![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Video-Photo-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCLICK THE IMAGE TO WATCH THE VIDEO<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ABOUT ME<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
First, a bit about me for those who may not know me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am Thomas Jay Oord, professor of theology at Northwind Theological Seminary and former professor of theology and philosophy at Northwest Nazarene University and Eastern Nazarene College. I\u2019ve published 30+ books, including being the co-editor with my daughter of Why the Church of the Nazarene Should Be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nI\u2019ve been president of various academic organizations and am internationally known as a theologian of love. I\u2019ve lectured at major universities like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and Princeton, as well taught everyday people, in out-of-the-way places, on every continent in the world except the Antarctic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have been married for 35 years to my wife Cheryl, whom I love deeply and whose support has been monumental. I also have children, grandchildren, and extended family whom I also love dearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back to the charges and my upcoming trial for being queer affirming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GIVEN CHARGES<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In early August of 2023, Nazarene district superintendent Scott Shaw gave me a document with two charges. Both charges pertain to the fact that I am a straight, cis-gender male who fully affirms and supports queer people and wants the Church of the Nazarene to do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For my views on full queer inclusion, I\u2019ve been charged, first, with teaching and promoting doctrines contrary to the Church of the Nazarene statement on human sexuality. And secondly, I\u2019m charged with conduct unbecoming of a minister for advocating for queer people and their allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For some time, I\u2019ve been advocating for the denomination to change its views on LGBTQ+ matters. That advocating has taken many forms, including in the book I mentioned earlier. If love is the heart of holiness, my call for full queer inclusion reflects the heart of the teachings advanced by the Church of the Nazarene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wanting to include and seek the flourishing of queer people is NOT<\/strong> conduct unbecoming a minister. It\u2019s part of the minister\u2019s central call to love neighbor as oneself.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSILENCE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Despite being told in the summer of 2023 that I would face a trial in the fall of that year, I heard nothing from denominational leadership for nine months. Silence of silence. I began to assume the charges had been dropped. But in the last week — late May of 2024 \u2013 I was finally contacted about the trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since receiving that contact in late May, denominational leaders have tried to silence me. They have threatened to make an additional charges if I speak publicly about the trial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They want to muzzle me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike them, I want transparency. And openness. I encourage forthright discussions about what matters. This video is one expression of the transparency needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WILL NAZARENES LOVE QUEER PEOPLE?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The fundamental issue at stake is whether the Church of the Nazarene will love queer people by affirming their identities,<\/em> orientation,<\/em> and healthy sexual behaviors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/LGBTQ-Book-Cover-210x300.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAs for me, Jesus\u2019 love compels me to accept and affirm queer people. For me, love matters most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Love prompts me to urge the Church of the Nazarene laity and leaders to engage in open conversations with queer people and their allies. Rather than try to silence me or hide behind procedures and processes, love calls us all to be transparent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In its current form, the Church of the Nazarene\u2019s statement on human sexuality does not <\/em>reflect love well. It does not give witness to the abundant life queer people enjoy as they cooperate with the Spirit of God. The statement also creates obstacles for allies and clergy who want to include queer people fully in the life of the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSOME LGBTQ+ PEOPLE ARE SANCTIFIED<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I personally know LGBTQ+ people who experience the sanctification described in Article 10 of the Church of the Nazarene\u2019s Manual<\/em>. They are sanctified.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo use the phrases from the Manual <\/em>article on sanctification, some Queer people have been transformed \u201cinto the likeness of Christ,<\/em>\u201d are \u201cmade free from original sin,<\/em> or depravity,<\/em>\u201d have been \u201cbrought into a state of entire devotement to God,<\/em>\u201d express \u201cthe holy obedience of love made perfect,<\/em>\u201d enjoy the \u201cinfilling of the Holy Spirit,\u201d experience \u201ccleansing from sin,<\/em>\u201d are \u201cempowered for life and service,<\/em>\u201d \u201cgrow in grace as a Christlike disciple,<\/em>\u201d improve \u201cin Christlikeness of character and personality,<\/em>\u201d are \u201cparticipating in the means of grace,<\/em> especially the fellowship,<\/em> disciplines,<\/em> and sacraments of the Church,<\/em>\u201d and grow in \u201cgrace and in wholehearted love to God and neighbor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nNAZARENE CONDEMNATION HARMS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Various studies have shown that the condemnation of queer people causes them great harm. Conversion therapy, for instance, rarely if ever helps. And it most often hurts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, LGBTQ+ people face excessive violence. Sometimes this treatment leads homophobes to kill queer people; other times, it leads queer people to take their own lives. Studies show that queer people are far, far less likely to end their own lives if the communities in which they live accept them.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nLGBTQ+ people are also more susceptible to mental health problems because of the social, emotional, and religious rejection they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One study shows that when families reject their LGBTQ children, those children are 8.4 times more likely to attempt suicide, 5.9 times more likely to have high levels of depression, and 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs than LGBTQ+ children with supportive families.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nLove and acceptance matter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Church of the Nazarene\u2019s statement on human sexuality can easily justify the mistreatment of queer people. When the church does not embrace LGBTQ+ queer identities, orientation, and healthy sexual behavior, abusers believe violence against queer people is warranted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
JESUS LOVES QUEER PEOPLE AS THEY ARE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I believe Jesus loves queer people. He celebrates their healthy sexual expressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus would seek to change to the denomination\u2019s statements on human sexuality. He would speak out,<\/em> boldly calling for repentance,<\/em> standing for the marginalized. Jesus would do so even if it made his critics angry. He would speak out even if denominational leaders sought to silence him.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn our context, this means that Jesus would likely be given a Bill of Charges and brought to trial in the Church of the Nazarene. As they have about me, accusers would likely say he \u201ctaught and promoted ideas,<\/em> beliefs,<\/em> and doctrine out of harmony with\u201d the denomination\u2019s views.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIronically,<\/em> Jesus would not be welcome in a group that bears his name.<\/p>\n\n\n\nI AIM TO LOVE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/tjoord_pluriform-6-x-9-1-200x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nI don\u2019t know how things will shake out in the coming weeks and months. I don\u2019t know when and where the trial will be. My emotions are all over the place as I try to deal with various issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I do know this: I aim to live a life of love. And while love seeks the good of all, it is especially attuned to the good of those who have been mistreated, marginalized, abused, and rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CALL TO ACTION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you want to follow the ways of love, I encourage you to join me and others who seek loving change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019d like to help us make changes, here are some things you might do\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Share this video with those who may find it encouraging.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nContribute to a new FundRazr campaign called \u201cSpreading the News of Queer Affirmation.\u201d https:\/\/fundrazr.com\/42Ops0?ref=ab_1DSGa3<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin the private Facebook group \u201cLoving Nazarenes \u2013 Book Contributors and Friends.\u201d Some in the group wrote essays for the book Why the Church of the Nazarene Should be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming<\/em>, but it\u2019s for all current or former Nazarenes who are affirming. https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/718708639899658<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSign up for my newsletter to keep abreast of my charges and trial. Find a link on my website. thomasjayoord.com<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nFinally, let me repeat my first suggestion: Please share this video now.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThank you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Original-Logo-1024x714.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWEBSITES<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Loving Nazarenes Website: lovingnazarenes.com <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My Personal Website: thomasjayoord.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FundRazr https:\/\/fundrazr.com\/42Ops0?ref=ab_1DSGa3<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n[1]<\/a> See \u201cThe Trevor Project: 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health,\u201d https:\/\/www.thetrevorproject.org\/survey-2022\/<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n[2]<\/a> See \u201cParents’ rejection of a child’s sexual orientation fuels mental health problems,\u201d March 2009, Vol 40, No. 3 Online: https:\/\/www.apa.org\/monitor\/2009\/03\/orientation<\/strong><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I want to bring you up to date on the charges and pending trial I face for advocating for my LGBTQ+ friends and their allies. CLICK THE IMAGE TO WATCH THE VIDEO ABOUT ME First, a bit about me for those who may not know me. I am Thomas Jay Oord, professor of theology at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[15,7377,7378,7379,7380],"yst_prominent_words":[1268,1349,5330],"class_list":["post-6725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-john_wesley_holiness_and_the_church_of_the_nazarene","tag-thomasjayoord","tag-queer-trial","tag-oord-trial","tag-oord-lgbtq-trial","tag-nazarene-queer-trial"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6725"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6725\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6725"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=6725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
I\u2019ve been president of various academic organizations and am internationally known as a theologian of love. I\u2019ve lectured at major universities like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and Princeton, as well taught everyday people, in out-of-the-way places, on every continent in the world except the Antarctic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have been married for 35 years to my wife Cheryl, whom I love deeply and whose support has been monumental. I also have children, grandchildren, and extended family whom I also love dearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back to the charges and my upcoming trial for being queer affirming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GIVEN CHARGES<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In early August of 2023, Nazarene district superintendent Scott Shaw gave me a document with two charges. Both charges pertain to the fact that I am a straight, cis-gender male who fully affirms and supports queer people and wants the Church of the Nazarene to do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For my views on full queer inclusion, I\u2019ve been charged, first, with teaching and promoting doctrines contrary to the Church of the Nazarene statement on human sexuality. And secondly, I\u2019m charged with conduct unbecoming of a minister for advocating for queer people and their allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For some time, I\u2019ve been advocating for the denomination to change its views on LGBTQ+ matters. That advocating has taken many forms, including in the book I mentioned earlier. If love is the heart of holiness, my call for full queer inclusion reflects the heart of the teachings advanced by the Church of the Nazarene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wanting to include and seek the flourishing of queer people is NOT<\/strong> conduct unbecoming a minister. It\u2019s part of the minister\u2019s central call to love neighbor as oneself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite being told in the summer of 2023 that I would face a trial in the fall of that year, I heard nothing from denominational leadership for nine months. Silence of silence. I began to assume the charges had been dropped. But in the last week — late May of 2024 \u2013 I was finally contacted about the trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since receiving that contact in late May, denominational leaders have tried to silence me. They have threatened to make an additional charges if I speak publicly about the trial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They want to muzzle me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike them, I want transparency. And openness. I encourage forthright discussions about what matters. This video is one expression of the transparency needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fundamental issue at stake is whether the Church of the Nazarene will love queer people by affirming their identities,<\/em> orientation,<\/em> and healthy sexual behaviors.<\/p>\n\n\n As for me, Jesus\u2019 love compels me to accept and affirm queer people. For me, love matters most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Love prompts me to urge the Church of the Nazarene laity and leaders to engage in open conversations with queer people and their allies. Rather than try to silence me or hide behind procedures and processes, love calls us all to be transparent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In its current form, the Church of the Nazarene\u2019s statement on human sexuality does not <\/em>reflect love well. It does not give witness to the abundant life queer people enjoy as they cooperate with the Spirit of God. The statement also creates obstacles for allies and clergy who want to include queer people fully in the life of the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I personally know LGBTQ+ people who experience the sanctification described in Article 10 of the Church of the Nazarene\u2019s Manual<\/em>. They are sanctified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To use the phrases from the Manual <\/em>article on sanctification, some Queer people have been transformed \u201cinto the likeness of Christ,<\/em>\u201d are \u201cmade free from original sin,<\/em> or depravity,<\/em>\u201d have been \u201cbrought into a state of entire devotement to God,<\/em>\u201d express \u201cthe holy obedience of love made perfect,<\/em>\u201d enjoy the \u201cinfilling of the Holy Spirit,\u201d experience \u201ccleansing from sin,<\/em>\u201d are \u201cempowered for life and service,<\/em>\u201d \u201cgrow in grace as a Christlike disciple,<\/em>\u201d improve \u201cin Christlikeness of character and personality,<\/em>\u201d are \u201cparticipating in the means of grace,<\/em> especially the fellowship,<\/em> disciplines,<\/em> and sacraments of the Church,<\/em>\u201d and grow in \u201cgrace and in wholehearted love to God and neighbor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Various studies have shown that the condemnation of queer people causes them great harm. Conversion therapy, for instance, rarely if ever helps. And it most often hurts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, LGBTQ+ people face excessive violence. Sometimes this treatment leads homophobes to kill queer people; other times, it leads queer people to take their own lives. Studies show that queer people are far, far less likely to end their own lives if the communities in which they live accept them.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n LGBTQ+ people are also more susceptible to mental health problems because of the social, emotional, and religious rejection they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One study shows that when families reject their LGBTQ children, those children are 8.4 times more likely to attempt suicide, 5.9 times more likely to have high levels of depression, and 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs than LGBTQ+ children with supportive families.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Love and acceptance matter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Church of the Nazarene\u2019s statement on human sexuality can easily justify the mistreatment of queer people. When the church does not embrace LGBTQ+ queer identities, orientation, and healthy sexual behavior, abusers believe violence against queer people is warranted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I believe Jesus loves queer people. He celebrates their healthy sexual expressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus would seek to change to the denomination\u2019s statements on human sexuality. He would speak out,<\/em> boldly calling for repentance,<\/em> standing for the marginalized. Jesus would do so even if it made his critics angry. He would speak out even if denominational leaders sought to silence him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In our context, this means that Jesus would likely be given a Bill of Charges and brought to trial in the Church of the Nazarene. As they have about me, accusers would likely say he \u201ctaught and promoted ideas,<\/em> beliefs,<\/em> and doctrine out of harmony with\u201d the denomination\u2019s views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ironically,<\/em> Jesus would not be welcome in a group that bears his name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t know how things will shake out in the coming weeks and months. I don\u2019t know when and where the trial will be. My emotions are all over the place as I try to deal with various issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But I do know this: I aim to live a life of love. And while love seeks the good of all, it is especially attuned to the good of those who have been mistreated, marginalized, abused, and rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to follow the ways of love, I encourage you to join me and others who seek loving change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like to help us make changes, here are some things you might do\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Share this video with those who may find it encouraging.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Contribute to a new FundRazr campaign called \u201cSpreading the News of Queer Affirmation.\u201d https:\/\/fundrazr.com\/42Ops0?ref=ab_1DSGa3<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Join the private Facebook group \u201cLoving Nazarenes \u2013 Book Contributors and Friends.\u201d Some in the group wrote essays for the book Why the Church of the Nazarene Should be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming<\/em>, but it\u2019s for all current or former Nazarenes who are affirming. https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/718708639899658<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sign up for my newsletter to keep abreast of my charges and trial. Find a link on my website. thomasjayoord.com<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, let me repeat my first suggestion: Please share this video now.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Loving Nazarenes Website: lovingnazarenes.com <\/p>\n\n\n\n My Personal Website: thomasjayoord.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n FundRazr https:\/\/fundrazr.com\/42Ops0?ref=ab_1DSGa3<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n I want to bring you up to date on the charges and pending trial I face for advocating for my LGBTQ+ friends and their allies. CLICK THE IMAGE TO WATCH THE VIDEO ABOUT ME First, a bit about me for those who may not know me. I am Thomas Jay Oord, professor of theology at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[15,7377,7378,7379,7380],"yst_prominent_words":[1268,1349,5330],"class_list":["post-6725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-john_wesley_holiness_and_the_church_of_the_nazarene","tag-thomasjayoord","tag-queer-trial","tag-oord-trial","tag-oord-lgbtq-trial","tag-nazarene-queer-trial"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6725"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6725\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6725"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomasjayoord.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=6725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}SILENCE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
WILL NAZARENES LOVE QUEER PEOPLE?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSOME LGBTQ+ PEOPLE ARE SANCTIFIED<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
NAZARENE CONDEMNATION HARMS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
JESUS LOVES QUEER PEOPLE AS THEY ARE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I AIM TO LOVE<\/h3>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCALL TO ACTION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWEBSITES<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n[1]<\/a> See \u201cThe Trevor Project: 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health,\u201d https:\/\/www.thetrevorproject.org\/survey-2022\/<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
[2]<\/a> See \u201cParents’ rejection of a child’s sexual orientation fuels mental health problems,\u201d March 2009, Vol 40, No. 3 Online: https:\/\/www.apa.org\/monitor\/2009\/03\/orientation<\/strong><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"