Progressive Conservatives

I was interviewed the other day about "the Nazarenes and who we are." I used this descriptive phrase: We are "progressive conservatives." The more I think about it, the more I realize how accurate that tag is. Let me explain.

• If you believe that the Ten Commandments are more than words on a plaque hanging on a courthouse wall somewhere, that they are God's moral code for people to live by in every generation—you are a conservative.
• If you believe that the Bible is the divinely-inspired Word of God from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21—you are a conservative.
• If you believe Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary and that He is the Son of God (the Second Person of the Trinity)—you are a conservative.
• If you believe Jesus was speaking the truth when He said that in order to have eternal life, "you must be born again"—you are a conservative.
• If you believe that Jesus really meant it when He prayed that all of His followers would be "sanctified by the truth"—you are a conservative.
• If you believe that the biblical concept of marriage is always between one man and one woman in a committed, lifelong relationship, and that this is the only relationship within which the gift of sexual intimacy is properly expressed—you are a conservative.
• If you believe that when new life is conceived within the womb of the mother that new life deserves to live, be protected, and develop into all God wants it to be, as much as you and I deserve to live, be protected, and develop into all God wants us to be—you are a conservative.
• If you believe that when a sinner repents of his sins and becomes a Christian, by the grace of God his attitudes, his priorities, his loves, his lifestyle change—you are a conservative.

Looking back over this representative list, we can see that the Church of the Nazarene has always been in the conservative camp. Truthfully, that's not a bad rap! Being called conservative is a true compliment to transformed people around the world who take walking with Jesus seriously, and are committed to living the life of Christlikeness through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the religious world, "conservative" is not a bad word! I am honored to march forward under that banner. However, we Nazarenes should also be "progressive." By that, I mean the Church of the Nazarene must be on the cutting edge of winning people to Christ. In other words:

• If a church in town has youth events so dynamic and compelling that they are mentioned in the newspapers—these events should be sponsored by the Church of the Nazarene.
• If a group in the city mobilizes resources to meet urgent human needs because of a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or fire—it should be the Nazarenes.
• If a church in the community is known as "the church of the second chance"—it should be the Church of the Nazarene.
• If there is a place in the county where moms and dads could find a ministry for their boys and girls that is safe, fun, up to date, and biblically sound—it should be the Church of the Nazarene.
• If a church in the area has a reputation for offering something for every person of every age from every background—it should be the Church of the Nazarene.

We Nazarenes are called to be progressive in our vision, our methods, our ministries, and our compassion. In this area, we shouldn't be conservative. "Progressive" is a good word.

There you have it: Conservative in our core values and lifestyle, but progressive in our vision and commitment to the Great Commission given to us by Jesus Christ. This is not an easy balance to maintain. However, this is the example Jesus gave us, and it is just as doable in the 21st century as it was in the first. Progressive, conservative Nazarenes taking the historic good news of Jesus Christ to the generations of the 21st century in an aggressive, dynamic manner: "Progressive conservatives"—those are the people called Nazarenes!

James H. Diehl is a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene.

Holiness Today, November/December 2004

Please note: This article was originally published in 2004. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.