Rev. Edwin E. Hale was the second district superintendent of the Kansas City District, serving from 1934 to 1939. He later became a chaplain in the US Army and served in that capacity during World War II.

'Stories to Tell' went well.

Thoughts:

1. I don't love sitting on discussion panels.

2. I'm much more interested in making Nazarene history inspiring for non-specialists than impressing other scholars.

3. I want to think through a theology of conferencing.

It was an honor to be asked to present this to my predecessor.

My short panel presentation tomorrow afternoon is entitled 'Commemorating Special Occasions for Churches and Districts: Three Things to Know.' I'll Include reflections on my work on the Kansas City District centennial booklet.

Looking forward to two great days at Nazarene Theological Seminary!

This was sheer joy! Texas-sized thanks to the West Texas District Church of The Nazarene for the invite to share with them today.

On this episode, listen to Talmadge Johnson preach a short sermon on gratitude.

Dr. Johnson served as the 33rd general superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene. Prior to becoming GS, he was an evangelist, pastor, district superintendent, and global director of Sunday School

Took a field trip today to Green Lawn Cemetery in Kansas City, the resting place of several prominent figures in Nazarene history including the seventh general superintendent, R. T. Williams.

I am often reminded that the Church of the Nazarene is viewed through different angles of vision.

General superintendents. District superintendents. Pastors. Missionaries. Professors. Children. Students. Laypeople.

All of them see the church from a unique perspective.

Get the early bird rate for Stories to Tell for in-person or online participation until March 31. Go to nazarenehistory.org.

'One cannot understand the Church of the Nazarene without understanding the ways that fundamentalism has continued to infect the denomination, both in pews and in pulpits.'

- Tom Miles, 'Five Books You Need to Read Now'

'History has a moral duty to represent the living faith of the dead as a challenge to the dead faith of the living.'

- Steven Hoskins, 'A Shot Across the Bow: Accepting the Challenge of Nazarene History'

Finished reading this little book on J. O. McClurkan today. The uniting of his group and their college with the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene in 1915 just months after his death is one of the more fascinating chapters in early Nazarene history.

Pushed send on this little booklet manuscript today. Its final form will appear at Kansas City District Assembly this July and probably somewhere online too. A fun labor of love for my home district.

Made a trip to the Kansas City District office today and saw this stone from the tabernacle of Lakeview Park Nazarene Camp. The camp sat on the same property but closed in 1978. Only the district office building remains. The tabernacle had a seating capacity of 2,000 people.

I've experienced life at followmnu as a student, alumnus, staff member, and professor. This morning I'm back on campus writing about its history.

I would not be who I am today apart from my own history with what was first known in 1964 simply as 'College B.'

Future Ryan, write this article (maybe):

'Doctrinal and Ethical Issues in the Mergers that Formed the Church of the Nazarene: Implications for Contemporary Questions of Essentialness'

'The character and mission of a people is clearly seen in their songs for they are but the voice of the heart.'

- J. O. McClurkan

From 1945 to 1978 the Kansas City District operated its own district center and campground, Lakeview Park Nazarene Camp.

The grounds were located at 77th St. & Antioch Rd. in Overland Park.

The Kansas City District office is located today at the original Lakeview Park site.

Being an archivist means receiving a research request, then spending hours (or even days) ...

- researching the issue...

- tracking down sources...

- scanning documents, and...

- crafting a full email response...

and receiving a two-word email reply:

'Okay thanks.'

😂