Index: removal

112.1

Laypersons. When a lay member of a local church has accepted membership, license to preach, or ordination from any other religious organizations, or is engaging in independent church or missionary work, his or her membership in the local church shall, because of that fact, immediately cease, except in case that person shall secure the annual written approval of the local church board of the church in which said membership is held, and the annual written approval of the District Advisory Board of the district in which that church is located.

112.2

Release from Membership. The pastor, when requested by a member, may grant a letter of release (see form in 813.4), thus terminating such person’s membership immediately. (111.1, 112)

112.3

After two years from the date when a person’s membership was declared inactive, his or her name may be removed from the church roll by action of the church board. After such action of the church board, the pastor shall write opposite the member’s name, “Removed by the church board (date).” (109, 133)

133

The church board may remove from the membership roll the name of an inactive church member after a period of two years has elapsed from the date when his or her name was declared inactive. (109–109.4, 112.3)

307.15

The office of any general superintendent may be declared vacant, for cause, by the unanimous vote of the remaining members of the Board of General Superintendents, supported by a two-thirds vote of the General Board.

317.5

Declare vacant by a two-thirds vote the office of general secretary, general treasurer, Nazarene Publishing House president, or department director.

600

The objectives of church discipline are to sustain the integrity of the church, to protect the innocent from harm, to protect the effectiveness of the witness of the church, to warn and correct the careless, to bring the guilty to salvation, to rehabilitate the guilty, to restore to effective service those who are rehabilitated, and to protect the reputation and resources of the church. Members of the church who do violence to the Covenant of Christian Character or the Covenant of Christian Conduct, or who willfully and continuously violate their membership vows, should be dealt with kindly yet faithfully, according to the grievousness of their offenses. Holiness of heart and life being the New Testament standard, the Church of the Nazarene insists upon a clean ministry and requires that those who bear its credentials as a member of the clergy be orthodox in doctrine and holy in life. Thus the purpose of the discipline is not punitive or retributive but is to accomplish these objectives. Determination of standing and continued relationship to the church is also a function of the disciplinary process.

813.3

This certifies that ________________________________ is a member of the Church of the Nazarene at ________________ and is hereby commended to the Christian confidence of those to whom this certificate may be presented.
________________________________________________________
Pastor
Date ______________________________, _________(year)
NOTE: When a certificate of commendation is given, that person’s membership immediately ceases in the local church issuing the certificate. (111.1)

813.4

This certifies that ____________________________________ has been until this date a member of the Church of the Nazarene at _________________________________________ and, at h________ request, is granted this letter of release.
________________________________________________________
Pastor
Date ______________________________, _________(year)
NOTE: Membership terminates immediately upon issuance of a letter of release. (112.2)

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