I am an ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. No matter whether one agrees with Rev. Kelly or not, no action should be taken against an elder because they have written a chapter in a book, especially one that is a call to justice for others. The actions by the board of General Superintendents violate the polity of our church by taking doing something that is reserved for the General Assembly. The Covenant of Christian Conduct is simply not a part of the doctrine of our church and should not be so construed without the agreement of the General Assembly. Finally, this is NOT a Charitable Discourse. This is the power of our church turned upside down. These actions are a great injury to this elder, his family, to the local body he has served for so long and to our denomination. All those who have participated in these actions should repent, ask forgiveness of Rev. Kelly, his local church and the rest of our denomination and seek reconciliation.
S
Scott Prather
3 years ago
No church should be so inward-looking it forcefully shuts down critical dialogue and theological open-mindedness with this sort of aggressive action.
E
Esther Schutz
3 years ago
Love God. Love People. Don’t be afraid to dialogue. Wesleyans are not afraid to think deeply about what is a very necessary conversation.
A
Adrienne Hauck
3 years ago
Be like Jesus!!!
D
David W Smith
3 years ago
#istandwithdee
M
Martha L Banz
3 years ago
If there is no longer room in the Nazarene tent for Dee Kelley, there’s certainly not room for me.
S
Shelise Holliday
3 years ago
I stand with Dee.
M
Marcy Weaver
3 years ago
If we cannot discuss and learn to hear one another, we are not truly family. What was done to Dee was wrong and we/you need to be brave enough to admit it.
R
Rev Adam Young
3 years ago
I graduated from SNU in 2006. Dee Kelley was a wonderful chaplain and spiritual leader on campus. He was universally loved and respected by the student body. So much so that we made t-shirts with his face on them when he left to go to San Diego. I grew up in the Church of the Nazarene. I eventually left in 2012. A major factor was the lack of commitment to inclusiveness. It was taboo to even have a civil conversation. I found that to be anti-intellectual, inauthentic, and dishonest. Now with the Covenant of Christian Conduct being elevated to doctrine, only one side is being allowed to speak. How is that loving? The Church of the Nazarene has decided uniform agreement on a single non-essential issue is imperative. This is a Pharasaical stance and an injustice to Dee, to people who agree with him, to people who disagree with him but desire increased conversation and dialogue, and most of all to the LGBTQ+ community.
M
Mark Maddix
3 years ago
I grieve for my friend and pastor, Dee Kelley. The intent of his article was for dialog about human sexuality and his disagreement on marriage. In the CoTN there should be room for disagreement in the midst of unity. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy!
C
Christina Smerick
3 years ago
As one formerly employed by a Nazarene institution, and an alum of another, I am appalled by the turn the church is taking. Perfect love casts out Fear; yet all I see operating is fear, and a lust for power and control. This is not the way of Jesus.
T
Timothy Thompson
3 years ago
Churches are supposed to be places of refuge and rest for all - not just those who fit in pre-defined boxes. We need clergy who can act in a like manner to Rev. Kelley.
T
Tina Espiritu
3 years ago
Grieved. I stand with Dee.
R
Reymus Broyles
3 years ago
Love Wins!!
A
Anonymous
3 years ago
This is an important conversation and should have happened BEFORE credentials were involved. Please reconsider. I suggest listening more and speaking less to the LGBTQ + community.
G
Greg White
3 years ago
I'm deeply hurt and outraged by the actions taken against Dee Kelley. We as Nazarenes should encourage critical thought and discussions about issues that affect the marginalized. And we aught to show grace to those whose conscience leads them to ask those questions. What this does is halt discussion and tell LGBT people that they are unwelcome. If we cannot come together and love one another even through disagreement, I fear for the future of our church. Please reconsider this course of action.
A
Adam Robinson
3 years ago
I'm dismayed.
E
Elizabeth DuVall
3 years ago
Jesus is love
P
Pamela Jasper
3 years ago
Open your mind. There is no reason to do this to a pastor
I am an ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. No matter whether one agrees with Rev. Kelly or not, no action should be taken against an elder because they have written a chapter in a book, especially one that is a call to justice for others. The actions by the board of General Superintendents violate the polity of our church by taking doing something that is reserved for the General Assembly. The Covenant of Christian Conduct is simply not a part of the doctrine of our church and should not be so construed without the agreement of the General Assembly. Finally, this is NOT a Charitable Discourse. This is the power of our church turned upside down. These actions are a great injury to this elder, his family, to the local body he has served for so long and to our denomination. All those who have participated in these actions should repent, ask forgiveness of Rev. Kelly, his local church and the rest of our denomination and seek reconciliation.
No church should be so inward-looking it forcefully shuts down critical dialogue and theological open-mindedness with this sort of aggressive action.
Love God. Love People. Don’t be afraid to dialogue. Wesleyans are not afraid to think deeply about what is a very necessary conversation.
Be like Jesus!!!
#istandwithdee
If there is no longer room in the Nazarene tent for Dee Kelley, there’s certainly not room for me.
I stand with Dee.
If we cannot discuss and learn to hear one another, we are not truly family. What was done to Dee was wrong and we/you need to be brave enough to admit it.
I graduated from SNU in 2006. Dee Kelley was a wonderful chaplain and spiritual leader on campus. He was universally loved and respected by the student body. So much so that we made t-shirts with his face on them when he left to go to San Diego. I grew up in the Church of the Nazarene. I eventually left in 2012. A major factor was the lack of commitment to inclusiveness. It was taboo to even have a civil conversation. I found that to be anti-intellectual, inauthentic, and dishonest. Now with the Covenant of Christian Conduct being elevated to doctrine, only one side is being allowed to speak. How is that loving? The Church of the Nazarene has decided uniform agreement on a single non-essential issue is imperative. This is a Pharasaical stance and an injustice to Dee, to people who agree with him, to people who disagree with him but desire increased conversation and dialogue, and most of all to the LGBTQ+ community.
I grieve for my friend and pastor, Dee Kelley. The intent of his article was for dialog about human sexuality and his disagreement on marriage. In the CoTN there should be room for disagreement in the midst of unity. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy!
As one formerly employed by a Nazarene institution, and an alum of another, I am appalled by the turn the church is taking. Perfect love casts out Fear; yet all I see operating is fear, and a lust for power and control. This is not the way of Jesus.
Churches are supposed to be places of refuge and rest for all - not just those who fit in pre-defined boxes. We need clergy who can act in a like manner to Rev. Kelley.
Grieved. I stand with Dee.
Love Wins!!
This is an important conversation and should have happened BEFORE credentials were involved. Please reconsider. I suggest listening more and speaking less to the LGBTQ + community.
I'm deeply hurt and outraged by the actions taken against Dee Kelley. We as Nazarenes should encourage critical thought and discussions about issues that affect the marginalized. And we aught to show grace to those whose conscience leads them to ask those questions. What this does is halt discussion and tell LGBT people that they are unwelcome. If we cannot come together and love one another even through disagreement, I fear for the future of our church. Please reconsider this course of action.
I'm dismayed.
Jesus is love
Open your mind. There is no reason to do this to a pastor
Jesus is a liberal and love is the way.