Board of General Superintendents and Other Relevant Educational and District Leaders:
The recent disciplinary action by the Regional Board of Discipline against Rev. Dee Kelley, pastor of San Diego First Church of the Nazarene has revealed a fundamental flaw in both process and outcome. You are now reaping the whirlwind of your decision to make the Conduct of Christian Character an article of faith; an action unprecedented in the polity and history of the Church of the Nazarene.
Further, change or the decision not to change should reflect a process of open and free conversation and discussion. Repeatedly, we have asked for conversations related to Christian Nationalism, Race, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and state sponsored executions. Your silence reveals both fear and an apotheosis of power.
You underestimate the consequences of these decisions as they now threaten the economic and organizational stability of the Church. People are leaving and they have lost confidence in your leadership because you now punish people calling for an open dialogue on these critical issues.
The damage you have caused is irreparable and the pain and sorrow created by your actions has damaged families, churches, and the communities they serve. The District Superintendent of the Southern California District, in a fit of theological boldness, dared to call discussions of these issues a “sin.”
You are on the wrong side of history on the issue of LGBTQIA+ inclusion. What is most discouraging, you show fear when members of the Church call for discussion and exploration. The holiness of our history dared to challenge slavery, economic and social oppression of women, divorce, and stood with the poor and marginalized. We see little evidence of that courage in your recent actions.
You can anticipate people leaving, taking more direct action like refusing to tithe, no longer supporting denominational initiatives, refusing to pay certain budgets, and holding accountable institutions that benefit from public funding. Whatever actions are taken by clergy, laity, academics, and those whose lives have been positively touched by the Church, you are now responsible because you simply fear to facilitate a conversation.
Once again, we the undersigned call on you to facilitate a conversation on these critical issues and refrain from punishing clergy who seek a conversation on how the gospel can best serve all of humanity.
In faithful service,
The Undersigned
For More Information:
James E. Copple
The 1908 Project
