You’re a Nazarene Pastor, but are you also a Wesleyan Pastor?

By: José Samuel Mérida

Would you agree with the following statement?

“Being a Nazarene pastor means, by definition, you should also be a Wesleyan pastor.”

I hope so, because the Church of the Nazarene stems from the Wesleyan tradition of holiness and social justice! Unfortunately, I have witnessed some “Nazarene” pastors drift away from some of our core Wesleyan theological principles. This is as absurd as claiming to be a lifeguard because you know first aid, even if you can’t really swim. Being a Nazarene pastor without living out and preaching Wesleyan principles is essentially denying the true identity we’re supposed to embody.

The Bible teaches us important lessons about staying true to core principles, even when more appealing options seem tempting. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, the apostle Paul warns: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” Paul reminds us that the temptation to conform to what’s popular can lead us away from the truth and fundamental principles of the faith.

Take, for example, strategies that promote a prosperity gospel or a purely emotional approach to attract new members. While these methods might quickly fill the pews, do they maintain the theological integrity of our Wesleyan tradition, which emphasizes holiness and serving your neighbor? What kind of testimony are we giving if we compromise our doctrine to be more “attractive”?

Another example is the temptation to reduce the gospel to a message that simply makes people feel good, avoiding topics like sin, repentance, and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Instead of confronting and transforming, this kind of ministry might just entertain and motivate, drifting away from the Wesleyan mission of leading people to a life of holiness and service.

It’s crucial to remember that the pastor’s job is to guide her congregation not just toward numerical growth but towards deep spiritual growth. Innovation is welcome in the church, but not at the expense of our doctrinal fidelity. Wesleyan pastors are called to be stewards of a tradition that values holiness, prevenient grace, and intentional discipleship.

A key question we need to ask is: Are we guiding our congregations towards a life of holiness, or are we just trying to keep up appearances in an increasingly superficial world?

Being a Wesleyan pastor means being a spiritual guide committed to personal and collective holiness, reflecting a ministry centered on God’s transforming grace. A Wesleyan pastor preaches and lives a gospel that not only calls for repentance but also challenges believers to seek continuous consecration, allowing the Holy Spirit to shape every aspect of their lives. This kind of pastor doesn’t settle for superficial Christianity but fosters deep, group discipleship where Christian life is expressed in love, service, and active faith that extends beyond the church walls.

Jesus reminds us in John 15:4-5, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

May this passage inspire us to stay true to Christ, remembering that true success as Nazarene pastors is not measured merely in numbers but in the depth of spiritual transformation we help nurture in the Nazarene congregations. Just like a lifeguard needs to know how to swim to do their job, staying true to our Wesleyan identity ensures we’re not just attracting crowds but guiding them toward a daily life of holiness.