Education is of the utmost importance for the social and spiritual well-being of society. Public schools have a mandate to educate all. They are limited, however, as to their scope and, in fact, are prohibited by court rulings from teaching the basic tenets of Christianity. Nazarene educational organizations and institutions, such as Sunday Schools, schools (birth through secondary), child care centers, adult care centers, colleges, and seminaries, are expected to teach children, youth, and adults biblical principles and ethical standards in such a way that our doctrines may be known. This practice may be instead of or in addition to public schools, which often teach secular humanism and fall short of teaching principles of holy living. The education from public sources should be complemented by holiness teaching in the home. Christians should also be encouraged to work in and with public institutions to witness to and influence these institutions for God’s kingdom.
(Matthew 5:13–14)
To elect, with the written approval of the district superintendent and upon the nomination of the pastor, such paid associates as the local church may designate. (152, 160–160.1, 208.13)
Nazarene childcare/schools (birth through secondary) may be organized by the local church board(s) after receiving the approval of the district superintendent and the District Advisory Board, and following criteria established by Children’s Ministries/Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International office. The director and school board shall be accountable to and shall submit an annual report to the local church board(s). (129.18, 208.13–208.14, 222.12, 515.15, 516)
There may be those who feel called to prepare themselves for certain vital lay services in the church, either part-time or full-time. The church recognizes the place of such lay workers, and yet it is basically constituted a voluntary institution, with service to God and others the duty and privilege of all its members according to their abilities. When paid associates in the local church, or any subsidiary and/or affiliated corporations of the local congregation, whether ministerial or lay, become necessary for greater efficiency, it must be such as will not devitalize the spirit of free service by all its members or tax the church’s financial resources including the payment of all financial apportionments. However, a request may be made in writing for review by the district superintendent and District Advisory Board for exceptions in special cases. (129.27)
All local paid or unpaid associates who provide specialized ministry within the context of the local church and enter into a relationship of vocational ministry within the church, including directors of childcare/schools (birth through secondary), shall be elected by the church board, having been nominated by the pastor. All nominations must have prior approval in writing by the district superintendent, who shall respond within 15 days after receipt of the request. (160.4, 208.13)
To approve or disapprove in writing requests from the pastor and the local church board to have or to employ any unpaid associate pastors or paid local associates (such as associate pastors; ministers or directors of Christian education, children, youth, adult, music, childcare/schools {birth through secondary}, etc.). The primary criteria for the district superintendent’s decisions to approve or disapprove, in concept, the hiring of paid staff will be the willingness and ability of the church to meet its local, district, and general obligations. It is the pastor’s responsibility to screen and select pastoral associates. However, the district superintendent shall have the right to disapprove the nominee. (129.27, 160–160.8)
To approve or disapprove, with the District Advisory Board, requests from local churches to operate Christian childcare/school (birth through secondary) ministries. (152, 222.12, 516)
A member of the clergy employed in a ministerial capacity in a Christian education program of a local church may be assigned as a minister of Christian education.
A person who was, in the years preceding 1985, licensed or commissioned as a minister of Christian education, shall continue in good standing. However, those persons desiring to begin the pursuit of the role of minister of Christian education may complete the requirements for ordination to the order of deacon as their credential for this ministry.
Nominate to the church board all paid employees of the local church, and to supervise the same. (160.1–160.3)
