NW Oklahoma votes to merge with SE Oklahoma

[Betty Bolerjack]

Today was the DA on the NW Oklahoma District. As part of the DS's report, a report was brought from the DAB about the merger talks and what it would mean. Basically, with the new budget formulas and the merger, the district budget will drop from 5% to 3.5% this year and there will be about $600,000 freed up for missional work. We have some areas of the state that are growing, some rapidly, and we need some church plants in those areas. This will allow that to happen. It is hoped that the entire state of OKlahoma will become one district in the next 5-10 years.

The groundwork was well-laid for the vote. After SW OK decided not to be a part of the merger, talks began with SE OK early this year. The two DAB's met for about 4 hours one day and worked everything out. Our interim DS, Dr. Clari Kinzler, described it as "4 hours of sweetness." The decision was made to take it to the next step which was town hall meetings. Those meetings were very positive on both districts. The NW OK DAB then made the recommendation to present it to the DA.

This morning, most of the members of the SE OK DAB, along with Terry Rowland, the DS, were in attendance at our DA. Terry and his wife were introduced to the assembly and then they called the NW DAB to the front to welcome the DAB members from SEO who were introduced. It was awesome!

After a time of questions, none of which were negative but were just logistical type things, the vote was taken. 292 ballots cast for the merger, 283 yes, 9 no. We also voted on making Terry Rowland the DS of the NW OK district and ultimately the combined district. 289 votes cast, 287 yes, 2 no. They were saying that the SEO, which has gone through the same process as NWO, is very anxious to vote. They are much in favor. I just got off the phone with a friend from that district who confirmed that they are very excited about it. Their DA is in July. The merger will take place on September 1.

Well, now I must go get ready for the ordination service. We have to be there in about 45 minutes!

[Jim Franklin]

Very interesting. Any suggestions as to what the name of the combined district will be, Betty?

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Thanks for the news...very interesting.

I wonder what it will be like to be DS. The new district will be about 500 miles from Boyce City to Idabel and, unlike our nearly twice the size STX district, there is only one airport served by a major carrier. We have Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Harlingen, and Odessa.

Anyway, I hope it results in making more Christlike disciples in Oklahoma!

[Betty Bolerjack]

I didn't have time to give any more details or to respond to any questions earlier because of the short time frame before the ordination service, so I'll try to answer your questions now.


Very interesting. Any suggestions as to what the name of the combined district will be, Betty?

That was one of the questions that came up today. It actually came up in the town hall meetings as well. Dr. Kinzler said today that "this wagon is being built as we go" so there are a lot of unanswered questions as yet and this is one of them. At the town hall meeting, they said it might just be called the Oklahoma District with the anticipation of the other districts coming on board over the next few years. Someone has suggested the "Bowtie District" since that's about what it will look like! :smilies1722: So, the short answer to your question, Jim, is nobody really has a clue yet! :smilies0417:



Thanks for the news...very interesting.

I wonder what it will be like to be DS. The new district will be about 500 miles from Boyce City to Idabel and, unlike our nearly twice the size STX district, there is only one airport served by a major carrier. We have Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Harlingen, and Odessa.

Anyway, I hope it results in making more Christlike disciples in Oklahoma!
Because Dr. Kinzler is only here for a couple of weeks each month, we already have in place what are being called "Mission Coordinators", four pastors from the different areas of the district who have (without pay) taken on some of the responsibilities of the DS. I'm not sure of all their duties, but they have been responsible for conducting reviews. I believe there is more to it than that, though. It is anticipated that more Mission Coordinators will be put in place once the merger takes effect. That will ease the travel burden for the DS.

The areas of concern for some have to do with the travel that would be involved for others. Children's quizzing is a good example of the logistical problems. Guymon, way out in the panhandle has a strong Children's Quiz program. We try to be mindful of the fact that they do most of the driving, coming into the metro area several times each year. At least one quiz is scheduled somewhere out northwest, usually either Woodward or all the way out in Guymon. What happens if/when we have a Children's Quiz program in Broken Bow? (There are no churches in Idabel or Boise City.) Do we split it up and have 2 (or more) zones and then all come together for the district quiz? Or do we make them travel? That's one of the parts of the wagon that still needs to be built.

Another part of the wagon that still needs to be built, literally, is the campground. Camp Bond is much improved over what it was when we were on the SEO district. However, there is barely enough housing for the NWO kids. How do we fit everyone in when the districts are combined? In talking with our Children's Pastor tonight about these issues, we suggested it might require some tents! I do know that at least one church has stated that they are already making plans to go build a cabin. I think there are going to be a lot of work days ahead!

Those issues did not come up during the assembly, but in conversation tonight. Things that did come up, besides the name, were: Where will the district office be? The NWO office in Bethany will become the office for the combined districts. Will there be a camp budget? Camp Bond is debt-free (both districts are completely debt-free, including the OSU Student Center) and self-supporting, operating year-round with camps, retreats, etc. "We'll let the Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists pay for it!" (That's not an exact quote, but it's close!) Finally, one person asked if there would be some kind of meeting/get together so that the two districts could get to know each other. Mark Hollingsworth asked him if he meant a potluck and if he did, to count him in! LOL The guy responded, "or a weenie burn!" LOL Anyway, they said something like that would be a possibility.

I think there were 2 or 3 other questions, but I don't remember what they were. It is going to be interesting to see what happens over the next few months. The recommendation was made and adopted to keep all of those currently in office for the next two years, following the example of South TX. At that point, we will once again begin having elections. So all those boards and councils will be meeting together to begin "building the wagon." They've got their work cut out for them!

[Ryan Scott]

I know all four districts come together in OKC, but do these two districts share a common border at any point? I think it would be cool to have a district that is in two parts, although I imagine that could cause some problems as well. It seems like this really is more of a regionalization, a chance to share administration.

[Betty Bolerjack]

I know all four districts come together in OKC, but do these two districts share a common border at any point? I think it would be cool to have a district that is in two parts, although I imagine that could cause some problems as well. It seems like this really is more of a regionalization, a chance to share administration.
Technically, the NEO does not come into Oklahoma City as OKC is excluded from its boundaries. The boundaries run from OKC north & east to the state lines. SWO juts up into OKC right between NWO and SEO. The lines are really weird. I don't even know why Edmond and Guthrie are on the NWO because it looks like they should be on NEO, but they've grown a lot since those boundaries were put into place, so who knows what it was like at that time. As best as I or anyone else can tell, the two districts do not adjoin anywhere. There's not even a corner where they touch, so yeah, it's going to be in two parts!

I guess you could call it a regionalization, but mostly it's just going to be a weird-shaped district! We will be doing more than sharing administration, although we are gaining an experienced DS. We will also be gaining a campground which we already use. SEO will be gaining resources with which to plant new churches in the fastest growing area of the state, something they apparently just don't have the ability to do right now. Budgets on both districts are going down. It's a win-win for everyone.

[Wes Smith]

I find this merger completely fascinating! This takes us in the direction of reorganization and sets the stage for a completely different way of conducting districts. One thing that is suggested is that districts do not need to border each other in order to merge. That's the obvious one. Another is that leadership will emerge that will officiate over what is to come. I'm pretty sure that Terry would not have been a candidate if the NWO District had been freely electing, however with the merge, this makes pretty good sense. What would/will happen to the DS positions on the SWO & NEO districst when merger evolves to the entire state? Jim Williams was just brought to SWO from a good church in the SF Bay area. Does he serve a year or so and then go back to pastoring? Does he bump Terry and Terry goes back. This should make for pretty good drama! Friend, Wes

[Kevin Rector]

What would/will happen to the DS positions on the SWO & NEO districst when merger evolves to the entire state? Jim Williams was just brought to SWO from a good church in the SF Bay area. Does he serve a year or so and then go back to pastoring? Does he bump Terry and Terry goes back. This should make for pretty good drama! Friend, Wes

I think this is assuming more than is safe to assume. I would be surprised if the other two districts get on board with this merger. I'm guessing they will continue on separately for quite some time, perhaps even until the Lord returns. :)

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I think this is assuming more than is safe to assume. I would be surprised if the other two districts get on board with this merger. I'm guessing they will continue on separately for quite some time, perhaps even until the Lord returns. :)

The pattern I see is that it is now on the table when the office of DS is vacant for some reason. If the district goes ahead with another DS it will push the discussion back till there's a vacancy again.

I'm not convinced that there needs to be a rush here. I'd like to see some merged districts go through a DS transition from the capable, visionary leadership that brought about the merger to the next set of leaders for whom it will be business as usual.

Following that, there will be a clearer picture of whether this is really positive for the Kingdom or something that can be positive only under specific leadership and circumstances.

[David Pettigrew]

Jim Williams was just brought to SWO from a good church in the SF Bay area. Does he serve a year or so and then go back to pastoring? Does he bump Terry and Terry goes back. This should make for pretty good drama! Friend, Wes

Wes, I think you mean Jim Cooper. Jim Williams is the pastor of OKC Lakeview Park.

[Kevin Rector]

I agree Scott. I'm not sure that bigger in better when it comes to a district. There are some who argue it is, and some who argue it isn't. I'm not sure anyone really knows, so perhaps the best bet is to observe the districts that have merged in the last few years and have our practical theologians and sociologists examine the ramifications of these mergers.

More and more I'm leaning towards smaller districts of about 50-60 churches. Smaller than that and it's hard to justify the expense of the DS. Larger than that and it loses it's connectional feel.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

The areas of concern for some have to do with the travel that would be involved for others. Children's quizzing is a good example of the logistical problems. Guymon, way out in the panhandle has a strong Children's Quiz program. We try to be mindful of the fact that they do most of the driving, coming into the metro area several times each year. At least one quiz is scheduled somewhere out northwest, usually either Woodward or all the way out in Guymon. What happens if/when we have a Children's Quiz program in Broken Bow? (There are no churches in Idabel or Boise City.) Do we split it up and have 2 (or more) zones and then all come together for the district quiz? Or do we make them travel? That's one of the parts of the wagon that still needs to be built.

I think that while the whole "district" concept is being re-invented in some areas that other "district" programs should also be revisited. It seems to me that some programs, like quizzing can remain "regionalized" using the old district boundaries as quiz regions. Rather than trying to have a district level quiz at the top, let the regions be the top level.

This may be the approach for camps, pastor's and lay retreats, etc. There's really nothing to be gained in many cases by doubling the size of the the event while the negative side of driving clear across the state on a Saturday night with a van load of exhausted kids is a definite minus.

[Betty Bolerjack]

I find this merger completely fascinating! This takes us in the direction of reorganization and sets the stage for a completely different way of conducting districts. One thing that is suggested is that districts do not need to border each other in order to merge. That's the obvious one. Another is that leadership will emerge that will officiate over what is to come. I'm pretty sure that Terry would not have been a candidate if the NWO District had been freely electing, however with the merge, this makes pretty good sense. What would/will happen to the DS positions on the SWO & NEO districst when merger evolves to the entire state? Jim Williams was just brought to SWO from a good church in the SF Bay area. Does he serve a year or so and then go back to pastoring? Does he bump Terry and Terry goes back. This should make for pretty good drama! Friend, Wes
For the record, the DS for SWO is Jim Cooper. He was at the opening service Sunday night and was introduced that evening. You are right that Terry would likely not have been a candidate if we had been electing a DS under any other circumstances. However, he is now an experienced DS and a good choice for the newly merged district.

I don't think you will be seeing much drama from Oklahoma in the next "year or so." I'm not sure just what the issues are with SWO. I think the campground has something to do with it. They sold their campground at Anadarko several years ago and purchased land at Salyer Lake which is being developed. I have been there and it is a beautiful piece of property. I'm not sure how much they have gotten done on it since I was last there a few years ago, but they are carrying a mortgage. I don't know if the district has any other debt.

[Betty Bolerjack]

I think this is assuming more than is safe to assume. I would be surprised if the other two districts get on board with this merger. I'm guessing they will continue on separately for quite some time, perhaps even until the Lord returns. :)
That's a very good guess, Kevin. Sometimes I wonder if SWO will ever merge with another district! I really don't have a clue why NEO did not want to merge. However, the hope is that the entire state will be one district within the next 5-10 years. We'll see.

[Hans Deventer]

More and more I'm leaning towards smaller districts of about 50-60 churches. Smaller than that and it's hard to justify the expense of the DS. Larger than that and it loses it's connectional feel.

2100 members, 13 churches and a 50% DS here.

[Wes Smith]

It's interesting to think about a "bow tie" district! Being a graduate of SNU, I'm aware of the distance between the far SE and NW. We just conducted a teleconference with the GS on our district. It seems legit that the DAB and Auxiliary Chairs accomplished the necessary business and then dialed the # for the GS and in 30 minutes, or so, set the wheels in motion to do what the DAB/Auxiliary Chairs/GS agreed upon. While we were in that meeting, one of the DAB members stated how that week, her public school class had a video/audio connection with 6 other classes in the State of Washington. The times, they are a changin!

My personal, primary concern at this point (and, I could be wrong, but I don't think I am) is that there seems to be significant hesistancy among our people to look very seriously at change. Part of the reason for this, I think, revolves around the uncertainty of what the changes look like. We seem to want to know what the changes are going to be and what the outcomes of those changes will be. I'm pretty sure we should be more comfortable with experimentation and innovation. Maybe I've become overly alarmed at the downward trend across NA. Maybe we have the time to keep things the way they are and improvement to our denominational and organizational health will just happen.

I first started seriously watching our statistics about twenty years ago. Eight or ten years ago I spent a bunch of time at our denominational statistics site and could only find two districts (at that time) that had a growth pattern. Every other district I studied was in statistical decline. I'm pretty sure that we could follow the decline pattern on many of our districts and determine the time when our church would no longer exist. How much decline can we sustain and still continue to keep our organization at its current level? If we want to increase the worldwide ministry, what growth do we need to experience and what changes need to happen in order to facilitate that growth?

My personal opinion revolves around what I perceive to be true...we are a denomination in crisis. We should admit that. The first step in healing is to admit we have a problem. If we are in crisis, it gives permission to shift into the necessary modes on the local, district and general levels that will facilitate the beginnings of the return to health. An example of this on the local level: a church may show dramatically declining statistics at District Assembly. The assumption would probably be that...it was a very bad year at that church. However, if the local church was facing up to the fact that the congregation is aging to the point of irrelevance to young families and young people, and making the necessary changes, the result could be ultimately very positive. In some ways districts experience the same crises. How do we re-organize to communicate to our members that we are absolutely committed to reaching the upcoming generations? And, the same things should be the concern of the General Church.

Out of time.

Friend,

Wes

[Chuck Wilkes]

At dinner with a colleague couple last night, I likened this situation we face in our denomination to a massive tanker ship that has been torpedoed. It has been mortally wounded and is taking on water, slowly sinking. BUT, due to its mass it has sufficient momentum that unless one is close to the hole caused by the torpedo one sees the ship continuing to move forward more or less as before. Only when the momentum stops, only when the ship lists too far to one side to allow a continued comfortable stance, only when it begins to go down by the bow/stern...only then will the full crew see the danger and take action. So far, our momentum is overcoming our drag. Only when the positions are reversed (which I believe will come soon) will there be any real attention to making the needed change.

Chuck

P.S. I should add that I believe a number of our senior crew members are quite aware of the situation and are sounding the alarm and proposing needed action. It simply seems that the bulk of the remaining crew are not yet convinced the torpedo has actually exploded.

[Betty Bolerjack]

It's interesting to think about a "bow tie" district! Being a graduate of SNU, I'm aware of the distance between the far SE and NW. We just conducted a teleconference with the GS on our district. It seems legit that the DAB and Auxiliary Chairs accomplished the necessary business and then dialed the # for the GS and in 30 minutes, or so, set the wheels in motion to do what the DAB/Auxiliary Chairs/GS agreed upon. While we were in that meeting, one of the DAB members stated how that week, her public school class had a video/audio connection with 6 other classes in the State of Washington. The times, they are a changin!
The distance is not much different than from one corner of Colorado to the opposite corner and that is all one district. I think it just seems further in OK because of the panhandle. You are right that times are changing. We were discussing this with our children's pastor Monday evening. Things are much different now than when the districts were divided... the people are different, transportation is different, and now we have technologies that were not even dreamed of back then. There is just no reason why some things can't be done by teleconference as you have just demonstrated and who knows what will be available in the days to come.


My personal, primary concern at this point (and, I could be wrong, but I don't think I am) is that there seems to be significant hesistancy among our people to look very seriously at change. Part of the reason for this, I think, revolves around the uncertainty of what the changes look like. We seem to want to know what the changes are going to be and what the outcomes of those changes will be. I'm pretty sure we should be more comfortable with experimentation and innovation. Maybe I've become overly alarmed at the downward trend across NA. Maybe we have the time to keep things the way they are and improvement to our denominational and organizational health will just happen.
I definitely think you are right about the hesitancy to change. That's why so many of our smaller churches are dying. They don't want to change. And, when change does come, the "old-timers" don't like it. While we need to be cognizant of those who have been around for many, many years and find ways to ease the transition for them, we can't wait until they are gone to make the changes. The younger generation isn't going to wait.


I first started seriously watching our statistics about twenty years ago. Eight or ten years ago I spent a bunch of time at our denominational statistics site and could only find two districts (at that time) that had a growth pattern. Every other district I studied was in statistical decline. I'm pretty sure that we could follow the decline pattern on many of our districts and determine the time when our church would no longer exist. How much decline can we sustain and still continue to keep our organization at its current level? If we want to increase the worldwide ministry, what growth do we need to experience and what changes need to happen in order to facilitate that growth?

My personal opinion revolves around what I perceive to be true...we are a denomination in crisis. We should admit that. The first step in healing is to admit we have a problem. If we are in crisis, it gives permission to shift into the necessary modes on the local, district and general levels that will facilitate the beginnings of the return to health. An example of this on the local level: a church may show dramatically declining statistics at District Assembly. The assumption would probably be that...it was a very bad year at that church. However, if the local church was facing up to the fact that the congregation is aging to the point of irrelevance to young families and young people, and making the necessary changes, the result could be ultimately very positive. In some ways districts experience the same crises. How do we re-organize to communicate to our members that we are absolutely committed to reaching the upcoming generations? And, the same things should be the concern of the General Church.

Out of time.

Friend,

Wes
I don't dispute that there is a crisis, but I'm wondering. Are we a denomination in crisis? Or is it the USA/Canada Region that is in crisis? The COTN seems to be going strong in other parts of the globe.

[Rich Schmidt]

I first started seriously watching our statistics about twenty years ago. Eight or ten years ago I spent a bunch of time at our denominational statistics site and could only find two districts (at that time) that had a growth pattern. Every other district I studied was in statistical decline.

If you were looking at Morning Worship Attendance numbers, then I guess our district (Northwest Indiana) must have been one of your two. We've been growing fairly consistently since 1996, with just a couple dips here and there, including last year. It'll be interesting to see what the numbers are at this year's district assembly.

Northeast Indiana district is doing even better than we are, but their growth spurt didn't start until 2000, around the same time you would have been doing your research. The Southwest Indiana & Indianapolis districts... well, their trendlines don't look so good... :(

[Jim Poteet]

I find this merger completely fascinating! This takes us in the direction of reorganization and sets the stage for a completely different way of conducting districts. One thing that is suggested is that districts do not need to border each other in order to merge. That's the obvious one. Another is that leadership will emerge that will officiate over what is to come. I'm pretty sure that Terry would not have been a candidate if the NWO District had been freely electing, however with the merge, this makes pretty good sense. What would/will happen to the DS positions on the SWO & NEO districst when merger evolves to the entire state? Jim Williams was just brought to SWO from a good church in the SF Bay area. Does he serve a year or so and then go back to pastoring? Does he bump Terry and Terry goes back. This should make for pretty good drama! Friend, Wes

I think you mean Jim Cooper.

[Wes Smith]

Yes I mean Jim Cooper. Jim and I attended SNU together back in the olden days. Just had a brain freeze there for a moment!

[Walter Thompson]

OK, I am a dim wit. Why in the world would NWO and SEO merge? To me it would be more understandable it NWO and SWO, or NEO and SEO were to merger. But why in the world go all the way from the northwest of the state to the southeast of the state? Some of the district mergers, to me, IMHO, don't really make sense. I am not against merging, but they should make sense geographically more than politically (Not Democrats/Republicans), if that is indeed the reasons.

[Jim Franklin]

The New Hope Church of the Nazarene, of which I am a member here in Boise pastored by Rev. Matthew Haggard, has an unusually high percentage of Seniors but is growing all the same with added families and young people, I think because of his dynamic leadrship and the love and support of our congregation for he and Charlene. We have just completed a rebuilding of the whole facility. The fund drive for its construction was kicked off by none other than Dr. Stan Toler a year and a half ago when he was still pastor at OKC Trinity. We are enjoying the blessings of our Lord and outpouring of the Holy Spirit in each service. It is a wonderful time to be a member at Boise New Hope Church of the Nazarene.

Wes, is the thinking more toward merging with the Northwest District or the ORPAC District?

[Betty Bolerjack]

OK, I am a dim wit. Why in the world would NWO and SEO merge? To me it would be more understandable it NWO and SWO, or NEO and SEO were to merger. But why in the world go all the way from the northwest of the state to the southeast of the state? Some of the district mergers, to me, IMHO, don't really make sense. I am not against merging, but they should make sense geographically more than politically (Not Democrats/Republicans), if that is indeed the reasons.
As I understand it, this whole thing started out with all four OK districts discussing the merger possibilities. NEO pulled out of the talks first, followed by SWO. It did seem most likely that NWO and SWO would be the districts to merge, but I think there were some who had hoped that all four would merge at one time. That probably would have been difficult to handle, however. After SWO decided not to pursue merger at this time, talks resumed with SEO and things fell into place. It seems illogical, but God does seem to be leading in this.

I forgot about the open letter that we received from the NWO DAB just a couple of weeks ago, explaining the reasons for the merger. I am attaching the letter to this post. Perhaps this will help in understanding.

[Rich Schmidt]

I forgot about the open letter that we received from the NWO DAB just a couple of weeks ago, explaining the reasons for the merger. I am attaching the letter to this post. Perhaps this will help in understanding.

Here's the text of the letter, for any who don't want to mess with the pdf file:


An Open Letter from the Northwest Oklahoma Advisory Board
April 14, 2010

Dear Northwest Oklahoma District Church Family,

Over the past several years, we have spent many collective hours in prayer
and discussion regarding the possibility of merging with other Oklahoma
districts. We believe there are very good missional and stewardship reasons
to have these conversations, including:

1. Increasing resources available for starting new churches in areas of the
state experiencing growth.

2. Proactively addressing strategic initiatives for declining rural
communities facing new economic realities.

3. Endeavoring to keep more funds for ministry available to the local
church.

4. Finding ways to reduce the cost of maintaining multiple district offices
and personnel.

With the retirement of our former District Superintendent, Dr. Tharon
Daniels, the decision was made to invite Dr. Clari Kinzler to be our interim
District Superintendent until these merger conversations could take place.
We are very grateful for the excellent guidance and leadership he has
provided us through this time. The Kinzlers have endeared themselves to all
of us as one of our own.

After several months of discussion with the Southwest Oklahoma District, it
was decided not to pursue merger at this time. However, after the first of this
year a renewed merger discussion began with the Southeast Oklahoma
District (SEO). The respective District Advisory Boards met for half of a day in
February. There was a wonderful spirit of unity and missional cohesiveness
throughout the meeting. Both boards voted unanimously to take the next
steps toward merger.

We proceeded to have town hall meetings across the four zones of our district
to present the merger idea and to listen to any questions or concerns. SEO has
also conducted town meetings across their district. All of these events have
been extremely positive. There has not been a single negative response or
concern expressed at any of these gatherings.

The bottom line is this: We believe that a merger between NWO and SEO
would benefit both districts. All four reasons mentioned above appear to be
viable. We believe merging will strengthen the work of local churches from
both districts, and make us both stronger in the decades to come. Both
districts are debt free and bring assets and resources that will benefit the
other. Everybody wins!

This would also mean that Dr. Terry Rowland, currently the District
Superintendent of SEO, would become the superintendent of the combined
district. We have great confidence in Dr. Rowland’s visionary leadership and
humble spirit.

Therefore, the NWO District Advisory Board will enthusiastically propose a
recommendation to our District Assembly to merge with the SEO District. A
vote will be taken at our Assembly on April 26; SEO district will have a similar
vote at their Assembly in July. By Manual provision, upon a two-thirds
favorable vote, our districts will be merged and all pertinent related matters
will be finalized.

Respectfully and prayerfully submitted,
The Northwest Oklahoma District Advisory Board

[Wes Smith]

The New Hope Church of the Nazarene, of which I am a member here in Boise pastored by Rev. Matthew Haggard, has an unusually high percentage of Seniors but is growing all the same with added families and young people, I think because of his dynamic leadrship and the love and support of our congregation for he and Charlene. We have just completed a rebuilding of the whole facility. The fund drive for its construction was kicked off by none other than Dr. Stan Toler a year and a half ago when he was still pastor at OKC Trinity. We are enjoying the blessings of our Lord and outpouring of the Holy Spirit in each service. It is a wonderful time to be a member at Boise New Hope Church of the Nazarene.

Wes, is the thinking more toward merging with the Northwest District or the ORPAC District?

Jim, Always good to read what you write. Glad things are going well at your church! We are not at this point doing any leaning. We are more at the stage of trying to develop a plan that will lead us to some decisions about our future. That will take some time. The GS, Stan Toler, has made an appointment of an interim DS for our district but I am not free to say who until our DAB Chairman makes the official announcement. It's important for me to do the wright thing here. Friend, Wes

[Wes Smith]

Okay, the word is on the street, so I can make it official. Dr. Keith Wright has been appointed as our interim DS. Very pleased! Lots of work to do between now and the end of the year! Friend, Wes

Here is the text of the announcement:

To District Pastors



Announcement of an Interim District Superintendent



The “District Advisory Council” (the District Advisory Board, along with the presidents of NYI, NMI and SSDM) announces that Dr. Stan Toler, in consultation with the “District Advisory Council,” has appointed Dr. Keith Wright to serve as interim District Superintendent until the end of the 2010 calendar year. Keith has served as a pastor, a District Superintendent and, most recently, as interim DS on the Oregon-Pacific District. Please lift Dr. Keith Wright in your prayers for this new assignment.



Since the election of a DS at district assembly did not result in filling that position, the council thoroughly discussed the merits of the appointment of an interim DS over the appointment of a permanent DS. The decision to ask for an appointment of an interim was based on a clear sense that we need some limited time to regroup, re-envision and recommit to the district mission. Dr. Wright will be here to aid us in this process and to give leadership to the essential aspects of the responsibilities of the DS. The “District Advisory Council” is passionate about new directions and new levels of excellence in all areas for our WAPAC District family.



Keith will begin his role on our district on Monday, May 17th.



We know that this is a strategic time for all of us pastors on the WAPAC District. We will keep you informed. We will be scheduling some significant times to come together for mutual encouragement and prayer. We will find ways to enter into conversation regarding our mission. We know that we have a great task before us to reach lost people and disciple believers all along the I-5 corridor through Washington.



“And best of all, God is with us.”



David Rodes, acting chair of the District Advisory Board

[Billy Cox]

It's important for me to do the wright thing here.

Freudian slip and a half, eh?

[Rich Schmidt]

Okay, the word is on the street, so I can make it official. Dr. Keith Wright has been appointed as our interim DS.

I thought as much. Hence the "laughing" on your last post. :)

[Hans Deventer]

Freudian slip and a half, eh?

You whacky whabbit!

[Wes Smith]

Glad you caught that, but, officer, with no ability to make corrections, it was impossible for me to do anything after I had hit the reply button. Seriously, I am looking forward to working with Dr. Wright for the next several months!

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Glad you caught that, but, officer, with no ability to make corrections, it was impossible for me to do anything after I had hit the reply button. Seriously, I am looking forward to working with Dr. Wright for the next several months!

Actually, you should see an "edit" button on your post, available for several hours after the post is made.151

[Mike Wooldridge]

That's a very good guess, Kevin. Sometimes I wonder if SWO will ever merge with another district! I really don't have a clue why NEO did not want to merge. However, the hope is that the entire state will be one district within the next 5-10 years. We'll see.
Betty, I think at one point in the past there were talks on West Texas District merging with the western OK districts, but SWO voted no. Do you remember that

[Rich Schmidt]

Actually, you should see an "edit" button on your post, available for several hours after the post is made.

Several hours? I've come back to try to edit a post about 2 hours after posting it, and the Edit link was gone.

[Mike Wooldridge]

Several hours? I've come back to try to edit a post about 2 hours after posting it, and the Edit link was gone.
Before the Crash, the Edit function was available for 24 hours.

[Betty Bolerjack]

Betty, I think at one point in the past there were talks on West Texas District merging with the western OK districts, but SWO voted no. Do you remember that
Yes, I do remember that. I've mentioned to some people recently about how all the districts but SWO voted for a realignment of the districts. Actually, as I recall (with Mark's help!), the plan was to merge the south OK districts into one district and the north OK districts into another district except for the far western part of the state, including the panhandle. That area was to be merged with the panhandle of TX, which was to be split off from West TX, to create a new district. That plan was much more "logical" than what is happening now, but who says God is logical? :smilies1722:

[Jim Franklin]

Wes, Keith and I were in the same Freshman class at NNC in 1956 and in the same Sociology class where he met Liz. Later 4 of us upper classman rented a mobile home next door to theirs while in our finishing year. Later he was an associate at Bethany First while I was on the faculty at BNC. Keith has done some outstanding work wherever God has placed him.

What years were you at Bethany because Jim Cooper's wife, Betty was one of my department's student secretaries?

[Wes Smith]

Wes, Keith and I were in the same Freshman class at NNC in 1956 and in the same Sociology class where he met Liz. Later 4 of us upper classman rented a mobile home next door to theirs while in our finishing year. Later he was an associate at Bethany First while I was on the faculty at BNC. Keith has done some outstanding work wherever God has placed him.

What years were you at Bethany because Jim Cooper's wife, Betty was one of my department's student secretaries?

I got to know Keith in some very special circumstances. Liz had a brother named Reggie. Her parents Harley & Henri were members when I pastored at Anchorage First Church. Too long a story to tell, but I will tell you that Henri got me into Reggie's apartment by saying that the sack of groceries she brought with her, in my car, were too heavy for her to carry up the stairs. So, I carried the bag and got to meet Reggie. She later told me that she put a bunch of song books in the bottom of the sack! Anyway, Reggie and I became friends. He received Jesus and asked to be the first member added to the rolls of McMinnville, OR, church when I moved there. He died shortly after my departure from Anchorage, but not before being added to the membership rolls of McMinnville! When I went back up to conduct Reggie's funeral, I met Keith and Liz. Fabulous couple. Can hardly wait to renew my friendship with them.

I entered BNC/SNU in the fall of 1965 and graduated with the class of '69. Stayed for a couple years doing some Master's work and trying to get serious enough with some girl to prevent me from leaving College as a single. That was a crazy feeling leaving Bethany in my rear-view mirror without a wife beside me in my 1970, or so, Pinto. Met Colleen in Chico. We celebrate 37 years May 4th! Jim and Betty were my friends during College days. How did I miss bumping into you during that time? I mean, we were South Dakota pioneers...us in White River and you guys in Norris. It's a wonder we weren't scalped! Hope to connect with you in a future visit to NNU, where I received my Master of Ministries degree, by the way! Friend, Wes

[David Pettigrew]

According to facebook, SE Oklahoma voted for the merger, making it official. Sounds like a great spirit was present. Tentative name - Oklahoma District. Can anyone give us an onsite report?

[Jim Poteet]

According to facebook, SE Oklahoma voted for the merger, making it official. Sounds like a great spirit was present. Tentative name - Oklahoma District. Can anyone give us an onsite report?

I wasn't there. However, my wife, Dr. Peggy Poteet, is a member of the NW Oklahoma District Advisory Board. She was at the SE Oklahoma District Assembly yesterday and the merger is complete with a 98% vote by the SEO assembly. Now it is time for a merger of the other 2 districts in Oklahoma so that we have only 1 district in the state.