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Introducing the Church of the Nazarene The Church of the Nazarene has always sought to identify itself as a branch of the one, holy, universal, and apostolic church whose roots are found in the Old and New Testaments. Our more immediate connection to the Christian “family tree” is the Wesleyan movement of the 18th century and the American Holiness Movement of the 19th century.
Wesley came to a personal understanding of what is so prominently taught in the New Testament: that persons can receive a new, spiritual birth through the forgiveness and grace of God. This “rediscovered” biblical teaching was the bedrock of Protestantism. But Wesley was also concerned to pursue holy living. He found this biblical call to purity of heart expressed in the writings of Christians throughout the centuries, as well as Anglican writers of his own generation. The New Birth was not simply the removal of old sins. It was also the beginning of God’s sanctifying presence in our inner being. A changed heart could grow in the calling of Jesus: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind... [and] your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37-39) The American Holiness Movement of the 19th century renewed Wesley’s concerns (many participants were Methodists), but it especially emphasized “the cleansing of the heart” as the work of the Holy Spirit who came upon believers at Pentecost. (Acts 15:8-9) This Holiness movement resulted in the formation of numerous associations and churches across the United States, Canada and England. The Church of the Nazarene resulted from the merger of a number of these churches. A particularly significant union in 1908 is considered the church’s official birth date. We continue as a church aspiring to teach God’s full salvation as it is spoken of in the New Testament. The Yorktown Church of the Nazarene was started in 1963 by a small group of dedicated Christians, led by their first pastor, Jay Bergers. Much of the present building is a product of their volunteer labor. Today the local church is composed largely of persons who are new to the Church of the Nazarene but in sympathy with the emphasis found here: the preaching and teaching of the Bible and the pursuit of a Christian experience that makes a difference in real life. We are persons of various backgrounds, but we are called to share the same Spirit of God and to live in the love expressed in Jesus Christ. The Church of the Nazarene has more than 13,000 churches in 127 world areas and more than 1.3 million members. It has a Bible college, a seminary and eight colleges and universities here in the United States and many other Bible colleges and seminaries world wide. More information about the organization, ministry and resouces fo the Church of the Nazarene can be found here. The Yorktown church is part of the Metro New York District, which comprises some 120 churches in a 75-mile radius from Manhattan, and whose congregations reflect the rich ethnic diversity of the area. Various district activities draw us together. One of the most popular meeting places is Camp Taconic, which is located on the northern edge of the district, in Red Hook, NY. There is an annual “Family Camp” as well as retreats and camps for specific groups and ages. As part of the denominational whole, Yorktown joins Nazarene churches throughout the world in missionary efforts in this country and in more than sixty world areas. We also participate in various compassionate ministries, sponsored by our denomination, which reach out to those in need worldwide. Our congregation gives about 25 percent of the funds we raise each year to others. This is a privilege that we cherish as Christians.
Special issues like buying property or calling a pastor are also voted upon by the entire church membership. The board elected to serve for the 2003-2004 church year shown here are, from left to right, Ted Weimer, Eileen Frissora, Maria Hood, John Caputo, Pearl Braswell and Cherie Frechette. Not pictured: Sharyn Oliver.
Before his call into the ministry, Rev. Oliver was a mathematics teacher and computer programmer; he holds graduate degrees from Nazarene Theological Seminary, the University of Chicago and Vanderbilt University. He has also taught religion courses at several colleges. The mission statement of the Yorktown church reads: “We the church exist to love and honor God in worship and holy living and to love our neighbor through ministries of evangelism, discipleship and compassionate fellowship.” At weekly services we endeavor to bring persons to an understanding of the Bible’s message through participation-based Sunday School classes for all ages. Suggested weekly readings from Scripture take congregants through all of the New Testament and parts of the Old Testament each year. The pastor’s weekly messages and teaching are based on these readings. Our intention is to help persons personally discover the Christian message as it is found in the Bible. We also believe that it is important to encourage one another in our Christian journey. For, as the Scripture teaches, this is not a journey we make alone. At the smaller and less formal meetings of Sunday School classes and Sunday and Wednesday evening services, there are times to express personal needs, ask questions, and pray with one another. There are also weekly prayer and study groups for men and women. Christians are called upon by the New Testament to share the good news of God. While we intend our services to make clear the life-changing grace of God, the most effective evidence is always the daily lives of Christians. Our church is involved in various ministries that endeavor to share God’s love with persons in Northern Westchester County | |||||||
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© 2001 Yorktown Church of the Nazarene. For information contact droliver@optonline.net |
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