Dr. Larry W. LeonardDistrict Superintendentlwleonard@tnnaz.orgDecember 2013

BELIEVING THE UNCONVENTIONAL

Conventional wisdom paralyzes our imagination. We have been taught so many stereotypes that when an opposite situation arises that doesn’t fit nicely into the “normal” mold, we have trouble believing.

The day before I wrote this article, I was driving down the city streets of Nashville. I saw a man walkinga rather large white dog. The only reason I paid any attention to this “normal” occurrence was that they were dangerously close to the road. Before I got to them, I noticed that the dog firmly placed all four feet in the ground and refused to move, lowering its head as if getting something offthe ground to eat. Four feet straining against the leash is not the “normal” behavior of a trained dog.As I got up beside them, I realized that the dog was no dog at all. It was a goat! Yes, a man waswalking a goat on a dog leash in the heart of Nashville! The goat was decked out with an orangebandanna around its neck and a scarf neatly wrapped around its ears to protect them from the wind! Icouldn’t believe my eyes, but it was true: the conventional dog on a leash turned out to be anunconventional goat on a leash!

When the “baby” Jesus came to the world as the long-awaited Messiah, few believed because He did notfit into the conventional wisdom of the “adult” king whom they believed would conquer people andsystems adverse to the nation of Israel. Jesus was the true King predicted by Isaiah, but the humanimagination was frozen into large blocks of impenetrable disbelief. The very Savior of a nation, of a people, of all humanity was abused, reviled, and crucified, simply because people weren’twilling to believe something unconventional. Like many of us, they did not want to knowwhat they did not already know.

It is easy for us to criticize the people of Israel these many years later. However, do we do the samething with our conventional wisdom? When God doesn’t “behave” the way we think He should,do we receive Him as the Sovereign One who is always proving Romans 8:28: “Forwe know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”? Do we become bitter and blaming, even to theinfinite Creator God?

At this Christmas season we must allow our God to be whatever He decides is best for Him to bein our circumstances. Even if our life situations are as improbable as a goat on a leash wearing abandanna and scarf, do you still trust and embrace the Savior of the universe to doall things well? Believe the unconventional God who says, “As the heavens are higherthan the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). Make this Christmas season one where God can do theunconventional in your life.

SDMI: SunDay School DIScIpleShIp MInIStrIeS InternatIonal

Rev. David Hill, SDMI Chairman403 Page PlaceMt. Juliet, TN 37122E-mail: dcnaz3@comcast.net

Sunday SchoolMake the Connection

People of Prayer • Engaged in the Word • Making Christlike Disciples Christmas Greetings from the Tennessee District

Sunday School Discipleship Ministries Team.God bless you during this celebration of Advent!

God with us!

ANNUAL AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY OFFERINGEach church will receive an offering of gratitude for God’s Word which will help the ABS spread the Word. Please designatethe offering with AOT1002 through fundingthemission.orgor mark and send your offering to the General Treasurer.

WOMEN’S BREAKAWAY JANUARY 25, 2014

Grace Church of the NazareneNashville, TN

For more details, contact Ruth Chandlerat mcghee55@att.net.

Mark your calendars and promote…MARCH 1, 2014IMPROVE YOUR SERVEFirst Church of the NazareneNashville, TennesseeA beneficial day of training for church leaders, ministrydirectors, teachers, and all God’s servants.

District Men’s Retreat“I Am A Warrior”

Evening March 7 – Lunch March 8Camp Garner Creek

Great line-up of speakers including Ron Gilbert, RandyDurien, Steve Estep and special guest Col. Jeff Hawkins.

For more information, contact Pastor Nick Deford at (615)483-4356or pastornickdeford@gmail.com.

nMI: nazarene MISSIonS InternatIonal

Mrs. Becky Hancock, President504 W. Angela CircleGoodlettsville, TN 37072E-mail: becky.hancock52@gmail.com

"We know that indeed this is the Christ, the Savior of the world." John 4:42

Ah, sweet December! The time to love as God loved us! NMI designates this as "Compassion” month and most of you add compassionate ministries to your local church Christmas activities. God is glorified in this and we are blessed. Don't forget the Disaster Relief needs in our world as well and give through NCM.

I was agreeing with the prayer this week in the devotional book, "Reflecting God'" asking God "foryoung people to be involved in ministries to the poor, homeless and needy in the U.S. Our children and teens want that opportunity so why not provide a way for them to do that.

Our Work and Witness team is in Cuba! In Februaryanother team is going. Many of you had the privilegeof meeting Rev. Bob Prescott on his recent district tour. He has challenged us to continue our partnershipwith the church at Camaguey as he coordinates theteams going to this country. Our partner church therehas poured the third and final section of theroof and is ready to begin the finishing toucheson the building. Pray for our teams as they go and then share the news with your local congregations.

Making Crisis Care Kits is a great way! We will be collecting these kits as a district at Improve Your Serve in March and saving your church some shipping costs.

God is calling many to serve as volunteers. One of our own has feltthe call to a creative access area. Amy Murphy, our pastor at Joelton,has begun preparations to go in February. Tennesseans have blessedothers who have made this commitment. I know you will do the same for Amy. Be ready to host her and bless her with your generosity.

May you find joy in this holy season as you celebrate the Christ, the Savior of the World!

nyI: nazarene youth InternatIonalnyI: nazarene youth InternatIonalnyI: nazarene youth InternatIonal

Rev. Jason Underwood, NYI President584 Franklin RoadFranklin, TN 37069 E-mail: pastorjasonunderwood@gmail.com

With all of us gearing up forExtravaganza we can’t forget that

TNT@TNU will sneak upon us quickly.

The dates are April 3 -6.

We want as many students there as possibleas we prepare to defend our title of

grand champion!

December is here, the lights are hung, the tree is being trimmed, and the stores are slammed with peoplesinging Christmas music or at least making a “joyful noise”. The celebration of advent and the new year on the horizon bring excitement and reflection of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. The TNYI has been blessed to see God at work this year and we look forward to what is in store for our students as we look ahead.

This years event was once again held at Hermitage church. The church was anamazing host to this record-breaking event. We had 546 in attendance asstudents competed in athletic events displaying their gifts “from God, for God”. DanielMeadow and his team did a fantastic job of leading us through a trulymemorable weekend.

Our quiz teams are preparing for the final stretch of the season. If you would like to seethe full quiz results so far go to www.tennessee.nazquizzing.org. We are proud of ourquizzers for their passion for the Word.

Mark your calendars now for our nearly new years lock-in. This year’s event will begin at Christ Church onFRIDAY JANURY 3. Laser tag, bowling, dodgeball, ice skating, Let It Shine gymnastics andMORE are planned for this great night. More information will be available on our websitewww.tnnyi.com or contact Pastor Jon Allen (jon@youthstory.org) for more details.

Extravaganza is not over yet! Extravaganza Arts will be held January 17–18 at Trevecca Community Church. Jamin Wentworth (jwentworth@tccn.org)will lead the arts portion of Extravaganza. Look for forms andmore information at tnnyi.com.

Clarksville Mission Area SS AMClarksville First ........................ 168 .........................469Clarksville Grace ..................... 254 .........................504Clarksville Korean...................... 35 ...........................65Clarksville Park Lane ................. 97 .........................150Dover ......................................... 70 ...........................90Gray’s Chapel ............................ 63 ...........................63Long Creek ................................ 28 ...........................28Woodlawn Community............... 92 .........................150

Columbia Mission AreaBrentwood Concord Comm. .... 168 .........................222Columbia First ........................... 38 ...........................70Columbia Grace....................... 451 .........................735Franklin Community................... 73 .........................171Gateway Community ............... 145 .........................288Lawrenceburg Grace ................. 37 ...........................48Lawrenceburg Vaughan ............ 14 ...........................21Lewisburg .................................. 32 ...........................45Nashville New Life Korean .......... 28 ...........................29Pleasant Point ........................... 23 ...........................23Spring Hill Restoration Comm ... 85 .........................201

Fly Mission AreaElmore ....................................... 50 ...........................56Fly .............................................. 15 ...........................73Jones Chapel............................. 49 ...........................65Mt. Wesley-Akin Chapel ............ 23 ...........................38Savannah .................................. 15 ...........................23Summertown ............................. 10 ...........................23

Memphis North Mission AreaCovington .................................. 15 ...........................18Crossroads Community ............. 37 ...........................60Dyersburg .................................. 20 ...........................28Memphis Calvary ..................... 401 .........................464Memphis New Hope .................. 47 ...........................47Millington ................................... 23 ...........................25

Memphis South Mission Area Memphis Christ Like .................. 15 ...........................51Memphis Eastside ..................... 23 ...........................79Memphis Emmanuel .................. 45 ...........................80Memphis Faithful Believers ....... 10 ...........................39Memphis Friendship .................. 46 ...........................91Memphis Grace ....................... 115 .........................195Memphis Holiness Tabernacle .... 65 .........................105Memphis Hope Tabernacle ........ 17 ...........................23Memphis Refreshing Springs ...... 8 ...........................30

Nashville East Mission Area Hermitage ................................ 410 .........................626Madison ..................................... 15 ...........................28Madison Hispanic ...................... 53 .........................109Nashville Bethel ......................... 67 ...........................94Nashville First .......................... 747 .......................1032Nashville Grace ....................... 241 .........................354Nashville Inglewood................... 28 ...........................62Nashville Whites Creek ............. 27 ...........................58Old Hickory .............................. 100 .........................135

Nashville North Mission Area SS AMAshland City Faith Comm. ......... 55 .........................110Gallatin .................................... 206 .........................306Goodlettsville ........................... 277 .........................511Greenbrier New Walk .................. 0 ...........................52Hendersonville ........................... 59 .........................119Highland .................................... 27 ...........................34Joelton ....................................... 11 ...........................13Portland ....................................111 .........................185Springfield.................................. 39 ...........................55Sumner Cty. Living Springs ......... 0 ...........................31

Nashville South Mission AreaKingston Springs ....................... 18 ...........................40Nashville Bell Road ................... 52 ...........................59Nashville Blakemore .................. 30 ...........................58Nashville Calvary Korean .......... 31 ...........................77Nashville Christ.......................... 29 ...........................52Nashville Community Fellowship ... 13 ...........................22Nashville Donelson .................... 36 ...........................44Nashville Glencliff Hispanic ....... 34 ...........................99Nashville Kaleo .......................... 18 ...........................25Nashville Immanuel ..................... 0 ...........................17Nashville Trevecca Comm. ..... 544 .........................911Nashville Trinity ......................... 17 ...........................44Nashville Westwind ................... 17 ...........................18

Waverly Mission AreaCamden ..................................... 10 ...........................15Dickson Lighthouse ................... 15 ...........................62Erin .......................................... 183 .........................248Fulton......................................... 33 ...........................49Griffin’s Chapel .......................... 69 ......................... 111Jason Chapel............................. 99 .........................169Paris .......................................... 49 ...........................49Pine Hill ..................................... 56 ...........................96Waverly .................................... 161 .........................246

TOTAL ................................... 6940 .....................11407Thanks to ALL churches for 100% reporting for

93 consecutive months.

Attendance Report for November

Welcome New Nazarenes Gallatin ~ Pastor Alan ThompsonGlenda Porter; Harold & Anne Kemp; Ed & Donna Richardson

Memphis Calvary ~ Pastor Lynn HolmesChip, Elizabeth & Dylan Boucher; Ruth Evans; Amanda Herrmann;Deana Morrow; Allen, Wendi & McKenna Noakes;Jay & Krisha Scott; Jeff & Andrea Southern

Nashville Grace ~ Pastor Ken DoveJohn & Ismay Allen; Brian & Dawn Olson

Waverly ~ Pastor Daron BrownGordon, Patty & Samantha Peek; Charles, Marie, Jeanette& Lydia Stirman; Kelsey Elliott; Kayla Simons

Gallatin ~ Pastor Alan ThompsonShelby Perry

Woodlawn ~ Pastor Tracy Hoskins Louis Jolet Jr.; Kaylee Sowers; Ciara Golson; Christopher Luck

Baptized

SUNDAY SCHOOL 1. Nashville First .............................................................747 2. Nashville Trevecca Community ...............................544 3. Columbia Grace .........................................................451 4. Hermitage ...................................................................410 5. Memphis Calvary .......................................................401 6. Goodlettsville .............................................................277 7. Clarksville Grace ........................................................254 8. Nashville Grace ..........................................................241 9. Gallatin ........................................................................206 10. Erin ..............................................................................183

NUMERICAL GAIN 1. Memphis Calvary .........................................................79 2. Gallatin ..........................................................................74 3. Nashville Bell Road ......................................................28 4. Brentwood Concord Community .............................27 5. Memphis Friendship ..............................................18 6. Paris ...............................................................................16 7. Franklin Community ..................................................14 Portland .........................................................................14 9. Gateway Community ..................................................10 10. Crossroads Community ................................................ 9

PERCENTAGE GAIN 1. Nashville Bell Road ........................................... 116.67% 2. Memphis Friendship .......................................... 64.29% 3. Gallatin ................................................................. 56.06% 4. Paris ...................................................................... 48.48% 5. Memphis Refreshing Springs ........................... 33.33% 6. Crossroads Community .................................... 32.14% 7. Highland .............................................................. 28.57% Nashville Donelson ............................................. 28.57% 9. Memphis Christlike ............................................ 25.00% Camden ................................................................ 25.00%

MORNING WORSHIP 1. Nashville First ...........................................................1032 2. Nashville Trevecca Community ...............................911 3. Columbia Grace .........................................................735 4. Hermitage ...................................................................626 5. Goodlettsville .............................................................511 6. Clarksville Grace ........................................................501 7. Clarksville First ..........................................................469 8. Memphis Calvary .......................................................464 9. Nashville Grace ..........................................................354 10. Gallatin ........................................................................306

TOP TEN NOVEMBER

PLANAHEAD…

JANUARY21 ~ Pastoral Training: Lent/Easter Observations

FEBRUARY 20 ~ Next Steps: What Are You Reading? Spiritual Reading Plan.

MARCH1 ~ Improve Your Serve3-4 ~ Pastor’s Soul Care: Jeren Rowell, Speaker9 ~ Daylight Saving Time begins28-30 ~Minister Assessment Interviews & Workshops

APRIL13 ~ Palm Sunday17 ~ Maundy Thursday18 ~ Good Friday20 ~ Easter

MAY1 ~ Next Steps: The Missional Church8-9 ~ Ministerial Interviews27-June 2 ~ Family Camp: Dr. Talmadge Johnson & Rev. Ian Fitzpatrick

Funding the Mission Funding the Mission Unified TNU WEF P&B Reported Income Income Updated

Ashland City Faith Community 87,828.02 10/30/13 3,313.32 1,361.19 4,725.84 1,887.47 Brentwood Concord Community 91,806.00 7/31/13 7,939.03 4,465.71 9,756.20 3,245.81 Camden 13,713.04 10/29/13 531.92 299.21 900.73 299.75 Clarksville First 72,450.00 8/25/13 4,752.52 2,442.91 5,374.36 1,730.32 Clarksville Grace 0 9,046.55 5,088.69 8,371.85 3,424.85 Clarksville Korean 23,173.00 8/25/13 926.92 521.39 1,274.52 521.39 Clarksville Park Lane 139,365.52 10/31/13 5,190.61 2,463.83 6,022.66 2,463.83 Columbia First 41,080.04 10/29/13 1,570.00 885.00 2,135.00 885.00 Columbia Grace 322,131.13 9/30/13 12,245.53 6,850.00 16,743.51 6,850.00 Covington 4,364.56 9/2/13 300.00 225.00 288.00 180.00 Crossroads Community 53,775.44 10/28/13 2,038.89 1,146.90 4,633.49 1,146.90 Dickson Lighthouse Christian 7,666.22 8/31/13 50.00 50.00 297.86 326.10 Dover First 9,144.00 7/26/13 790.04 444.41 1,029.68 444.41 Dyersburg First 0 191.75 119.84 363.65 295.87 Elmore 17,937.00 10/21/13 717.00 403.00 987.00 403.00 Erin 141,686.02 10/19/13 5,370.23 3,020.76 7,384.06 3,020.76 Fly 26,441.77 10/9/13 932.00 721.00 1,455.00 595.00 Franklin Community of Faith 0 2,836.00 1,595.00 2,932.00 1,199.00 Fulton First 0 0 0 0 0 Gallatin First 21,764.00 6/9/13 9,625.93 0 0 0 Gateway Community 252,053.93 8/31/13 10,082.16 5,671.21 13,576.02 5,330.19 Goodlettsville 431,757.99 10/29/13 16,335.08 9,250.61 22,473.53 9,250.61 Gray’s Chapel 0 0 0 0 0 Greenbrier New Walk 12,423.00 8/24/13 471.00 265.00 648.00 280.00 Griffin’s Chapel 49,577.44 9/30/13 1,875.01 1,057.58 3,061.40 1,057.58 Hendersonville 56,969.56 9/29/13 1,704.11 1,065.08 2,965.45 1,229.95 Hermitage 323,773.00 8/30/13 2,502.92 533.90 0 1,295.39 Highland 13,331.30 10/27/13 525.00 375.00 650.00 375.00 Jason Chapel 82,973.00 10/3/13 2,300.00 1,300.00 3,482.68 1,771.00 Joelton 4,565.31 8/31/13 226.73 136.84 322.72 137.84 Jones Chapel 0 0 0 20.00 0 Kingston Springs 12,482.00 9/30/13 341.84 213.66 420.83 161.86 Lawrenceburg Grace 22,442.34 9/9/13 1,396.00 787.00 1,744.00 465.00 Lawrenceburg Vaughan Memorial 0 0 0 0 0 Lewisburg First 21,242.81 9/30/13 0 0 0 0 Long Creek 13,145.57 10/2/13 507.74 317.34 698.13 253.86 Madison 16,153.90 9/29/13 646.17 328.06 842.15 354.06 Madison Hispanic 29,307.00 10/31/13 885.16 497.91 1,525.25 632.33 Memphis Calvary 307,160.00 9/30/13 11,285.00 6,348.00 15,519.00 6,348.00 Memphis Christ Like 0 0 0 20.00 0 Memphis Eastside 6,068.24 10/30/13 142.50 80.15 306.14 127.72 Memphis Emmanuel 0 0 0 0 0 Memphis Faithful Believers 0 0 0 20.00 0 Memphis Friendship 31,098.00 9/30/13 1,242.00 703.00 1,173.00 511.00 Memphis Grace 171,898.84 10/1/3 6,877.00 3,790.00 8,889.00 3,723.17 Memphis Holiness Tabernacle 0 100.00 100.00 200.00 200.00 Memphis Hope Tabernacle 0 0 0 20.00 0 Memphis New Hope 31,334.00 10/4/13 1,436.70 646.52 1,580.36 646.52 Memphis Refreshing Springs 0 0 0 220.00 250.00 Millington 4,700.00 9/7/13 408.61 255.76 562.46 255.76 Mount Wesley-Akin Chapel 12,700.62 8/31/13 492.62 307.89 662.12 280.22 Nashville Bell Road 10,706.00 8/28/13 3,205.00 1,816.00 855.00 511.00 Nashville Bethel 39,084.00 8/1/13 1,654.58 508.83 1,273.80 506.00 Nashville Blakemore 45,738.58 10/28/13 1,691.51 951.48 2,325.83 951.48 Nashville Christ 0 0 0 0 0 Nashville Community Fellowship 17,183.73 10/29/13 645.47 363.08 887.52 363.08 Nashville Donelson 23,328.24 9/7/13 875.00 665.00 920.00 375.00 Nashville First 1,006,266.18 10/30/13 29,104.61 16,371.35 46,974.91 19,256.56 Nashville First Korean 0 0 0 0 0 Nashville Glencliff Hispanic 0 1,261.00 790.00 2,172.00 789.00 Nashville Grace 293,528.19 10/14/13 14,356.01 8,081.57 15,239.86 6,336.01 Nashville Immanuel 7,025.09 9/30/13 266.36 149.83 366.24 149.83 Nashville Inglewood 19,958.60 9/19/13 1,074.71 604.52 1,477.73 604.52 Nashville Kaleo 0 348.01 195.80 478.56 195.80 Nashville New Life Korean 10,911.00 10/5/13 426.00 246.00 448.00 193.00 Nashville Trevecca Community 506,315.70 9/30/13 16,096.00 9,054.00 21,845.00 9,054.00 Nashville Trinity 27,506.00 10/22/13 685.92 385.83 923.14 385.83 Nashville Westwind Community 8,969.76 9/9/13 708.00 576.00 500.00 576.00 Nashville Whites Creek 24,372.10 9/4/13 366.00 229.00 886.00 203.00 Old Hickory 85,216.50 9/30/13 3,314.05 1,864.15 4,591.89 1,939.17 Paris First 22,236.01 10/5/13 829.00 466.63 1,246.11 476.25 Pine Hill 42,362.92 10/12/13 1,649.56 992.10 2,200.68 912.02 Pleasant Point 4,491.00 9/2/13 253.91 142.83 230.71 97.20 Portland 164,312.44 10/30/13 5,807.38 3,307.15 8,364.65 3,421.91 Savannah 11,742.00 10/30/13 250.00 125.00 0 125.00 Spring Hill Restoration 35,694.02 10/2/20 1,353.33 761.25 1,860.83 761.25 Springfield First 4,549.00 9/11/13 870.00 488.00 686.00 280.00 Summertown First 8,888.72 10/27/13 339.69 203.47 463.40 189.86 Sumner County Living Springs 11,719.28 10/9/13 0 250.58 610.96 253.56 Waverly First 167,417.12 10/6/13 6,340.75 3,566.69 8,688.46 7,233.18 Woodlawn Community 80,515.00 10/23/13 2,943.92 1,666.12 4,039.65 1,655.97

Total 5,661,520.79 226,867.36 120,956.61 286,834.58 121,652.00

WeappreciatechurchesutilizingFundingtheMissionandreportingthemonthlyincome.Ifyouneedanyassistance,pleasecontacttheDistrictOfficeat(615)255~2929andwewillbegladtoassistyou.

Funding the Mission giving 2013-2014Unified & TNU as of Nov. 30 World Evan. & P & B as of Nov. 30