work out with your seniors.

Thanks for the comments Howard. You'll note that one of the comments I made in closing was that "being saved" means we're being saved from something! You and I are in agreement about what that "something" is. I guess a person could say we're being saved from living wasted lives or something along that line and it would be true, but I have to think that our denomination has it right when it speaks of 'resurrection to damnation." Still, our focus must be on bringing people to the "Savior" and not on arguing with them about some of these other things. Thanks again for the comments.

I’m not sure I can say it any clearer than I said it in the article…I believe what Nazarenes believe. That’s why I quoted the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene in the article:

We believe in the resurrection of the dead, that the bodies both of the just and of the unjust shall be raised to life and united with their spirits—“they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

And to follow up on your stance here – you agree with my article that belief in hell doesn’t save people, right?

Thanks for the encouragement my friend. I know we need balance and that there are times when it makes good sense to dismiss the children and teens to well-planned, spiritual activities that are age appropriate. Still, there's a time for them to see the adults of the church getting serious about God...to listen to them pray "grown ups talking with God" prayers. If not, they may never make the connection that adults believe in God and trust in God just as much as we want them to.

John, thanks for the reply. I don't necessarily agree that belief in hell is necessary to belief in heaven. Still, I have no real argument with your point of view. My entire post was that a person isn't saved based on their belief in hell - it's Jesus who saves. (I know you believe that too).

Who was it that said, "We're all unique - just like everyone else."

(Nice article)

I think the channel (18) is temporary, but the continuation of the channel is a done deal.

Ann - Maundy Thursday observance isn't required nor is it universal, but many Churches of the Nazarene do observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Our church has a special Last Supper Communion on Holy Thursday each year.