Church of the Nazarene – 100 Years Later
Monday, October 6th, 2008 at 6:09 am (GMT+2) by PetarSunday, October 5 2008 – The International Church of the Nazarene celebrates its 100th anniversary (centennial).
Although I’m tempted to, I’ll try to keep myself from commenting much on the celebration itself (partially because I slept till 2:30pm on that day… and haven’t been to a Nazarene local church for months). The only thing I’ll share is that I’ve remembered the event because of the word centennial… Didn’t like it the first time I read it on the news site, still don’t like it today. But I doubt that’s life changing for you, so I’ll move on…
In the past few years the fact that the Church of the Nazarene is reaching the 100 mark brought quite a few questions in my mind. I’ll just share them below and give my brief answer. In my (not humble) opinion, these questions ought to be answered by everyone who takes the gathering of believers seriously. After all, when we don’t question we don’t progress (Communism is a good example; wouldn’t like to see Church right next to it).
Has the Nazarene Church been growing for 100 years or has it been maturing for 100 years?
Yes, I do believe that essentially these two are different concepts. Today “growth” is significantly stained by the Western society’s box-shaped thinking “The more, the better.” “Maturing”, a term rather abandoned by many, on the other handsignifies a state of readiness. Please, do keep in mind that we’re talking about the gathered believers as one, not about individuals!
So, has the Nazarene Church been growing or maturing? I believe it has been growing – the numbers support this. Unfortunately, I don’t see that it could have been maturing because a state of readiness is not yet present. Furthermore, the state present in the beginning is rather vague today. The church body is quite disunited and stagnated.
Is the Church of the Nazarene an international church?
No. I don’t believe that the sole presence of international members makes any given group international. Here’s an example, which I hope will clarify what I mean:
A BMW is a BMW – a German car. Whether it is built in Rosslyn (South Africa), Chennai (India), Shenyang (North-East China – Yes, you can buy a China-made BMW!) or in Munich (Germany) it remains a German car. It might be designed, built and assembled by people from 50 different nationalities, but the folks in the USA buy it for it being a German car, and so do people anywhere else. Others don’t buy it, they steal it – for that same reason.
BMW’s life started in Germany is being guided from Germany.
In a much similar way, the Church of the Nazarene started its life in the US. 100 years later, its life continues to be guided from the US. Whether it is “built” in South Africa, India or Germany – the church remains highly American, while at the same time consisting of people from many nations. But that doesn’t make it international.
Where is the Church of the Nazarene going?
Frankly, I don’t think it’s going anywhere… or lemme rephrase – I don’t know where it’s going. To me it appears that it’s just hanging out. It’s found itself a position as a middle-class church and is feeling safe there. In spite of all the looking, I’ve been unable to spot the driving vision which would respectively point into some direction and stir up movement.
Tags: challenge, christianity, church, history, nazarene, questions, reflection
October 14th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Revelation 3.1-6
I know that’s kind of a redundant, Petar, but let me confirm what you said. It’s better to have two witnesses than only one.
I was at the “front row” in the church and what I could see, what I experienced was a lack of vision, a lack of a deep spiritual drive. All through the years, I have been disappointed to see ourselves content in the longevity of the church (whether 25 or 100 years) and not in the quality. I have seen the people unchanged, at least unchallenged to develop their intimacy with God, to bring it to another level. Yet, I have seen few leaders or people trying to make a change, trying to shake all this slumber. With no success: either because they brought mere activities and programs, or they got this “weirdo” reaction. In any case, we missed the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. Can’t you hear the sigh and the snoring (funny picture but true) of the people? Can’t you feel the emptiness of our church activities, worship and preaching? Can’t you see the church fading bit by bit, like sand carried away by the wind? For your sake, please, wake up people!! You are the Body of Christ, the sons and daughters of the Mighty God, not some other registered religious association reporting “good” numbers! (a church of 6 people attendance for 10 years! Come on! Give me a break!!) Please, let the Holy Spirit wake you up!! How do we have to make you understand?
October 16th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Philippe! On one hand, it’s not so good that I’m not the only one who is seeing this (because essentially, it shouldn’t be there at all), but on the other hand – it’s good to not be alone in raising the questions.
Your mentioning of the emptiness struck me, because it’s pretty much the reason why I’m not attending a Nazarene church at the moment. Not that I’ve decided to abandon the Nazarene church altogether… It’s just that My spiritual life wasn’t nurtured during the church meetings – because they were rather empty.
Thanks for your support! I’m hoping that things will begin to change soon – in all areas of our church.