As an elder in the Church of the Nazarene, my life involves a lot of time thinking about my denomination and trying to understand who we are and where we are going. Spending the majority of my time these days with Methodists and an assortment of other non-Nazarenes, there is a struggle within me to understand the COTN’s place in Christendom. In Nazarene circles there is often a talk about being a distincitive people. That distinctiveness is usually linked to the idea of Holiness. We are a people of holiness. We talk about holiness. We preach about holiness. But, in reality are we really distinctive within Christendom? Should we try to be?
There is a Methodist campground in the mountains of North Carolina. It contains a man made lake surrounded by homes and retreat facilities for Methodists to come and frolic as they do. But on a hill, over looking the lake is a small Nazarene church called Lakeview. I don’t know anything about the church. I met the pastor and he was a really nice guy. But, that church seems to be a microcosm of my struggles with the COTN. Much of what we think is distinctive about us comes from just building off of the work of denominations and theologians that have come before us. We just grab a different view and claim it as our own. So what is distinctive about us? And as a bigger question for all Christians, how much distinctiveness do any of us really have from one another? Should we try to be distinctive?
As far as the COTN goes, we have exhibited distinctiveness over the past 100 years. Birthed out of the revivalism of a century ago, Nazarenes have long been known for revivals, evangelism, and holy living. What does that mean? In the past it meant silly things like no dancing, no card playing, and no movies. These are not important distinctives. But, currently it means that as a denomination we are strongly committed to world evangelism, have a strong emphasis on meeting the basic needs of those we minister to through compassionate ministries, and continue to hold strongly to the authority of scripture. But, are we distinctively holy? There will be some dissenting thoughts on that question, no doubt, but I don’t think so. Holiness comes from a righteous relationship with Christ. It is a state of worshipful living where we are continually made more like Christ through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.
Do we really believe that the Spirit is distinctively at work in the COTN. No, but it is at work. Are we really distinctive in the body of Christ for views on alcohol, or ethics, or compassionate ministries? No, you can find like minded Christians in virtually any theological group you spend time with. Part of our struggle as Nazarenes is that we have almost desired to boast in our holiness. But, as Paul reminds us continually, we can only boast in the work of Christ. If you are proud of holiness, you probably aren’t that holy.
Each denonimation or group of Christians is distinctive. We are distinctive in our theological nuances, perspectives on living out our faith, and worship practices. When we begin to celebrate these distinctives and boast in them, instead of boasting only in the work of Christ, we are not honoring God. Having spent time with people in a multitude of denominations, varying theological camps, and many parts of the world, this truth stands out: The Spirit is at work everywhere! Praise God, amidst our often feeble attempts at serving him in this world, he accomplishes what he desires. So this is an urging to all Christians, regardless of what you think makes you distinctives among followers of Christ, boast in Christ alone. Don’t ever forget that there is One God, One Faith, and One Baptism that unites all. To boast in anything else is merely an act of pride.
September 2, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Greg,
Very well said. I have argued other places that for many of us the talk of distinctiveness continues to be terribly disconcerting. Many of us appreciate the heritage and beauty of our tradition and understand our contribution to Body of Christ, however, it is our place within that wider body that really matters to us.
The discussion of distinctiveness seems to have little to do with mission and mostly to do with securing our identity. I try not to get too worked up over it because I don’t see how this conversation will survive the current generation. If it does then many of us will find ourselves in an inhospitable environment.
For the time being there is a lot of circling of wagons. Of course this is not only a question for the Nazarenes it is being played out in almost every other evangelical denomination. I’ve been so intrigued by Christianity Today as of late. The articles are increasingly polemical and sour on evangelicals who are refining the boundaries. The lines between Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox are blurring ever so slightly. For many of us this is really good news for which we should praise God. But for others this is a very scary move.
Our confession of a church that is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic has consequences. We are in a world that needs to see this embodied in order for the people of God to have credibility. The way in which the church of the Nazarene talks about distinctiveness works against this confession. There aren’t many things that I feel more strongly about in terms of the direction of the church. We’ve got to give up this silliness. Its root is either pride or fear of uncertainty. Neither make for a robust common life.
September 3, 2006 at 12:10 am
Death to distinctiveness! Well no, maybe not entirely. You’ve nailed it though, Greg, and Brian’s comment is right on as well – we (Nazarenes, or Wesleyans of other stripes) in no way corner the market on holiness, and we have to stop, it seems to me, parading around as though our ability to “live holy lives” (or whatever) sets us apart – which is to say *above* – other Christians. In fact, one could argue that Nazarenes really have quite an anemic, somewhat disembodied take on holiness, as our holiness of heart and life is basically reduced to a notion of internal, spiritual/intellectual purity coupled with a veritable checklist of things that we do but mostly DON’T do, without ever being compelled to submit ourselves to any real practice of spiritual *discipline*, the kind that Christians have historically undertaken so as to be formed into Christ’s likeness, which is to say, to be made holy.
I do think our emphasis on global missions is somewhat distinctive. I don’t like the idea that this sets us apart from other Christians, and would prefer to think of it as something that unites us to other Churches, some of whom go about missions in much the same way we do (CMA, Baptists, Wesleyans, etc) and some that do things a bit differently (Anglicans, Catholics, etc – and these for good reason, for they have a much longer-running and hence conflicted history of missions and evangelism, much of which isn’t pretty). But some of the “distinctives” that we had initially have been displaced along the way – our concern for the working amongst the poor (in our own country) was probably edged out by legalism and fundamentalism, sadly, and our interest in setting up churches in tough areas with no Nazarene presence (whether rural or urban), which is of course real hard work, has given way to our preference to see just how gosh-awful big we can grow the churches that seem to already be thriving and show such potential.
I’d like to see us appear to be more distinctive by the work we do within our communities – and I don’t mean to disparage the denomination as a whole, for I know that many churchs and individuals are involved in such work, but we could always be doing so much more – and by our willingness to take the gospel and to set up churches any and everywhere, and not give up on them when they don’t boom within the first few years. By and large, though, I think priding ourselves on our distinctions is divisive and destructive and fosters a very insular mentality that we must divest ourselves of if we’re going to ever join hands with other Christians for the sake of the gospel.
September 5, 2006 at 4:17 pm
Greg,
You bring up some very interesting points!
The word distinctive needs a frame of reference. What are we truely being distinctive from. I grew up in a house that was Southern Baptist. The area I am from was refered to as the bible belt. outsiders, for lack of a better term actually asked ” do people walk around caring bibles on their belts?” You we not allowed to drink but, you could smoke. So in a sence, Trinity was distictive.
As far a different dominations go, I have seen more harm than good. My grand ma loves to throw it in my dads face that I am now a Methodist. But, the funny thing is I do not consider my self a Methodist or a Baptist. Is that bad? I felt God moving in Christ Church and knew that was where I needed to be. You know first hand what has happed as a result. We are now family.
I think the key to being Distinctive is that we are distinctive from this ever changing world and even changing church. In other words if we were accused of being a Christian, would their be wnough evidence to convict us.:)
Got to go! Students are coming to class.
September 11, 2006 at 12:52 pm
Good questions. I believe that most effort or energy spent on maintaining or developing distinctiveness is wasted. I’m not even sure you can really make a case for it sharpening beliefs or practice. If what we do/how we live distinguishes us from other churches so be it but to have it as a goal? Is there any positive (or Christian) angle on that? I don’t think so. Now, should we be distinctive from the world? Absolutely! That’s where Barna would tell us there isn’t much difference. How many Nazarenes do a good job at differentiating themselves from the Baptists and Presbyterians but mostly live like their non-Christian neighbors?