Scandal Rocks Church Of The Nazarene

A renowned theologian was excommunicated.

The Church of the Nazarene has expelled Rev. Thomas Jay Oord, a theologian and author, for his support of same-sex marriage. Oord, from Nampa, Idaho, was found guilty by a church court of promoting teachings that contradict the denomination’s biblically-based doctrines. The controversy centered on Oord’s book, Why the Church of the Nazarene Should Be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming, which he co-authored with his bisexual daughter. The court ruled that Oord’s actions were unbecoming of a minister and inconsistent with the church’s teachings.

The court criticized Oord for showing no repentance or willingness to conform to church authority, describing his behavior as a repeated disregard for church guidelines. Oord responded by posting the ruling on his blog, denouncing it as a mischaracterization of the trial’s proceedings and expressing dissatisfaction with how witness testimonies were represented. He remained defiant, stating that he would not apologize for his support of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Retired theology professor Samuel Powell of Point Loma Nazarene University expressed concerns about the severity of the expulsion, labeling it as excessively harsh and vindictive. Powell highlighted that while defrocking might have been anticipated, expulsion from membership was unprecedented and contrary to the church’s usual approach of accommodating differing beliefs.

The Church of the Nazarene, with its origins in the 19th-century Wesleyan Holiness Movement and a global membership of approximately 2.6 million, has faced similar situations before. Last year, Rev. Selden Dee Kelley III, senior pastor at San Diego First Church of the Nazarene, lost his preaching credentials for similar reasons. Kelley had contributed to Oord’s book and has appealed the decision, with his congregation continuing to support him financially during the appeal process.