Tag: manual

Do Nazarenes Truly Believe Article of Faith XI?

On By Rob Prince1 Comment

In the world of denominationalism, the Church of the Nazarene (cotn) is small. Yes, it is inching close to 3 million members worldwide. Yes, there was slight growth in USA/Canada last year. Yes, in the world of “holiness” churches, the cotn is a bigger group than most in that very small subset. Still, in the Church universal, the cotn is a small tribe. 

Being small has some benefits. Like the sitcom Cheers bar, it seems everyone knows your name. Often it’s more like family than a denomination. There is a comfortable familiarity, going into a Nazarene church on the other side of the world and seeing posters for the World Evangelism Fund or an alabaster offering. It’s easy to think, “Yes, these are my people.” 

But being small, also means when a family member leaves or is asked to leave, you know it. It hurts just a little bit. Sometimes it hurts a lot. 

People leave for a variety of reasons, I’ve had people move to a community without a cotn and have joined another church. For some, sinful choices lead them to no longer fellowship in the cotn. Others got miffed at someone (Read: often the pastor) and have joined another church. Occasionally, an elder or licensed minister has gotten sideways with a doctrine or belief and have felt, he/she needs to exit. In rare cases (very rare) an elder is asked to leave. Ordered to do so by a church trial, if necessary. Those rare instances, usually make headlines on social media. It gets the usual characters grumbling, but trials for heresy are extremely rare.

The eleventh Article of Faith in the Manual of the cotn states: The Church is a historical reality that organizes itself in culturally conditioned forms, exists both as local congregations and as a universal body. Notice the capital “C” in “Church” and the word, “universal” regarding the Church. Nazarenes recognize that there are Christians in other traditions that will likewise receive an eternal reward and hear the Master say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” One need not show their Nazarene membership card or give St. Peter the secret Nazarene handshake (we don’t have one of those, do we?) to gain entrance through the pearly gates. 

Since Article XI exists, doesn’t it make sense that when someone leaves to join another church (for whatever reason) we would not besmirch their name or in other ways cast doubt on their faithfulness or Christian standing. Instead, we would wish them well and continue to pray for their good standing before the Lord. We wouldn’t celebrate the aforementioned exit (especially on social media). We wouldn’t draw lines in the sand. We wouldn’t contact lawyers. We would say, “Brothers and sisters, we may differ on some of the finer points of our faith but we are part of the Church universal. Go and be well.” 

At times, when someone leaves, it feels like a divorce. Betrayal even. Someone has to be right and someone has to be wrong. But does it have to be that way? Can’t two things be right at the same time? Neither party is evil. Both are trying to “work out their salvation in fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Can’t there be a world where both the witch-hunts and the brazen, willful disregard to the Manual are out of bounds those who swore to uphold it? Moreover, can’t we refuse to resort to name calling while walking out the door or shouts of distain from inside the holy confines toward those walking away?

Being a part of the Church (capital “C”) means (in a too simplistic way) we have common beliefs regarding the primacy of Christ and the inspired Holy Bible containing all we need to know regarding salvation. After that, aren’t we all are “working it out.” If we truly believe Article XI, those exiting for another church would still feel loved. If we truly believe Article XI, we wouldn’t be so territorial. If we truly believed Article XI we would be sad, maybe even heart-broken, when one of our own sheep heads to a new pasture, but we wouldn’t be un-Christ-like. Not if we believe, Article XI. 

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

On By Rob Prince4 Comments

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 latter 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.