Nazarene Pastor Resigns Eldership to Avoid Trial Over Pro-LGBTQ Stance

Dr. Rick Power, a pro-LGBTQ pastor in the Church of the Nazarene, has resigned his eldership to avoid potential disciplinary action within the denomination. In a December 2 Facebook post, Power stated that his evolving views on human sexuality led him to no longer align with the church’s stance on LGBTQ+ individuals. His resignation follows months of tension within the Hawaii-Pacific District, where he had previously served as district superintendent.

Power’s departure comes after he stepped down from his leadership role at the request of local leaders. He was replaced by Althea Taylor, who serves as the Acting Director of Clergy and Congregational Life. Taylor’s background includes leadership roles at the Tom Nees Center for Compassion, Justice, and Immigration, highlighting a focus on social justice and advocacy.

Power maintains that his personal beliefs on marriage and sexual identity have never conflicted with his ordination vows. He asserts that he has continued to serve within the church while remaining mindful of its doctrinal positions. “I have continued to serve in the church, mindful of my ordination vows, never teaching or promoting views contrary to our Manual statements,” he wrote.

John Stout, a former associate pastor at Kailua Church of the Nazarene, criticized the denomination’s leadership for what he described as a failure to address issues of doctrinal integrity. Stout argued that church leaders had not acted decisively against what he called “heretics,” while allowing whistleblowers to face retaliation. “The only reason this situation has escalated to this point is because biblical leaders put their careers on the line,” Stout told MinistryWatch.

Power’s controversies began in January 2019, when he did not discipline his daughter for officiating a same-sex wedding. His son-in-law, Will Campbell, a Nazarene pastor, also participated in the ceremony with Power’s approval. The incident sparked internal debate and scrutiny, particularly after video footage of the wedding surfaced in 2023, reigniting discussions about whether Campbell had violated the denomination’s rules.

In an audio recording obtained by MinistryWatch, Power acknowledged during a Kailua church board meeting that he had mishandled his daughter’s situation. He expressed repentance for the error but also revealed that General Superintendent had not been fully informed of the circumstances. This lack of transparency further complicated the situation within the denomination.

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