Sacramental Living

Health insurance. Seriously! Since I resigned from the typical pastorate, I needed health insurance for my family. So I took the job.

Okay, that may have been a big motivator for any job, but here I am serving as a manager for a shelter and transitional program for the homeless and working poor. I could be employed doing something that has nothing to do with my life mission. Instead, here I am. And I love it. Why?

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My tribe will celebrate its founding 100 years ago this October.

Now, I have several aversions to such a “celebration.” Why would we celebrate more schism within the Church? Are we celebrating an institution/organization or a movement of people? Do we even know what our roots are?

Based on my experience (only one of the four ways to live, I know) I don’t think a lot of us know what we will be celebrating.

Here are some quotes from the one we often consider our founder, Phineas F. Bresee:

”Let the Church of the Nazarene be true to its commission; not great and elegant buildings; but to feed the hungry and clothe the naked and wipe away the tears of sorrowing, and gather jewels for His diadem.”

“Our church is a missionary church. It knows no difference between home and foreign fields – in these days all fields are near.”

“We were convinced that houses of worship should be plain and cheap, to save from financial burdens, and that everything should say welcome to the poor…We went in poverty, to give ourselves – and what God might give us – determined to forego provision for the future and old age, in order to see the salvation of God while we were yet here…We would be glad to do much more, yet hundreds of dollars have gone to the poor, with loving ministry of every kind, and with it a way has been opened up to the hearts of men and women, that has been unutterable joy. The gospel comes to a multitude without money and without price, and the poorest of the poor are entitled to a front seat at the Church of the Nazarene.”

Let it sink in … Wait for it … Do you sense something of profound loss, or despair, or grief over what we are juxtaposed with these quotes?

I do.  It’s why I’m changing.  It’s why I want to give back to the institution that birthed me, formed me, trained me to think and minister in the ways of justice.  Though that institution may not think I am in its mold … Take a reality check with Dr. Bresee and you’ll see:  Nazarenes (and I am one) have some work to do.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
How’s this working for ya?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
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