Poll: How Nazarene Are You?

[Brad Mercer]

I'm really just trying out the "poll" feature, and Jeremy Scott's Directory entry gave me an idea for a poll subject.

Brad

[Edited to add:] Okay, I obviously should have thought this poll through a little better before posting it. I see how to edit my comments, but not how to edit the actual poll choices. I also don't see how to just delete the entire thing. AND I set it to stay there forever. BLAST! I'm too stupid to live!

[Jeremy D. Scott]

Perhaps we could add "I was born in Nazareth" to the options...? Just kidding, but I always thought it interesting that we call ourselves "Nazarenes." Sure, saying "member of the Church of the Nazarene" is cumbersome, but who of us is from Nazareth? ;)

Also, did you notice all the options for making a poll? An interesting one is that you can choose whether or not it is anonymous. (Which I guess would require that one be a member to vote, no?

[Gina Stevenson]

yes, while grandma-grandpa were members [from wesleyan methodist, orig.], folks only went for awhile when I was young. then I did join as an adolescent ... so, wile "joining as child/adolescent" sounds like one just came to know the church at that time, also not being "first generation" applies, as well.

so, I couldn't answer your poll correctly, Brad, because it wouldn't let me pick two at a time! ;o) so, I didn't vote.


<i>gina</i>

[Dennis M. Scott]

How about a poll to see how many third, fourth, fifth, or perhaps even sixth generation Nazarenes are naznetters?

I happen to be fourth generation, but I'm pretty old.

[Rick Morton]

I like that ideal I'm forth generation and have three son that are now fifth. My great grandfather was a local pastor that rode a mule on a circuit to four different churches.

[Joel Merrill]

How about "None of the above?" Actually I chose #1 because I am not a member now. My Dad pastored in the Nazarene Church for years but he did not start out in the Nazarene Church and he is not a Nazarene now. I grew up in the Nazarene Church but was saved in another church. Then I came back to the Nazarene Church after only a year and was a member for 30 years but now I belong to another church.:D

[Michael R. Gentry]

I am a third generation Nazarene; but I did look into other denominations about 10 years into the ministry. When all was researched both through literature and through talking with ministers both locally and some who were denominational leaders, I found the Church of the Nazarene most suited to my theological beliefs.

So, I am not like the blind leading the blind in that I am Nazarene simply because my forefathers were ... I could fit into several other denominations quite well, but again, I found the Church of the Nazarene most suited to my theological beliefs.

[Jim Franklin]

My grandfather, Freeman Franklin, was a neighboring circuit rider of Phineas Bresee in the 1870s and 80s. Both my grandparents and my father were charter members of Yakima, Washington First Church of the Nazarene in 1904. I would be third from my grandparents but second from my father who all joined at the same time. I have been Nazarene all these years except for 2 years in Montana when the Wesleyan church where my in laws went was 8 miles away and the closest Nazarene church was over 30 miles away.

[Sharon Isley]

Growing up, my family faithfully attended a church of some sort on Easter and Christmas. I didn't even know what a Nazarene was, until 1991.

[Billy Cox]

This brings to mind one of my favorite sayings:

"I am part of the best denomination in the world...and that's pretty lucky for me since it's the only one I have been a part of."

I usually get blank stares when I say it.

Yogi Berra is my verbal hero.

[Billy Cox]

The Church of the Nazarene was a far better place in 1991 than in 1971 or 1961. (not trying to guess your birth year)

[Sharon Isley]

Hehe...well....its between 1961 and 1971....

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

vBulletin software strikes again! Brad started a thread about "how Nazarene?" back in October - here we are at the new year and Jim Franklin found it and brought it back to life!

I love the way this software allows this to happen!

[Hans Deventer]

But Scott, aren't you afraid that what we always have thought in our moments of deepest honesty, namely, that very little new is ever said, will now be mercilessly revealed by this software? :basic03

[Marsha Lynn]

But Scott, aren't you afraid that what we always have thought in our moments of deepest honesty, namely, that very little new is ever said, will now be mercilessly revealed by this software? :basic03

Haven't you said something like this before, Hans?

:basic05

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Haven't you said something like this before, Hans?

:basic05

Marsha intercepts the ball -- she drives down the court -- and SHE SCORES!

[Bruce Carriker]

Technically my membership still resides in the Church of the Nazarene, but I now worship regularly in another denomination....which I'm sure is a great relief to any number of you.

[Ray Hendrix]

I am a third generation Nazarene and so is my wife.

[Brad Mercer]

I am a third generation Nazarene and so is my wife.

Ray, it's great to see you on NazNet! I am deeply indepted to you for your son, Steve. He has been a great encouragement to me over the last few years, as you were to my friend Roland at a dinner a few years ago. Thanks for everything you are, and everything you've done.

Brad Mercer
Frisco, Texas

[Stan Hall]

I was raised Methodist. My grandparents were Methodist missionairies in the Phillipines. When I left home I stopped going to church. A few years ago my wife and I started Bible studies (she was raised Seventh-Day Adventist), and we later joined the Nazarene Church.
Seems to me that "how Nazarene you are" is not reflected in how long you or your family have been in the church, but how well you understand and agree with the doctrine. I have known some who really don't seem to get it.

[Ray Hendrix]

Brad--thanks for your kind words. We do what we can do in life to help others in whatever ways we can, and then leave the rest to God. I don't post very often but I do enjoy reading the diferent threads. Keep up the good work!

[Brad Mercer]

I was raised Methodist. My grandparents were Methodist missionairies in the Phillipines. When I left home I stopped going to church. A few years ago my wife and I started Bible studies (she was raised Seventh-Day Adventist), and we later joined the Nazarene Church.
Seems to me that "how Nazarene you are" is not reflected in how long you or your family have been in the church, but how well you understand and agree with the doctrine. I have known some who really don't seem to get it.

Stan, I agree. One of the good features of this new NazNet software is that old threads don't die. One of the bad features is that old threads don't die. I saw things I wanted to do differently with this poll almost as soon as I posted it, but it was too late. You can go back and edit one of your old posts, but I couldn't find a way to change an actual poll itself, so for better or worse, I'm doomed to see my flawed post brought back to the top of the board for all time. :rolleyes:

Brad

[Stan Hall]

Hey Brad, I was just picking nits about the title. It's a fun and interesting poll. Keep up the good work!

Stan

[Hans Deventer]

Haven't you said something like this before, Hans?

:basic05

Likely! But now you get the chance to prove it! :basic03

[Marsha Gupton]

Well, I suppose I'm a third generation nazarene. My grandparents joined the nazarene church back in the 1930's; but in the 1960's left to join the Bible Missionary church. My parents were nazarenes and now I am. Amazingly enough all of this is in one church, Nashville First Church. I did attend a methodist church for about 8 months a couple of years ago.

I enjoy hearing of everyone's heritage in the church and how they got there. For me, my parents brought me as an infant.

[Gina Stevenson]

... found the way to amend a poll, afterall! Wanted to do that yesterday or today myself with that silly one I wrote. Or, did a moderator amend it for you? If you did it, let us know how! ;)

[Carol Lombard]

My mom was brought up Lutheran - my dad EUB. Neither were really christian until later. My mom joined the Nazarene Church when I was 5 - by dad did not become a christian, much less a Nazarene until he was 63. I joined the Nazarene church when I was 12. For a while, Jim & I attended a Church of Christ (about a year), then the Free Methodist (another year), mainly because they were the nearest in distance - other that Catholic. When we moved, we attended the Nazarene Church.

[Charlene Clevenger]

I think my Dad's family was Nazarene when he was a young child in Missouri. They moved to California during the depression and attended what they always called "the old East Oakland Church" of the Nazarene. My Mom's family was Methodist, and most of them still are. When they moved to California from Oklahoma in 1930 they moved next door to the Sunday School Superintendent of "the old East Oakland Church" and my Mom and her brother attended there. Mom met the man of her dreams (Dad), and my uncle Fred went back to being a Methodist.

Now you know my family history. :fav16

[Dana Grant]

Stan, I agree. One of the good features of this new NazNet software is that old threads don't die. One of the bad features is that old threads don't die. I saw things I wanted to do differently with this poll almost as soon as I posted it, but it was too late. You can go back and edit one of your old posts, but I couldn't find a way to change an actual poll itself, so for better or worse, I'm doomed to see my flawed post brought back to the top of the board for all time. :rolleyes:

Brad

Yes, and I LOVE going down to the bottom of the board to bring up old threads to the top, Brad.

I'll make sure I do that with this one, OK???

Just trying to be a blessing, Brad.

LOL

Love ya, Brad.....

[Ian Robertson]

I joined the Church of the Nazarene in 1953. My father pastored a Congregational Church. He was admonished my denominational officials that, "If you want to preach holiness, join a holiness denomination." Our whole congregation decided to become Nazarenes, and that is how the Church of the Nazarene started in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Dad (Rev. Neil Robertson) is now 100 years old, living with my sister in Anchorage, Alaska.