True to Tradition: Qualities of Nazarene Higher Education

Higher education has been a denominational focus from the earliest days of the Church of the Nazarene. Our predecessors started Bible schools and institutes to educate clergy and laity in theology and practical, professional arts. Many of these schools matured into comprehensive colleges and universities that offer a core curriculum of Christian liberal arts and various professional majors.

Over the last century, Nazarene colleges, universities, Bible colleges, and graduate seminaries have become a mainstay of Nazarene identity all over the world.

But what about our future? Considering rising costs, increasing competition, and some decreasing denominational loyalties, how can we secure this vibrant partnership between Nazarene education and the church? Many other schools that began with a spiritual passion eventually drifted morally.

What will keep Nazarene colleges and universities from succumbing to secularization? Nazarene higher education has five distinct qualities that will continue to strengthen our schools while other institutions fight to exist:

1. Nazarene higher education is church-based, not church-related. Nazarene schools are connected to the denomination by ownership, loyalty, financial support, and regional structure. This purposeful partnership is upheld through policy and practice. District and national assemblies elect trustees at Nazarene schools. Nazarene congregations demonstrate their support for educational institutions through prayer, financial resources, and a consistent stream of students. Nazarene schools understand their essential mission is to serve the church by: providing church leadership, teaching critical thinking on theological and social issues, producing educated professionals whose consecration includes sacred acts of worship and routines of the workplace, and giving Nazarenes opportunities to experience loyal friendships and life-stories that span generations. These realities have been integral to Nazarene schools from their beginnings.
2. Nazarene higher education is committed to pursuing truth across the curriculum. Nazarene schools have always embraced the broad foundations of the liberal arts grounded in biblical truth and theological clarity. This is the best preparation for a life-long calling of servant leadership in any profession. In good Wesleyan-holiness fashion, we don't hesitate to explore academic disciplines through a theological lens. We are not afraid to wrestle with life's big questions of purpose, values, morality, justice, righteousness, and truth. We gratefully acknowledge the full panorama of God's revelation in science, mathematics, history, literature, sociology, psychology, and philosophy, as well as in theology and biblical studies. While we recognize our limitations, we know the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth.
3. Nazarene higher education is a community of wisdom. Marketable skill development, credentialed programs, and objective outcomes are the staples of today's educational focus. To meet public demands for trained professionals, most degree programs require more specific courses and leave less room for intellectual curiosity or philosophical inquiry. However, Nazarene higher education has always helped students shape their lives as well as make their living. This soul-shaping formation is rooted in the biblical description of wisdom as capturing a vision of God and His perspective of reality. Wisdom is more than super-sized common sense or appropriately applied knowledge. It is taking a mature look at life through a divine lens. Nazarene higher education seeks this wisdom through shared experiences of faculty, students, and staff in the rhythms of worship, study, service, and play.
4. Nazarene higher education is catholic in spirit. While Nazarene colleges and universities take pride in our denominational connection, we have never viewed ourselves as sectarian in character or practice. From the earliest years, we have welcomed people from other Christian traditions on our campuses. In recent years, many non-Nazarene students have enrolled in our nontraditional adult education and professional graduate programs. Even our traditional undergraduate populations reflect more denominational diversity. Regardless of their backgrounds, students find Christian hospitality and theological discussion on Nazarene campuses. As Nazarene educators, we enjoy the opportunity to establish the character of community life and the direction of educational conversations. We intend to make an eternal impression for Christ on hearts and minds. Nazarene higher education isn't just for Nazarenes-it's a gift to the broader Christian community.
5. Nazarene higher education is grounded in a Christian Holiness worldview. Our worldview is a window to what is real, true, and worthy. The window is constructed with the authority of Scripture, theological truth, time-honored tradition, reasoned thought, and authentic experience. As the organizing principle for our curricula, this worldview guides every teacher's integration of faith and learning. It is a way of living that has shaped students' minds and hearts to hear God's call, discover God's purposes, and embrace God's mission in the world.Does Nazarene higher education have a future? Absolutely! Our future is as bright as our past. We remain true to our heritage, our theology, and our purpose to integrate learning with service to God, the church, and the world. 

Dan Boone is president of Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Ed Robinson is president of MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas.

Holiness Today, July/August 2007

Please note: This article was originally published in 2007. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.