Rob Prince's Blog, page 5

A Life to Imitate: Mary Lane (my mother-in-law)

My mother-in-law, Mary, is like a cat. The “nine lives” part (not the eating Meow Mix or using kitty litter part). Unfortunately, she is nearing the end of life #9. She hasn’t eaten or drank anything since Sunday. This isn’t a new happening. Three weeks ago she went a month without speaking and full week with no food or water (I didn’t think that was possible, but she did it). On that occasion, three different hospice nurses told us she wouldn’t live more than a day or two, then after a week in that condition, like a nine-life cat, she snapped out of it. 

I walked into the room, not expecting any response, and said, “Hi Mary! How are you doing?” 

She replied, “Oh OK.”

Wait. What? 

The last week and a half she’s been eating and drinking. She still was not talking much but she’d acknowledge our presence. We took her for ice cream one day. But that all stopped on Sunday. We are back to where we were three weeks ago. No eating. No drinking. Mostly out of it. 

Karla has beautifully cared for her folks nearly the entire time we’ve been back in Michigan. Upon moving here in the fall of 2013, we realized that her parents shouldn’t be alone. They moved in with us in the spring of 2014 (Karla’s dad had Alzheimer’s and her mom has dementia). That CRAZY TIME (all caps intended) lasted about seven months. Then they lived in a few different assisted living facilities. Arling was “promoted to glory” in January of 2018. Unless, my cat-like mother-in-law exhibits another life, Mary’s will join him in short order.  

No one in Flint has ever seen the “real” Mary. Back at the Reading Church of the Nazarene, she was Sunday School Superintendent, played the piano, sang “specials” and served as the Church Board Secretary. She and Arling were the pillars of that little church. 

They were a pastor’s dream. It’s no wonder one of their daughters is a Nazarene pastor’s wife (the best one in my slightly biased opinion) and Karla’s sister, Marla, is a faithful follower too. (You read that correctly. It’s Marla Kay and Karla May. HEALTH ALERT: No comment on their rhyming names or I might be next when the roll is called up yonder). 

It’s hard to grieve too deeply over Mary’s impending passing. Mary is ready for heaven. She hasn’t been herself for years. Karla has been saying “good bye” to her mom bit by painful bit. That’s the bad news of dementia, the good news of the Gospel is that Mary’s faith will soon be sight. John the Revelator said “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). Imagine that! She will be so much better off in heaven.

There’s a part of me that is jealous. Eternal life with Jesus sounds so good! I understand what Paul meant when he said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Life here on earth is great and we have plenty of work to do, but heaven? Oh wow… even better. Mary is almost home. 

If Arling and Mary could talk they’d wouldn’t have many regrets and only praise for Jesus. No doubt their advice to the rest of us: Live lives in a manner to hear the Master’s words “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Arling and Mary lived such lives. Let’s do that too.

An Education (especially from a Nazarene college) is Not the Enemy of the Holy Spirit.

The Church of the Nazarene has always valued education. The three core values of the Church of the Nazarene are Christian, Holiness and Missional. According to the Nazarene website, “missional” is defined as: 

Our mission begins in worship, ministers to the world in evangelism and compassion, encourages believers toward Christian maturity through discipleship, and prepares women and men for Christian service through Christian higher education. (bold lettering mine).

All the founding groups of the Church of the Nazarene had institutions of higher learning. Today there are 50 Nazarene colleges, universities and seminaries in 120 world areas. 50,000 students annually attend a Nazarene college. The Nazarene institution with the largest enrollment* is Korean Nazarene University with an enrollment of 4,610 students; followed by Point Loma (4424); Trevecca (3801); Olivet (3608) and South Asia Bible college (3151). In 2023, Nazarenes gave $14,864,372 in support of its educational institutions. Higher education is part of the Nazarene DNA. 

The church where I am privileged to pastor has 26 students currently enrolled in Nazarene colleges (23 at Olivet or ONU+; and one each at Trevecca, Northwest, and Point Loma). We have many Nazarene college alums that attend. Olivet Nazarene University’s President, Dr. Gregg Chenoweth, grew up at Flint Central. The family center is named after his parents. Between apportionments and scholarships, Flint Central gave ONU $90,000+ and has over $400,000 in scholarship endowments for Olivet. Higher education is part of Flint Central’s DNA too. 

In full disclosure (if it’s not obvious): it’s part of my family’s DNA too. When I was deciding upon a college, my dad (who was not educated at a Nazarene institution) offered to pay for my education at any college as long as “Nazarene” was in the name of the school. All my siblings, spouses and I (except for my wife) attended a Nazarene college. All of my parents grandkids and most of their spouses did too. Moreover, some of the most godly people I have known have been taught or teach at a Nazarene institution. 

Why the educational lesson on Nazarene education?  There seems to be a growing distrust toward the educational institutions festering in some corners of the Nazarene universe. Not surprisingly, there is also an overall distrust of the educational system in the United States. A quick google search will reveal any number of articles addressing the declining trust in the educational system. The Gallop organization states that confidence in higher education is down 36%. You can read the article here.  It is not a giant leap to think the suspicions of Nazarene institutions are a reflection of the surrounding distrustful culture.

The suspicions of the Nazarene universities and scholars was evident in some discussions at last year’s General Assembly. Eastern Nazarene College recent closure had some constituents expressing a perception that the school had lost its commitment to traditional values. Various social media posts (even from notable corners) hint at the notion that an education (Nazarene or otherwise) fosters a coldness or less receptivity to the working of the Holy Spirit. Such posts are then followed by “likes” with various stories of educated acquaintances who walked away from faith, as if this never happens among those without an education.

Education at a Nazarene institution is not the enemy of the Holy Spirit. Clearly, not all the institutions are the same. Not all the college presidents, professors and programs are the same. While I haven’t met many of the aforementioned leaders and teachers at all 50 institutions, the leaders I know are outstanding, committed and godly. Nazarenes can have a sanctified confidence in the love these scholars have for Jesus Christ, the church and their students. Instead of frustration and suspicion, Nazarenes worldwide should have gratitude. Instead of listening to the talking points on a news channel or social media rumors, Nazarenes should be listening to the Lord in prayer. Instead of casting stones, Nazarene should be encouraging student enrollment and financially supporting Nazarene schools.

The mission of the Church of the Nazarene is enhanced by an educated laity and clergy. Education is not to be feared, but welcomed. Let’s not fall prey to rumors and innuendos of a supposed lack of spirituality in the educated. Instead, let’s educate ourselves in the working of God and determine to spread the Good News of Jesus in through our learning and service. 

*Enrollment figures are from 2021 and are the latest figures on the Nazarene website

BEE-ware of the Following

My house has a BEE problem. Not a BEE-smattering, a BEE-hemoth BEE problem. We noticed very active BEE-havior on the outside of our house.  Knowing the BEES don’t BEE-long there, we did what the commercials say to do. We yelled, “Raid!!”

It didn’t work. The BEE-hive continued to BEE-siege our abode.

An acquaintance had BEE-friended “a guy” who could help our BEE-maddening BEE-devilment which had BEE-fallen upon our house. Not to BEE-Labor or BEE-little the tiny bumblers’ existence, but I do want them BEE-scorched. The guy BEE-dabbled some mystery substance (I call it “Bye-Bye-BEE–BEE”) into our siding where the BEE activity was buzzing. It worked. Well sort of…

The BEE bustle outside our house ended. The BEE activity inside our house had just BEE-gun.

Our basement storage room has BEE-come the Arlington National Cemetery of the BEE world. We’ve had hundreds and hundreds of dead and dying BEES make a BEE-line into our house. Hundreds of them!  If you don’t BEE-lieve me, my wet-dry vac is full of BEE-leaguered BEES. Just when I think I have sucked up the last BEE-tattered BEE another BEE-thumped BEE-zer shows up. 

My guess is that the BEE doctors are BEE-wildered. The BEE pastors are BEE-ing overworked at the BEE-hest of the BEE-reaved offering to BEE-stow BEE-lessings for their BEE-loveds. The BEE legal BEE-gels are BEE-quething goods to the BEE-thorned. The BEES are probably making scary, BEE-rated movies about my house: The Silence of the BEES and BEEtleJuice 3 to name two.

Where the BEES are entering our BEE-utiful home is a BEE-witching mystery. Maybe it’s none of my BEE-swax. I’m getting a BEE-numbed BEE-cause of their BEE-dazzled BEE-havior.

BEE-ware, dear BEES I want to say. BEE Careful. BEE anywhere but here. Death BEE-sets all who enter. Sadly, my BEE lingo is limited to a few buzz words. 

If this report has BEE-gotten BEE-musement from you, here’s the stinger: my BEE-loved is not BEE-holden to this BEE-settling circumstance. She has BEE-lligerently threatened to pack her BEE-longings and move somewhere BEE-tween BEE-verton, Michigan and BEE-thesda, Maryland until this BEE-fuddlement has BEE-come no more. Obviously, I’m BEE-twixt and BEE-draggled by the BEE-swarming as I BEE-seech and BEE-hoove them to BEE gone.

Those BEES are baffling.  

These BEs are not: 

BE strong and Courageous (Joshua 1:9)
BE joyful in hope (Romans 12:12)
BE completely humble and gentle (Ephesians 4:2)
BE kind and compassionate (Ephesian 4:32)
BE generous and willing to share. (1 Timothy 6:18)
BE faithful (Revelation 2:10)
BE holy, because I am holy. (Leviticus 11:44)
BE patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. (James 5:8)
BE still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)

Be assured, no matter what trouble is buzzing around you these days, God is in control. He is on the throne. You are still the BEE’S knees to Him! 

Is USA/Canada Church of the Nazarene like the Rich in the Story of the Widow’s Mite?

“My Two Cents” is this blog’s title, and “two cents” is also the annual per capita giving for some Nazarene districts (not individual donors, mind you, per capita average for the entire district). Dominican Republic Oriental; Congo Virunga and Equatorial Guinea are three such examples. There are many districts in the world regions where per capita giving is one dollar or less. In comparison, the highest region’s per capita giving is USA/Canada ($1189.76). The Oregon Pacific District has the highest per capita giving of any district on the USA/Canada region at $1,847.17.

In no way, am I suggesting that “under-a-dollar districts” aren’t pulling their missional weight. In fact, it’s just the opposite. These districts may be a real time example of Jesus’ story of the widow’s mite in Mark 12. Mark writes: 

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”  Mark 12:41-44

If the “under-a-dollar” districts are examples of the widow’s mite, is the USA/Canada church like the rich people throwing in large amounts into the pot? Like in Mark 12, it could very well be there are districts in Africa (the African per capita giving is $13.35) which give a higher percentage of their income than church members in the United States. 

Jesus said in another place: When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required (Luke 12:48). In light of those words, the USA/Canada church should not be impressed in the massive disparity in per capita giving between regions or how the USA/Canada region pays the lions’ share of the World Evangelism Fund (94-95%). Instead, those in USA/Canada might want to address ways to be more generous than they currently are.

Here is one way for the USA/Canada church to do better: Monetary forecasters suggest that the greatest wealth transfer in history is taking place now; as the Silent Generation and aging baby boomers pass off their wealth to the next generation.  Members in those “under-a-dollar districts” have no transferable wealth and are relying on those in the west “to whom much has been given” to be generous even in their passings. If USA/Canada Nazarenes took such a faithful approach in their estate planning, imagine how much more good could be done in the name of Jesus in the coming years.  Tithing a portion of one’s will could be a game changer across at home and abroad.

Recently, the church where I pastor received word that a deceased parishioner has generously given more than a tithe of their estate to the church. The will stated the church will receive 15% of the estate. The deceased member would not be considered wealthy by many standards. Still, this faithful parishioner was generous even in his passing. A few years ago, another faithful member with no family (besides her church family) gave the church 40% of her estate. If all Nazarene’s followed these examples, the blessing could be felt around the world!

Again, it’s my two cents, but I contend that Nazarenes in USA/Canada can (and must) do better for the global proclamation of the Gospel as their coins are tossed into the World Evangelism Pot . To whom much is given, much will be required.

This Nazarene Church Grew by 480 out of Covid (when most others have shrunk)

The effects of covid are still lingering in Nazarene churches across USA/Canada. This is not a statement on virology or the uptick in covid cases this summer, but a review of the post-covid church attendance numberrs. Sadly people left churches during covid and many haven’t come back. 

From 2020 to 2023 the USA/Canada Nazarene worship attendance went from 423,529 to 329,000. A 22% decline in three years. In 2020, four Nazarene churches in USA/Canada averaged over 2000 in attendance. In 2023, there is only one (Oro Valley, Arizona and Oro Valley wasn’t one of the four in 2020). In 2020, 26 churches averaged over 1000 in attendance, now there are eleven. In 2020 the church in the 100th attendance position was still above 500, in 2023 the 100th church in attendance was at 383. One church dropped 1775 people in the three year span; another dropped over 800. Most churches lost people. A covid attendance recovery hasn’t happened in most places. 

Most but not all. 

There are some shining lights. Oro Valley, as mentioned above, gained nearly 200 people to go over 2,000 (see the chart below for the twenty churches that grew the most in the last three years). There are others that also grew significantly too. Amplify, a Church of the Nazarene, in Willow Spring, North Carolina increased by 480 people in the three years (this summer they are averaging in person 1150 which is an increase of about 1,000 people in four years!).

What has made Amplify so successful? 

They have good music, but a lot of churches have good music. The pastor preaches fine sermons. There are plenty of good preachers in the Church of the Nazarene. The church relocated four years ago, but location change doesn’t always equate with growth. Churches aren’t like the Field of Dreams, “Build it and they will come.” Willow Spring, North Carolina is a growing area which can certainly help with church attendance growth, but other churches located in growing areas are not experiencing a similar increase. 

So what is the “secret sauce” of Amplify when so many churches lost people post covid? Amplify church’s pastor, Rev Philip Modlin, tried to answer the question for me (I spoke with him last week). 

Pastor Phillip humbly told of the commitment of his people to relocate. But not just relocate, the people had a commitment to pray and get involved in the community once they relocated. Pastor Modlin’s wife grew up at Amplify (the former Raleigh First Church of the Nazarene), where her father was the pastor. She has roots in the church and community. The Modlin’s are committed raising their family there too (they have five children). You get the sense, that Pastor Modlin and the congregation of Amplify are simply (it sounds too simple) seeking the Lord and following the lead of the Holy Spirit. Nothing “secret” about it.

Maybe closer to the truth of Amplify’s “secret sauce” is John Maxwell’s maxim, “everything rises and falls with leadership.” The church has: a humble, gifted leader; a willing and unified people; a commitment to prayer; and a desire to bless their community (I see you smiling, USA/Canada regional director, Dr. Stan Reeder. It’s a real time example of the USA/Canada’s Cycle of Resurgence initiative).  

Amplify’s ingredient for success is a commitment to prayer and serving. It is blessing their community through service; seeing people come to the Lord through those efforts; teaching them to be Christlike disciples; who, then in turn, are seeing these folks serve in the community. They repeat this formula over and over and over again. Maybe other churches won’t grow by 480 people in 3 years like Amplify, but if all USA/Canada churches made a commitment to prayer and blessing their community, then strong and steady results quite possibly will follow. 

Covid doesn’t have to kill the church. Kingdom growth can happen post covid. Strong, healthy, praying, unified and faithful churches can still happen in the 2020’s. Amplify and Pastor Modlin are showing us how to do it.

Top 20 Churches in Growing Nazarene Churches from 2020 to 2023

DistrictChurch 2023 Worship, In-Person  2020 Worship  Worship Change North CarolinaAmplify, a Church of the Nazarene                850              370              480 Metro New YorkNueva Vida Iglesia del Nazareno                375                   –                375 North ArkansasCrossroads Cowboy           1,365         1,039              326 Metro New YorkThe Bridge                250                   –                250 Central Gulf CoastLandmark                405              210              195 ArizonaOro Valley           2,033         1,839              194 Chicago CentralGrace Community                334              145              189 VirginiaHarrisonburg Esperanza Viva                187                   –                187 AnaheimYorba Linda Faith Community                319              143              176 MidSouthFoundry                168                   –                168 JoplinThe Well                953              791              162 South CarolinaMidland Valley Community                833              681              152 ArizonaTucson Central                480              334              146 Upstate New YorkOwego                382              248              134 KentuckyMount Sinai                160                 32              128 North Central OhioWadsworth                289              171              118 AnaheimCerritos Dias de Gloria                115                   –                115 Southern CaliforniaRedlands The ARK                283              169              114 IndianapolisClermont                161                 48              113 

There’s A Lot to Like about the Church of the Nazarene

There are Nazarenes (some former members) on social media who like to complain about the Church of the Nazarene. “The denomination is dying,” they say.  Read too much of it and you’d think the grim reaper is knocking on the Global Ministry Center’s door. Call me overly optimistic (aren’t Wesleyans supposed to be radically optimistic?), but there is a lot to like about the Church of the Nazarene. 

I like that Nazarenes are in 160+ countries in the world.I like that Nazarene churches number 30,000+I like that Nazarene clergy number 30,000+ too.I like most all of the 2,419,219 members of the Church of the Nazarene. I haven’t met all of them (obviously) but I would probably like most all of them (there’s probably a few stinkers in the bunch that I’d avoid, not many, just a few). I like that Nazarenes in Africa or Bangladesh or the United States are just as “Nazarene” and just as valuable as any other Nazarene in the world.I like that the Nazarene leadership team of General Superintendents include an African, a Central American, a South American, one born in Germany and two others from the United States. 

I like that the Church of the Nazarene is a global church.

I like that Nazarenes baptizes babies or dedicates them.I like that Nazarene churches have accountability through Nazarene Safe. I like Nazarene Bible quizzing for children and youth.I like Nazarene Youth Conference where so many students’ faith grow. I like that Nazarene Child Sponsorship helps so many boys and girls around the world. (Karla and I sponsor two kids. One in Panama. One in Jordan).

I like that the Church of the Nazarene cares about the next generation.

I like that Nazarene Compassionate ministries are helping when the world hurtsI like that Nazarene “boots are on the ground” in most places when tragedies strike.I like that Nazarenes historically have sided with those that culture has rejected.

I like that the Church of the Nazarene cares for the least of these.

I like that Nazarene Bible colleges and universities are around the globe.I like that Nazarene publishing, the Foundry, is on solid footing. Printing quality holiness materials still matters (maybe more than ever). I like the Nazarene periodical,  Holiness Today  and read it cover to cover.Shameless plug alert: I like that the Nazarene Sunday School paper,  Standard,  allows me to write a monthly article; sometimes  Reflecting God  puts me down for a week of devotions too and The Foundry Publishing (back when it was Beacon Hill Press) published my first book  Chronic Pain: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering. 

I like Nazarene emphasis on learning.

I like that Nazarene theology is Biblical, Wesleyan and steeped in church history.I like that Nazarenes emphasize holy living.I like that Nazarenes ordain women.I like that Nazarenes don’t have to agree on everything (i.e. details of the Second Coming; creation accounts; modes of baptism; etc.) to still be sisters and brothers in the faith. 

I like that Nazarenes are deeply theological.

I like that Nazarene gatherings like General Assembly or next year’s M-25 conference feel like a family reunion.I like that Nazarenes are dependable and available. I feel like I could be practically anywhere in the world and, if in trouble, I could call the local Nazarene church and they would help.

I like that Nazarenes are family.

There are probably plenty of other things to like too, but what I like most about the Church of the Nazarene is my local Nazarene church. It is filled with godly people who love Jesus, their neighbors and each other. Jesus and my local church family’s love for Him make me wanting to come back week after week. My local congregation inspires me and shows me that Nazarenes are good people. I see it every week (every day practically) in old and young alike. Moreover, I like the team of women and men pastors I am privileged to work alongside– they are the best of the best. The Nazarene family at my local church is the best part of being a Nazarene.

Am I a Nazarene Pollyanna for listing such things? I don’t think so (you might disagree). I don’t wear rose colored glasses. I know the Church of the Nazarene has issues (show me a church that doesn’t). We’ve got some dysfunction (show me a family that doesn’t). We’ve got our share of strange relatives in our family (again, who doesn’t). We don’t all agree on all things (clearly). There have been decisions made that I found questionable. There are conversations that need to be safely had. I get it. We aren’t perfect.

Still there is a lot to like in the Church of the Nazarene. 

Edited to Write: Sorry this was a longer blog than normal, but if you can’t tell, I think there is a lot to like in the Church of the Nazarene.

There are 31,354 Clergy in the Church of the Nazarene, Here’s What you Need to Know

There are 31,354 clergy in the Church of the Nazarene. 19,321 elders. 893 deacons. 11,140 district licensed ministers. Of the 19,321 elders, exactly 11,003 are from USA/Canada. 

As one of the 31,354, I am proud of my co-laborers across the globe. Obviously I don’t know all 11,002 of my fellow elders in USA/Canada. I am sure there are a few stinkers in the bunch, but just a few. 

Here’s what I know about Nazarene clergy: they work hard. They don’t often get paid well. Until this year, their retirement stink, stank, stunk (thank you P&B for greatly improving the denominational investment in the retirement plan). Pastors are loving, kind, and generous. There’s not a lot of complaining from them, just a lot of praying and preaching and visiting the sick and the million other jobs of a pastor. Social media has made their job infinitely harder; the cultural circling of the drain has made it harder still; and pastoring in an election year makes it even harder than that. Still they faithfully serve. 

Pastors aren’t perfect (neither are you, non-pastors, who might be reading). Pastors are usually strong, but sometimes are weak. Usually right, but sometimes are wrong. Usually preach good sermons, but sometimes preach a bad one. Usually use good discernment, but sometime mess up. Usually are thrilled to be serving in their location, but sometimes want out. Usually lead well, but sometimes get off track. Pastors are humans, in other words (again so are you).

Most folks in the congregation would say they love their pastor and they know she/he loves them. You probably feel this way, so why tell you what you already know? Simple, don’t let the social media naysayers allow you to think that (your pastor excluded) the other 11,002 USA/Canada Nazarene pastors are goobers or worse. If you watch the internet too much, you’ll hear of moral failures and a bugaboo elder or two, but that’s the minority. The extreme minority. Again, most Nazarene pastors love Jesus, the Church of the Nazarene and their flock (well, most of the flock. There are a few goober laymen too… but not many). The vast majority of Nazarenes pastors and people (my antidotal guess is 99.8%) are trying hard to serve Jesus.

We’ve all heard the saying, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” In our social-media-gone-mad world, maybe the statement if relating to the clergy in the Church of the Nazarene should read “the squeaky two hundredths of one per percent of 11,003 get the notoriety.” Pay little attention to the hullabaloo. Social media stalking of the sinful or heretical borders on mindless chatter at best and gossip at worst. You’ve got better things to do—like telling your own pastor that you support her/him; praying for him/her; and appreciate his/her efforts to lead the charge against the Enemy in your hometown. 

Laypeople reading this might not be able to encourage all 31,354 Nazarene pastors, but I bet you could cheer on one or two! Pastors reading this know you have 31,353 other pastors in the Church of the Nazarene who just like you are doing their best to represent Jesus! Be encouraged. The overwhelming majority are faithfully serving (just like you). And to the teeny tiny minority of pastors who’ve had their struggles, sins, trips and falls, please remember the One who called you is still faithful, even if you haven’t been. Ministry might be out of the question, but you’re not too far gone, no matter what you or others might think. Confess. Move forward (in ministry or not). Finish the race. 

All this to say, most (not all, but most by far) of 31,354 ministers in the Church of the Nazarene love Jesus and want to see His Kingdom built wherever they are serving. 

Want to change the Church of the Nazarene? Start in your own backyard

As far as I remember the General Church of the Nazarene baptizes no one. Maybe there has been a baptism at a General Assembly, but I’ve never seen it. No infant baptisms either. Or baby dedications. Nothing like that. Those are local church happenings.

There’s been a few baptisms on our district campgrounds, but it’s still a local church thing. The district didn’t do much in their discipleship. Yes, there are camps but the day to day discipleship happens in the local church. Again, no infant baptisms or baby dedications happen on the district level. There is no marriage counselling. No food programs. No ongoing mission efforts. That is all a local church thing too. 

Ministry happens at the local church. We all know this to be true. So if one is starting to get bent out of shape or ruffled feathers because of decisions made on the general (global) or district level take a breath, calm down, practice self-control (a fruit of the spirit, remember) look around and see all the good things (God things) that are happening at your local church.  

There are a lot of good proceedings. 

At my local church just in the next week or two these things are happening: a mission team of 35 people (mostly teens, but our District Superintendent too) was supposed to be in Panama this week (unfortunately,  weekend storms and a day in the Buffalo airport ruined that and sent the team back to Michigan). Another team is going in September (no storms please). We partner with the closest elementary school to the church. Partnering means providing all the school supplies; sponsoring extracurricular activities and field trips; buying the entire school matching T-Shirts to inspire school spirit and unity; providing mentors and aids; and delivering bags of weekend groceries so the 60+ children identified as at risk kids won’t go hungry without the free school breakfast and lunch. Our Vacation Bible Camp children raised money to buy 65 backpacks for the kids around the Flint Eastside mission. The Boys and Girls Club of Flint that meets in our building is supplying a free lunch to anybody and everybody this summer. Folks from the community are playing pickleball (free of charge) two nights a week in the Community Center. Central Park, the play area we built for our neighbors, is constantly in use. Our neighborhood block party, Summerfest, happens in a couple of weeks. Besides trying to be the best neighbor, baptisms are happening this Sunday– infants in the morning service and new believers at night at a public beach area (I love public baptisms); and our worship services have been Spirit filled and God led!  

When I get worried about doctrinal brouhahas in the general church or bug-a-booed about thing-a-ma-bob at another Nazarene church or pastor 30 miles away, I start to lose my focus. God has called us to bloom where we are planted. So let’s bloom. Don’t get so (in our Nazarene world) “Lenexa focused” that we miss what’s happening under our noses. 

Would I change a few things if I were the Super Czar of the Nazarene-dom… probably, but no one voted me into that role (there isn’t a Super Czar of Nazarene-dom). Instead of filling the complaint box in Lenexa with wonderful ideas about how the GSs should do their jobs (I don’t think there is a complain box), why not take a neighbor a plate of cookies or babysit a single mom’s kids, mentor a child at your elementary school or visit a widow. Do something that truly matters. 

Jesus calls us to love our neighbor. That’s a local thing. James says the religion that matters is that which takes care of widows and orphans. That’s a local thing too. When Jesus told the parable of the King separating folks at Judgement Day like a shepherd separates sheep and goats, the difference was in how people cared for the sick and needy. In each incidence, it’s a local matter. Not once does Jesus tell us to worry about what others are doing. In fact, he says let the sin-free folks have the first stone toss at the sinner. Nobody chucked a rock. Maybe we shouldn’t either.

Don’t like what’s happening in Lenexa? Instead of spinning your wheels (or banging your fingers on a keyboard) trying to clean up the world around you. The ministry that matters is local ministry. Start tossing rocks at others once your own glass house is perfect. Want to change the Church of the Nazarene? Start in your own backyard!

Why Have a Manual in the Church of the Nazarene If No One Follows It?

What is the purpose of the Manual?  Here’s my succinct, oversimplified definition on the purpose of the Church of the Nazarene’s Manual: “The Manual is how Nazarene’s interpret the Bible theologically and socially. Additionally, it is how the Church of the Nazarene tries to best organized itself to make Christ-like disciples in the nations.” That’s pretty much it. The Manual is not the Bible. It’s changed every four years. It’s our attempt to interpret the Bible in theology and life for our particular ecclesiastical organization for such a time as this.

From my vantage point, as the social media posters volleyed back and forth last week, it once again exposed the great divide within the Church of the Nazarene. There are some in our tribe that want a strict adherence to the Manual which (along with Jesus) is the same yesterday, today and forever. Others seemingly are of the opinion that a minister is free to think and act however one pleases regardless of the Manual’s directives. 

If the ladder have their way, why have a Manual? If its words mean nothing and the clergy can disregard whatever section he/she pleases, whenever they please, why have the Manual? Are the Manual’s directives simply suggestions? If so, who picks and who chooses what we believe or don’t believe? Don’t call it a “manual” if that is the case. Call it: Some Nice Nazarene Ideas (take it or leave it).

If the former have their way,  the Manual turns into a dead document that leaves no room for discussion or conversation. Why have a General Assembly if there are no resolutions to debate; no discussions to be had; no changes to be made? Cancel your hotel reservations in Kansas City 2027, no need to go. 

Per my usual attempt, I advocate for neither extreme but a middle way. The Manual is more than a suggestion. It’s our agreed upon directive. Ordained ministers promise to abide within its pages. Should there be disagreement (and there may be times of disagreement), we need not be disagreeable. We need not air our dirty laundry on social media. We need not lambast leadership. We need not print or post disparaging comments against those with a differing opinion. Let’s have kind, godly discussions and think groups. Utilize the Global theological conference, PALCON, M-25, other conferences on all the regions, and provide “safe” events for charitable, theological conversations. We can pray together and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance. We can suggest changes in a considerate manner desiring the Holy Spirit to move upon the collective body. Then as gather at a General Assembly, the delegates vote as the Holy Spirit directs.

Conversation is our friend, not the enemy. Let’s reason together and come to a place like in Acts 15 where following a theological debate James concluded, “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” (Acts 15: 28). Isn’t that what we should be saying at the conclusion of every General Assembly? “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, that the Manual is our next four year agreed upon document.”

We need the Manual. We also need the Manual to be a living document filled with sanctified love.  It should be our unified document not our dividing rod. 

Disagree with the Church of the Nazarene? Willingly Leave.

There is no gun to my head forcing me to stay in the Church of the Nazarene. I can leave at any time. Dr. Raymond Hurn said as much, at the time of my ordination. 

“If ever you do not agree with the Church of the Nazarene, will you willingly turn in your credentials?” he asked.
“I will,” I said. 

Some have said that the relationship between the church and the ordained minister is like a marriage. “You don’t walk away from a marriage, because you disagree. You stay and fight for the marriage,” they say. 

Ordination is not like a marriage. No one asked me Ray Hurn’s question before my nuptials. No one said, “if you ever disagree with your wife, will you turn in your marriage license?” Ordination includes a “pre-nup” element in other words. Disagree? Then willingly leave. No hard feelings. 

There are bits and pieces I might change in the Manual. The book is revised every four years. It isn’t the Bible. The Manual doesn’t end with the warning like in Revelation 22:18-19 about adding and subtracting words to the manuscript. Still there is not a lot I would edit– including the statement on human sexuality (Paragraph 31). I like the statement on human sexuality. As a General Assembly delegate, I voted for it. I was one of the 97 percenters that did. 

On the flip side, there are those who disagree with other significant portions of the Manual (Article 4 and the Nazarene understanding of scripture, women in ministry, infant baptism, speaking in tongues, I suppose there are other matters too). The church’s position on these matters were in place when the minister walked down the church’s center aisle and knelt before a congregation too. The Manual hasn’t changed (for the most part) since the General Superintendent placed his/her hands on the minister’s head and ordained them. If disparity exists, it’s the clergyperson who has changed, not the church. Of course having divergent ideas regarding most issues rarely gets the attention that opposition to the Paragraph 31 attracts. Extremists have gone to their corners like a WWE wrestling match on that one.

My point is simply this: if one doesn’t agree with the CotN on weighty matters, no one is forced to stay. One may leave at any time. I don’t mean that to sound harsh or overly critical. I’m not suggesting forcing people out. But no one is married to the church. It’s not a divorce when one leaves (although I do acknowledge, it can feel like it). If the church and minister grow apart (for whatever reason), let the affiliation end with an amicable separation. 

If one would rather be in a fundamentalist church, there are plenty of them out there. If one would rather be in a progressive church, there are plenty of those too. In fact those churches, with their declining attendances, would welcome the transfer with open arms. They would cheer a new member for his/her “courage” for leaving the CotN. But is it courage? It’s doing what was agreed upon at the time of ordination. It’s in the “pre-nup.” 

“If there is major disagreement, I’ll leave.” It’s what I told old Ray Hurn. No fuss. No mess. No drama. No burning bridges on the way out. No disparaging comments about the church. No social media blasts on how terrible the church has become. No name calling about those in leadership. No back and forth, tit for tat. None of that. I will go and wish my remaining friends well. 

But like I said, I doubt that will be me. I like it here.