Nazarene Roots: Pastors, Prophets, Revivalists & Reformers, Stan Ingersol Stan Ingersol’s Nazarene Roots: Pastors, Prophets, Revivalists & Reformers, is a welcome and timely contribution to the Church of the Nazarene. As organizations grow older and larger, it becomes more difficult for members to hear important stories of the people and ideas that made them what they are. If the organization is a denomination influenced by the American culture over the last several decades, connections with shared heritage may have eroded. Reactions against divisions between churches, support for ecumenism, the effects of secularization and modernization, as well as members’ mobility and “switching”, among other things, have caused some to conclude that denominational loyalty is dead. However, research over the last several years involving 91 denominations has found that many members, pastors, and congregations are strongly committed to their denomination. In the Church of the Nazarene, as in other denominations, pastors and other leaders who value our theological heritage and want to participate in our global mission do not take our rich tradition for granted. Rather they intentionally seek to retrieve and continue beliefs and practices that increase the rootedness of their people. Stan Ingersol has given the Church of the Nazarene a valuable tool. This book and the accompanying CD and DVD will help pastors and members connect with the people and ideas that have shaped our tradition. Ken Crow
Book Review: Nazarene Roots Global Ministry Center Thursday, July 23, 2009 Writing a historical overview of a hundred year-old institution is a daunting task. One tack is to chronicle the history of the organization in copious details, supported by scholarly research, and delivered with the painstaking care of the historian. Another tack is to survey a century's breadth of historical landscape, scanning the topography for landmarks, notable features, and treasured monuments. The Church of the Nazarene is fortunate to have access to both tactical strategies with the release this year of two special books. One writer has collaborated on, or written in both projects. Stan Ingersol, denominational archivist for the Church of the Nazarene, is the author of Nazarene Roots: Pastors, Prophets, Revivalists, & Reformers (produced by the USA/Canada Office and published by Beacon Hill Press). He collaborated with Floyd Cunningham, Harold E. Raser, and David P. Whitelaw on the Centennial History of the Church of the Nazarene, Our Watchword & Song. This latter text was published by Nazarene Publishing House (ISBN 978-0-8341-2444-8) and was released in time for General Assembly. The methodology taken by Ingersol in Nazarene Roots relates the narrative of Nazarene history around four pivotal influences: pastors, prophets, revivalists, and reformers. He traces the origins of the holiness motif, moving from the ancient history of the New Testament church, and showing the vibrancy of the holiness impulse in the Church of the Nazarene in the present. Nazarene Roots is a warm collection of stories that peel back the years to reveal the poignant features of people passionately in love with God, and purposefully engaged in spreading scriptural holiness. Everyone reading this text, whether clergy or laity, will take away an indelible imprint of sacrifice, tenacity, and visionary obedience that has given the world a holiness church with work in 155 world areas, nearly 2 million members, and colleges, universities, and seminaries in every part of the world. Reviewing this work, General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf said: "I believe our present circumstances may very well present our greatest opportunity for renewal and revitalization ... Perhaps, there is no time like now to give these stories a new hearing." Note: For information on the Nazarene Roots Project, click here.