Famous and Inspirational Quotes on...

Nazarenes on Compassion, the Poor & Social Holiness

"The field of labor to which we feel called is in the neglected quarters of
the cities and wherever else may be found waste places and souls seeking pardon and cleansing from sin. This work we aim to do through the agency of city missions, evangelistic services, house-to-house visitation, caring for the poor, comforting the dying."
--P.F. Bresee, co-founder, Church of the Nazarene, excerpt taken fromcongregational meeting, Los Angeles First Church of the Nazarene, October 30, 1895

"Let the Church of the Nazarene be true to its commission; not great and elegant buildings; but to feed the hungry and clothe the naked and wipe away the tears of sorrowing and gather jewels for His diadem. We want places so plain that every board will say welcome to the poorest."
— General Superintendent Phineas F. Bresee, from a sermon preached on January 15, 1902  

"Pure religion always has and always will have its two sides, purity and service. To neglect service in the welfare of others is to demonstrate a lack of purity. Holiness people should be preeminent in social service. This is chiefly characterized the Early Church--their untiring service to bless their fellowmen and care for their widows and fatherless children."
— General Superintendent John W. Goodwin, Herald of Holiness (November 10, 1920)

"Scripture abundantly testifies that there is a special place in the heart of God for the poor. Our church was born passionately embracing its mission to reach the disenfranchised and marginalized peoples of our world. Compassionate ministry is not something that we do, it is a lifestyle of the Spirit-filled believer. We do not minister to the poor in a condescending way. Rather we respect, love, and serve them a cup of cold water in the redeeming name of Jesus. We embrace them on behalf of the humble Carpenter and we give them the church."
— Board of General Superintendents, taken from General Board Report, February 2000

"The promise of salvation we preach to the poor is both social and spiritual. In the Body of Christ it is not right to withhold anything that is wholesome and liberating from a person in need."
— Timothy L. Smith, historian

"The poor are not oppressed simply by their sins but by an exploitative society. To face up to social wrong--unfair wages, desperate housing conditions, the reign of ignorance and deference to the idols of race or class or nationalism--is the obligation of every Christian."
— Timothy L. Smith, historian

"Compassion is not a mere human quality or an admired or desirable human attribute; it is a spiritual quality, a divine work wrought in the heart."
— John A. Knight, general superintendent

"We affirm that evangelism and socio-cultural involvement and compassionate ministry are both part of our Christian witness. We need to be people who seek justice, freedom, and dignity for all, especially the powerless who cannot seek it for themselves."
— John A. Knight, general superintendent

"Holiness is more readily seen in service than in any other area of our lives."
— Nina Gunter, Nazarene World Missionary Society Director

"Christian compassion is an expression of the very nature of God revealed in Jesus Christ, and reflected in his disciples."
— Tom Nees, director, Mission Strategy USA/Canada

"Evangelism without compassion is evangelism without the gospel. Likewise, compassion without proclamation of the kingdom of God is limited humanitarianism, something short of life-changing good news."
— Tom Nees, director, Mission Strategy USA/Canada

"To Jesus, no person or group of people is so deplorable as to be excluded from the significant circles of human relationships."
— Oliver R. Phillips, administrative director, NCM USA/Canada

"Compassionate ministry is humanizing ministry--it is an expression of and a recovery of the image of God. To be compassionate is not only to be human but to restore the humanity of others."
— Bryan P. Stone, Boston University