Local Church in Crisis. Upon learning that a local church is approaching crisis, the district superintendent with the approval of the District Advisory Board shall have the authority to impanel a committee to review the situation and implement procedures to avert a crisis. The committee shall consist of two assigned ordained ministers and two lay members of the District Advisory Board, and the district superintendent who shall serve as chairperson. (208.3)
Index: crisis
125.1
When in the opinion of the district superintendent and the District Advisory Board, a local church is declared in crisis—financial, morale, or otherwise—and this crisis seriously affects the stability and future of the church, (a) the question of continued church/pastoral relationship may be submitted to the local congregation by the district superintendent or a member of the District Advisory Board appointed by the district superintendent as if the church board had requested the vote under paragraph 123, or (b) the tenure of a pastor and/or church board may be terminated with the approval of the general superintendent in jurisdiction, and by the majority vote of the District Advisory Board. The district superintendent, with approval of the District Advisory Board, may appoint members of the church board for any church that has been declared in crisis. Notification of the District Advisory Board action shall be sent to the general superintendent in jurisdiction within 30 days. (208.3)
125.2
When in the opinion of the district superintendent, a local church declared in crisis in accordance with 125.1 has fulfilled the interventions set in place and is ready to resume its ministry under normal circumstances, the local church may be declared out of crisis by the majority vote of the District Advisory Board. The general superintendent in jurisdiction shall be notified of the District Advisory Board action within 30 days. (208.4)
200.2
Work in the Church of the Nazarene may begin as a pioneer area and lead to the establishment of new districts and district assembly boundaries. Phase 3 districts may emerge as quickly as possible according to the following pattern:
Phase 1. A Phase 1 district shall be designated when opportunity for entry into a new area is presented, within guidelines for strategic development and evangelism. Requests may be made by a regional director, a district through the Regional Advisory Council, or the sponsoring district superintendent and/or District Advisory Board for final approvals by the general superintendent(s) in jurisdiction and the Board of General Superintendents. (200.1, #5)
A Phase 1 district superintendent in regions related to the Global Mission office shall be recommended by the regional director, in consultation with the Global Mission office director, to the general superintendent having jurisdiction who shall appoint. The region shall give guidance to the Phase 1 district regarding resources available for development. In other regions, the district superintendent shall be appointed by the general superintendent in jurisdiction after consultation with the district superintendent(s) and Advisory Board(s) of the sponsoring district(s). (204.2, 207.1)
When, in the opinion of the field strategy coordinator and regional director, a Phase 1 district in regions related to the Global Mission office is in crisis—financial, morale, or otherwise—and this crisis seriously affects the stability and future of the district, a district may be declared in crisis with the approval of the general superintendent in jurisdiction and in consultation with the Global Mission office director. The regional director, with the approval of the general superintendent in jurisdiction, may appoint an interim board for the management of the district and in lieu of all existing boards, until the next regularly scheduled district assembly. On those districts not served by a regional director and Regional Advisory Council, the general superintendent in jurisdiction, in consultation with the Board of General Superintendents, may make such a determination.
Phase 2. A Phase 2 district may be designated when a sufficient number of organized churches and ordained ministers and a district infrastructure of adequate maturity exists to recommend such designation.
Such designation will be by the Board of General Superintendents upon recommendation of the general superintendent in jurisdiction after consultation with the Global Mission office director, regional director, and other individuals and boards involved in the appointment of the district superintendent. A district superintendent will be elected or appointed.
Quantifiable guidelines would include a minimum of 10 organized churches, 500 full members, and 5 ordained ministers, and a minimum of 50% of district administration expense shall be generated by district ministries fund income at the time of designation. A District Advisory Board or national board may request the general superintendent in jurisdiction for an exception to these criteria. (204.2, 207.1)
When, in the opinion of the field strategy coordinator and regional director, a Phase 2 district in regions related to the Global Mission office is in crisis—financial, morale, or otherwise—and this crisis seriously affects the stability and future of the district, a district may be declared in crisis with the approval of the general superintendent in jurisdiction and in consultation with the Global Mission office director. The regional director, with the approval of the general superintendent in jurisdiction, may appoint an interim board for the management of the district and in lieu of all existing boards, until the next regularly scheduled district assembly. On those districts not served by a regional director and Regional Advisory Council, the general superintendent in jurisdiction, in consultation with the Board of General Superintendents, may make such determination.
Phase 3. A Phase 3 district may be declared when a sufficient number of organized churches, ordained ministers, and members exist to warrant such designation. Leadership, infrastructure, budgetary responsibility, and doctrinal integrity must be demonstrated. A Phase 3 district must be able to shoulder these burdens and share the challenges of the Great Commission within the global scope of an international church.
Such designation will be by the Board of General Superintendents upon recommendation of the general superintendent in jurisdiction after consultation with the Global Mission office director, regional director, and other individuals and boards involved in the appointment of the district superintendent. (203.12, 207.1) A district superintendent will be selected in accordance with Manual provisions.
Quantifiable criteria include a minimum of 20 organized churches, 1,000 full members, and 10 ordained ministers. A District Advisory Board or national board may request to the general superintendent in jurisdiction for an exception to these criteria.
A Phase 3 district must be 100% self-supporting in regard to district administration.
Phase 3 districts are an integral part of their respective regions. In regions having a regional director, the general superintendent in jurisdiction may enlist the assistance of the regional director to facilitate communication with and supervision of the district.
When in the opinion of a general superintendent in jurisdiction, a district is in crisis—financial, morale, or otherwise—and this crisis seriously affects the stability and future of the district, a district may be declared in crisis with the approval of the Board of General Superintendents and the General Board Executive Committee. The general superintendent in jurisdiction, with approval of the Board of General Superintendents and the Executive Committee of the General Board may take one or more of the following actions:
- Remove the district superintendent;
- Appoint an interim board for the management of the district in lieu of all existing boards, until the next regularly scheduled district assembly; and
- Initiate such special interventions as may be necessary to restore the district’s health and mission effectiveness. (307.9, 322)
208.3
In circumstances where the district superintendent has determined that a church is in an unhealthy, declining situation, the continuation of which threatens the viability of the church and its mission effectiveness, the district superintendent may pursue contact with the pastor or the pastor and the church board to evaluate the circumstances. Every effort shall be made to work with the pastor and church board toward resolution of issues that have led to the circumstances which are impeding mission effectiveness.
If the district superintendent, after working with the pastor and/or board, concludes that further intervention is necessary, he or she may, with the approval of the District Advisory Board and the general superintendent in jurisdiction, take appropriate action to address the situation. Such action may include, but is not limited to:
- The removal of the pastor;
- The dissolution of the church board;
- The initiation of such special interventions as may be necessary to restore the church’s health and mission effectiveness.
The assets of an organized church remain under the control of an incorporated local church, unless declared inactive in accordance with paragraph 106.5 or disorganized in accordance with paragraph 106.1. The general superintendent in jurisdiction shall be notified of actions taken within 30 days.
208.4
When in the opinion of the district superintendent, a local church declared in crisis in accordance with 125.1 has fulfilled the interventions set in place and is ready to resume its ministry under normal circumstances, the local church may be declared out of crisis by the majority vote of the District Advisory Board. The district superintendent shall notify the general superintendent in jurisdiction within 30 days.
307.9
322
602.2
On each district the primary responsibility for responding to a crisis rests with the District Advisory Board; however, it may be necessary to respond before a meeting of the board can take place. It is wise for a district to adopt an emergency response plan. The plan may include the appointment by the District Advisory Board of a response team composed of people with special qualifications such as counselors, social workers, those trained in communications and those familiar with the applicable law.
Index
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