Nazarene Manual - Part 2

PART V: Higher Education

• The church takes a special responsibility related to education and formation at all levels.
• No body or group can form a post-secondary education institution (in the name of the denomination) without a recommendation of the IBOE and approval of the General Assembly.
• The education institutions are supervised by the IBOE.

Part VI. Ministry and Christian Service

• All people are called to be ministers... however, we also believe in the unique call to a lifetime of specific ministry.
• Theology of Women in Ministry

1. Reversing the Fall

2. Trajectory of Positive Passages

3. Nature of God as revealed in Jesus

A Theology of Ordination

• Spiritual qualifications and character
• Have a personal, transformed relationship with God.
• Is to be an example to the church
• Passion for helping others enter faith and grow into faith.
• Be a mentor to future ministers.
• They must have the gifts and graces.

• (There is a "Ministry of Laypersons")
• We have one preaching office: "elder"
• All active elders must have a "role"

Roles of Ministry

• Administrator (usually superintendents)
• Chaplain (usually military or medical)
• Deaconess (only pre-1985)
• Educator
• Evangelist (registered [1], commissioned [2], tenured [4+])
• Minister of Christian Education (only pre-1985)
• Minister of Music
• Missionary
• [Special Service]
• Pastor

The "Core" Duties of the Pastor

• Pray
• Preach the Word
• Equip the Saints
• Administer the Sacraments
• Care for the sick and needy
• Comfort those who mourn
• Correct, rebuke, and encourage... with patience
• Seek the conversion of sinners, sanctification of believers, and the building up of God's people in holiness.
• Solemnize marriages
• Call others to ministry
• Keep learning for a lifetime
• Maintain one's own walk with the Lord.

The "Administrative" Duties...

• Receive church members
• Shepherd the local church
• Appoint teachers
• Read the Covenant of Christian Conduct annually?
• Supervise statistical reports
• Expand programs of the church
• Give an annual report
• Appoint a three-person investigative committee
• Raise WEF funds and make sure they get there
• Nominate and supervise all church employees
• Sign (with the secretary) all documents
• Notify pastors when members move
• Raise and pay all other denominational budgets
• Transfer and receive members
• Operate as ex officio president of the local church

Education of Clergy

• Must complete the course of study
• Four areas: content, competency, character, and context
• Non-Nazarene preparation must be evaluated by the local district Board of Ministerial Studies
• 20 Hours of "lifelong learning" is expected each year - even after ordination.
• Each region has freedom to culturally adapt the course of study.

Credentials: Local Minister

• A lay minister may be licensed for one year by a local church.
• They must be renewed annually.
• Can't be renewed (without DS approval) after two years if the minister has not completed at least two courses in the COS.
• After at least a year and the completion of 1/4 of the COS (including History and Manual), a local minister can apply and be recommended for a district license.
• A local minister cannot administrate the sacraments nor perform wedding ceremonies.
• Local ministers are not eligible for "housing" designations on taxes.

Credentials: Licensed Minister

Requirements:

• One year with a local license
• Completion of 1/4 of COS
• Recommendation by local church board
• Demonstrated gifts and graces
• Been "examined" by the district superintendent and committee
• Continues to complete COS
• Had any previous disqualification or divorce barrier removed

Licensed Minister

• District license must be renewed annually.
• Have to complete at least two courses in the COS per year.
• Be recommended for renewal by local church
• Have to complete ordination within 10 years

• Can administer the sacraments and perform wedding ceremonies
• Do qualify for "housing" designation on taxes

Ordination

Both Deacon and Elders:

• Fulfilled at least three full-time years of ministry service
• Completed the COS
• Been examined and recommended by the District Ministerial Credentials Board.
• Approved by 2/3 vote of assembly.

Recognition of Credentials

Ministers ordained in an other denomination, desiring to unite with the Church of the Nazarene may have their ordination recognized after...

• Examination by Credentials Board
• Completing any missing aspects of the course of study (Manual/History)
• Filing their request and filling out questionnaire
• They are serving in a ministry assignment
• Unless "exempt" a retired minister must report every year.
• Transfers of credentials may be received and approved by the District Advisory Board and/or the District Assembly.

Clergy... etc...

• Cannot conduct independent services without permission.
• If you lose your certificate it can be replaced with approval
• You have to remain a member of a church on the district where you have your license held
• You have to be in good standing to be transferred to another district
• As counselors, information must be held in confidence unless it would violate mandatory reporter criteria
• Ministers can only perform marriages for those qualified for a biblical basis of marriage

Filing, Suspension, Resignation or Revocation

• An inactive minister may file their credential with the General Secretary.
• If you remain inactive for four years, you are required to file your credential.
• A minister may decide to resign their credential.

Recovery and Restoration

• In the case of a cause for surrendering or revoking a credential the district will immediately create a "recovery team."
• A minister can only apply for restoration if they have completed the work of recovery with the recovery team and fulfilled the district's plan for restoration.
• A minister guilty of sexual misconduct with a minor may not be restored.
• Approval must be given by the DS, the District Credentials Board, 2/3 vote of the District Advisory Board, the BGS, and the vote of the District Assembly (where the violation occurred).

Judicial Administration

The chain of authority for accusations of misconduct:

• Non-member = Local Pastor
• Lay person = Local Pastor
• Member of Clergy = District Superintendent
• District Superintendent = General Superintendent
• Regional Director = General Superintendent
• Field Strategy Coordinator = General Superintendent

"Contested" Discipline of a Lay Person

• Must have written accusation by two (active) lay people in the church
• A committee of three members of local church is appointed and makes a written report of its investigation.
• Charges are then filed with the church board.
• The church board may then appoint a Local Board of Discipline of five members (who are impartial) and will conduct a hearing.
• Discipline may take the form of a reprimand, suspension, or expulsion from membership.
• The decision can be appealed within 30 days to the district.
• The person can apply for reinstatement with approval of the DAB.

"Contested" Discipline of the Clergy

• An accusation must be written by two members in good standing and filed with the District Superintendent.
• The accused will be given notice as soon as possible.
• The DAB will appoint a committee of at least 3 elders and 2 laypersons to investigate the accusation.
• If it is considered valid a District Board of Discipline of at least 5 elders and 2 laypersons will hear the case.
• Discipline may include repentance, confession, restitution, suspension, removal of credential, expulsion from ministry or membership... etc.
• The decision can be appealed within 30 days.

Sacraments and Rituals

• Lord's Supper
• Baptism
• Baptism of Infants or Children
• Dedication of Infants or Children
• Reception of Church Members
• Matrimony
• Funeral Service/Graveside
• Installation of Officers
• Organization of a Local Church
• Church Dedication

NYI Charter

• NYI Councils: Local, District, Regional, and Global
• Local President must be 15+
• No set age limit to NYI...
• Local and District leadership intended to be a training ground for future clergy and lay leaders
• NYI intended to focus on youth even where there is no paid leadership

NMI Charter

• Councils for Local, District, and Global
• Intended to keep the local church informed and supporting WEF
• Assists in calling and assisting people with calls to missions or to ministry
• Districts working together help support missionary deputation support and work and witness projects

NDI Charter

• Also at the Local, District, and Global level
• The NDI continues to navigate shifts in attendance patterns, facility/structural issues, and changes in development and formation theories.

NYI Leadership

• Global Director: David Gonzalez (Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico, Mesoamerica)

NMI Leadership

• Global NMI Director: Lola Brickey (Layperson from Kentucky)

NDI Leadership

• Global NDI Director: Scott Rainey (US Pastor and Missionary to Eastern Europe)