Frank Moore Shares about Life
Frank Moore is general editor for the Church of the Nazarene. In that role he also serves as editor in chief of Holiness Today. He and his wife, Sue, have had careers in Nazarene higher education. During those years they led 20 CAUSE missions trips with university students. He has authored 13 books, the most recent with his son Brent, Jesus Is Lord: The Cry of a Kingdom Citizen.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Pekin, Illinois. Then my parents moved back to the family farm near Bald Knob, Arkansas, where I grew up. We raised soybeans and corn, and had 20,000 laying hens.
Where did you meet Sue?
We met as students at MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU). I was in the second graduating class from MNU; she was in the fourth class.
As you were deciding on a career, were you planning to pastor, solely, or to teach as well?
The Lord called me into full-time Christian service when I was 15. I thought I would pastor my entire career. Six months into our first pastorate, the Lord said, "Learn your lessons well; you are not always going to be doing this." I had no idea what that meant at the time. Over the next four years he directed me to go back to graduate school and to teach in Nazarene higher education. The minute I walked into the classroom, I knew that was where God wanted me..
Your PhD is in historical theology. Can you explain that?
My studies at Vanderbilt University focused on the development of Christian thought from 50 AD until today. We looked at how each doctrine of the church came into being, how it developed over time, and how we explain it in terms people can understand today. I believe in remaining true to our orthodox Christian faith across the long shadow of our tradition. My training helps me understand what we believe and how we can best present it to a new generation.
How did you and Sue start the Cause mission trips?
We actually did not start CAUSE. Bill Sunberg and Doug Van Nest, student leaders on campus at MNU, came to us my first year as a professor at the university and told us of their dream to take college students on Work and Witness trips to the mission field. We were so impressed with their vision we helped them bring it to reality. The Lord blessed that first trip to Honduras so much that we kept taking students back to the mission field for a total of 20 years.
What is the best thing about taking students out of their comfort zones?
Seeing their eyes open to a whole new world of what God wants to do with their talents and abilities. God spoke in ways to our students when they were out of their comfort zones that never could have reached them while they were in familiar routines.
What would we be surprised to learn about you?
I enjoy remodeling and making improvements to our house. Sue has lived with drywall dust most of our married life.
If you could enter any biblical scene as an observer, which scene would you choose? Why?
Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). I would love to have seen the look on the pagan priests’ faces when God sent the fire!
Best thing about being a grandfather?
Having your grandkids call you "Poppy," watching their eyes light up when they see you, and the way they love you unconditionally.
What have your grandchildren taught you?
How to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, such as the beauty of a ladybug (Mia), a stroller ride through the neighborhood (Micah), and one final hug and kiss (Marley).
Dream destination?
Any location with a nice beach.
Why leave academia and come to Holiness Today/general editor?
Sue and I prayed and felt the Lord's clear direction in the decision to leave academia after 29 years. I believe I will use my pastoral and university experiences as I step into this new role. God seems to have a way of shaping us in each of our assignments as he prepares us for our next assignment.
Greatest life adventure so far?
For me, the greatest life adventure was asking another person to join me as my partner for life. We agreed as college students to travel through a life of ministry together with the highs and lows of family crises, financial reversals, illness, further education, and career setbacks. Neither of us had any idea what we are getting ourselves into. But, we have each other, and we have the Lord. I've found that's all we need.
Annoying habits?
I have a lot of worthless church history trivia rolling around in my head. If I don't stay on my best behavior, I tend to dispense these nuggets of truth in casual conversation with friends. When I catch myself in the act, I simply remember "Nobody cares!"
Favorite scripture passage?
1 Corinthians 1:26-31:
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Holiness Today
JF14
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Pekin, Illinois. Then my parents moved back to the family farm near Bald Knob, Arkansas, where I grew up. We raised soybeans and corn, and had 20,000 laying hens.
Where did you meet Sue?
We met as students at MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU). I was in the second graduating class from MNU; she was in the fourth class.
As you were deciding on a career, were you planning to pastor, solely, or to teach as well?
The Lord called me into full-time Christian service when I was 15. I thought I would pastor my entire career. Six months into our first pastorate, the Lord said, "Learn your lessons well; you are not always going to be doing this." I had no idea what that meant at the time. Over the next four years he directed me to go back to graduate school and to teach in Nazarene higher education. The minute I walked into the classroom, I knew that was where God wanted me..
Your PhD is in historical theology. Can you explain that?
My studies at Vanderbilt University focused on the development of Christian thought from 50 AD until today. We looked at how each doctrine of the church came into being, how it developed over time, and how we explain it in terms people can understand today. I believe in remaining true to our orthodox Christian faith across the long shadow of our tradition. My training helps me understand what we believe and how we can best present it to a new generation.
How did you and Sue start the Cause mission trips?
We actually did not start CAUSE. Bill Sunberg and Doug Van Nest, student leaders on campus at MNU, came to us my first year as a professor at the university and told us of their dream to take college students on Work and Witness trips to the mission field. We were so impressed with their vision we helped them bring it to reality. The Lord blessed that first trip to Honduras so much that we kept taking students back to the mission field for a total of 20 years.
What is the best thing about taking students out of their comfort zones?
Seeing their eyes open to a whole new world of what God wants to do with their talents and abilities. God spoke in ways to our students when they were out of their comfort zones that never could have reached them while they were in familiar routines.
What would we be surprised to learn about you?
I enjoy remodeling and making improvements to our house. Sue has lived with drywall dust most of our married life.
If you could enter any biblical scene as an observer, which scene would you choose? Why?
Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). I would love to have seen the look on the pagan priests’ faces when God sent the fire!
Best thing about being a grandfather?
Having your grandkids call you "Poppy," watching their eyes light up when they see you, and the way they love you unconditionally.
What have your grandchildren taught you?
How to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, such as the beauty of a ladybug (Mia), a stroller ride through the neighborhood (Micah), and one final hug and kiss (Marley).
Dream destination?
Any location with a nice beach.
Why leave academia and come to Holiness Today/general editor?
Sue and I prayed and felt the Lord's clear direction in the decision to leave academia after 29 years. I believe I will use my pastoral and university experiences as I step into this new role. God seems to have a way of shaping us in each of our assignments as he prepares us for our next assignment.
Greatest life adventure so far?
For me, the greatest life adventure was asking another person to join me as my partner for life. We agreed as college students to travel through a life of ministry together with the highs and lows of family crises, financial reversals, illness, further education, and career setbacks. Neither of us had any idea what we are getting ourselves into. But, we have each other, and we have the Lord. I've found that's all we need.
Annoying habits?
I have a lot of worthless church history trivia rolling around in my head. If I don't stay on my best behavior, I tend to dispense these nuggets of truth in casual conversation with friends. When I catch myself in the act, I simply remember "Nobody cares!"
Favorite scripture passage?
1 Corinthians 1:26-31:
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Holiness Today
JF14