Be Happy for Church Discipline

Recently social media has been ablaze with comments, posts, and blogs about clergy who have been disciplined and lost their credentials (along with those still in the process). Their loss of credentials is in relation to their push for the Church of the Nazarene to be LGBTQIA+ affirming. In other words they want homosexual practice to be acceptable. Their defense is that they simply want a "conversation" and, when disciplined, an insistence that the proper protocols and Manual requirements were not followed. The definition of "teaching" is debated, the definition of "doctrines" is debated, and a pharisaical "straining out the gnat" is evidenced in supporters' debate; all the while "the camel" of refuting the clear teachings of Scripture about the practice of homosexuality is ignored.

It would be easy to fall into the confusion as some educated people (at least with degrees) seem to be suddenly confused about a sexual ethic that has been around since the beginning of time and is among the clearest prohibitions in Scripture. All they really desire is for the church to capitulate truth in favor of current cultural trends of sexual immorality. They do not want conversation (that has been happening for some time), they want compromise.

A few observations in light of things taking place.

1. The baseline of the issue is a rejection of Biblical truth as the primary authority for doctrine and lifestyle. There are some who escape into denominational infrastructure and ivory towers that forget that Christianity is not a philosophy to be toyed with, but a relationship with the Creator. The goal is not development of culturally compatible social circles, but knowing the King of kings. Consistently through the history of the church, revival and reform have not taken the church farther away from biblical revelation, but called the church back to it. Those who seek to reinvent a culturally palatable religion, are actually making an idol in the image of humanism. 

2. They are advocating for the blessing of behavior that the Bible clearly says will keep people out of Heaven. In other words, these teachings have a damning impact on the individuals who would listen and follow them. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Those insisting on gay marriage or homosexual practice are seeking to convince the lost that they are not lost. This is dangerous, antithetical to all that we should be doing, and the reason the Bible speaks so strongly against false teachers. They are not new attenders or visitors in the church. They are most often part of a multi-generational family in the life of the church. They are typically an ordained elder serving the denomination in various capacities (including Nazarene Universities and denominational infrastructure). In other words, they are not first time guests who are unaware of the teachings of Jesus on this issue. They should know better, but insists on persisting in false teachings without regard to the eternal impact it has on those who embrace homosexual practice.

3. If anyone should be clamoring for justice it is the hundreds of people who have had to leave their churches under the failed leadership of false teachers. Approving of sin, or creating a culture in the local church that will lead to approval of sin, chokes out spiritual vitality. The wages of sin is death. And those who propagate the approval of sin create a culture of death. Theology is not abstract philosophy, but our understanding of God and ultimately His plan of salvation. The practice of homosexuality needs more than a denial of its approval. Those struggling with this temptation need authentic, biblical love from their church family and the discipleship of clarity about homosexual practice. If anyone should be outraged it is the loved ones of people who have wrecked their faith on his teachings. 

4. Church discipline is a real thing. It is necessary to implement church discipline when moral practices are violated or covenants broken. Church discipline is necessary to maintain the integrity and witness of the church. For the same reason a child molester or one advocating for the demeaning of another person based on their skin color is subject to church discipline, so one who would advocate for the sinful action of homosexual practice is also subject to discipline. While there will always be things up for debate, those things clearly defined in Scripture as sin are not up for debate. How to minister to those in the LGBTQIA+ community is worthy of rigorous discussion and debate. Whether the practice of homosexuality is sin is not open for debate. Those claiming that no one can discuss these issues because their credentials will be taken are disingenuous in their communication; spinning the issue. 

5. They malign faithful leaders, pastors, and laity in the church. Those in support of homosexual practice and biblical compromise form an online rabble that seek to intimidate, malign, and coerce leadership into adherence to their agenda. Touting their devotion to "love", they spew the worst kind of vitriol via social media. Some pastors are bullied into the corner and beg for us to "agree to disagree" while seeking to remain out of the crosshairs of the mob mentality. Other leaders are named and then maligned by half truths and skewed realities that involve a questioning of their character, integrity, and faithfulness to Biblical truth. This is gaslighting to an extreme.

So what should be done?

1. Discipline of clergy and leadership who seek to promote or advocate homosexual practice.

2. Professors from the theology departments of our Nazarene Institutions need to articulate clearly, gracefully, and publicly our Scriptural stance on human sexuality.

3. Credentialing processes on every district need to hold accountable those seeking ordination to our beliefs and covenants.

4. Leadership needs to be supported as they take action to limit the harmful damage caused by these false teachers.

5. Spiritual renewal. Let's pray for the Spirit to fill us with a fresh infilling. Some things will only change when minds are renewed and hearts are cleansed. 

A way forward Part 1 and Part 2 are previous articles that highlight action for moving in the right direction.

Here are a few articles for some context. (Each of these articles comes from a source that is obviously not biblical in perspective.)

Nazarene elder has his ordination in the Church of the Nazarene revoked and is removed as pastor of his church on Aug 14, 2023.

A first appeal on the ruling is rejected.

Did he forfeit his privilege to a final appeal by speaking again at his church on November 26, 2023 after having been removed and loss of credentials. The audio of his message can be found on the site under the date 11-26-23. 

The final appeal is filed and more spin.

See these other articles:

The Africa Region of the Church of the Nazarene speaks to the issue of LGBTQIA+ Affirmation

Some Cautions for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 1)

A Way Forward for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 1)

A Letter of Accusation Against a False Teacher

Why I Love the Church of the Nazarene

Directions for Singing and Worship

Phineas Bresee gave the early Nazarenes some suggestions for their order of worship:
“We desire to suggest that our own Sunday morning hour of worship, after voluntary songs of praise, the minister should carefully and earnestly read one of the substantial hymns, and that it should be sung by the congregation, they reverently standing. This should be followed by prayer, the people kneeling. Then a verse of song or an appropriate chorus should voluntarily follow. Then the reading of the Scriptures, at least a part of which might well be a psalm read responsively. Then the offering, announcements, and if desired further song and prayer, and the preaching of the Word, with such opportunities for seeking the Lord as may be in accord with the conditions and as the Spirit may suggest.” (Phineas F. Bresee, The Nazarene Messenger 13.6 - February 11, 1909.)

John Wesley gives these seven "Directions for Singing" which were included in the 1761 "Select Hymns" for the early Methodists. Maybe these are some good insights for pastors, worship leaders, and congregants today:

"Directions for Singing.  That this part of Divine Worship may be the more acceptable to God, as well as the more profitable to yourself and others, be careful to observe the following directions.

I. Learn these Tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.

II. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.

III. Sing All. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up and you will find a blessing.

IV. Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.

V. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.

VI. Sing in Time: whatever time is sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend closely to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can. And take care you sing not too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from among us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.

VII. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your Heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve of here, and reward when he cometh in the clouds of heaven."

What directions would you give to worship leaders?

Also Check out these articles:

Characteristics of True Revival

Biblical Authority and Accuracy

Cursing, Profanity, and the Tongue

Priorities in My Pastoral Ministry

I've been thinking about the things that I prioritize in my pastoral ministry. Here's what I came up with in no particular order:

1. The Message of Full Salvation. The need for heart purity and the remedy found in the baptism of the Holy Spirit will ever be a message that I emphasize in my teaching and preaching. The salvific work of God in this life does not end with justification! God's will and plan for you is to experience, before Heaven, the entire sanctification Jesus provided for in His death and resurrection! I will preach it, live it, and shout it!

2. Pastoral Care. Whatever the attendance of the church is, I believe pastoral care is important. It will always be a priority of mine. In the era of mega church emphasis and a corporate mentality in the church, I will continue to visit the sick, the prisons, and people at home. I admittedly cannot visit everyone under my care and will no doubt miss a surgery or wedding or celebration, but I plan on being with people like Jesus did.

3. High Personal Standards. I want to operate with conviction about the life God called me to live in holiness. Those called to service as leaders in the church should have high standards of ethics and morals Monday through Saturday and not only on Sunday. While some may gravitate toward the hipster preacher, I am committed to living a life pleasing to the Savior. The trust that the congregation I serve places in me is an honor and a gift that I will never take lightly. 

4. Biblical Fidelity. I've ministered in a number of contexts and appreciated the local community culture as well as the local church's culture. These things are a gift from God. The difficulty of Christians in every era of human history and geographical location is to discern the holy way without being led away by worldly influences. Faithfulness to God's plan for every area of life is the only way to maintain that fidelity. The Holy Spirit always leads us back to the revealed will of God through the Bible. In my personal life, my preaching, my church life, and ministry I will be faithful to God's Word regardless of the cost.

5. Newness of Life. The greatest joy of pastoral ministry is walking with individuals into a relationship with the Creator and witnessing, first hand, the change that takes place in their lives. Transformation happens in a moment of time and discipleship is a lifetime process. God brings real change in the lives of those who yield to His leading in their lives. The new birth and water baptism of individuals, the complete consecration and fire baptism, as well as other spiritual breakthroughs throughout the journey of individuals is the reward of diligent ministry. I will not settle for no fruit. 

What are some of your priorities in ministry?

Check out these other articles:

Why I Still Have Sunday Night Service

Characteristics of True Revival

Why I am a Holiness Preacher

How to Get "Unfriended" in Real Life

Signs of Maturity

 What does maturity look like in real life? Here are 7 signs of maturity I have noticed:

1. Receive criticism well. How you respond to criticism is an important aspect of maturity. Criticism is not all bad. It is often difficult for us each to see areas of personal growth, but criticism (even from those who do not intend to help us), can assist in helping us become self-aware in areas in which we can improve. Those who insulate themselves from critique are suffering from self-inflicted harm leading to arrested development and indicating their lack of maturity.

2. Responsibility before recreation. Certainly rest, relaxation, and even creation is an important component to a holy life, but these things have become foundational for many people. Negating responsibility or work to focus on entertainment is a plague for the immature. Maturity leads us to fulfill our obligations, responsibilities, and complete tasks assigned before participating in entertainment. Procrastination is a red flag of immaturity.

3. Long term over short term focused. Focusing on long term goals and fulfillment rather than short term urges and satisfaction is a sign of maturity. A greater level of fulfillment is realized by the mature who work diligently and often over a long period of time to accomplish a long-term goal. The immature constantly fluctuate as they seek quick, easy, and temporary fulfillment by gratifying the desires of the present moment and context. The problem is that they never see something through to completion that will take more than a week to bring fulfillment. Delayed gratification is a sign of maturity.

4. Respond instead of react. In a moment of difficult conversation, it is easy to react in emotional anger or angst. Maturity leads us to respond in ways that are appropriate rather than being dictated to by shifting emptions. This is not to say that maturity lacks emotions or their exhibition. Rather, maturity is not dictated to by emotions. Being reactionary is very often volatile.

5. Doings things you don't enjoy. Immaturity can lead to a type of hedonism that avoids perceived negative emotions, activities that are not enjoyable or immediately gratifying, and socially uncomfortable situations. Maturity mandates appropriate action even under uncomfortable settings. Eating things you don't like, doing chores that are not enjoyable, approaching social situations that are emotionally charged or even costly are difficult, but necessary in light of maturity. 

6. Action more than talk. While setting goals and determining future goals is important, immaturity keeps those goals from being realized be keeping them in the realm of conversation only. The reason why many people are frustrated by committee meeting is often because no action is actually taken or implemented. Maturity leads us to actively accomplish the tasks and goals at hand rather than simply talk about them. Anyone can dream, but maturity does.

7. Being a self-starter. Maturity does not wait until it is forced to move forward to take action. The mature are self-starters who see the need or the obstacle or the problem and began to work toward the solution. They take upon themselves the responsibility to make sure that action is taken. Immaturity waits to be forced or mandated to take action. The immature act only in an emergency or in the face of immediate problem.

What might you add to a list of "signs of maturity"?

Check out the Articles:

Some Things You Need to Know

How to Know God's Will for Your Life

Ten Books You Should Read

Is Tithing Still a Thing Today?

The Nazarene Africa Region Speaks to the LGBTQIA+ Issue

The Africa Region of the Church of the Nazarene established a committee for General Assembly 2023 which share the following:

Statement of the Nazarenes in Africa on the Issues of Sexual Orientation, Marriage Equality and Ordination of LGBTQ+

Whereas we live in a cultural milieu which advocates for and accepts the LGBTQ+, the Nazarenes in Africa, remain committed to the teachings of the Bible and the doctrines of our Christian faith and heritage. As Nazarenes in Africa, we remain guided by the denominational key source documents of reference. We remain resolute about the Bible as our source of primary guidance and to this end accept that the Scriptures, inerrantly, reveal "the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation." (Manual 2017-2021, Article of Faith IV) We also agree that whatever is not contained in Scripture us "not to be enjoined as an article of faith."

As an African Church, we do not accept nor support the practice of homosexuality or any part of LGBTQ+ as a lifestyle because it is incompatible with the teachings of Scripture and the established tradition of the church.

As we enter into the Church of the Nazarene's General Assembly 2023, we call on the membership of the entire denomination to practice restraint and work towards an approach to the gender identity and human sexuality debate in ways that continue to demonstrate dignity, value, and respect for all.

We encourage, in our dialogue and reflections, restrain in zeal and condemn any view which may contribute to any form of dehumanisation, victimisation, or violence against members of the LGBTQI+ community. Our aim as Nazarenes in Africa is to present the holy love of God that is fully redemptive and seeks to save sinners from self-destructive choices.

ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION & GENDER IDENTITY

The African Nazarenes have long been clear that they cannot accept the practices of the LGBTQ+ as any basis for a holy lifestyle reflection Christlikeness. We intend to closely follow scriptural teachings regarding God's creation of man and woman with the implication that gender is biologically determined.

ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY

We stand for the Biblical position of marriage as it only exists in a relationship involving one man and one woman (Manual 2017-2021, 31, 515.9). We agree as collectively that same-sex relationship contradict our understanding of Scripture.

ON ORDINATION

As African Nazarenes we adopt the position of the Church of the Nazarene and are not in favour of the ordination of LGBTQ+ persons to the ranks of clergy in our church.

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Check out these other related articles:

General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene Resolutions 2023

The Disunity of the United Methodist Church

Why I Love the Church of the Nazarene

A Way Forward for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 2)

This article is the last in a series of four articles that detailed some Cautions for the Church of the Nazarene as well as a Way Forward to address these issues. 

Here are the links to the previous articles in case you need to play "catch up" thus far:

Some Cautions for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 1)

Some Cautions for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 2)

A Way Forward for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 1)

6. Promoting Unfruitful or Unfaithful Pastors.

We need to stop promoting unfruitful and unfaithful ministers. It is wearisome, unhelpful, and even detrimental when we have people speak at conferences, district events, or other denominational events about topics to which they have not been fruitful. Everyone has an opinion, not everyone has a valid opinion. Never grown a church? Don't tell others how to grow a church? If you don't have a vibrant youth group, don't teach a class on youth ministry. Been ineffective ministering to those in the LGBTQIA+ community? Don't imply that you are an expert on ministry in that area.

May our District Advisory Boards and General Board be filled with fruitful clergy who are fulfilling the Great Commission. A grand hindrance to the health of the denomination is the jealousy unconsciously acted upon by those in places of authority who exclude those with healthy growing churches or ministries. It is often those clamoring for position on the district or in the denomination that are the least qualified for the position. Leadership needs to be discerning and mindful that their responsibility is not to "fill a spot" of leadership, but find someone who is anointed to "fill the call."

What if every individual pursuing ordination in the denomination was expected to lead at least one person to Christ, plant a church, or exhibit fruitfulness in some measurable way? What if local licenses, district licenses, and ordination were not given simply because someone fulfilled the educational requirements and affirmed the Articles of Faith, but also because it was evident that the Holy Spirit was upon them?

What if pastors who simply disagree with our doctrine and lifestyle covenants were asked to leave, rather than cause division? What if leadership in our higher education theology and bible departments were expected to love the church and promote our theology rather than critique and deconstruct it? What if our Nazarene theologians and professors were the first to reject recent attempts at changing our stance on human sexuality that was pushed by some of their own rather than continue to remain silent (and, in some cases, even defending those advocating for approving of the practice of homosexuality).

Faithful and fruitful clergy, filled with the Holy Spirit, are essential for the future of our denomination (or any denomination for that matter). They are out there! They may not be the loudest or most obnoxious on social media, but they are faithfully and fruifully serving the Lord and fulfilling their calling.

7. Changing Theology.

We need to hold fast to the deposit entrusted to us. Some are claiming that theology is always changing and is not static. While there is a bit of truth in the reality that vocabulary and culture change; our theology is ultimately about an unchanging God. Theology is no more than a description of the character, characteristics, and nature of a God who is the same yesterday, today, and evermore! What we believe as individuals may change as our understanding grows, but God never changes. This is especially pertinent in light of the reality that many people are developing theology apart from Scripture and even in contradiction to the Bible. 

The Church of the Nazarene's fourth Article of Faith on Scripture actually states that "whatever is not contained therein [in the Bible] is not to be enjoined as an article of faith." We are first and foremost biblical theologians in our beliefs. There are some who would like to be philosophers who allow their minds to usurp the authority of scripture. 

There is an impetus among some that we must come up with something "new" to add to our theology. That somehow our theology is the problem of the church today. As if it is outdated and not palatable. The atonement is too gruesome and causes trauma. Repentance asks too much of people. Holiness is little more than social adaptation. The Bible, they would claim, does not present a lasting truth about the character and nature of God, but a culturally expiring snapshot of how people understood a changing god in that moment of history. This is much the same way that some would equate past prohibition on attending movies in the theater and the prohibition on homosexual practice. These two concepts are not synonymous. This is at best a misunderstanding and at worst a deception. 

Should it not be clear what things we can debate and what things we are not to debate? As we move forward we must bring clarity to those truths that are essential to the faith and non-negotiable to our Christian faith and then our Nazarene identity and particular calling. 

See Also: When did holiness theology shift to Calvinism?

8. The Experience of Entire Sanctification.

The average person in our holiness church will not experience that to which they have never be exposed. Entire Sanctification must be taught and preached in our churches again as a clear, second, definite work of grace. Growth in grace should always be encouraged, but never replace the moment of heart cleansing that takes place by the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

We need to get away from vague and general references to a generic holiness. Questions that I do not have time to answer in this article need to be answered in our churches, literature, schools, and universities. What is the need for entire sanctification? What happens in entire sanctification? How do I receive this gift from God?

Let's invite people to receive this second blessing. Let's call people to it. Let's pray for believers to completely consecrate their lives. Let's celebrate. Let's preach about it. Let's live it out.

Allow people to share their own testimony of entire sanctification publicly. Make an opportunity for people to share how God has sanctified them through and through. 

I am praying for the Holy Spirit to raise up the next Haldor Lillenas for this generation. Someone who will write sound, biblical, holiness worship songs for our churches. We need to sing songs about entire sanctification that detail the experience, the doctrine, and invite others to do the same.

God is still sanctifying completely those who give themselves completely to Him. Let's be catalysts for the work of the Holy Spirit.

9. Lack of Evangelism.

Before we realize the potential of being a holiness church, we must first be a place that sees the lost come to know Christ in the new birth! As referenced above in #7 on "Changing Theology", there is a move away from the concept of being born again. Calling people to repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord is still essential to salvation. Varying degrees of universalism have diminished the desire of many to reach out to the lost world around them.

Let's have corporate prayer meetings in which we intercede on behalf of those who do not know Christ! In our preaching and teaching lets communicate what's at stake. Hell is real and judgement is coming. Jesus alone saves! Let's testify regularly of the glorious privilege it is to be in fellowship with God after we are born again. 

We need to bring back the evangelist. I am praying that God would raise up men and women who would boldly preach the word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. May God raise up evangelist - church planters. Two of the churches that I have pastored were started in a tent meeting. I am not suggesting that we have to do tent meeting to start churches, but I am suggesting that the healthiest churches will begin with those who have been born-again and are spurred on to share their faith with those around them.

I am praying that we get desperate for the souls of men and women (young and old) to know a transformational Savior again. Not for institutional preservation or for numerical recognition, but because there are so many around us that have never experienced the redeeming work of God in their lives. If the denomination's preservation becomes more important than the denomination's mission, it will quickly die.

There is hope for a bright future and a new generation of people who have been rescued from sin and established in holiness. That will be a real revival that propels our denomination into the future.

10. Cultural Acceptance.

There are some who continue to insist that we have conversations about those in the lgbtqia community. The reality is that their call for "conversations" are little more than demands to affirm sinful lifestyles. This is one of many contemporary cultural issues that have driven some to quick accommodation of the culture around them.

Every generation of the church must evaluate their cultural context and identify those things that can be used to communicate the Gospel in ways that people will understand. This is a given. But every generation of God's people must also evaluate their contemporary cultural context and identify those things that are borne of the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life. These must be rejected. Many in the church use little discernment in their personal lives and then carry the lack of discernment with them into the church. 

Is our ability to fulfill the Great Commission dependent upon understanding the culture around us or the work of the Holy Spirit? Was Pentecost not evidence enough for the church that what we desperately need is men and women who have been in the upper room with God?

The most relevant need of our community today is salvation. That won't change! We need to take our ear off the ground and get our eyes fixed on Heaven. We need to stop being consumed with which way the cultural winds are blowing and start seeking a mighty rushing wind of the Holy Spirit to blow through our churches and ministries. 

We cannot bow to the whims of cultural acceptance. We must not cultural affirmation to drive our ministries and lifestyles. 

See the other articles in this series:

Cautions for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 1)

Cautions for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 2)

A Way Forward for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 1)

Other articles you might be interested in:

The Cry of My Heart

Stop Saying This at Funerals

20 Signs You Are in a Dying Church

Is False Teaching Really That Bad?

A Way Forward for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 1)

In my previous articles I offered some cautions for the denomination that I love and have served all my pastoral ministry. I broke the article up into "Part 1" and "Part 2". These cautions are in light of an obvious trend of the mainline denominations suffering a crisis of orthodoxy and division that have sent them spiraling into rapid decline and ineffectiveness.

Everyone sees this very thing playing out around us in other denominations and, I believe, has begun to play out in the Church of the Nazarene (CotN). I write, not only as a watchman on the wall, but an active participant in the ministry and life of the denomination. I intend to serve the Church of the Nazarene as long as the Lord gives me strength. But what is the way forward? Here is what I humbly propose...

1. Human Sexuality

We need to discuss the real issue. Let's stop discussing whether disobedience is acceptable practice. Instead, we need to pray and seek the face of God and begin to talk about how to reach those who are bound up in sexual sin with the Good News of the Gospel. We need individuals who will unashamedly pursue the lost with holy love and point everyone to Christ for transformation and victory. 

We need our academic institutions to help us articulate the call to holy sexuality. I am thankful for Dr Caleb Friedeman's recent response to the LGBTQIA+ Affirming book recently published. The Holiness Partnership shares a link to his response that is excellent. You can find the article here. We do not need a culturally palatable innocuous position without potency or any calls to repentance and transformation. We need a holy call of God that still believes in the transformational work of Christ, victory through Jesus, the cleansing of the Holy Spirit that brings freedom, and the Lordship of the Father in each life! We need them to be defenders of truth who equip those men and women called of God, to impact the world (and their local community) with the Good News that God loves us too much to leave us the same! This is real holy love.

We need pastors who will unashamedly and boldly proclaim from the pulpits of our local churches that Jesus has come to set captives free from their sexual immorality. That there is victory for those who come to the cross of Calvary. The message that the joy God gives is greater than anything this world has to offer (including sexual desires) must be brought to the forefront.

As a cultural issue, these particular sins are not showing signs of leaving anytime soon. Let us love those bound up in the LGBTQIA+ community with the love of God. We are not afraid of their sin but are interceding for them because the full salvation available through the atonement is greater and better! 

2. Church Discipline.

Those false teachers promoting the acceptance of sinful behavior in the church are also distracting the church from its mission. The missional question of how to reach people bound by certain sins is a very different question than that of whether or not their actions are sinful. And it is prohibitive of ministry fruitfulness (as well as faithfulness) to continue to be distracted by those who simply want to legitimize certain kinds of obvious sin.

Manual paragraph 606 states in part: "The perpetuity and effectiveness of the Church of the Nazarene depend largely upon the spiritual qualifications, the character, and the manner of life of its members of the clergy. Members of the clergy aspire to a high calling and function as anointed individuals in whom is placed the church’s trust. They accept their calling knowing that they will be held to high personal standards by those to whom they minister." This section of the Manual details the process for church discipline of an elder. 

What happens if the district or district superintendent fail to act? This was the problem of the United Methodist Church. Well, we have a Manual provision for that scenario as well. It is found in Manual paragraph 200.2. The last part of the section states:

"When in the opinion of a general superintendent in jurisdiction, a district is in crisis—financial, morale, or otherwise—and this crisis seriously affects the stability and future of the district, a district may be declared in crisis with the approval of the Board of General Superintendents. The general superintendent in jurisdiction, with approval of the Board of General Superintendents may take one or more of the following actions:

1. Remove the district superintendent;

2. Appoint an interim board for the management of the district in lieu of all existing boards, until the next regularly scheduled district assembly; and

3. Initiate such special interventions as may be necessary to restore the district’s health and mission effectiveness."

Understandably this is a "nuclear" option for extreme cases. I am not aware of it being done in the USA or Canada, but it has been done in other regions of the world. Before a declaration of sorts would be made, a serious conversation between the General Superintendent (GS) in jurisdiction and the District Superintendent (DS) would need to be had. Maybe the awareness that the jurisdictional GS was considering this action would be enough for the DS to take action on his or her district.

We must stand firmly against clergy and leaders who compromise morally or theologically. May it not be said of the CotN as it was said of the church at Thyatira in Revelation 2:20 "But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols."

Our denomination will thrive as we remove the cancer that is false teaching. It is not loving in any way to allow teachers and preachers to propagate teachings that will prevent other people from inheriting eternal life. We need not follow the destructive disunity of the United Methodist Church if we learn to gracefully discipline those who reject the essentials of our beliefs. 

3. Unity Apart from Truth.

Unity is such an important concept in the life of the church. The body of Christ must work together. The family of God necessitates relationships of love as evidence to the world. Were it not for the unity that the disciples shared at Pentecost, they might not have experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit! 

We must be careful how we talk about unity and specifically about what things are essential. Style preferences for worship in song is not an essential issue. Homosexual practice is clearly a soteriological issue. The attitude that we can have unity with those who advocate for sinful practices is absurd and harmful, especially for those conscientious seekers of unity. We must be unified about those things that clearly prevent people from inheriting eternal life.

If those causing division in the denomination are dealt with appropriately, it will lend itself, long-term, to a greater unity. Unity in Christ is something we constantly work toward as it does not come easily. Encouraging scholars in the church to promote our articles of faith, covenant of Christian conduct, and position of social issues through their writing, teaching, and ministry would be a great step toward adding to the spirit of unity in Christ that we so desperately need.

Unity is possible as we focus on our mission and unapologetically advocate for holiness of heart, head, and hands. God poured out His Spirit in the upper room when they were all together seeking the promises of God.  

4. Leaning into the Episcopacy. 

If there is a trend toward giving more authority to the superintendency, then what is the way forward?

Take district assembly seriously. Vote. Take the time you need to do due diligence on how you vote and what reports you are approving. Stand up and discuss issues on the floor of the assembly. Don't get in a rush to "leave" assembly so that you quench the Holy Spirit. Read the reports from the committees. Ask questions. Get to know the people who have their names on the ballots. Assembly has historically been a place of robust debate for holiness people. We believe that the best discernment happens when we come together prayerfully to seek the will of God. Do not be afraid of such things again.

At General Assembly do not vote to extend more authority to the superintendency on any level. This is not a slam on the Board of General Superitendents (BGS) or District Superitendents or any others in episcopal authority. They have more than enough responsibilities without having to oversee more committees as a result of referrals to the BGS from the General Assembly floor. The General Assembly gathers every quadrennial to make decisions; not approve decisions made by the BGS. 

The more authority that is transitioned away from the local church, the local church pastor, the district assembly and the general assembly; the weaker the denomination becomes. We fail to nurture strong local church pastors or lay holiness leadership when we shift authority up the hierarchy. The ability of individuals in the local church to lead is blunted. A healthy denomination is made up of healthy local churches and the individuals that make up that local body, not a complex bureaucracy or a few autocratic episcopal leaders.

The founders of the Church of the Nazarene intentionally moved away from an episcopacy that had all authority and sought to bridge the gap between a congregational and episcopal form of government. This is where a healthy polity lies. Over the years there have been very few times when authority has been given to the local church. That trend can change.

If we refuse to continue to shift authority and responsibility onto a small number of leaders, it will encourage laity, local church pastors, missionaries, and other leadership to develop. The Church of the Nazarene will flourish as we allow leadership to develop naturally by discontinuing the transfer of authority to the episcopacy. 

5. Institutionalism.

This is a difficult one to plot the course forward as it is actually beneficial for us to love the denomination and its institutions! I remember advocating for churches to keep "Church of the Nazarene" in their names as a public witness of their international fellowship with the denomination. 

While I love the Church of the Nazarene, we must remember that the denomination is no more than a wineskin for the use of the Holy Spirit. Every institution, if it exists long enough, can become preoccupied with its own existence. 

What we must begin to focus on again is the mission. We are a Great Commission people. Our purpose, clearly stated by our historic founders and first-generation Nazarenes, was to spread the message of Scriptural Holiness. This was our divine calling. If we fail to do these things, we fail to realize our purpose.

While the church in the United States (and other Western nations) struggles with declining worship attendance, our temptation would be to act on behalf of our institutional survival. We cannot allow panic to drive us to act for the survival of our institutions. We must set our attention back on seeking the presence of Jesus in our midst and fulfilling the Great Commission.

A church preoccupied with its own existence is destined for failure. A church on mission is vibrant and alive. Let's be less concerned about our pensions and more concerned about the harvest. Let's nurture an urgency in our midst for prayerful intercessors, passionate soul-winners, and powerful witnesses of God's gift of salvation. Let's hear testimonies of radical transformation. Let's hear testimonies of God's keeping grace. Let's hear testimonies of deliverance and victory. Let's hear testimonies of overcoming through the Holy Spirit! 

Let's be all out for souls! "Men and movements backslide in heart before they deteriorate very far in practice. What, then, is the great need in the Church of the Nazarene? Is it the enactment of more legislation? No, we have a workable system. Is it for more organization? No, we have ample machinery for much more work than we are doing. Is it for better talent, improved art in service, or better standards of ethical practice? Even these things we would allow to rest for the moment in order that we may lay our emphasis on the one indispensable point—a passion for the souls of men." J.B. Chapman

See the other articles in this series:

Cautions for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 1)

Cautions for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 2)

A Way Forward for the Church of the Nazarene (Part 2)

Other articles you might be interested in:

Why I Love the Church of the Nazarene

The Disunity of the United Methodist Church

General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene 2023 Resolutions

What Sanctification is Worth (by A.M. Hills)