As the Church of the Nazarene approaches its 100th anniversary in 2008, plans for the Centennial Celebration were officially launched by the Board of General Superintendents February 20 at the M7 Conference in Kansas City.
To include all Nazarenes worldwide in this historic and strategic milestone, the Centennial will be celebrated in every local church on October 5, 2008, across 24 time zones in 151 world areas.
Speaking on behalf of the Board of General Superintendents, Jerry D. Porter, Board chair, said, “We considered a mass gathering at Pilot Point, Texas or Centennial Celebration gatherings on each region, but ultimately we realized that this global celebration must be more. It must include every Nazarene worldwide! Thus, on October 5, 2008, over 18,000 congregations around the world will be united across space and time by sharing a common framework of scriptures, sermon, music, media, and sacraments.”
The Centennial provides a once-in-alifetime opportunity to equip, educate, and reinforce to new Nazarenes and the long-term faithful Nazarene core values, doctrine, and mission.
“Out of Many One, Out of One Many,” the Centennial Celebration theme, draws on Nazarene heritage and godly commitment to the future of an international church.
“The global Nazarene family is enriched by our diversity of cultures, languages, and nationalities,” said Porter. “Yet, what holds us together as one is greater than the factors that distinguish us. We have one faith, one call, one mission to make Christlike disciples. The Centennial invites us to celebrate our diversity and our unity, our message and our mission.”
Each church will receive a Centennial Celebration kit with complete resources for the anniversary worship service and options for three Sunday services leading up to the Centennial Sunday.
Among the entities developing special ministries, activities, and resources for the Centennial Celebration are Nazarene Youth International, Children’s Ministries, and Lillenas Music of Nazarene Publishing House, who has produced a Centennial music package including the Centennial theme song “One.”
World Mission is assisting in translation of Centennial resources, and regional coordinators for the Centennial have been appointed on every world region to ensure that the celebration will include the entire Nazarene family.
Pastors will receive Centennial Celebration kits from district superintendents early in 2008.