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MANUAL 2013–2017

MANUAL 2013–2017

to make Christlike disciples in the nations

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  • Foreword
  • Historical Statement
  • Church Constitution
    • Preamble
    • Articles of Faith
    • The Church
    • Articles of Organization and Government
    • Amendments
  • The Covenant of Christian Conduct
    • The Christian Life
    • Marriage and Divorce and/or Dissolution of Marriage
    • Sanctity of Human Life
    • Human Sexuality
    • Christian Stewardship
    • Church Officers
    • Rules of Order
    • Amending the Covenant of Christian Conduct
  • Government
    • Preamble
    • Local Government
      • Local Church Organization, Name, Incorporation, Property, Restrictions, Mergers, Disorganization
      • Local Church Membership
      • Local Church Evangelism and Church Membership Committee
      • Change of Local Church Membership
      • Termination of Local Church Membership
      • Local Church Meetings
      • The Local Church Year
      • Calling of a Pastor
      • The Local Church/Pastor Relationship
      • Renewing the Local Church/Pastor Relationship
      • The Local Church Board
      • The Stewards of the Local Church
      • The Trustees of the Local Church
      • The Local Church Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International Board
      • The Local Church Nazarene Youth International (NYI) Council
      • Nazarene Childcare/Schools (Birth through Secondary) of the Local Church
      • The Local Church Nazarene Missions International
      • Prohibition of Financial Appeals for a Local Church
      • Use of the Local Church Name
      • Church-sponsored Corporation
      • Associates in the Local Church
    • District Government
      • District Bounds and Name
      • Membership and Time of District Assembly
      • Business of the District Assembly
      • The District Assembly Journal
      • The District Superintendent
      • The District Secretary
      • The District Treasurer
      • The District Advisory Board
      • The District Ministerial Credentials Board
      • The District Ministerial Studies Board
      • The District Evangelism Board or Director of Evangelism
      • The District Church Properties Board
      • The District Assembly Finance Committee
      • The District Advisory Committee
      • The District Chaplaincy Director
      • The District Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International Board
      • The District Nazarene Youth International
      • The District Nazarene Missions International
      • District Paid Assistants
      • Disorganization of a District
    • General Government
      • General Assembly Functions and Organization
      • Membership of the General Assembly
      • The Time and Place of General Assembly
      • Special Sessions of the General Assembly
      • General Assembly Arrangements Committee
      • Business of the General Assembly
      • The General Superintendents
      • General Superintendents Emeriti and Retired
      • The Board of General Superintendents
      • The General Secretary
      • The General Treasurer
      • The General Board
      • Pension Plans
      • Nazarene Publishing House Board
      • Committee on the Interests of the God-Called Evangelist
      • International Course of Study Advisory Committee
      • The Global Nazarene Youth International
      • The Global Council of the Global Nazarene Missions International
      • National Boards
      • The Region
  • Higher Education
    • Church and College/University
    • Global Nazarene Education Consortium
    • International Board of Education
  • Ministry and Christian Service
    • Call and Qualifications of the Minister
    • Categories and Roles of Ministry
      • The Lay Minister
      • Ministry of the Members of the Clergy
        • The Administrator
        • The Chaplain
        • The Deaconess
        • The Educator
        • The Evangelist
        • The Minister of Christian Education
        • The Minister of Music
        • The Missionary
        • The Pastor
        • The Interim Pastor
        • The Song Evangelist
        • Special Service
    • Education for Ministers
      • For Ministers
      • General Guidelines for Prepration for Christian Ministry
    • Credentials and Ministerial Regulations
      • The Local Minister
      • The Licensed Minister
      • The Deacon
      • The Elder
      • The Recognition of Credentials
      • The Retired Minister
      • The Transfer of Ministers
      • General Regulations
      • The Resignation or Removal from the Ministry
      • The Restoration of Members of the Clergy to Church Membership and Good Standing
  • Judicial Administration
    • Investigation of Possible Wrongful Conduct and Church Discipline
    • Response to Possible Misconduct
    • Response to Misconduct by Person in a Position of Trust or Authority
    • Contested Discipline of a Layperson
    • Contested Discipline of a Member of the Clergy
    • Rules of Procedure
    • District Court of Appeals
    • General Court of Appeals
    • Regional Court of Appeals
    • Guaranty of Rights
  • Ritual
    • The Sacrament of Baptism
      • The Baptism of Believers
      • The Baptism of Infants or Young Children
      • The Dedication of Infants or Young Children
      • The Dedication of Infants or Young Children (for a single parent or guardian)
    • The Reception of Church Members
    • The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
    • Matrimony
    • The Funeral Service
    • The Organization of a Local Church
    • Installation of Officers
    • Church Dedications
  • NYI/NMI/SDMI
    • Charter & Ministry Plans for Nazarene Youth International
    • Constitution for Nazarene Missions International
    • Bylaws of the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International
  • Forms
    • The Local Church
    • The District Assembly
    • Bills of Charges
  • Appendix
    • General Officers
    • Administrative Boards, Councils, and Educational Institutions
    • Administrative Policies
    • Current Moral and Social Issues

Quick Reference

More Information

  • About the Manual
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Church Government Flow Chart

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About the Manual

The Manual is our official agreed-upon statement of faith, practice, and polity

The Board of General Superintendents declared March 15, 2014, as the effective date for the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene 2013–2017.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your Frequently Asked Questions about the Manual from the Office of the General Secretary.

Copyright 2013
by Nazarene Publishing House

Published by the authority of
the Twenty-eighth General Assembly
held in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.
June 23–27, 2013

Editing Committee

  • Dean G. Blevins
  • Stanley J. Rodes
  • John E. Seaman
  • Terry S. Sowden
  • David P. Wilson

All scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

The seal and logo of the Church of the Nazarene are registered trademarks of the Church of the Nazarene, Inc. Use or reproduction thereof, without the expressed, written consent of the Church of the Nazarene, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

to make Christlike disciples in the nations