Proponents of Open and Relational Theology — or ORT — affirm that, through relationship, God affects people, and people affect God, according to a video produced by theologian and author Thomas Jay Oord. ORT stresses God suffers with people and…
Church of the Nazarene defrocks retired professor over LGBTQ beliefs
A 72-year-old retired seminary professor is the latest person defrocked in the Church of the Nazarene as the denomination seeks to tighten control over beliefs on human sexuality. Steve McCormick, emeritus professor of historical theology and holder of the William…
Expelled from his own denomination, Oord still holds out hope for change
A Nazarene pastor and professor who was labeled a heretic and expelled from membership in his denomination told Baptist News Global he still has hope for the church of his childhood to break free of its impulses toward legalism. “I…
Nazarene Church cracks down on LGBTQ-welcoming leaders
The Church of the Nazarene is cracking down on three longtime leaders who seek to minister to LGBTQ people, charging them with disobeying the denomination’s 2019 ruling that same-sex individuals must remain celibate and that clergy cannot bless or perform…