At the eleventh General Conference of The Wesleyan Church in Orlando, Florida, in June, delegates passed an official resolution to recognize and congratulate the Church of the Nazarene on its Centennial. The Church of the Nazarene will reach its 100th anniversary in October, with October 5 set as the Centennial Celebration Sunday.
Nazarenes will celebrate the Centennial in 151 world areas in almost 21,000 local churches. Congregations will be united as one around 24 time zones by common scriptures, themes, sermons, and rituals.
The two sister holiness denominations have pledged mutual cooperation and collaboration to further the spreading of scriptural holiness. Dr. Nina G. Gunter was on hand at the Wesleyan General Conference to bring fraternal greetings on behalf of the Board of General Superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene.
The resolution was presented by the Board of General Superintendents of the Wesleyan Church. Dr. Jerry Pence, general superintendent, represented his board in reading the official resolution passed by delegates:
Whereas, The Church of the Nazarene will celebrate its centennial anniversary on October [5], 2008; and
Whereas, The Wesleyan Church seeks “effective cooperation with other branches of the Church of Christ in all that makes for the advancement of God’s kingdom among all people” (Discipline 200); and
Whereas, The Church of the Nazarene and The Wesleyan Church share a rich heritage as sister Christian denominations committed to missional effectiveness in spreading scriptural holiness; and
Whereas, The Wesleyan Church wishes to affirm its historic relationship with, sincere appreciation for, and continuing partnership with the Church of the Nazarene;
Resolved, That the North American General Conference of The Wesleyan Church congratulates the Church of the Nazarene on the occasion of its centennial anniversary and for its renewed commitment to be “A Church Ablaze,” existing to carry out its mission to advance God’s kingdom by the preservation and propagation of Christian holiness as set forth in the Scriptures; and
Resolved, That the North American General Conference of The Wesleyan Church affirms its sincere desire to continue and enhance collaboration with the Church of the Nazarene in all practical ways that will help our respective communions fulfill the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment; and
Resolved, That the Board of General Superintendents calls upon Wesleyans everywhere to offer prayers of thanksgiving and petitions for God’s gracious blessings upon our sister congregations in the Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, October [5], 2008.
06/08