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
