Nazarene denomination sues breakaway congregation

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - A court battle broke out this week after a Nazarene congregation voted to "spiritually disaffiliate" from the Nazarene denomination.

The Oklahoman first reported that the congregation of what was Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene is now called OKC First. The church is located near 4400 NW Expressway.

The report detailed that 98% of the congregation that was there during an April special meeting voted to spiritually disaffiliate.

The reason for that disaffiliation, according to members, was that the denomination was pressuring them to be less welcoming to members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The OKC First Reverand Jon Middendorf posted a letter after the vote that read in part: "As you may know, OKC First has been spiritually aligned with the Church of the Nazarene for many years. We have enjoyed a shared fellowship and collaborated in ministry, and each of us has benefited from the other’s wisdom and friendship. Recently, however, things have changed. In particular, our insistence that God's love is inclusive and welcomes all who seek His grace, and the Church of the Nazarene's opposition to our position, has made it abundantly clear that we must part ways."

"We were not willing to sacrifice any part of our community to retain a relationship with the denomination," said Eric Jergensen, Secretary of the Board.

Jergensen said that it wasn't an easy decision, but they discussed with just about everyone within the church and outside the church and felt it was the right thing to do.

"People just have a sense of home in that building, and we would not like to lose that," said Jergensen.

The last week of May, the Oklahoma District, Church of the Nazarene, filed a lawsuit against OKC First that claimed the district should get possession of the church's building and property. It's a 196-page suit that includes the Nazarene manual/guidelines in which the district explains it gets ownership of all church properties in the event of disaffiliation.

However, OKC First filed an objection this week, including the deed to the actual property. In court documents, they argued, "..the deed makes no mention of or reference to any entity other than OKC First."

Jergensen said that they don't necessarily need the physical building in order to conduct worship, but that it's needed for them to stay in the community.

"We have connections to that neighborhood," said Jergensen.

They work alongside other non-profits in that area that feed the hungry, help find housing for the homeless, and perform many other services.

"We have relationships with those people. We have relationships with the children in that community who come to our after-school program. Those things would be really hard to keep if we weren't in that building," said Jergensen.

News 4 reached out to the district and asked for a response to why the lawsuit is needed.

It is with a measure of sadness and deep reflection that we acknowledge the expressed desire of First Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma City, to disaffiliate from the Church of the Nazarene denomination. For eighty-eight (88) years, First Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma City, has been a valued part of our denominational family, sharing in our common mission, theological heritage, and commitment to serving God and neighbor. We honor the faithful ministry and dedicated members who have made significant contributions to both the local community and the broader denomination.

As a denomination, our polity and trust clauses regarding church property are foundational to our collective work and mission. These provisions, established through a democratic and prayerful process over many years, ensure that church properties are held in trust for the furtherance of the denomination's mission objectives. This structure safeguards the long-term ministry of the church, extending beyond any single congregation or generation, ensuring that resources remain dedicated to the kingdom of God as understood by our shared covenant.

We understand that discussions around disaffiliation can be complex and emotionally challenging. Our primary concern remains the spiritual well-being of all members, both within First Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma City and across our entire denominational family. We are committed to an orderly and transparent process, guided by our established denominational policies and procedures, which are designed to address such matters with fairness and integrity for all parties involved.

We extend an invitation for continued dialogue with the leadership of First Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma City as we seek to navigate this period. Our hope is always for reconciliation and for the flourishing of Christ's church in all its expressions. We pray for wisdom, grace, and discernment for everyone involved during this time of transition.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to our calling: to make Christlike disciples in the nation and around the world. We will continue to support and nurture our congregations across Oklahoma as they faithfully live out our shared Christian witness.

Oklahoma District Church of the Nazarene Assistant District Superintendent Rev. Dorothy Whipp