Ethos of Belle Vue Church of the Nazarene

The Denomination we belong to:

The Church of the Nazarene is an international evangelical denomination in the Wesleyan - Holiness tradition, working in over 120 world areas with over 1.5 million members. In the UK there are 90 churches organised into two districts, North and South.

Every organisation that endures over time is based on a deeply shared combination of purpose, belief and values. So it is with the Church of the Nazarene. It was founded to transform the world by spreading scriptural holiness (Christ-like living). It is both a Great Commission church and a Holiness church at the same time. Our mission is to make Christlike disciples of all nations.

The Church of the Nazarene believes you may discover forgiveness, peace, joy, purpose, love and meaning in life and the promise of heaven when life is over by entering and experiencing a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We believe that there is a deeper level of life for the Christian in which there is victory over sin, power to witness and serve, and a richer fellowship with God. This happens for the Christian by the sanctifying (purifying) fullness of the Holy Spirit. As a Local Church we believe that we are to be:

1. Our Church should seek to provide an Incarnational presence, i.e. located in the community, with a programme for the community, and open to all the community.
2. Our worship should accommodate those who have never worshipped before and be designed to help to bring them into full participation.
3. Our Church must be centred on the Word of God and the Holy Spirit as its guiding lights.
4. Our Church should encourage people to belong even before they believe and behave.
5. Our Church should be a charismatic community, ie gift led, not man led.
6. Our Mission should seek to be the active demonstration of the love of the Lord Jesus for all people and demonstrate the values inherent in a Kingdom presence.
7. Our mission will be effective if it is one that is pastoral, relational and holistic.
8. Our mission will be appropriate if it is one that is long term, low key, and built on integrity in all areas of operation and offering a Congruent presence.
9. Our mission will only be successful if it is one where we are challenged daily by our weaknesses, and not one carried out from a safe distance or in a safe place.
10. Our Worship should seek to be the means of our community communicating with their God in both directions.
11. Our worship should reflect that Sunday is only one day in the week, and that true worship involves the whole week.
12. Our worship should touch the community where they are, i.e. being relevant, vibrant and where necessary radical and thereby offer a Creative presence.