Pope Bowling Rescinds - New Pope Toler

Following the opening devotional and prayer time before the Thursday session, General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf introduced Bowling, who was elected to the Board of General Superintendents on Tuesday. Bowling addressed the Assembly, stating he had awakened at 3:00 A.M. and felt "checked" by God. He said he was conflicted about his decision to accept the superintendent assignment. He considered how Eugenio Duarte and David W. Graves had been elected to this Board, accepting their elections with an obvious peace. He, however, did not feel that peace. With emotion, he indicated he felt he should rescind his election to the Board of General Superintendents."Out of love and respect, I apologize to you all," Bowling said while asking for forgiveness. Bowling becomes the first individual in Nazarene history to decline the superintendency twice (2005, 2009).

Stan Toler was elected Southwest Oklahoma District Superintendent on June 4, an election which was to be effective approximately 30 days from that time.He has been serving as pastor of Oklahoma City Trinity since May of 1997. He also served as pastor for Nashville (Tennessee) First, and Oklahoma City First.He is a graduate of Circleville Bible College (Bachelor of Theology), Southern Nazarene University (Bachelor of Arts), Florida Beacon Bible College (Master of Theology, Doctor of Divinity), and Marantha Seminary (Doctor of Ministry).For several years he taught seminars for John Maxwell's INJOY Group, a leadership development institute. Toler has written over 70 books, including his best-sellers, God Has Never Failed Me, But He's Sure Scared Me to Death a Few Times; The Buzzards Are Circling, But God's Not Finished With Me Yet; God's Never Late, He's Seldom Early, He's Always Right on Time; The Secret Blend; Practical Guide to Pastoral Ministry; Total Quality Life, and his popular Minute Motivator series. His latest book, ReThink Your Life, debuted at No. 23 on the CBA Christian Living Best Sellers list.