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Nazarene Compassionate Network. East Ohio District Church of the Nazarene. Why do we do what we do?.
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Nazarene Compassionate Network East Ohio District Church of the Nazarene
Why do we do what we do? • It fits with who we are theologically…“Those who think theologically rarely think about evangelism, and those who think about evangelism rarely take the discipline of theology very seriously.” • Brian Stone, Evangelism after Christendom, 17 • Compassion Evangelism: Meeting Human Needs
What did Jesus say? • Matt. 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, • Matt. 5:45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. • Matt. 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? • Matt. 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? • Matt. 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
How does Dr. Luke describe it? • Luke 6:32 ¶ “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. • Luke 6:33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. • Luke 6:34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. • Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. • Luke 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Merciful/Compassionate • Luke 6:36 gi÷nesqe ou™n oi˙kti÷rmoneß, kaqw»ß kai« oJ path\r uJmw◊n oi˙kti÷rmwn e˙sti÷. • 3629. oijkti÷rmwn oiktirmon, oyk-tir´-mone; from 3627; compassionate: — merciful, of tender mercy.
Same Construct • Lev. 19:2 ¶ Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. • Perfection – Compassionate -- Holy
Holiness People are Compassionate People • It is our DNA
The CIS Christlikeness (Holiness) Education/Discipleship Compassionate Ministries Church Planting (Evangelism/Preaching)
Christocentrism: Jesus is our focus… • Matthew 9:35 “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”
Preaching • A passion for the lost and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ! Being willing to share the gospel. • A willingness to start new things.
Teaching • Discipleship • Leadership Development • Pastoral Training
Healing • Reaching out to the needs of the people around us. • Ministering to the poor. • Churches have been tax exempt since the time of Constantine – so they could use their resources to care for the poor.
What did Wesley say? • “It must be confessed that there is a tendency among Christians to interpret holiness as withdrawal from society, civic concerns, ‘bad’ people, and everything secular. It is true that there is in holiness this apartness; but on the other side of holiness, and saturating it to its core, is love.” (Wynkoop, “A Theology of Love,” pg. 29)
Interpreted as action since the days of our birth • Phineas Bresee • Ministry in the inner city mission of Los Angeles
Jonnie Jernigan • Brothels • Orphanage • Bethany
Fear of overemphasis on social programs… • By the 1960’s compassionate ministry programs were almost considered a sin in the Church of the Nazarene • Tom Nees – Washington DC 1970’s • Steve Weber – Haiti 1980’s
Exegete your community • Major needs in East Ohio? • Drug Use • Alcoholism • Hunger • Children struggling in school • Destruction of the family unit • Clothing needs • Medications for elderly • After-school care for kids