It seems to me that the critical questions at this point are not whether there are identifiable core values in the Church of the Nazarene, or even whether those core values are in themselves compelling enough to call us to commitment. Working on the core values project has given me a reasonable degree of confidence that each of these questions can be answered generally in the affirmative. The answer to each of these questions is, of course, influenced by a number of variables, including the degree to which large organizations and their authority structures have become suspect in this country and the corresponding post-denominational mood and localism generally evident in the United States. However, the variable that probably deserves the greatest consideration is the changing socio-economic status of the membership of the church. According to sect-church theory, a sect group is a protest group or a reform group that is somewhat isolated from the mainstream.
Members tend to come from the margins.
With many members from the less-educated working class, simple and dichotomous world views prevail. Since prestige and esteem are less available from the society at large, internal measures of esteem and prestige are granted and valued. Theological beliefs are reinforced by distinctive norms and beliefs. The distinctive nature of the norms and beliefs elicit prejudice and discrimination from the broader society which, in turn, reinforce the internal solidarity of the membership. The result is a very strong and uniform adherence to core values, including beliefs, norms, and corporate mission.