Tag: unity

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. 

Is it too late for Revival in the Church of the Nazarene (USA/Canada)?  

On By Rob Prince6 Comments

There is no question on the necessity of the church to be revived. A quick look at the numbers reveal that in-person attendance is plummeting. Churches are closing. New churches are not being started. Young people are not being called to pastoral ministries. The clergy along with the people in the pews are aging. The writing is on the wall. It’s only a matter of time before the funeral processional begins. Something needs to happen (read: REVIVAL) or the Church of the Nazarene will die!* But is it too late for her to turn around?

Luke writes of the revival following Pentecost. It can happen. The church was adding people every day (Acts 2:47). In a short period of time, the number of believing men grew to 5,000 (Acts 4:4). In spite of opposition from within (Ananias and Sapphira) and pressure on the outside, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number” (Acts 5:14). Revival was happening. It was the work of the Holy Spirit and the believers were in “one heart and one mind” (Acts 4:32). 

The Holy Spirit is still at work, but would anyone declare the Church of the Nazarene to be in “one heart and mind”? The church seems to be more divided than ever. There’s too much “us vs. them.” There are too many labels. There are too many sub-groups and factions. Social media loudly clamors for attention on all sides. There are too many separate entities fighting for their corner of the table. The U.S.S. Nazarene is sinking, does it matter who is sitting at the captain’s table?

It’s never too late for the Holy Spirit to right the ship. But it sure seems like the window of revival is closing for the Church of the Nazarene. There are those who say, “Let her die.” I’m not one of them. She can be revived. There is resurrection hope. 

The answer seems simple to write, but hard to obtain. Quit fighting. Quit dividing. Quit weaponizing social media. Quit demonizing those with a slightly different theological bent. Quit. Just quit. This is not a call that one side or the other needs to quit, every side must quit the chatter. Jesus highly priestly prayer calls all believers to be unified (see John 17:20-21). Can’t the church live into that prayer? Can the church be on one heart and mind?

Is it too late for revival? It’s never too late. The church willing to humbly settle its differences in an age of division and angst? Are its members willing to pray along with Jesus to be one? That’s the question. 

If it is too late for a revived Church of the Nazarene, don’t mourn too long. God will rise up new groups like in the late 1800’s when the Church of the Nazarene or the Holiness Church of Christ or the Association of Pentecostal Churches of America started. These new groups will do what the current version of the Church of the Nazarene is not always doing. A united people who will proclaim holiness of heart and life and offer good news to the least of these. God isn’t impressed with brand names. If the current version of Church of the Nazarene isn’t cutting it, God will raise up a church who will. 

Is it too late? No. But it is getting late…

*Obviously, there are exceptions. There are good churches doing good things. I am super biased but I think Flint Central Church is such an exception.

“God, let us see things as they really are”

On By Rob PrinceLeave a comment

What should be our prayer throughout the rest of this tumultuous election year? Not including John the Revelator’s final, ultimate prayer that all believers should be praying– “Amen, Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20); or the prayer that sounds like it’s coming from a Miss Universe contestant, “My prayer is for world peace;” what should be our prayer?

If a survey were taken on the most dominant prayer requests from a typical church prayer meeting, physical wellbeing would undoubtedly head the list. Certainly Jesus did and can heal. I’ve written two books concerning health issues (Shameless Plug: Chronic Pain: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering and Got Cancer? There’s Help). God heals, but He doesn’t always. My ultimate prayer is not for my physical healing (although that would be nice too), but it does involve vision. Here’s my prayer for me and you this year:

“God, let us see things as they really are”

I want to be able to say like the former blind guy in John 9: “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:25). I want the eyes of the Savior. I want to see others as Jesus sees them. I want to see the world as the Almighty does. Sometimes I’m blind and, my guess is that, sometimes you are too.

Too often our vision is clouded by the version of the news we prefer.
God, let me see things as they really are!
Our vision is informed more by politics than Jesus.
God, let me see things as they really are!
Our vision is colored by our surroundings.
God, let me see things as they really are!
Our vision can be tainted by our own life experiences.
God, let me see things as they really are!
There are so many things that skew our reality.
God, let me see things as they really are!

Admittedly, I don’t know all there is to know– in the world, in my family or in the church I serve. I have blind spots. So do you. These blogs and my social media timeline convinced me that we don’t all see things the same way. Most of my social media friends and blog readers (not all) claim to be Christian. Most everyone believes their positions are supported biblically. But these nice, Bible-believing Christians (and sometimes not-so-nice) come to different conclusions– vastly different conclusions. We don’t see things the same way. “God, let us see things as they really are!”

If we could see things as they really are, then we could begin to collaborate to fulfill Jesus prayer for God Almighty’s  “kingdom come, will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Change begins with seeing. Here’s the formula: 1) See clearly; 2) define reality; then 3) pray for guidance, solutions, and the courage required to accomplish His will. It’s having His eyes, His heart, His strength, and His motivation. All of this begins with a simple prayer: God, let us see things as they really are!