Index: district superintendent

22

The Church of the Nazarene has a representative form of government.

22.1

We are agreed that there are three legislative entities in the structure of the Church of the Nazarene: local, district, general. The regions serve as administrative entities for mission strategy and implementation.

22.2

We are agreed on the necessity of a superintendency that shall complement and assist the local church in the fulfilling of its mission and objectives. The superintendency shall build morale, provide motivation, supply management and method assistance, and organize and encourage organization of new churches and missions everywhere.

22.3

We are agreed that authority given to superintendents shall not interfere with the independent action of a fully organized church. Each church shall enjoy the right to select its own pastor, subject to such approval as the General Assembly shall find wise to institute. Each church shall also elect delegates to the various assemblies, manage its own finances, and have charge of all other matters pertaining to its local life and work.

28.5

Our leaders and pastors are expected to give strong emphasis in our periodicals and from our pulpits to such fundamental biblical truths as will develop the faculty of discrimination between the evil and the good.

100

Organization. Local churches may be organized by the district superintendent, or by the general superintendent having jurisdiction, or by an elder authorized by either of them. Official reports of new churches shall be filed with the General Secretary’s office through the respective jurisdictional office. (23, 107, 208.1, 536.12)

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)

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.

113.5

Presiding Officer. The pastor, who shall be ex-officio president of the local church, or the district superintendent, or the general superintendent having jurisdiction, or someone appointed by the district superintendent or the general superintendent, shall preside at annual or special church meetings. (210.1, 307.10, 515.15)

115

An ordained elder or licensed minister (elder track) may be called to pastor a church by two-thirds favorable vote by ballot of the church members of voting age present and voting at a duly called annual or special meeting of the church, provided that:

  1. Such ordained elder or licensed minister (elder track) shall have been nominated to the church by the church board, which, after having consulted with the district superintendent, made such nomination by two-thirds vote by ballot of all its members; and
  2. The nomination shall have been approved by the district superintendent.

Any ordained elder or licensed minister (elder track) with membership in a local church may not be considered for pastor of that church without the approval of the district superintendent and the District Advisory Board. This call shall be subject to review and continuance as hereinafter provided. (119, 122–124, 129.2, 160.8, 208.10, 222.14, 513, 530, 531.4, 532.3)