The following definitions are of terms relating to general regulations for ministers of the Church of the Nazarene:
Members of the Clergy—elders, deacons and licensed ministers.
Laity—Members of the Church of the Nazarene who are not members of the clergy.
Active—fulfilling an assigned role.
Assigned—The status of a member of the clergy who is active in one of the roles listed in paragraphs 505-526.
Unassigned—The status of a member of the clergy who is in good standing but not presently active in one of the roles listed in paragraphs 505-526.
Retired Assigned—The status of a retired member of the clergy who was assigned at the time retirement was requested.
Retired Unassigned—The status of a retired member of the clergy who was not assigned at the time retirement was requested.
Disciplined—The status of a member of the clergy who has been deprived of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy by disciplinary action.
Filed Credential—The status of the credential of a member of the clergy in good standing who, because of inactivity in the ministry, has voluntarily temporarily given up the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy by filing his or her credential with the general secretary. A person who files his or her credential remains a member of the clergy and may have the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy reinstated by requesting that his or her credential be returned, in accordance with 538.2. (537, 537.2, 537.8)
Surrendered Credential—The status of the credential of a member of the clergy who, because of misconduct, accusations, confessions, result of action by a board of discipline, or voluntary action for any reason other than inactivity in the ministry has been deprived of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy. The person who surrenders his or her credential is still a member of the clergy, under discipline. The rights, privileges, and responsibilities of the member of the clergy may be restored.
Resigned—The status of the credential of a member of the clergy in good standing who, for personal reasons, has decided that he or she no longer wishes to be considered as a minister, and gives up the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy to become a layperson on a permanent basis.
A member of the clergy who is not in good standing may also resign his or her credential according to the provisions outlined in paragraph 537.4. (537.1, 537.8)
Removed—The status of the credential of a member of the clergy whose name has been removed from the roll of ministers in accordance with the provisions of 537.3.
Return of Credential—The reinstatement to the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy to one who has filed his or her credential.
Restoration of Credential—The reinstatement to the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy to one whose credential is surrendered or removed.
Rehabilitation—The process of seeking to bring a minister who has been disciplined or has voluntarily surrendered the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy to a place of spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health and to a place of usefulness and constructive activity. Rehabilitation does not necessarily include the restoration of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy.
Accusation—A written document signed by at least two members of the Church of the Nazarene accusing a member of the Church of the Nazarene of conduct which if proven would cause the member to be subject to discipline under the terms of the Manual.
Knowledge—The awareness of facts learned by the exercise of one’s own senses.
Information—Facts learned from others.
Belief—A conclusion reached in good faith based upon knowledge and information.
Investigating Committee—A committee appointed in accordance with the Manual to gather information with regard to alleged or suspected misconduct.
Charges—A written document describing specifically the conduct of a member of the Church of the Nazarene which if proven would be the basis of discipline under the terms of the Manual.
Suspension—A type of disciplinary action which temporarily denies a member of the clergy the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy.
Good Standing—The status of a member of the clergy who has no unresolved accusations pending, is not currently under discipline, and whose credential is not surrendered or removed.