FIRST. By doing that which is enjoined in the Word of God, which is our rule of both faith and practice, including:
- Loving God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and one’s neighbor as oneself (Exodus 20:3–6; Leviticus 19:17–18; Deuteronomy 5:7–10; 6:4–5; Mark 12:28–31; Romans 13:8–10).
- Pressing upon the attention of the unsaved the claims of the gospel, inviting them to the house of the Lord, and trying to compass their salvation (Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:14–16; 2 Corinthians 5:18–20).
- Being courteous to all [men] people (Ephesians 4:32; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 John 3:18).
- Being helpful to those who are also of the faith, in love forbearing one another (Romans 12:13; Galatians 6:2, 10; Colossians 3:12–14).
- Seeking to do good to the bodies and souls of [men] people; feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and ministering to the needy, as opportunity and ability are given (Matthew 25:35–36; 2 Corinthians 9:8–10; Galatians 2:10; James 2:15–16; 1 John 3:17–18).
- Contributing to the support of the ministry and the church and its work in tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38; 1 Corinthians 9:14; 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–10; Philippians 4:15–19).
- Attending faithfully all the ordinances of God, and the means of grace, including the public worship of God (Hebrews 10:25), the ministry of the Word (Acts 2:42), the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–30); searching the Scriptures and meditating thereon (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14–16); family and private devotions (Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Matthew 6:6).
We direct our local churches to elect as church officers active members of the local church who profess the experience of entire sanctification and whose lives bear public witness to the grace of God that calls us to a holy life; who are in harmony with the doctrines, polity, and practices of the Church of the Nazarene; and who support the local church faithfully in attendance, active service, and with tithes and offerings. Church officers should be fully engaged in “making Christlike disciples in the nations.” (113.11, 127, 145–147)
Elections. At the annual church meeting there shall be an election, by ballot, of the stewards (137), the trustees (141, 142.1), the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International superintendent (SDMI) (146), and the members of the SDMI Board (145), to serve for the next church year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Where laws permit and when it is approved by a majority vote of the church members present, all those elected may serve a two-year term. All those elected shall be active members of that same local Church of the Nazarene.
We direct our local churches to elect as church officers active members of the local church who profess the experience of entire sanctification and whose lives bear public witness to the grace of God that calls us to a holy life; who are in harmony with the doctrines, polity, and practices of the Church of the Nazarene; and who support the local church faithfully in attendance, active service, and with tithes and offerings. Church officers should be fully engaged in “making Christlike disciples in the nations.” (34, 127, 145–147)
Membership. Every local church shall have a church board, composed of the pastor, the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) superintendent, the president of the Nazarene Youth International (NYI), the president of the Nazarene Missions International (NMI), the stewards, and the trustees of the church, and the members of the SDMI Board when elected as the Education Committee of the church board by the annual church meeting. If the NMI president is the pastor’s spouse, and chooses not to serve on the board, the vice president may serve; however, if the president is the pastor’s spouse and chooses to serve on the board, he or she shall not be a part of the review process of the pastor.
There shall be no more than 25 regular members of the church board. (113.11) Ordained and district licensed ministers unassigned by the district and paid employees of the local church are not eligible to serve on the local church board.
We direct our local churches to elect as church officers active members of the local church who profess the experience of entire sanctification and whose lives bear public witness to the grace of God that calls us to a holy life; who are in harmony with the doctrines, polity, and practices of the Church of the Nazarene; and who support the local church faithfully in attendance, active service, and with tithes and offerings. Church officers should be fully engaged in “making Christlike disciples in the nations.” (34, 113.11, 137, 141, 145–147, 151, 153.2, 160.4)
Church Secretary. The duties of the secretary of the church board are:
To record correctly and preserve faithfully the minutes of all church meetings and meetings of the church board, and do whatever else may pertain to the office. Board minutes should identify all voting board members as present or absent to clearly document a quorum. (120.1, 129.19)
To present to the annual meeting of the church an annual report of the major activities of the local church, including statistics on membership. (113.9)
To see that official papers, records, and legal documents pertaining to the local church, including deeds, abstracts, insurance policies, loan documents, church membership rolls, historical records, church board minutes, and incorporation papers are held in trust in either fireproof or secure safes on the local church premises, or when feasible, they may be placed in safe deposit facilities in local banks or similar institutions. Access to such shall always be shared with the pastor and church treasurer, and care for such shall be delivered immediately to the church secretary’s successor in office.
To be the secretary of all annual and special church meetings; and to be custodian of the minutes and other papers of such annual and special church meetings. (113.6)
To certify in writing to the district superintendent the results of the vote from the calling of a pastor and the continuation of the church/pastoral relationship. Such certification shall be made within one week of the vote.
