Is it time for the Silent Majority in the Church of the Nazarene to speak?
Most people in the Church of the Nazarene (CotN) are silent when it comes to the happenings of the church. I’m not talking about those members on the fringe that barely know they attend a Nazarene church. No, these silent folks are “in the know.” They know all about the CotN. They observe social media happenings concerning the CotN. They pay attention to the issues in the church and in the world. They hear the chatter from the conservative groups, progressive groups, charismatic influenced groups, our college happenings or things on the mission field (both good and bad). They have opinions regarding these things. They simply keep their thoughts to themselves.
This is especially true for those in leadership positions. There must be a class when one enters the Global Ministry Center (GMC) on the how to avoid making comments on social media. Don’t “like” any opinion. Don’t address any problem. Don’t offend one side or the other. Be quiet.
I can’t blame them. I’ve seen people take a position (it’s happened to me) and one side or the other goes ballistic. Their name and opinion gets dragged through the mud. Their outlook was lambasted. People assumed this or that about the person. Usually it’s not good. People they thought were their friends (not just “Facebook friends,” but real ones) write hurtful things. Any response would come across as “defensive.” They’ve learned their lesson. “Stay quiet.”
(I’m pretty sure I have the inglorious distinction of one who has offended just about everyone at one time or another with these little 500-700 word blogs. Yet here I am, blabbering on. Apparently, I have not learned my lesson).
There is a reason why the cliché, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease,” is true. We’ve seen it happen over and over in the church. The ones who yell the loudest– get the attention. No matter if their opinions are contrary to the stated doctrines of the Church. No matter if the loudest and angriest display very un-Christlike attributes. No matter that their bullying tactics intimidate people into silence. No matter that their message of aggression and callousness is what non-believers also see. “Truth,” they say, is what they are defending. But if “truth” is conveyed in an untruthful or un-Christlike manner is it still the “Truth”? “If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen,” the theological bullies tell us. That’s another truth-filled cliché which is leading the silent exodus of sound-minded people.
I’ve heard some opinions say, “80% of Nazarenes are nice and wonderful followers of Jesus and there are 10% of Nazarenes are on either end of the bully stick.” 10% ultra-conservative bullies and 10% ultra-progressive bullies. I tend to think the percentages are not nearly that strong. My estimation is that it’s only 1% on either end. Maybe less. At least, 98% of Nazarenes are following after Jesus and striving to live a holy life. The squeaky wheels are 2% (maybe less), but those squeaky wheels get a lot of the greasy attention on social media and elsewhere.
Solomon was right. “There is a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). It should go without saying (but I’m writing about it so maybe it’s not so obvious): We can’t always be silent. There is a time to speak. Former “CBS Evening News” anchor Scott Pelley said, “The most important thing is to have the courage to speak, to not let fear permeate the country so that everyone suddenly becomes silent. If you have the courage to speak, we are saved. If you fall silent, the country is doomed.” Substitute the words “Church of the Nazarene” for the word “Country” and there’s a lesson for my fellow Silent Majority Nazarene members (yes, I count myself in that group). There are times when we can’t be silent. We must speak. It may upset 1% on either end of the Nazarene spectrum, but we cannot fear. Take courage. Speak.
