When the Church of the Nazarene was formed in 1895, it was named after the everyday people of Nazareth among whom Jesus lived, taught, and served. In short, the name Nazarene means being of the Christian faith.
What is the Church of the Nazarene?
The Church of the Nazarene is an international Protestant denomination within the holiness tradition. In fact, the Church of the Nazarene is the largest denomination in the classical Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. Since PLNU is a Nazarene university, our relationship with the Church of the Nazarene is one characterized by a mutual commitment to the doctrine and mission. That means we strive to prepare leaders for Christian service within social, civic, business, and church communities.
Specifically, the church is firmly Wesleyan in doctrine and evangelical in mission. Emphasis is given to the conversion of sinners, the entire sanctification of believers, and the spreading of the gospel to every person. The church is a member of the Christian Holiness Partnership and the National Association of Evangelicals.
