International Board of Education

Daniel Copp
Education Commissioner
Global Clergy Development Director

To the Board of General Superintendents and members of the General Board:

I present to you my first report in the dual role as education commissioner and Global Clergy Development director.  I want to thank you for your vote of confidence electing me as education commissioner, and for the notes of encouragement and prayer support I received from many of you as I began this new assignment.  In God’s calling and all-sufficient grace, I will do my best to faithfully steward the trust you have placed in me for this important work.

I also want to express appreciation to Dr. LeBron Fairbanks who officially retired as our education commissioner on September 30, 2011. Thank you, Dr. Fairbanks, for your outstanding leadership as our education commissioner.  And thank you for inviting me to work even more closely alongside you during these important months of transition and preparation.  I cherish our friendship and opportunities to work together.

 

As education commissioner and Global Clergy Development director, I serve the global church in advancing Nazarene higher education and the equipping of our clergy.

In the midst of the transition to the single leader concept initiated by this board a year ago we are experiencing some exciting trends including support from the regional leadership teams. The structure of bringing IBOE and GCD into a closer working relationship at the global ministry center is a reflection of what is already being done on the regions. The early process of marrying these two entities under a single director is encouraging.

 

 

On behalf of the International Board of Education, I am pleased to report that we are working with 53 undergraduate and graduate level Nazarene institutions with a presence through campuses and learning centers in 110 world areas on six continents – engaging nearly 50,000 students.

We celebrate with our International Board of Education the tremendous increase over the last ten years in students and assets, and keep before us an awareness of the decrease in church financial support:

 

On behalf of Global Clergy Development, I am pleased to report that we have over 24,000 individuals presently in the ministerial preparation process in the Church of the Nazarene.  With nearly 1 16,000 already ordained,  our Global Clergy Development leaders are presently working with over 40,000 ministers.

 

 

We are also seeing tremendous increase in the official record for the number of credentialed clergy over the last 10 years:

Beyond the numbers is the story of developing institutions and developing leaders. The Church of the Nazarene is blessed with strong indigenous leaders for many of our schools. For example, in recent months we have celebrated the election of two new leaders –

Rev. Oscar Varas is the first Chilean leader of Seminario Bíblico Nazareno – Chili founded in 1976, and

Rev. Oscar Esamat is the first aboriginal leader elected to serve Instituto Bíblico Nazareno – Peru founded in 1925.

 

This brief overview of the Global Education and Clergy Development report represents the work of each world region, and is a summary of reports provided by each regional education coordinator.  I am profoundly grateful to work with these and a great host of gifted leaders around the world, along with our wonderful staff at the Global Ministry Center.  Together, we are privileged to serve Christ and His church in the advancement of Global Education and Clergy Development.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,
Daniel Copp
International Board of Education, Education Commissioner
Global Clergy Development, Director
February 27, 2012

 

“What a journey!” I like Dr. Fairbanks’ use of this statement to begin his final blog as education commissioner, and it is a great statement to begin my first blog as education commissioner.  Dr. Fairbanks and I have been on quite a journey these last few months as we were charged by the Board of General Superintendents and General Board as the leaders of two separate entities at the Global Ministry Center (GMC), International Board of Education (IBOE) and Global Clergy Development (GCD), to move to the implementation of a “single leader concept” for these two entities.

Dr. Fairbanks and I have spent a lot of time together over these months as he has invited me to walk alongside him and to participate in meetings, relationships, and strategic initiatives critical for continuing our commitment to Nazarene higher education.  You may be aware of Dr. Fairbanks’ involvement in running the marathon… we’ve talked about our work these last few months as a relay race… we’ve been working to get me up to speed, ready to receive the baton and not lose stride as we continue pursuing the support and advancement of our IBOE schools.  Thank you to my friend, LeBron, for your investment in Nazarene higher education and your investment in me!  The baton was passed on October 1, 2011, as I assumed the additional assignment of education commissioner, and we are continuing our commitment to Nazarene higher education.

As of October 1, I now serve as both education commissioner and Global Clergy Development director.  The intention is that I provide leadership for these two separate GMC entities, IBOE and GCD, as they each continue to fulfill the unique mission and vision of their ministries.  The obvious question in implementing this “single leader concept” … how will one person be able to provide leadership over two separate entities when we usually have two people doing so?  The honest answer is that we are going to need to discover together how we do this in a way that is not a step back, but continues expanding our church’s commitment to both Nazarene higher education and development of our clergy.  The good news as we begin this journey is that we already have outstanding people and systems in place.

We have an excellent staff already in place at the GMC for continued support of both of these ministries. They have served with distinction, and we are fortunate to have these choice servants in place as we move forward.  As you’ve heard Dr. Fairbanks describe (and I’m finding to be true), we have an outstanding team in the IBOE office: Barb Najarian, Tammy Condon, and Dana Porter.  We, likewise, have an outstanding team in the GCD office: Carol Rittenhouse, Darlene Friend, and Mike Stipp.  Having these passionate and capable colleagues in place is an important element in our capacity to move forward in this important time of transition.

We also have global leaders and systems in place that serve alongside our GMC teams as we together advance Nazarene higher education and clergy development.  The global region system provides strategic partners as we work closely with regional directors and other regional leaders advancing regional strategy.   Our closest partner on each region already in place for work with education and clergy development is the regional education coordinator.  Having friends and colleagues like these in this global work instills great hope for the potential effectiveness of this “single leader concept:”

Africa
Mark Louw

Asia-Pacific
M. K. Rigsby

Eurasia
John Haines

Mesoamerica
Ruben Fernandez

South America
Jorge Julca

USA/Canada
Dean Blevins, USA
Terry Fach, Canada

The International Board of Education (IBOE), the International Course of Study Advisory Committee (ICOSAC), and the Global Education and Clergy Development Committee (GECD) of the General Board also each both provide a group of outstanding global leaders with representation from each region that meet regularly with the education commissioner and global clergy development director to work specifically for advancing Nazarene Higher Education and clergy development.   Kent Brower, IBOE Chair, and Randy Craker, GECD Chair, are uniquely gifted global leaders and valuable partners in this important time of transition.   The leaders of our IBOE schools also serve on various councils (i.e. International Higher Education Council, regional education councils, etc.) that work closely with the education commissioner and clergy development director.

As I reflect on this new assignment, I am thankful for the global leaders/friends already in place as partners in this great work.  And it is important for me in this new “single leader concept” and in my new assignment as education commissioner to declare an unwavering commitment to Nazarene higher education.  The MANUAL statement remains the same:

“The Church of the Nazarene, from its inception, has been committed to higher education. The church provides the college/university with students, administrative and faculty leadership, and financial and spiritual support. The college/university educates the church’s youth and many of the church’s adults, guides them toward spiritual maturity, enriches the church, and sends out into the world thinking, loving servants of Christ. The church college/university, while not a local congregation, is an integral part of the church; it is an expression of the church.” (MANUAL 380)

The Job Description – Objective for the education commissioner remains the same:

“To advance the cause of Christian holiness by strengthening the bonds between the educational institutions and the church-at-large (and to provide information and services as appropriate). To serve Nazarene educational institutions worldwide and to encourage them to be all they can be in quality, achievement, and service to Christ.”   (GMC Administrative Handbook)

As education commissioner, I remain accountable to the MANUAL directed commitment to Nazarene higher education and to the job description, and I embrace both wholeheartedly.

Vicki and I are both products of Nazarene higher education, with degrees from Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) and Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) (our daughters and son-in-law also graduated from PLNU, and our son-in-law is presently enrolled at NTS).  Vicki and I have also remained engaged in Nazarene higher education throughout our ministry.   I served for 18 years as a member of the Board of Trustees for PLNU (including 5 years as Board chair), as a guest lecturer at many of our IBOE schools, and as adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Ministry program at NTS.  Vicki served as instructor and chaplain for the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program at PLNU, as a member of the PLNU Alumni Board, as adjunct online faculty for Nazarene Bible College (NBC), and as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and director of Supervised Ministries at NTS.  Our own story is interwoven with the church’s commitment to Nazarene higher education.

From our beginning, education has been one of the very core commitments of the Church of the Nazarene, and our IBOE schools remain one of the great treasures God has given us in advancement of His mission in our world. Dr. Fairbanks, the gifted staff of the IBOE/Commissioner’s office, and the many global colleagues have provided outstanding leadership, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue building on this important work for Christ and His kingdom.

Dan Copp
Education Commissioner
October 17, 2011

 

LeBron, Anne & Stephen Fairbanks
IBOE Retirement Reception

What a journey! When I was approached in late 2007 about my availability to serve as education commissioner to follow Dr. Jerry Lambert, I reminded the general superintendent who contacted me that I had recently retired after 18 years as the Mount Vernon Nazarene University president. I did not have the number of years to serve that my distinguished predecessor, Dr. Lambert, had given. My experience was needed, I was told, and I permitted my name to be included in the process of selecting a new commissioner.  And now, as of September 30, 2011, I will retire from the position I accepted in February 2008.

It has been my delight to work with an outstanding team in the International Board of Education office. Pictured below are: Mrs. Barbara Najarian, administrative coordinator, Dr. Tammy Condon, project coordinator for strategic projects, Mrs. Dana Porter, senior administrative assistant, and my wife Anne. The photo was taken recently at a retirement reception the team planned for me at the GMC.

Dr. Dan Copp, director of global clergy development at the Global Ministry Center of the Church of the Nazarene Center, was elected recently to serve as the next education commissioner. He will lead the International Board of Education in addition to his current assignment as global clergy development director. He knows well the work of the IBOE, and will give strong leadership to the higher education interests of the denomination even as he expands the scope and influence of the global clergy development office.

You may recall that the Church of the Nazarene has 53 colleges, universities, and seminaries in 35countries on six continents. These schools are placed in one of six categories according to mission, Board of governance decisions, and local, district or regional needs, ranging from:

1. Graduate Seminaries & Theological Colleges

2. Liberal Arts Universities & Colleges with Graduate Programs

3. Undergraduate Liberal Arts Colleges

4. Undergraduate Seminaries & Theological Colleges

5. Certificate and Diploma Bible Colleges

6. Specialized Training Schools

Although I have given my best at being a resource to the various school leaders in these six categories, the truth is that I have gained so much more from my association with them.  I have spoken at graduation services, led faculty workshops, guided governing board seminars and retreats, and provided a listening ear to the school leaders and administrative team members.  Networking our colleges, universities, and seminaries within and across regions has been a particular concern and interest of mine. Resourcing governing board members and nurturing them in their roles and responsibilities has especially captured my attention and energy.

The photos below reflect some of our institutional leaders globally.

Perhaps the most strategic International Board of Education project is the Quality and Missional Review process conducted with all IBOE schools. Phase one of the process has taken approximately six years to complete, and each higher education institution of the Church of the Nazarene, with several exceptions, has submitted to this internal and external review.  A thorough evaluation of this process is now underway by the IBOE as we prepare for phase two of this internal and external review. The four benchmarks against which each school is evaluated are:

1. Clarity of purpose

2. Strategic institutional planning

3. Mission driven and effective academic programs

4. Development of the people who work and study at the school

Dr. Kent Brower and I recently completed a Quality and Missional Review of the South East Asia Nazarene Bible College in Thailand with its six education centers located in neighboring countries, and spent four days with the faculty, administrative team, and the governing board of the Nazarene Theological College, Brisbane, Australia.

I close this blog reminding all of us of the mission of vision of the International Board of Education and key responsibility of the education commissioner:

The mission of the International Board of Education is:

…to serve as a dynamic worldwide network of Nazarene colleges, universities, and seminaries to facilitate the mission of the Church of the Nazarene in making Christ-like disciples and shaping Christian servant leaders for local witness and global impact.

The vision statement of the IBOE, which characterizes our colleges, universities, and seminaries at their best and convict them at their worst, is:

…through intentional collaboration and sharing resources, Nazarene higher education institutions effectively equip their students to be global Christians who:

1. Care Deeply

2. Think Biblically

3. Study Passionately

4. Live Gratefully

5. Relate Ethically

6. Witness Faithfully

7. Serve Competently

8. Lead Strategically

Anne and I will move to Florida in October. I will focus my attention on developing a global intervention and coaching resource service. You can read more about what I believe strongly I should do in the next phase of my ministry at www.BoardServe.org.  We plan to travel in January to the Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary in Manila, Philippines for a teaching assignment and other responsibilities on the Asia Pacific region.  I am open to other teaching, coaching, seminar and workshop sessions, especially as these relate to nurturing stronger and more effective governing boards of Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries, local churches and not for profit organizations.

Let’s stay in touch. I covet your prayers.

LeBron
September 30, 2011

www.lfairbanks@BoardServe.org

www.lebronfairbanks@earthlink.net

www.nazareneblogs.org/lebronfairbanks

Dr. J.K. Warrick, General Superintendent, announced this week that Dr. Daniel R. Copp has been elected by the General Board as the next Education Commissioner for the Church of the Nazarene.  As Education Commissioner, Dr. Copp will work closely with the Board of General Superintendents, the General Board and the International Board of Education (IBOE) “to serve Nazarene educational institutions worldwide and to encourage them to be all they can be in quality, achievement and service to Christ.”  Dr. Copp will assume responsibilities as commissioner October 1, 2011, following the retirement of Dr. E. LeBron Fairbanks.

Dr. Copp has served the Church of the Nazarene as pastor, District Superintendent, and since 2005 as Director of Clergy Development.  Additionally, he has served as a member of the General Board, for 18 years on the Board of Trustees for Point Loma Nazarene University (including 5 years as Board Chair), as guest lecturer at many of our IBOE schools, and as adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Ministry program at Nazarene Theological Seminary.

In his new role, Dr. Copp will continue to serve as Director of Global Clergy Development adding the responsibilities of the Education Commissioner in a new design where the two entities share a single leader. Both ministries, the International Board of Education and Global Clergy Development, will continue to fulfill the unique mission and vision of their ministries under the single leader concept.

In a statement sent by Dr. Fairbanks from a school visit in Australia he said, “I want to congratulate Dr. Copp on his election as education commissioner for the Church of the Nazarene. He is an outstanding choice. I move into retirement from this position confident that the 53 Nazarene colleges, universities, and seminaries will have a powerful and consistent advocate in Dr. Copp.”

Fairbanks continued, “The late general superintendent Dr. John A. Knight often stated that ‘holiness, missions, and education are the hallmarks of the Church of the Nazarene.’ Dr. Copp will serve as a passionate spokesperson and defender of the critical role of our Nazarene schools around the world in shaping pastors and students for local witness and global impact for Christ and His kingdom. Indeed, our schools are essential in the process of making disciples in the nations.”

Fairbanks concluded, “Dr. Copp has my full and unreserved support and the united commitment of the staff of the International Board of Education as he assumes this important position, especially at this juncture, in the Church of the Nazarene.”

In response to the news of his election Dr. Copp commented, “From our beginning, education has been one of the very core commitments of the Church of the Nazarene, and our IBOE schools remain one of the great treasures God has given us in advancement of His mission in our world.  Dr. Fairbanks and the gifted staff of the IBOE/Commissioner’s Office have provided outstanding leadership, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue building on this important work for Christ and His kingdom. “

Dr. Copp is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University (BA), Nazarene Theological Seminary (MDiv), and Fuller Theological Seminary (DMin).  He is married to Rev. Dr. Vicki Copp, and they have two daughters, Mackenzie and Megan.

Office of the Education Commissioner
International Board of Education
September 14, 2011

These character traits represent the values which are an integral part
of the vision of the global network of 53 Nazarene colleges, universities, and seminaries
as they strive to effectively equip nearly 50,000 students for Kingdom work.