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Denominations - Protestant

Short profiles of selected Christian denominations in the U.S.

Church of the Nazarene Symbol

Church of the Nazarene

Holiness, Evangelical

  • Date Founded:  1908
  • Membership/Number of Clergy:  649,836/10,900 as of 2010.
  • Headquarters:  Church of the Nazarene, USA/Canada Region, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway
  • Lenexa, KS 66220
  • Schools & Seminaries:  In the United States; Eastern Nazarene College, MidAmerica Nazarene College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Nazarene Bible College, Northwest Nazarene University, Olivet Nazarene University, Point Loma Nazarene University, Southern Nazarene University, Trevecca Nazarene University, Nazarene Theological Seminary.
  • Publications:  Grace and Peace, Engage,  The Evangelist's Perspective, Didache--Faithful Teaching (Academic Journal), Vibrant Magazine (online)
  • Website:  https://nazarene.org/ 
  • Kentucky District Webpage: https://www.kynaz.com/
  • Social Media:   Facebook for the Board of General Superintendants
  • Core Beliefs: "Nazarenes emphasize Christian conversion, sanctification or holiness, and the personal assurance of God’s grace – Wesleyan distinctives that point back to a deeper rootage in continental European pietism. Discipleship is a prominent concern. An emphasis on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit has generally prevented Nazarenes from slipping into the static Biblicism that sometimes affects other evangelical Protestants. The Church of the Nazarene  recognizes two sacraments: Christian baptism and Holy Communion. Believers’ baptism and infant baptism are both allowed, though the former is most generally practiced."  See https://www.usacanadaregion.org/history for more detail on Conversion and Sanctification.

Short History:  Formed in 1908 with the merger of two denominations: the Association of Penecostal Churches in America and the Church of the Nazarene joined together in 1907 to form the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene, and in 1908 this combined denomination was joined by the Holiness Church of Christ. The word "Pentecostal" was dropped from the name in 1919.  It is Wesleyan in doctrine and related theologically to the Free Methodists, the Wesleyans, the Salvation Army, and traditionalist sectors of the United Methodist Church.  The church has ordained women and preachers and evangelists since its inception.

Local Churches: 

Farmdale Nazarene, 6501 Vandre Ave, Louisville, KY 40228

Grace Community Church of the Nazarene, 4308 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40220

Louisville First Church of the Nazarene, 3503 Blanton Ln Louisville KY 40214-3105

River City Hope Church, 12320 Ridgemont Rd. Louisville, KY 40229

Church Finder: https://findachurch.nazarene.org/