Nazarene Denomination ??? (Full Version)

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selahgirl -> Nazarene Denomination ??? (5/31/2007 11:57:12 AM)

I've been visiting a Nazarene Church for about three months now. I know they are grounded in their doctrine as far as the fundamentals of the faith according to the Apostle's Creed. I know that the movement was birthed out of the Methodist Church, though I don't know the details of the split. What else makes them distinct from other denominations? What are their beliefs about spiritual gifts and hearing specific things from God -- such as dreams or impressions? What other significant things about their doctrine would be good to know and helpful?

Thanks [:)]



crankius -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (5/31/2007 12:22:53 PM)

Nazarene theology is based on Arminianism. They have some fundamental beliefs that differ from basic Calvinistic teachings. To better understand Nazarene theology, you should do an examination of the differences between Arminianism and Calvinism.



Petra655 -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (5/31/2007 12:28:35 PM)

I've pasted 2 links from the denominations website: the 1st gives a bit of their history and beliefs and the 2nd one is a directory of info that is available on their site. Hope this helps

As far as your question: What are their beliefs about spiritual gifts and hearing specific things from God -- such as dreams or impressions?
I doubt that you will find that they believe that the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12-14 & dream interpretations are for God's people today

http://www.nazarene.org/ministries/administration/archives/history/wesleyan/display.aspx

http://www.nazarene.org/azdirectory.aspx



mmartiandt -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (5/31/2007 12:44:31 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: crankius

Nazarene theology is based on Arminianism. They have some fundamental beliefs that differ from basic Calvinistic teachings. To better understand Nazarene theology, you should do an examination of the differences between Arminianism and Calvinism.


Actually, the Church of the Nazarene is a Wesleyan-Arminian denomination, so it would be more accurate to study them under both of those contexts. I am a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene, so feel free to PM me with any questions you might have, and I'll do my best to answer them for you. God bless!

ETA: OP, I will come back and answer your questions better when I have a little more time. [:)]



Ps103 -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (5/31/2007 12:53:59 PM)

quote:

What else makes them distinct from other denominations?


I am only familiar with one particular church, which my husband attended for a time when he first moved here, so take this for what it is worth.

They were very "lifestyle oriented." They had a handbook for members, and if you were a member you were expected to abide by the handbook. No drinking, smoking, dancing, modest dress which they defined in the book, etc. They walked the walk they talked which my husband admired, and to this day (some 30 years later) when we run into member of that church they are friendly and always stop to talk to him.

They did not shun him when he left--they did not decide he wasn't a Christian or anything like that.

They have things they have decided amongst themselves that *they* will not do, but as far as I know they do not condemn others for doing them. (Grey-area things--not out-right sin.) The handbook thing sounds sort of legalistic (and I don't know if all Nazarenes have them), but they do not come across as legalistic to me. They are friendly with other Christians.

Around here, that does make them distinct, as folks in these parts sometimes tend to think their own church is the be-all and end-all.



crankius -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (5/31/2007 1:12:21 PM)

I grew up in Nazarene churches, and we called it the Nazarene Black Book. [:)]



crankius -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (5/31/2007 1:18:25 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: mmartiandt

quote:

ORIGINAL: crankius

Nazarene theology is based on Arminianism. They have some fundamental beliefs that differ from basic Calvinistic teachings. To better understand Nazarene theology, you should do an examination of the differences between Arminianism and Calvinism.


Actually, the Church of the Nazarene is a Wesleyan-Arminian denomination, so it would be more accurate to study them under both of those contexts.


Both what? I'm unclear on what you are saying.

Wesley also followed Arminius' teachings. For her to understand Nazarene theology better, examining how Arminianism differs from Calvinism would be the foundation place to start.



OleFitzHi -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (5/31/2007 1:18:52 PM)

Maybe the Nazarene pastor could correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Nazarenes are an offshoot of the Methodists.

I believe the split was due to issues of personal holiness that the Methodist movement somewhat abandoned.

That is my understanding. Feel free to enlighten me though.



crankius -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (5/31/2007 1:21:24 PM)

Wikipedia also gives a basic history that is informative.



OleFitzHi -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (5/31/2007 1:28:31 PM)

Yes that article summarizes the denomination well. Thanks.



selahgirl -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (5/31/2007 6:00:09 PM)

WICKIPEDIA.... I always forget about that site [&:]

Thank you so much for the insight and the resources. I'll definitely check them out. It has been an interesting journey for my family the past several years in trying to find a church home. Somewhat discouraging if I may be frank. I know little about the Nazarene Church, but it is the only place that my teens seem to be fed in a very long time. Few churches seem to have a solid senior teen group these days, which is a concerning trend.

However, three weeks ago the youth pastor unexpectedly announced that he is leaving just when we started attending regularly three times a week -- just when my children were beginning to feel that we had finally found a safe place for them to trust in. Then we received another bombshell this past week, the lead pastor announced that he is leaving as well. So the entire church is in a state of transition that they are predicting will last for several months....

In the mean time, I was talking to one of the Sunday School teachers who said that they were needing a teacher for the senior teens. I offered to help, so I was given a lesson book and have ended up teaching going on three weeks now. It has been a strange thing, and I am talking with my husband about whether to just tell them that I don't feel qualified to fill in permanently. But I have checked with the Sunday School staff and the other three men that are supposed to be helping with the class, and they are in transition as well and may be leaving (there are alot of military here).

I fasted from alcohol completely, not a drop, the 11 years that I was in the Assembly of God. And I have fasted from it again since I began attending the youth classes here (starting this past Easter). So it's not so much the alcohol issue that is kind of throwing me... it's more the fact that I'm not a member of the denomination. So I am trying to decide, do I resign the class and let them find someone else to fill in. Or do I stay and help out until the transition settles, hopefully by the end of the summer or early fall? I think they have already begun the interview process for a new pastor.

It has been difficult to get to know the adults there. It's a good size church and I'm on the outside, so I don't know what the undercurrent is in the midst of so much change among their leadership. But few people there are very talkative of late, in the sense of not very hospitable or friendly, except the youth. The youth pastor that is leaving has done a tremendous work within this group of teens over the past four years. It is such a strange environment... there is a huge personality gap between the adults and the teens, though they seem to be very close to each other.

I would just look for another church and not get mixed up in the whole whirlwind, but my family (especially my teens) have been without a youth group for soooo long -- several years now. I just don't have the heart to pull them from the friendships that they have so quickly developed. But I am really having to seek God to understand this denomination better, and to trust him that when the dust settles it will be a healthy place.

Any thoughts or insight would be appreciated. I'm still turning all this over before the Lord.
Thanks so much. I've chatted with a number of you before, and value your wisdom <3



drmark -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (5/31/2007 8:29:29 PM)

quote:

I doubt that you will find that they believe that the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12-14 & dream interpretations are for God's people today
Spiritual gifts are indeed an important part of serving others and building the body of Christ in any Holiness denomination. The Church of the Nazarene views the "gift of tongues" in its strictly Scriptural sense of speaking in known foreign languages as recorded in Acts. Also, spiritual gifts are not required manifestations of salvation since not everyone receives all the gifts.

quote:

quote:

Actually, the Church of the Nazarene is a Wesleyan-Arminian denomination, so it would be more accurate to study them under both of those contexts.


Both what? I'm unclear on what you are saying.
John Wesley added a significant emphasis on the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to basic Arminian doctrine. His primary understanding of God's Character focused on Love, whereas Calvin focused on Sovereignty and Arminius on Justice. I personally find the Wesleyan/Holiness tradition to be the epitome of mainstream, middle-of-the-road Christian theology and the Nazarene denomination is now the largest one in this tradition.



selahgirl -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (6/1/2007 3:04:54 PM)

the wikipedia site proved extremely helpful. Thanks so much. I've printed a number of things off to read thu and have found it very insightful. I also plan to go ahead and teach this Sunday, but to try to talk with someone to make sure that it's alright for me to be teaching without being a member. I just don't want it to be an oversight and then later cause an issue for anyone.

Thanks for all your help.
These forums are such a great place <3



crankius -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (6/1/2007 3:49:11 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: drmark
John Wesley added a significant emphasis on the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to basic Arminian doctrine. His primary understanding of God's Character focused on Love, whereas Calvin focused on Sovereignty and Arminius on Justice.


Okay, I can see that. Thanks!



crankius -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (6/1/2007 3:57:27 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: selahgirl


I would just look for another church and not get mixed up in the whole whirlwind, but my family (especially my teens) have been without a youth group for soooo long -- several years now. I just don't have the heart to pull them from the friendships that they have so quickly developed. But I am really having to seek God to understand this denomination better, and to trust him that when the dust settles it will be a healthy place.


I think it is right for you to put the priority on your teens right now. They will be leaving home soon, and they have a great need at this age for social and intellectual connection. If they are getting the Word of God and Christian fellowship at this church, I can see why you would stay.

Perhaps you could give the church a deadline for how long you feel comfortable filling in as the teen teacher (to prevent it from becoming a permanent fill-in[;)]). I would feel uncomfortable with being the teacher also, considering you aren't a member and also considering the temporary turmoil the church seems to be in.

A side note, just my personal opinion, older teen males really need male leadership, so I hope the church is faithful to provide that (not that you aren't a wonderful teacher--I'm sure you are [:D]).



selahgirl -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (6/2/2007 10:32:37 AM)

I agree very much that a male teacher is needed. The former youth pastor used to teach this class and there are a number of young men in it. It is kinda heartbreaking to witness the transition, because the teens truly miss this guy. Although a large percent of them, about 60%, just graduated from high school last month and will be leaving for college soon.

The youth group has already dropped to half it's size, partially from the transition but partially because of so many graduates. My teens and I have already discussed that things could go either way. Change can bring a challenging time, or it can make way for something even better. That's hard to imagine because the youth group was so amazing, but we are praying for the strength to continue to trust God in all of this.



drfuss -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (6/10/2007 2:07:16 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: drmark
John Wesley added a significant emphasis on the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to basic Arminian doctrine. His primary understanding of God's Character focused on Love, whereas Calvin focused on Sovereignty and Arminius on Justice.


John Wesley added to and changed the basic Arminian doctrine in most Christians minds. The basic Arminian doctrine said a person could forfeit (not lose) his salvation by deciding to stop trusting in Christ. Wesley's later emphasis on sanctification led to believing a Christain could lose his salvation while still trusting in Christ. A Christian could lose his salvation by not confessing known sins after conversion and being remorseful for them. Wesley's monthly magazine, The Wesleyan Arminian, was so successful that most eternal security Christians today, believe anyone not believing in eternal security, must believe they can lose their salvation. Of course, this generalization is not true.

Of course, the Methodist and Nazarene churches believe as Wesley did.



brotherbrian -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (6/10/2007 2:29:20 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: drfuss

quote:

ORIGINAL: drmark
John Wesley added a significant emphasis on the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to basic Arminian doctrine. His primary understanding of God's Character focused on Love, whereas Calvin focused on Sovereignty and Arminius on Justice.


John Wesley added to and changed the basic Arminian doctrine in most Christians minds. The basic Arminian doctrine said a person could forfeit (not lose) his salvation by deciding to stop trusting in Christ. Wesley's later emphasis on sanctification led to believing a Christain could lose his salvation while still trusting in Christ. A Christian could lose his salvation by not confessing known sins after conversion and being remorseful for them. Wesley's monthly magazine, The Wesleyan Arminian, was so successful that most eternal security Christians today, believe anyone not believing in eternal security, must believe they can lose their salvation. Of course, this generalization is not true.

Of course, the Methodist and Nazarene churches believe as Wesley did.



Nice summation.
:)



crankius -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (6/10/2007 3:29:45 PM)

I'm thinking my Nazarene pastors were more traditionalists, because they had us study Arminius and Calvin quite extensively. But I can see what you are saying about Wesley now.


Later, when I was in a Reformed church, I was teaching a HS girl's Bible study, and we were studying Ephesians and they started asking me some basic questions about theology. I referred to Calvin, and they had never heard of him or his theology, which surprised me.

Three of these girls were pastor's daughters.

I immediately called one of the pastors in and had him answer their questions, just because I thought it would be good to open that door of communication.



Lapidoth -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (6/10/2007 5:47:49 PM)

I used to work with a man from a local Nazarene church.
I was in the A of G at the time. We talked about our differences
if any. He said they were just like the A of G except for the tongues.

A of G comes from the Methodist line.

Perhaps we should all join the Methodist line. lol.

Here's a church joke I heard for the first time the other day.
People were discussing the origins of their church and how that
they were closer to the Bible than the others.
Then when it came to the Nazarene to disclose their view he said:

The Baptist claim their origin from John the Baptist, but our Originator
was a Nazarene.

This is paraphrased so if you didn't get it, it was all my fault.



selahgirl -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (9/6/2007 1:21:50 PM)

I haven't been on the forums for a while, but I'm trying to find more time. I enjoy it so much. Here's an update for anyone interested ^_^

We attended the former Naz church for several weeks longer, but the youth group dropped to only a handful, sometimes only a couple and sometimes none at all. So we would often show up and there would be no class. One Wed night we showed up for youth group, but the church was empty... rapture, right?... lol

We finally found someone working on the landscaping outside and they said service had been canceled. A sewage line had burst and wouldn't be fixed until later that week. My teens were bummed to say the least, they enjoyed at least sitting in service even if youth group wasn't meeting. So as we were driving home, I told them that I had run into an old friend that week that was attending the Naz church on the other side of town. I suggested maybe checking out their youth group. Immediately they said no. I could see that they were dreading the thought of changing churches again, even though the current situation was not working out for us.

So I told them that we could just check it out this once, and if they didn't want to go back that would be fine. We would stay put if they wanted. They were reluctant to say the least, but agreed. That was it. They attended for the first time, ran into several old friends that we had no idea attended there, families with children I had taught at the AG church way back when. It was so wonderful, it felt like home and family. It was kinda crazy because it was so unexpected.

That's where we've been attending since. We are making plans for membership. It has been six or seven weeks now, I think, time has flown by. God has walked us thru this difficult several years, but we are feeling like we have finally found a home.

For anyone else in a similar situation, don't give up. Don't stop going to church. Don't be afraid of being called a church hopper (I hate that label being put on people that are simply searching for God's direction in their life). Forget the critics and focus on Christ and hearing him speak into your family and their walk as individuals and as one. Keep searching and trusting, even if it takes years, God will lead you to a church home. Somewhere that you can receive from him and his people, and where you can serve and minister to others.

Thank you so much to all of you who offered encouragement, counsel and prayer.
Blessings <3



earthless -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (9/6/2007 2:24:45 PM)

selah,

The last couple of paragraphs of your post truly blessed me, you just do not know how much. I am such a cynic at times that it is RARE for any post to do that to me, I have become a bit jaded in my apologetic battles. [&:]

But as someone who is currently without a home church - having left a church where I was at for 15 years and now am left with "church hopping", it was needed for me to read those sentences of yours.

God bless you.



selahgirl -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (9/16/2007 8:24:12 PM)

earthless, it has been a painful search to find a new church home. I was greatly disappointed by the callousness and suspicion of the family of God as we wandered from church to church seeking somewhere to call home. But God walked it with us, and we learned so much. Many things to not do as Christians, and many things we needed to change about ourselves and how we handle those that are hurting around us. We have always been careful about making judgment calls, but this experience has taught us a compassion that is only learned by being outcast. How can anyone truly relate to the pain of another unless they have walked over the coals themselves or walked by the side of someone they love who has to walk them?

There is joy and happiness and GOODness in our Christian walk, but there is also much to be endured and to learn from. I love Erwin McManus's comments concerning the SOUL CRAVINGS that we experience in our humanity. Christ came to experience those same cravings, so we would hear him as a brother and an intimate friend who could relate to our pain and our desires.

I am so sorry that you are walking this same road currently. There is no way to tell someone how deeply it hurts, how robbed and murdered and cast aside you feel. It is a lonely walk -- but it also requires a decision to remember that we are not walking it alone. We can ask him WHY every day, we can be angry about the injustice of it all, but in the end... we must choose to not walk away from him. We must choose to fight against our own doubt and the discouragement of the enemy and the mean-ness/cruelty of people (including those who call themselves Christians). It is a fight that can last an entire night in the garden, or it can last months or even years. But we must leave that place determined... with a made up mind... that we're gonna press thru the crowd to get to him no matter what.

I love you for holding on to your faith and your love of Christ, despite the hurt that desires to smother you and choke the Life of Christ out of you. Keep searching, he has promised that you will find a place to receive ministry and to minister. He is not thru with you yet. That is a lie from hell. There is much ahead of you to accomplish for Christ, many people that your life will touch and bless as you strengthen them to continue in the faith and in the commission.

I look forward to hearing your testimony on the other side of this dark time. I hear the hope and the praise in your heart even now, and that is why I am confident that even tho you may feel cynical at times or you may find yourself having to fend off bitterness and anger... you will reach a place where people will see the beauty of who you truly are again. Who they think you are, is not who you are. No one is pretty when they are in gut-wrenching pain. Christ lacked beauty in his suffering (see Isaiah).

But God will restore you.
He will restore all that the enemy has tried to snatch away. And like Job, your reward will be multiplied and great.
Love to you <3



yustme -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (7/22/2008 1:51:21 PM)

I am one of 5 children from Nazarene pastor & wife.Rev.& Mrs Clarence B Shaw.Both in Heaven now[:(].My husband and I have been attending an independent chruch for the past 30 yrs.The doctrine is Baptist,but I hold very firm in the Nazarene,or rather,Bible doctrine.If I had my way,I would be back with the Nazarenes.The Nazarenes are the most loving,caring and concerned people I have ever come across.And I'm almost 64.If any of you Nazarenes out there would happen to know my parents,let me know.Dad ministered on the Pittsburgh District for most of his ministry.He was on the Washington District for awhile.
There are many good churches out there,but to me ,the Nazarenes are tops.



rcjames -> RE: Nazarene Denomination ??? (7/22/2008 2:58:06 PM)

The Nazarenes as with many of the other 'Holiness" Churches came out of the Methodist Church in the late 1800's and early 1900's when the Methodist drifted from strong holiness teaching to a more "Social involvement" teaching.

My particular denomination (Pentecostal Holiness was one of the first to abandon the changing of the Methodist to a more "Liberal" POV. we did thin in the early 1890"s)

Nazarenes, in my opinion are really a honest and sincere group of Blievers. The only difference between my denomition and the Nazarenes is in the area of Spiritual gifts.

Thanks
RC



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