The Multicongregational Church. Organized local churches may enlarge their ministry by establishing Bible classes in various languages using the facilities of these churches. These Bible classes may develop into church-type missions or organized churches (100–100.1). This may result in more than one congregation existing under one church name, with the approval of the district superintendent. In such multicongregational churches where not all the individual congregations are organized churches, the District Advisory Board, with the approval of the district superintendent and the general superintendent in jurisdiction, may grant to such congregations the rights and privileges of an organized local church subject to the following conditions:
- Such congregations may not be incorporated separate from the organized local church.
- Such congregations shall not hold title to property separate from the organized local church.
- Such congregations shall not incur indebtedness without the approval of the district superintendent, the church board of the organized local church, and the District Advisory Board.
- No such congregation may withdraw as a body from the organized local church or in any way sever its relation thereto except by the express permission of the district superintendent in consultation with the pastor of the local church.
Name. The name of a newly organized church shall be determined by the local church in consultation with the district superintendent and with the approval of the District Advisory Board. (102.4)
Change of Name. A local Church of the Nazarene may change its name by this process:
- The local church board submits the proposed change to the district superintendent who shall obtain the written approval of the District Advisory Board;
- A majority ballot vote in an annual or special meeting of the church membership;
- The District Advisory Board reports the change to the district assembly, and the district assembly votes approval of the same. (102.4)
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.
The Articles of Incorporation of each local church shall include the following provisions:
- The corporate name shall include the words “Church of the Nazarene.”
- The bylaws of the corporation shall be the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene.
- The Articles of Incorporation shall not contain any provision that might prevent the local church from qualifying for any tax exemption available to churches in the same area.
- Upon dissolution, the assets of the corporation shall be distributed to the District Advisory Board.
The Articles of Incorporation may contain additional provisions when appropriate under local law. No provision, however, shall be included that can cause the property of the local church to be diverted from the Church of the Nazarene. (101–101.1, 104.3, 106.1–106.3)
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.
Mergers. Two or more local churches may be merged upon two-thirds favorable vote by ballot of the members present and voting at specially called meetings of the churches involved, provided: the merger shall be recommended by a majority vote by ballot of all the members of the respective church boards, and the merger shall have been approved in writing by the district superintendent, the District Advisory Board, and the general superintendent in jurisdiction.
The merger shall be finalized in a special meeting of the new congregation for the purpose of electing officers and making pastoral arrangements. The district superintendent, or an elder appointed by the superintendent, shall preside.
The organization thus created shall combine the total membership of the former churches, the membership of all departments of those churches, and may combine part or all of the assets and liabilities of those churches subject to the approval of the district superintendent, the District Advisory Board, and the general superintendent in jurisdiction. The merger will also combine the general, educational, and district apportionments.
Upon notification by the district superintendent, the general secretary of the Church of the Nazarene is authorized to remove the names of the inactive churches from the roll of churches.
Declaring Churches Inactive or Disorganized. Churches may be declared inactive for a period of transition by action of the District Advisory Board prior to being officially disorganized, reactivated or reorganized.
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.
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)
