Fund-raising and Distribution. In the light of the scriptural teaching concerning the giving of tithes and offerings for the support of the gospel, and for the erection of church buildings, no Nazarene church should engage in any method of fund-raising that would detract from these principles, hinder the gospel message, sully the name of the church, discriminate against the poor, or misdirect the people’s energies from promoting the gospel.
In disbursing to meet the requirements of the local, district, educational, and general programs of the Church of the Nazarene, local churches are urged to adopt and practice a financial apportionment plan, and to pay general, educational, and district apportionments monthly. (130, 154, 155–155.2, 515.13)
Apportionments. The government of the Church of the Nazarene is representative. Each local congregation supports the overall mission of the church as defined by the General Assembly and implemented through the leadership of the Board of General Superintendents in world evangelism, education, ministerial support, and district ministries.
The Board of General Superintendents, with the General Board, is authorized and empowered to apportion the World Evangelism Fund to the several assembly districts. (317.11)
Subject to paragraph 337.1, national boards and/or regional advisory councils are authorized and empowered to establish ministerial retirement savings plans on their region. Reporting of such plans shall be as provided in paragraph 337.2. The provisions of paragraph 33.5 shall not apply to the Board of Pensions and Benefits USA.
National boards and/or regional advisory councils are also authorized and empowered to establish support for the higher education institutions on their region. (344, 345.3)
Each district is authorized and empowered to establish district ministry apportionments through the District Assembly Finance Committee. (235.1)
After primary consideration has been given to the full payment of the World Evangelism Fund, opportunities may be given to make offerings for the support of global missionary work, such contributions to be known as “approved mission specials.”
To recommend to the District Assembly Finance Committee the annual District Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) Board budget.
Plan, preserve and promote the lifeline of global mission interests. The Board of General Superintendents, with the General Board, is authorized and empowered to apportion the World Evangelism Fund to the districts. (33.5, 130, 335.7)
World Evangelism Fund. The World Evangelism Fund shall be the total of all department budgets and other funds to be raised by the denomination for the support, maintenance, and promotion of general activities. From the statements of budget requests submitted by the departments and agencies of the church, and from statements of the general treasurer, the General Board shall determine the amount to be allotted from the World Evangelism Fund to each department and fund. When the World Evangelism Fund with its proposed allotment to each department shall have been agreed upon, it shall be submitted to the Board of General Superintendents for consideration, suggestions, or amendments before final adoption by the General Board.
When the total amount of the World Evangelism Fund has been set for the next fiscal year by the General Board, the General Board and the Board of General Superintendents are authorized and empowered to apportion the World Evangelism Fund to the districts on a basis of equity to both the district and general interests. (130, 317.11)
See that all World Evangelism Fund monies raised through the local NMI are remitted promptly to the general treasurer; and that all District Ministries Fund monies are remitted promptly to the district treasurer. (136.2)
The church board, together with the pastor, shall follow plans adopted by the General Assembly and agreed to by the district assembly for raising World Evangelism Fund and District Ministries Fund apportionments made to the local church, and shall raise and regularly pay these apportionments. (317.11, 335.7)
For translating the index locators.
