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:

  1. Remove the district superintendent;
  2. Appoint an interim board for the management of the district in lieu of all existing boards, until the next regularly scheduled district assembly; and
  3. Initiate such special interventions as may be necessary to restore the district’s health and mission effectiveness. (307.9, 322)

345.2

Duties. The principal duties of the regions are to:

Implement the mission of the Church of the Nazarene through the pioneer areas, districts, and institutions;

Develop regional awareness, fellowship, and strategies to fulfill the Great Commission, bringing district and institutional representatives together periodically for planning, prayer, and inspiration;

Nominate persons to the General Assembly and Global
Conventions for elections to the General Board;

In harmony with Manual provisions, to establish and maintain schools and colleges or other institutions;

Be authorized to recruit and screen missionary candidates from the region in accordance with policy (345.3);

Plan Regional Advisory Council meetings and conferences for the region;

Facilitate National Boards as stipulated in paragraphs 344 and 345.3.

Index

For translating the index locators.