The Blessing and Challenge of a “Big Tent”

It is often said that the Church of the Nazarene has a “big tent.” I don’t know who first coined the term. Perhaps it was one of our early historians, referencing the big tent at Pilot Point, Texas, and the understanding that a denomination being founded by churches from the north and south, east and west – less than a generation removed from the Civil War – would need to have a keen sense of what is essential and an open mind for everything that isn’t. A quote attributed to Phineas Bresee (also credited to Augustine and Wesley) illustrates this thinking: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.”

Our big tent allows for people of varying thoughts and opinions to worship and minister together, regardless of different perspectives in some areas, including politics. In the Church of the Nazarene, we have always had conservatives, liberals, and everything in between. 

Having a big tent means that we have room for differing opinions when it comes to non-essentials. In regards to the Second Coming, you may be a pre-tribulationist, a post-tribulationist, or a mid-tribulationist. That’s okay; each fits under our tent. What is essential is the belief that Jesus will return.

Your personal preference in regards to a mode of baptism may be immersion, pouring, or sprinkling. That’s fine. We have room for all three.

Your favorite theory of the atonement may be the Ransom Theory, Moral Atonement Theory, or Christus Victor Theory. No problem. The big tent provides space for you, and for those who embrace other theories.

There are two things, however, that are critical challenges for a “big tent.”

First, a big tent needs a stable main pole.  Our strong, steady mast has been our distinctive doctrine – entire sanctification. We’re at our best when our message of holiness is lifted high. When it is not, all kinds of regretful results ensue, including mission drift, leaders who don’t embrace our identity, and increased polarization. It’s amazing how well we can stay on mission when our primary desire is to be Christlike and we focus on loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and our neighbor as ourself.

Second, a big tent like ours casts a big shadow, but being in the shadow doesn’t guarantee that one is under the tent. Increased sunlight brings clearer perspective and in time the difference between the tent and the shadow of the tent becomes obvious. Like the Ark, one is either inside or outside the tent, and the goal is to get as many people inside as possible. When it becomes evident that someone who claims to be inside the tent is actually standing outside in the shadow of the tent, our first response should be to woo them back to the refuge of the tent. “In all things, charity” calls for a graceful response, even when wanderers misguidedly insist that the tent be moved to accommodate their position.

I love our big tent. It broadens our diversity, increases our ability to engage with a wider constituency, facilitates vibrant conversations, and makes us a healthier faith community than we would be otherwise.

For Nazarenes, the fabric of our big tent is composed of what we hold to be essential – our Articles of Faith (what we believe) and our Covenants (how we’ve agreed to live together in community). Our theology, message, mission, and lifestyle are all woven into the holiness fabric of our big tent. You can’t pull on one thread without impacting the whole.

Big tents have historically been associated with both revival meetings and circuses. Stewarding our big tent well will ensure that it continues to be connected with the former and not the latter.