The Mission of the Church of the Nazarene Defining Group Purpose © 2007 General Board Church of the Nazarene All rights reserved.

A holiness and “Great Commission” church “Great Commission” church From the beginning…

Approaching Our Centennial

Biggest change in 60 years facing the Church of the Nazarene

Approaching Our Centennial Biggest change in 60 years facing the Church of the Nazarene A time to update language used to describe the heart of our mission Biggest change in 60 years facing the Church of the Nazarene A time to update language used to describe the heart of our mission

Approaching Our Centennial Biggest change in 60 years facing the Church of the Nazarene A time to update language used to describe the heart of our mission Current statement of purpose and mission created nearly 30 years ago Biggest change in 60 years facing the Church of the Nazarene A time to update language used to describe the heart of our mission Current statement of purpose and mission created nearly 30 years ago

Thousands of “Mission Statements”

Churches

Thousands of “Mission Statements” Churches Districts Churches Districts

Thousands of “Mission Statements” Churches Districts Compassionate Ministry Centers Churches Districts Compassionate Ministry Centers

Thousands of “Mission Statements” Churches Districts Compassionate Ministry Centers General Board Departments Churches Districts Compassionate Ministry Centers General Board Departments

Thousands of “Mission Statements” Churches Districts Compassionate Ministry Centers General Board Departments Colleges,Universities and Seminaries Churches Districts Compassionate Ministry Centers General Board Departments Colleges,Universities and Seminaries

Thousands of “Mission Statements” Churches Districts Compassionate Ministry Centers General Board Departments Colleges,Universities and Seminaries Nazarene Publishing House Churches Districts Compassionate Ministry Centers General Board Departments Colleges,Universities and Seminaries Nazarene Publishing House

One Central Mission

An over-arching statement of mission for the denomination

One Central Mission An over-arching statement of mission for the denomination Succinct and translatable for 155 world areas An over-arching statement of mission for the denomination Succinct and translatable for 155 world areas

One Central Mission An over-arching statement of mission for the denomination Succinct and translatable for 155 world areas That says… An over-arching statement of mission for the denomination Succinct and translatable for 155 world areas That says…

One Central Mission An over-arching statement of mission for the denomination Succinct and translatable for 155 world areas That says… –This is who we are An over-arching statement of mission for the denomination Succinct and translatable for 155 world areas That says… –This is who we are

One Central Mission An over-arching statement of mission for the denomination Succinct and translatable for 155 world areas That says… –This is who we are –This is what we stand for An over-arching statement of mission for the denomination Succinct and translatable for 155 world areas That says… –This is who we are –This is what we stand for

One Central Mission An over-arching statement of mission for the denomination Succinct and translatable for 155 world areas That says… –This is who we are –This is what we stand for –This is what we’re all about An over-arching statement of mission for the denomination Succinct and translatable for 155 world areas That says… –This is who we are –This is what we stand for –This is what we’re all about

The Process

10 years of reflection

The Process 10 years of reflection A unanimous decision in December 2006 by the Board of General Superintendents 10 years of reflection A unanimous decision in December 2006 by the Board of General Superintendents

The Process 10 years of reflection A unanimous decision in December 2006 by the Board of General Superintendents To capture a renewed desire to lift up Christ and be more like the Savior 10 years of reflection A unanimous decision in December 2006 by the Board of General Superintendents To capture a renewed desire to lift up Christ and be more like the Savior

The Process 10 years of reflection A unanimous decision in December 2006 by the Board of General Superintendents To capture a renewed desire to lift up Christ and be more like the Savior Especially among our youth and young adults 10 years of reflection A unanimous decision in December 2006 by the Board of General Superintendents To capture a renewed desire to lift up Christ and be more like the Savior Especially among our youth and young adults

To Make Christlike Disciples In the Nations NEW STATEMENT OF MISSION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE… NEW STATEMENT OF MISSION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE…

Christlikeness for Everyone THE GOAL “Teaching them to do all I have commanded”

Based on Nazarene Core Values

A Christian Church Based on Nazarene Core Values

A Christian Church A Holiness Church A Christian Church A Holiness Church Based on Nazarene Core Values

A Christian Church A Holiness Church A Missional Church A Christian Church A Holiness Church A Missional Church Based on Nazarene Core Values

Communicating with a New Generation

The Essence of Holiness is Christlikeness The Essence of Holiness is Christlikeness

Primary motive is to glorify God But we are also called to actively participate in His mission— reconciling the world to Himself But we are also called to actively participate in His mission— reconciling the world to Himself

Changing the language— keeping the historical essentials

Evangelism

Changing the language— keeping the historical essentials Evangelism Sanctification Evangelism Sanctification

Changing the language— keeping the historical essentials Evangelism Sanctification Discipleship Evangelism Sanctification Discipleship

Changing the language— keeping the historical essentials Evangelism Sanctification Discipleship Compassion Evangelism Sanctification Discipleship Compassion

Changing the language— keeping the historical essentials Evangelism Sanctification Discipleship Compassion Equipping Evangelism Sanctification Discipleship Compassion Equipping

Changing the language— keeping the historical essentials Evangelism Sanctification Discipleship Compassion Equipping Sent—on a mission Evangelism Sanctification Discipleship Compassion Equipping Sent—on a mission

Why Act Now?

Timing. Going through major generational and cultural change is the time to clarify the mission

Why Act Now? Timing. Going through major generational and cultural change is the time to clarify the mission Simplification. In a 24/7, overcommunicated society, it’s an oversimplified (but not simplistic) message that has the best chance of getting through Timing. Going through major generational and cultural change is the time to clarify the mission Simplification. In a 24/7, overcommunicated society, it’s an oversimplified (but not simplistic) message that has the best chance of getting through

Why Act Now? Timing. Going through major generational and cultural change is the time to clarify the mission Simplification. In a 24/7, overcommunicated society, it’s an oversimplified (but not simplistic) message that has the best chance of getting through Stewardship. The need for focus and priorities in mission to carefully use limited resources Timing. Going through major generational and cultural change is the time to clarify the mission Simplification. In a 24/7, overcommunicated society, it’s an oversimplified (but not simplistic) message that has the best chance of getting through Stewardship. The need for focus and priorities in mission to carefully use limited resources

A Note of Caution You can have a statement and never fulfill the mission—the need is for Christlike disciples who embody and act on the mission

As we begin our second Century… May the church be found faithful and fruitful in its service to Christ and the Kingdom.

To Make Christlike Disciples In the Nations THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE… THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE…