New DS in Northwest Indiana

[David Morris]

When the DAB on the Indianapolis District met to discuss what we wanted in a new DS, we came up with our "DS Wish List." Many of the initial comments were that the only person who could fulfill what we were looking for was Jesus. It wasn't by any means exhaustive, and we knew that whomever was elected wouldn't have strengths in every single thing we put down. But hey, when you've got a pen and paper in front of you, why not go for it? Here is what our district came up with:

DS Wish List

Mission Focused:
-church planting
-urban vision (good samaritian churches)
-culturally relevant/ethnic focus
-creative thinker
-progressing in developing and articulating vision

Experienced & Anointed Leader:
-administrator
-communicator
-techno friendly
-pastoral perspective

Theological:
-commitment to Wesleyan theology and doctrine

Relational:
-people person/people skills
-shepherd's heart
-spousal support and commitment
-pastors heart
-encourager/motivator

Indy District Specific:
-campground supporter and friend a must
-understands district role in general assembly
-involved with district ministries
-supports Olivet

While Dr. Ron Blake may not be 19 for 19 from our list, it is very obvious in his first year that he possess a mission focus, is an experienced and anointed leader, is theologically grounded, has incredible relational skills, and is the biggest cheerleader for the Indianapolis District. We are blessed to have him.

[David Pettigrew]

But does he send your kids a $2 bill on their birthday?

When the DAB on the Indianapolis District met to discuss what we wanted in a new DS, we came up with our "DS Wish List." Many of the initial comments were that the only person who could fulfill what we were looking for was Jesus. It wasn't by any means exhaustive, and we knew that whomever was elected wouldn't have strengths in every single thing we put down. But hey, when you've got a pen and paper in front of you, why not go for it? Here is what our district came up with:

DS Wish List

Mission Focused:
-church planting
-urban vision (good samaritian churches)
-culturally relevant/ethnic focus
-creative thinker
-progressing in developing and articulating vision

Experienced & Anointed Leader:
-administrator
-communicator
-techno friendly
-pastoral perspective

Theological:
-commitment to Wesleyan theology and doctrine

Relational:
-people person/people skills
-shepherd's heart
-spousal support and commitment
-pastors heart
-encourager/motivator

Indy District Specific:
-campground supporter and friend a must
-understands district role in general assembly
-involved with district ministries
-supports Olivet

While Dr. Ron Blake may not be 19 for 19 from our list, it is very obvious in his first year that he possess a mission focus, is an experienced and anointed leader, is theologically grounded, has incredible relational skills, and is the biggest cheerleader for the Indianapolis District. We are blessed to have him.

[Michael Flowers]

But does he send your kids a $2 bill on their birthday?

That's what my grandparents do (but since my grandfather is now 92 he is a little past being able to be a DS).

[David Pettigrew]

When the DAB on the Indianapolis District met to discuss what we wanted in a new DS, we came up with our "DS Wish List." Many of the initial comments were that the only person who could fulfill what we were looking for was Jesus. It wasn't by any means exhaustive, and we knew that whomever was elected wouldn't have strengths in every single thing we put down. But hey, when you've got a pen and paper in front of you, why not go for it? Here is what our district came up with:

DS Wish List

Mission Focused:
-church planting
-urban vision (good samaritian churches)
-culturally relevant/ethnic focus
-creative thinker
-progressing in developing and articulating vision

Experienced & Anointed Leader:
-administrator
-communicator
-techno friendly
-pastoral perspective

Theological:
-commitment to Wesleyan theology and doctrine

Relational:
-people person/people skills
-shepherd's heart
-spousal support and commitment
-pastors heart
-encourager/motivator

Indy District Specific:
-campground supporter and friend a must
-understands district role in general assembly
-involved with district ministries
-supports Olivet

While Dr. Ron Blake may not be 19 for 19 from our list, it is very obvious in his first year that he possess a mission focus, is an experienced and anointed leader, is theologically grounded, has incredible relational skills, and is the biggest cheerleader for the Indianapolis District. We are blessed to have him.

All kidding aside, my father in law says Dr. Blake is doing a fantastic job.

[Roy Richardson]

I had little doubt about Ron. He is supremely talented and one of my favorite people on the planet.

[Rich Schmidt]

My uncle, George Franklin was NWIndiana District superintendent from about 1945-1953 that is how I had the opportunity to spend many fine hours in Valpo.

Ah, I see. Thanks for explaining. I guess we need a line of portraits in the district office of all the past district superintendents. Or something.

BTW Pastor Rich, how is Portage doing? My dad and mother pastored at the Garyton church on Monier Rd. I have checked the address and there is still a sanctuary there but evidently another group has it now. The Garyton Nazarene church was a forerunner of Portage. I went to Portage Jr. Sr. High School in 7th and 8th grades.

At some point, they built a new building on Swanson Rd. And then added onto it. My dad pastored there ("Portage First Church of the Nazarene") from November 1987 through May 2009. I was on staff there for a year right out of seminary, working with young adults and gathering a core group to launch our church on the outskirts of Valparaiso. That was 1999-2000. That's also when they changed their name to "Real Life Community Church of the Nazarene."

There are actually two churches of the Nazarene in Portage. The other is Grace Church of the Nazarene on Clem Rd. I'm not sure when they started. But the one on Monnier St. is the one that turned into First Church / Real Life. I actually spent my last two years of high school in the church building on Monnier, since Portage Christian School was renting from whatever church was there at the time. It's changed hands since then.

[Ann Smith]

I heard NWILLinois called him.
Ann

[Jim Franklin]

That's the way I took it. "Flatlander" is a western term for y'all back east.

[Billy Cox]

that

I am not sure that I agree with this. I know several pastors who are strong administrators and would be great team builders who have never pastored a church with a staff.

I think that Kyle is referring to the fact that singular leadership is not the same thing as distributed leadership.

[Rich Schmidt]

Well, please pray for us. Our conventions/assembly kicked off today. Tomorrow morning is NMI, and our assembly begins at 1:00 pm. I imagine we'll get our first ballots going early in the afternoon. Tomorrow night is our ordination service, and then the assembly continues (and concludes) Tuesday morning.

[Jon Twitchell]

wow...your assembly lasts about 24 hours? That's impressive! How is it structured?

[John Reilly]

Rich, who is your presiding General?

[Rich Schmidt]

wow...your assembly lasts about 24 hours? That's impressive! How is it structured?

I'm not sure what you mean. We've done it the same way for years. We hear the DS's annual report, 2-minute reports from the pastors, we accept the reports from the various committees, vote on stuff that needs voted on, electing people to various boards, etc. I think the presiding general has a chance to preach somewhere in there... or maybe he just preaches at the Sunday night NMI/NYI kickoff service and the Monday night ordination service. I don't remember. This year, of course, there will be a bunh of stuff related to electing a new DS. We have done that for 17 years, so it should be interesting.

[Rich Schmidt]

Rich, who is your presiding General?

JK Warrick

[Rich Schmidt]

Btw, right now we're in our NMI convention. Shawn Evans is done as district president, so we'll be electing a new one of those, too. Shawn has done a fantastic job. Right now we're on a Skype video call with our DS's son, Brian Woolery, who's serving as a missionary in Japan. So cool that these kinds of things are possible.

[Dennis M. Scott]

wow...your assembly lasts about 24 hours? That's impressive! How is it structured?

District Assembly means different things to different people. If you've been stuck in a snowbank in eastern Maine for several months, being with other Nazarene Mainers for a couple days means something different than spending that much time with Hoosiers.

I didn't say better, I just said different.

[Rich Schmidt]

Well, after 5 ballots, no one has more than 70 votes, with 150 needed to elect. The three top names are all within 10 votes of each other, and the top two are pastors on our district. The other was for several years. We just cast ballot #6. We'll see what happens.

[Pete Vecchi]

Without naming names, are there any trends--i.e., one person tending to gain more than the others? Are any new names (that didn't appear on previous ballots) appearing?

[Rich Schmidt]

Without naming names, are there any trends--i.e., one person tending to gain more than the others? Are any new names (that didn't appear on previous ballots) appearing?

One name is definitely rising, and after 7 ballots almost has enough to elect.

[Pete Vecchi]

One name is definitely rising, and after 7 ballots almost has enough to elect.

Then I predict an 8th ballot election.

[Rich Schmidt]

We have an election. I'll wait until I know it's public to share the name.

[Michael Flowers]

We have an election. I'll wait until I know it's public to share the name.

Just to let you know, others have already let the world know via facebook (which I find sad). I applaud your waiting until the official announcement.

[Rich Schmidt]

Just to let you know, others have already let the world know via facebook (which I find sad). I applaud your waiting until the official announcement.

Frankly, I only hesitated because of the conversation here on NazNet about the recent NW Illinois election. Once I see that our new DS has made it public, it won't matter. And maybe he already has. I don't know.

It's already official. He accepted. Our assembly is over. Now it's just a matter of the word getting out.

[David Morris]

Frankly, I only hesitated because of the conversation here on NazNet about the recent NW Illinois election. Once I see that our new DS has made it public, it won't matter. And maybe he already has. I don't know.

It's already official. He accepted. Our assembly is over. Now it's just a matter of the word getting out.

What would he have to do that qualifies it as him making it public. He was elected and accepted at a public assembly. I'm not sure what else would need to happen.

Either way, congrats to the NWIN district! Always an exciting time.

[David Pettigrew]

Which naznetter was it this time?

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Which naznetter was it this time?

I think Rich is just being humble and waiting for someone else to announce his election.

[Lucas Finch]

I think Rich is just being humble and waiting for someone else to announce his election.

In that case . . .

I'd like to announce the election of Rev. Rich Schmidt as the new District Superintendent of the Northwest Indiana District of the Church of the Nazarene. He was elected on the eighth ballot.

Disclaimer:
I have no knowledge as to who was actually elected. Please do not take this post as confirmation that Rich was. But don't take it as confirmation that he wasn't, either.

[Michael Flowers]

I will add that it was a pastor from the NWIN district.

[Michael Flowers]

It's already official. He accepted. Our assembly is over. Now it's just a matter of the word getting out.

Yes, his election is official, but has it been announced to his church? I doubt it has. and NCN doesn't have the article of his election up yet. Either one would count as the official announcements to the world in my opinion.

[Rich Schmidt]

I think Rich is just being humble and waiting for someone else to announce his election.

Definitely not me!

What would he have to do that qualifies it as him making it public. He was elected and accepted at a public assembly. I'm not sure what else would need to happen.

Either way, congrats to the NWIN district! Always an exciting time.

I'm just thinking that he'd probably like the chance to be the one to tell the folks in his church. But never mind. I see now that it's all over his Facebook page. If anyone from his church is reading this, they're probably also on Facebook.

Our new DS is Dave Bartley, currently the senior pastor at South Bend First Church of the Nazarene. He's a great guy, and I look forward to having him as my DS!

[Hans Deventer]

This thread is getting a little weird. Seems we really need to work out some collective understanding of what is and what is not public information. We report GS elections in detail all over the internet, but a DS election appears to be a non-public event. I have a hard time harmonizing these two concepts. But it may be me.

[David Pettigrew]

Once a DS has been elected and has accepted, all bets are off. It's public knowledge. Even before the days of the internet, a church would find out their pastor had been elected DS before hearing it from the pulpit on Sunday. These days, you'd have to live in a cave. It only became an issue recently because we were congratulating one of our own while his church family was in shock and grieving.

[David Morris]

This thread is getting a little weird. Seems we really need to work out some collective understanding of what is and what is not public information. We report GS elections in detail all over the internet, but a DS election appears to be a non-public event. I have a hard time harmonizing these two concepts. But it may be me.

What something appears to be can often times be totally the opposite.

[David Pettigrew]

In this case it's especially odd to try to keep it a secret since the new DS is a pastor from the NW Indiana district, and surely his own delegation was present for the announcement.

[Rich Schmidt]

In this case it's especially odd to try to keep it a secret since the new DS is a pastor from the NW Indiana district, and surely his own delegation was present for the announcement.

I'm sure they were. However, an assembly delegation is just a tiny part of one's church family.

Anyway, from my perspective, it's a public event. Nothing hidden about it. That still doesn't mean I want to be the one to "break the news" on the internet for the whole world to see. (I mean, part of me wants to, but I'm pretty sure it's a part of me I should be ignoring.) I certainly wouldn't presume to break the news to their family and friends on their Facebook wall, as two of my friends did shortly before we went to lunch together.

[Craig Laughlin]

I'm sure they were. However, an assembly delegation is just a tiny part of one's church family.

Anyway, from my perspective, it's a public event. Nothing hidden about it. That still doesn't mean I want to be the one to "break the news" on the internet for the whole world to see. (I mean, part of me wants to, but I'm pretty sure it's a part of me I should be ignoring.) I certainly wouldn't presume to break the news to their family and friends on their Facebook wall, as two of my friends did shortly before we went to lunch together.

Personal restraint. Isn't that a little dated?

[David Warren]

NCN has now posted the election!

New leader for Northwest Indiana http://ow.ly/aDDwO

[Billy Cox]

NCN has now posted the election!

New leader for Northwest Indiana http://ow.ly/aDDwO

One of my peers, eh? At least if playing golf together many years ago qualifies. I'm either really old suddenly or NWID just elected a really young DS.

[Susan Unger]

One of my peers, eh? At least if playing golf together many years ago qualifies. I'm either really old suddenly or NWID just elected a really young DS.

Yeah, that's how I feel about Scott being a new DS. He's my age! I can't be that old surely???

[Rich Schmidt]

One of my peers, eh? At least if playing golf together many years ago qualifies. I'm either really old suddenly or NWID just elected a really young DS.

Dave is 42.

BTW, we abbreviate it NWIN, not NWID. I have no idea why... but it seems right to me. NWID looks like Northwest Idaho to me.

We have 4 districts in Indiana, and we can't seem to agree at all on how abbreviations should be done:

• Northwest Indiana (NWIN)
• Northeast Indiana (NEI) -- or Northeastern Indiana
• Southwest Indiana (SWID)
• Indianapolis (Indy)