Incorporation. In all places where the statutes will permit, the trustees shall have the local church incorporated, and the said trustees and their successors shall be the trustees of the said corporation. Where not inconsistent with civil law, the Articles of Incorporation shall set forth the powers of the corporation, and provide that the corporation shall be subject to the government of the Church of the Nazarene, as from time to time authorized and declared in its Manual by the General Assembly of said church. All the property of this corporation shall be managed and controlled by the trustees subject to the approval of the local church.
Index: Board of Trustees
102.1
Where property is purchased and developed by the District Advisory Board for a local church or where a new church is formed, it is recommended that the District Advisory Board transfer the title to the local church upon the repayment by the local church of the money invested by the District Advisory Board.
104
Restrictions. The local church may not purchase or lease real estate, nor sell, mortgage, refinance, exchange, or in any other way encumber real property, or otherwise dispose of real estate unless approved by a two-thirds vote of the members present at an annual meeting, or at a special meeting duly called. The church board may approve by two-thirds vote of its members present and voting, the disposition of properties donated for the specific purpose of providing funds for the local church. Both items require the written approval of the district superintendent and the District Church Properties Board. (113.3–113.4, 113.7–113.8, 234.3–234.4)
104.1
The real estate of the local church shall not be mortgaged to meet current expenses.
104.2
A local church which mortgages or sells real estate, or receives insurance claims on real estate, shall use the proceeds only for the purchase or capital improvement of real estate, or to reduce other real estate indebtedness. Only with the approval of the district superintendent and the District Advisory Board shall any proceeds be used for other purposes.
104.3
Trustees and/or a local church may not divert property from the use of the Church of the Nazarene. (113–113.1)
106
106.1
A local church may be disorganized on recommendation from the district superintendent and a two-thirds vote of the District Advisory Board. Such action shall be taken only after the district superintendent has consulted with and received an affirmative response from the general superintendent in jurisdiction.
106.2
In case a local church becomes inactive or disorganized, or in the event of withdrawal or attempted withdrawal from the Church of the Nazarene (as certified by the District Advisory Board), any church property that may exist may in no way be diverted to other purposes, but title shall pass to the District Advisory Board acting as agent for said district where such has been incorporated, or other authorized agents, for the use of the Church of the Nazarene at large, as the district assembly shall direct. Local church trustees holding property for the inactive or disorganized church shall sell or dispose of the same only on the order and under the direction of the District Advisory Board or other appointed agent of the district assembly, with the written approval of the general superintendent in jurisdiction; either conveying said property or delivering the proceeds from the sale thereof as directed by the district assembly or its District Advisory Board. (104.4, 106, 222.20)