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"It's Never Wrong to Do The Right Thing"
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15 August 2023

It’s 4:09 AM, But Somewhere Last Night…

Written by Randall Hartman

It’s 4:09 AM, But Somewhere Last Night…

Somewhere last night:

  • a Nazarene pastor, only guilty of holy love, received news his career was over.
  • the devil smiled and demons danced.
  • accusers slapped each other on the back and hummed, “We are a glorious church without spot or wrinkle.”
  • a smoldering dumpster fire became a consuming fire.
  • old clergy wondered why they had spent their lives in the belly of the beast.
  • young clergy contemplated their escape plans.
  • relieved gatekeepers congratulated the committee for doing what had to be done.
  • 100 hymns about love were deleted from the hymnal.
  • the doomsday clock in the Church of the Nazarene ticked another minute closer to midnight.

But somewhere last night:

  • Jesus wept and the God of love had His heart broken again.
  • loving Nazarenes joined their voices with the ancients by the River of Babylon and “wept when we remembered Zion.”
  • we wished Nazarenes still focused on saving, not destroying.
  • we wanted to keep believing that love still wins and evil won’t.
  • love took a hit and faltered, reeled, moved to the back pew.
  • God reminded us He IS love.
  • And out of the darkness the love of God will shine even brighter.
  • I want to believe. Lord help my unbelief.

Randall Hartman

14 Comments

  1. Kim Nebel Reply
    August 15, 2023 at 7:24 am

    Beautiful words for a tragic story. You gave your lives for Jesus, His Spirit remains alive. Our brother is wounded, but he is still alive, still loving his living God. Many lost souls were saved because of your and our brothers and sisters selfless love and sacrifice. It wasn’t for a rotten, crumbling church. It was for a love that continues to flame

    • Randall Hartman Reply
      August 15, 2023 at 8:20 am

      Thanks Kim. These are troubling days. I’m now an old man but I still recall those early days in the church. I miss the love and the family feeling. It’s all crumbling and honestly all I know to do is to hang on and see where we go from here.

  2. Thomas Oord Reply
    August 15, 2023 at 12:07 pm

    Beautifully said!

    • Randall Hartman Reply
      August 15, 2023 at 4:09 pm

      Thanks Tom.

  3. Beverley Johnston Reply
    August 15, 2023 at 4:56 pm

    First…Dee’s career is NOT over. It’s only just begun! They did him a favor. Excited to see how God will use him!
    First…you are NOT old Randy! And not all ‘ ‘older’ pastors look back and wonder how they have given so much to a denomination that could care less. We saw its serious foibles early on and got out 30 years ago. We shudder to think of what would have happened to us and our kids had we not left. God greatly expanded our territory and gave us wonderful new opportunities for ministry to this day! Whew! There is life after the Naz!

    As per Rev. Ben Cremer, who after being repeatedly abused, left the Naz recently at a young age as we did…he says that other young people like him are bailing. One would think the suits would take note. There is no point in fighting the toxicity of the organization. There is only one life to live! Live it wisely. People who matter will still remain your friends and you’ll make tons of new ones elsewhere. ~ Bev

    • Randall Hartman Reply
      August 15, 2023 at 5:03 pm

      Thanks for taking the time to share your perspective!

  4. Johan Tredoux Reply
    August 15, 2023 at 10:41 pm

    Deeply moving, thank you Randall

    • Randall Hartman Reply
      August 16, 2023 at 11:26 am

      Thanks Johan. Appreciate your comment.

  5. Mary Nichols Reply
    August 16, 2023 at 8:13 am

    I was ordained in the Church of God (Anderson, IN) until a year ago. I’m the first and only person they’ve defrocked for being LGBTQAI-affirming (although they tried on at least one other occasion and it didn’t stick). I understand the feelings of this present moment for this brother in Christ, and I’m just so sorry for his pain. Even when you know you did the right thing, you still feel the hurt of being rejected for it.t

    • Randall Hartman Reply
      August 16, 2023 at 11:25 am

      So sorry for what you went through. It’s tough to take a stand. Soon it will be nearly 2 years ago I went on trial but survived. The sting remains. All the best to you!

  6. Kevin D Sandlin Reply
    August 16, 2023 at 8:23 pm

    So moving Randall. Your thoughts and grieving mirrored mine. Thank you for putting this so succinctly.

    • Randall Hartman Reply
      August 17, 2023 at 5:45 am

      Thanks Kevin. Dark days for sure.

  7. John Frey Reply
    August 16, 2023 at 8:40 pm

    I don’t know if this will solve anything, but I believe God is the same today yesterday and tomorrow and this issue will be resolved but with some people forget, God never left us where we are he always calls us higher. May God bless and keep you all.

    • Randall Hartman Reply
      August 17, 2023 at 5:46 am

      Thanks John for sharing your important reminder and comment!

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