Micah J. Sturm

identity

noun

iden· ti· ty ī-ˈden-tə-tē 

: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual : sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing : ONENESS

I heard my teacher, Dr William Greathouse, quote these words many times to our class as a reminder of who we are, as ministers and members of the Church of the Nazarene:

“In order that we may preserve our God-given heritage, the faith once delivered to the saints, especially the doctrine and experience of entire sanctification as a second work of grace, and also that we may cooperate effectually with other branches of the Church of Jesus Christ in advancing God’s kingdom…”

(Manual, Church of the Nazarene).

Spiritual dementia is devastating.

The CDC says, “Dementia is…a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities.”

We are called to holiness. It’s who we are.

For this we were birthed—to bear witness to the Christ who graciously transforms.

To forget or abandon that which makes the Church distinct will dissolve unity.

May our Master’s prayer recorded in John 17 be more real now than ever.