Preacher to Preacher

By Dr. Daniel Copp, Director of Clergy Development

I was recently with our oldest daughter, a college junior, when she asked me, “Dad, can you tell me about this new job you have and how I can describe it to my friends?” We had a great conversation as I explained that the title of the job is “Clergy Development Director,” and that my work was to do just what the title described—to help with the development of those God calls to be clergy in the church. My daughter assured me that she understood, but she did raise a couple of good questions: “Dad, isn’t that a pretty big job?” And, “Where do you start?”

Clergy development is a pretty big task for us when you consider that the scope includes nurturing a climate in the church where God is calling and the called are responding, and then assuring the necessary nurture, education, credentialing, training, continuing education, encouragement, etc., as they live worthy of the calling. I did describe all of this as I explained to my daughter the scope of the work, but I also described to her the great partners locking arms to assure that we would not fall short on something as important as the development of our clergy. There is a tremendous synergy in this effort as our local churches, districts, educational institutions, Publishing House, and global ministry leadership partner together for the development of our clergy. I encourage you to visit the following web sites to locate resources and find out more about what is happening with our partners in clergy development: nazarenepastor.org, nazarene.org/education, nazdistricts.org, nph.com. My desire is to contribute to the continued enhancing of our collaborative efforts in the development of clergy worthy of the calling!

Preacher’s Magazine, provided for you by our Clergy Development office and Nazarene Publishing House, is one expression of such collaborative efforts. As the new Clergy Development Director for the Church of the Nazarene, it is my privilege to welcome you to this issue of Preacher’s Magazine. Like me, I am sure you also find Preacher’s Magazine to be a valuable resource.

I have served in various ministry assignments, including pastoral staff, senior pastor, district superintendent, and Clergy Development director, and in each assignment I remain committed to God’s calling for me to preach. As a preacher, I continue to benefit from Preacher’s Magazine and the tremendous work of my dear brothers, David Busic and Jeren Rowell.

My sisters and brothers, we share an exciting journey as we respond to God’s call. Know that the Clergy Development office is one expression of the church’s belief in the God-called ministry and in partnering in the exciting journey with those God calls. The church celebrates with you God’s divine call upon your life! And with God’s high calling to give yourself to His service comes the powerful promise of partnership with the God who calls you. “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Just now I wish it were possible for me to shake your hand personally and celebrate with you the exciting journey we share . . . and as I hold your hand and look into your eyes, I would want to say once more . . . always remember that it is God alone who calls, and it is His call alone that sustains in your living out His call . . . the One who calls is faithful and He will do it!