Resulting from a merger of three Holiness groups in 1907 and 1908, the Church of the Nazarene is one of the largest of the Holiness church bodies.
In 1907, the Association of Pentecostal Churches of America joined with the Church of the Nazarene, then a California Christian body. In 1908, another merger joined the Holiness Church of Christ with the Church of the Nazarene. The original name for the merged church body was the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene, but the denomination adopted its current name in 1919 so as not to be confused with tongues-speaking groups.
A prominent figure in the founding of the church was Phineas F. Bresee, who became the first general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene.
Often known simply as the Nazarene Church, the body's background is Wesleyan, and it has generally held to its Wesleyan roots, as they were before that body backed away from John Wesley's original teaching of sanctification. In fact, four of the first five superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene were former Methodist ministers, and its Manual is similar to the Methodist Book of Discipline.
However, the Nazarene doctrine is built around the sanctification of believers through faith. This includes a believer's entire sanctification as a second work of grace, subsequent to regeneration, doctrines in which Nazarene clergy and church officials must profess.
Other doctrines of the Church of the Nazarene include a belief in the absolute inspiration of the Bible, the atonement of Christ (Arminianism), regeneration, the adoption of all repentant believers in Christ, the Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment.
Members of the Church of the Nazarene believe in divine healing but there has never been a prohibition on seeking medical intervention. Nazarenes discourage the use of alcoholic beverages and smoking.
The Nazarene Church observes two sacraments, baptism and communion.
Baptism by immersion is most common, but sprinkling and pouring are accepted modes of baptism. The baptism of believers is predominant, but the baptism of young children is allowed. The Nazarene Church prefers to dedicate infants rather than baptize them, but church members are given the option of having infants baptized if they commit to providing Christian training.
All believers are invited to share in communion regardless of whether they are members of the church, although the sacrament is not considered to be appropriate for non-believers.
Nazarenes believe that the entire Bible is inspired by God, inerrant, and including everything necessary for Christian living.
There is one true God, who is manifest in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Through a miracle of the Holy Spirit, He became incarnate, was born of a virgin, and was wholly God and wholly man. He died for the sins of mankind, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now intercedes for us with the Father. The Holy Spirit is another Counselor, who is always present and active in the lives of believers. The Spirit convinces the world of sin, regenerates those who repent and believe, sanctifies believers, and guides them into finding the truth.
The nature of mankind was corrupted through the sin of Adam, after which original sin entered the world. Because of original sin, mankind is inclined toward evil and continues so until it is eradicated by the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
God's grace enables mankind to turn to righteousness and to follow after good works, which are pleasing to God. This grace is given to all of mankind, but repentance and belief are necessary for it to become effective. Those who repent and believe in Christ are justified, regenerated, adopted into the family of God, and separated from sin. However, it is possible for a believer to fall from grace and become apostate. Unless they repent and turn back to God, they are lost.
The church is the community of people who confess Jesus as Lord. It is made up of those people who are spiritually regenerated, and whose names are written in the Book of Life in heaven. Nazarene clergy must profess that they have experienced entire sanctification.
Nazarene Church government is a mixture of congregational, presbyterian, and episcopal leadership, in which local churches are autonomous while responsible to the oversight of district and general superintendents. Local churches call their own pastors but do so under the supervision of the district superintendent. Decisions of the General Assembly are binding on congregations within the Church of the Nazarene.
Women are ordained as clergy, and are eligible to serve in any level of leadership.
The focus of this category is on the Church of the Nazarene.
Recommended Resources
The official site of the international body of the denomination offers reports of its missionary ventures, educational programs, and stewardship. Clergy development resources are available here, along with its regions, a directory of member churches and other resources. Its organizational structure, biographies, photographs, and publications are posted to the site. Contributions may be made online.
http://www.nazarene.org/
The denomination’s work in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Reunion Island, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are featured.
http://africanazarene.org/
Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region of the Church of the Nazarene encompasses American Samoa, Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu, and to other areas that are expensive or difficult to reach. Video and a variety of reports and other documents are included.
http://asiapacificnazarene.org/
Church of the Nazarene Eurasia
The Eurasian region is one of six mission regions in the Church of the Nazarene denomination. The region is defined, and district contacts are included, along with regional priorities, and its spiritual growth, education, literature, communications, and missions programs are included. Nazarene congregations within the region are available through its database, along with photographs, video, and other resources.
https://www.eurasiaregion.org/
Church of the Nazarene USA/Canada
The regional headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas represents the Church of the Nazarene in the United States and Canada. Its districts and educational zones are shown on an interactive map, along with church organizational forms, district forms, and other resources. Church planting and renewal services and policies, clergy development, evangelism ministries, chaplaincy services, and other programs and ministries are included.da.
http://www.usacanadaregion.org/
Engage is an electronic publication of the Church of the Nazarene denomination, which is sent by email to subscribers but otherwise available online. Its content includes reader-submitted stories, personal essays, photo essays, and other content related to their participation in the work of the church, as well as prayer requests, mission stories by region, and news by or about the work of the Holy Spirit in the world. Its content is available in several languages.
http://www.engagemagazine.com/
Representing the denominational magazine for the Church of the Nazarene, the English-language publication is a 40-page bi-monthly magazine featuring articles intended to enhance holiness among Nazarenes through its heritage, vision, and mission, including stories of God working throughout the world, and other features written by pastors, lay experts, and denominational leaders. Full access requires a subscription.
http://www.holinesstoday.org/
Mesoamerica Region, Church of the Nazarene
The Mesoamerica Region represents the Church of the Nazarene in Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Puerto Rico, and the island countries of the Caribbean. Its articles of faith, a statement of faith, core values, and Nazarene essentials are outlined, and its ministries, and missions are featured. Audio and video downloads are available.
http://www.mesoamericaregion.org/en/
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
An arm of the Church of the Nazarene, NCM works to support local Nazarene congregations around the world, assisting local churches in clothing, sheltering, feeding, healing, educating, and otherwise supporting people who suffer oppression, injustice, violence, poverty, hunger, and disease. Stories of its work are told, and an overview of its work and organizational structure is set forth. Children in need may be sponsored through the site.
http://www.ncm.org/
Intended to mentor and to provide resources and ideas to pastors of the Church of the Nazarene denomination, the online magazine includes articles on sermon preparation, the avoidance of plagiarism with using a primary source in preaching, preaching through an interpreter, and other topics, as well as sample sermons, book reviews, and other features. Its content may be read online or downloaded in PDF format.
http://www.preachersmagazine.org/
Formerly known as Nazarene Publishing House, the publishing company produces a variety of resources for the various pastoral and other ministries of the church, spiritual formation supplies, church supplies, and other Nazarene resources, along with Sunday School curriculum for Nazarenes of all ages, for small-group study, children’s and youth studies, and other publications. A blog is also available.rs.
https://www.thefoundrypublishing.com/
