A Place I Used to Call Home, pt 2

another open letter to the Church of the Nazarene

This week I watched as my friend and former pastor, Dr. Rick Power delivered his final report as District Superintendent of the HIPAC district. In it, he named people on the district who have done incredible and important work over the 10 years he’d been there, celebrating those who are often overlooked (like those committed to work behind the scenes and to Children’s Ministry). He asked sincere questions of whether churches were truly a place of welcome for all people and if they were living out “holy love” the way Jesus had called them to. He also addressed the allegations made against him and his views on LGBTQ+ inclusion, to which he read from the Nazarene manual, highlighting the call to “holy love.” From where I sat, I heard a man who has spent 40+ years faithfully pointing people toward Jesus celebrate the work being done in Hawaii, and pleading with everyone to stay the course and continue to follow the way of Jesus, truly loving their neighbors as themselves.

At the end, *most* people rose to their feet and applauded.

One would hope that a reminder of our call to love one another in the way of Jesus would soften folks and the business meetings the following day would go on as peacefully as previous assemblies.

One would hope.

But, that is not what happened.

I will not go into the details of what I witnessed online and in person, but the heaviness in that room was palpable.

By the end of the day, a DS was not elected and the General will appoint someone.

I have never been more sad for the place I used to call home nor more relieved to no longer be part of it. I admire Rick and Vicki for being respectful and kind to those who plotted and cheered their exit. I respect those I love who are persevering through the heartbreak caused by the hateful actions of their colleagues. And, because I am trying to be less of a cynic, I want to hope that something good will come out of the mess those folks made.