Dear South Central Ohio Nazarenes:
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Diane and I are looking forward to our arrival in Ohio. These have been busy days as we’ve been preparing for our move, saying goodbye to pastors and congregations we have come to love, and walking with the Kansas City District during these days of transition. At the same time, our excitement and anticipation to serve South Central Ohio is growing daily.
I had forgotten what it is like to move—selecting a realtor, marketing a home, getting quotes from movers, arranging travel, etc. This renewed memory will help me encourage pastors to have longer tenures!
This Sunday (September 15) marks my last day as superintendent of the Kansas City District. I have the privilege of preaching at a church’s mortgage-burning service that day. Next week, Diane and I are helping facilitate the annual orientation for new District Superintendents. The following week we are speaking at the South Texas District Ministry Team Retreat. We arrive in Columbus the next week and look forward to joining you at the Pastors and Spouses Retreat at the Hilton at Easton, October 4-6. (It’s not too late to register!)
Diane and I recently spent an afternoon at the Global Ministry Center with Church Research, learning the demographics of our district mission field—getting to know the district from a 35,000-foot-view, so to speak. That experience increased our eagerness to explore the district from ground level, meet you, hear your stories, and learn how we can best serve you. Some of the things we learned from Church Research include:
· There are 2.3 million souls in our mission field.
· 59% of our mission field is unchurched.
· There are several population centers that need a Church of the Nazarene (including Athens and South Bloomfield/Ashville), and one county (Morgan) that lacks a Church of the Nazarene.
· Young adults in Columbus provide a prime opportunity for church plants.
· Inner city Columbus, including 230,000 black residents, also provides a prime opportunity for new churches.
· The average age of our lead pastors is 52.1years (4.3 years younger than the USA/Canada average).
· The average SCO pastoral tenure in their current assignment is 6.3 years (USA/Canada average is 9.2 years).
· Percentage of SCO lead pastors who are bi-vocational: 35% (USA/Canada is at 48%).
· “Zero Zeroes” (every church showing fruitfulness in regards to New Nazarenes, baptisms, financial support of our common mission) continues to be a worthy goal for SCO pastors and churches.
One of the ways I’m hoping to quickly connect with our pastors is through “Coffee & Conversation,” which will take place across the district at ten different times during October and November. Details of those dates, times, and locations will be shared in the next few days, but I know I’ll be in the southern part of the district on October 9 and 10 to meet with pastors in the Portsmouth, Ironton, Jackson, and Meigs-Gallia Zones.
I am honored and humbled by the privilege of serving you and look forward to October 1. May the Lord bless our partnership in the mission.
Warmly Yours in Christ,
Eddie Estep
