As a former member, I'm signing this as support for those still in the church who want to see discussions about this issue or whatever becomes the hot button next. It sad to see the legalism returning and the live getting pushed out.
K
Kathleen Smedley
3 years ago
What profit an institution if it saves its life but loses its soul?
J
Jan Shannon
3 years ago
As a former Nazarene minister and gay woman, I feel the Church of the Nazarene in their lack of academic study on the topic of LGBTQ issues, are in violation of God’s call to love.
M
MJ Waltz
3 years ago
Behavior like this is the reason so many in the LGBTQ+ community have church trauma. We are not seen for the people we are, but for the "sins" we commit. I'm not sure why/how being queer became a bigger "sin" than many of the other "sins" that the church willingly overlooks on a consistent basis. I do know that I'll likely never feel comfortable in a Nazarene church again.
R
Rev Murphy L Gill
3 years ago
Please take this petition seriously. While I am hopeful that you might, in all honesty, I am not optimistic that you will. Please act like the Christ followers you claim to be.
C
christopher danielson
3 years ago
It's time to end the witch hunts.
J
Jason Moorman
3 years ago
Featured
One wonders where any of us would be if the Jerusalem council had demanded silence and unquestioning conformity from Paul and the Gentiles rather than listening to those with who they disagreed.
L
Laurie J Braaten
3 years ago
The recent General Superintendents’ decision that clergy discussion of alternatives to the current Manual are tantamount to teaching contrary to the doctrines of the Church is unprecedented and clearly inconsistent with our history. Every change in the Manual is a result of such discussions, discussions which begin with a difference of opinion about the current manual wording. If followed consistently, there will never be another change in the Manual. But the decision is inconsistent because such discussions freely took place at the last General Assembly. It is obvious that this ruling is meant to be applied selectively by governing bodies, and particularly, it was adopted to suppress any conversation regarding the inclusion or affirmative of LGBTQ+ Christians. Whatever our feelings on the issue might be, for the sake of our LGBTQIA members the issue must be discussed.
T
Tricia McCormick
3 years ago
God calls us all to live as inclusive, loving and compassionate siblings of everyone - no exceptions - not as gatekeepers of a church!
C
Craig Keen
3 years ago
I am a retired minister in the Church of the Nazarene. I taught for 24 years at its universities. I am committed to standing and falling with Dee Kelley.
S
Steve McCormick
3 years ago
John Wesley repeatedly asked: “Is your faith filled with the energy of God’s love?” The Content of Faith and its language is Love. And the mission of the Church is Unity, the very Unity of God’s perfect love for the whole world that Jesus prayed in His Great High Priestly Prayer. Beatrice Bruteau echoes that prayer: “I am that we ALL may become one.” James Baldwin reverberates the same: “The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.” …
The kind of COMPASSION that is called for in this petition requires a universal response because compassion is a universal expression of the unconditional and infinite love of God whose love is from everlasting to everlasting. God is no respecter of religion or denominational tribe, especially our Nazarene tribe. God loves us all unconditionally and solicits from everyone without exception, unconditional trust in the infinite and unconditional love of God. And so must we.
To extend and embody the Compassion of God in the face of unspeakable and unimaginable violence and evil requires the kind of unconditional trust that is born from the unconditional love of God whose response is always to show mercy. How else could God’s justice ever be fulfilled without God’s deep and abiding Compassion? God’s mercy is always over all of God’s works. Every aspect of creation is drenched in the glory and love of God. . . . Don’t be afraid! Look all around you and delight in awe and wonder to see everyone you meet, as Valarie Kaur keeps saying: “You are a part of me that I do not yet know.”
If we are to partake of God’s nature by participating in God’s mission of compassion and mercy to reconcile all things of creation into the oikodome (household) of God, then nothing less than the response of unconditional and fearless trust in the unconditional love of God is required. If
M
Michael Schutz
3 years ago
Pastor Emeritus, Avon Grove CotN, West Grove, PA
C
Chris Moesel
3 years ago
It is time to lead with love, not fight with fear.
As a former member, I'm signing this as support for those still in the church who want to see discussions about this issue or whatever becomes the hot button next. It sad to see the legalism returning and the live getting pushed out.
What profit an institution if it saves its life but loses its soul?
As a former Nazarene minister and gay woman, I feel the Church of the Nazarene in their lack of academic study on the topic of LGBTQ issues, are in violation of God’s call to love.
Behavior like this is the reason so many in the LGBTQ+ community have church trauma. We are not seen for the people we are, but for the "sins" we commit. I'm not sure why/how being queer became a bigger "sin" than many of the other "sins" that the church willingly overlooks on a consistent basis. I do know that I'll likely never feel comfortable in a Nazarene church again.
Please take this petition seriously. While I am hopeful that you might, in all honesty, I am not optimistic that you will. Please act like the Christ followers you claim to be.
It's time to end the witch hunts.
One wonders where any of us would be if the Jerusalem council had demanded silence and unquestioning conformity from Paul and the Gentiles rather than listening to those with who they disagreed.
The recent General Superintendents’ decision that clergy discussion of alternatives to the current Manual are tantamount to teaching contrary to the doctrines of the Church is unprecedented and clearly inconsistent with our history. Every change in the Manual is a result of such discussions, discussions which begin with a difference of opinion about the current manual wording. If followed consistently, there will never be another change in the Manual. But the decision is inconsistent because such discussions freely took place at the last General Assembly. It is obvious that this ruling is meant to be applied selectively by governing bodies, and particularly, it was adopted to suppress any conversation regarding the inclusion or affirmative of LGBTQ+ Christians. Whatever our feelings on the issue might be, for the sake of our LGBTQIA members the issue must be discussed.
God calls us all to live as inclusive, loving and compassionate siblings of everyone - no exceptions - not as gatekeepers of a church!
I am a retired minister in the Church of the Nazarene. I taught for 24 years at its universities. I am committed to standing and falling with Dee Kelley.
John Wesley repeatedly asked: “Is your faith filled with the energy of God’s love?” The Content of Faith and its language is Love. And the mission of the Church is Unity, the very Unity of God’s perfect love for the whole world that Jesus prayed in His Great High Priestly Prayer. Beatrice Bruteau echoes that prayer: “I am that we ALL may become one.” James Baldwin reverberates the same: “The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.” … The kind of COMPASSION that is called for in this petition requires a universal response because compassion is a universal expression of the unconditional and infinite love of God whose love is from everlasting to everlasting. God is no respecter of religion or denominational tribe, especially our Nazarene tribe. God loves us all unconditionally and solicits from everyone without exception, unconditional trust in the infinite and unconditional love of God. And so must we. To extend and embody the Compassion of God in the face of unspeakable and unimaginable violence and evil requires the kind of unconditional trust that is born from the unconditional love of God whose response is always to show mercy. How else could God’s justice ever be fulfilled without God’s deep and abiding Compassion? God’s mercy is always over all of God’s works. Every aspect of creation is drenched in the glory and love of God. . . . Don’t be afraid! Look all around you and delight in awe and wonder to see everyone you meet, as Valarie Kaur keeps saying: “You are a part of me that I do not yet know.” If we are to partake of God’s nature by participating in God’s mission of compassion and mercy to reconcile all things of creation into the oikodome (household) of God, then nothing less than the response of unconditional and fearless trust in the unconditional love of God is required. If
Pastor Emeritus, Avon Grove CotN, West Grove, PA
It is time to lead with love, not fight with fear.