church membership – Page 9 – MANUAL 2013

530.8

All licensed ministers shall hold their ministerial membership in the district assembly of the district wherein their church membership is held, and shall report to this body annually. (201, 203.3, 520)

530.9

A licensed minister who has united with a church or denomination other than the Church of the Nazarene, or engaged in other Christian ministry without the approval of his or her home District Advisory Board shall find his or her church membership and ministerial designation in the Church of the Nazarene will immediately cease, unless he or she has written approval of the Board of General Superintendents. In its minutes, the district assembly will record the following statement: “Removed from the membership and ministry of the Church of the Nazarene by uniting with another church, denomination, or ministry.” (107, 112)

536.8

All elders and deacons (assigned and unassigned) shall be active members in a local Church of the Nazarene where they will be faithful in attendance, in tithe, and in participation in the ministries of the church. Exceptions to this requirement may be granted only by approval of the District Advisory Board. If an elder or deacon does not hold membership in a local Church of the Nazarene on the district where his or her credential is held, he or she can be dropped from the roll of elders or deacons. (521)

536.9

All elders and deacons shall hold their ministerial membership in the district assembly of the district wherein their church membership is held, to which body they shall report annually. Any elder or deacon who for two consecutive years does not report to his or her district assembly either in person or by letter shall, if the district assembly so elect, cease to be a member thereof. (30, 201, 203.3, 520, 534.1)

536.10

Any ordained minister uniting with a church or denomination other than the Church of the Nazarene, or engaging in other Christian ministry, will cease membership unless he or she obtains approval of the District Advisory Board of the assembly district in which he or she holds ministerial membership, and obtains the written approval of the Board of General Superintendents. The district assembly shall cause to be entered into its minute record the following statement: “Removed from the membership and ministry of the Church of the Nazarene by uniting with another church, denomination, or ministry.” (107, 112)

536.11

No ordained minister shall regularly conduct independent church activities that are not under the direction of the Church of the Nazarene, or carry on independent missions or unauthorized church activities, or be connected with the operating staff of an independent church or other religious group or denomination, without the annual written approval of the District Advisory Board and the annual written approval of the Board of General Superintendents. When the said activities are to be conducted on more than one district, or a district other than the district on which said minister holds ministerial membership, the written approval of the Board of General Superintendents must be obtained prior to the participation in said activities. The Board of General Superintendents shall notify the respective District Advisory Boards that a request for said approval is pending before their board.

Should an ordained minister fail to comply with these requirements, he or she may, on recommendation by a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the Ministerial Credentials Board, and by action of the district assembly, be dropped from the membership of the Church of the Nazarene. The final determination as to whether any specific activity constitutes “an independent mission” or “an unauthorized church activity” shall rest with the Board of General Superintendents. (112–112.1)

536.13

Membership in the district assembly shall be by virtue of being a pastor or other assigned minister who is actively serving and maintains employment in such ministry as his or her primary vocation in one of the assigned ministerial roles defined in paragraphs 505–526.

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.

604

If a lay member is accused of unchristian conduct, such charges shall be placed in writing and signed by at least two members who have been in faithful attendance for at least six months. The pastor shall appoint an investigating committee of three members of the local church, subject to the approval of the district superintendent. The committee shall make a written report of its investigation. This report must be signed by a majority and filed with the church board.

After the investigation and pursuant thereto, any two members in good standing in the local church may sign charges against the accused and file same with the church board. Thereupon the church board shall appoint, subject to the approval of the district superintendent, a Local Board of Discipline of five members, who are unprejudiced and able to hear and dispose of the case in a fair and impartial manner. If in the opinion of the district superintendent, it is impractical to select five members from the local church due to the size of the church, the nature of the allegations, or the position of influence of the accused, the district superintendent shall after consulting the pastor, appoint five laypersons from other churches on the same district to be the Board of Discipline. This board shall conduct a hearing as soon as practicable and determine the issues involved. After hearing the testimony of witnesses and considering the evidence, the Board of Discipline shall either absolve the accused or administer discipline as the facts shall establish to be proper. The decision must be unanimous. Discipline may take the form of reprimand, suspension, or expulsion from membership in the local church. (515.8)

801

The prospective members having come forward to stand before the altar of the church, the pastor shall address them as follows:

Dearly Beloved: The privileges and blessings that we have in association together in the Church of Jesus Christ are very sacred and precious. There is in it such hallowed fellowship as cannot otherwise be known.

There is such helpfulness with brotherly watch care and counsel as can be found only in the Church.

There is the godly care of pastors, with the teachings of the Word; and the helpful inspiration of corporate worship. And there is cooperation in service, accomplishing that which cannot otherwise be done. The doctrines upon which the church rests as essential to Christian experience are brief.

NOTE: The minister may choose one of the following creedal options.

Option 1:

We believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We especially emphasize the deity of Jesus Christ and the personality of the Holy Spirit.

We believe that human beings are born in sin; that they need the work of forgiveness through Christ and the new birth by the Holy Spirit; that subsequent to this there is the deeper work of heart cleansing or entire sanctification through the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and that to each of these works of grace the Holy Spirit gives witness.

We believe that our Lord will return, the dead shall be raised, and that all shall come to final judgment with its rewards and punishments.

Do you heartily believe these truths? If so, answer, “I do.”

Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, and do you realize that He saves you now?

Response: I do.

Desiring to unite with the Church of the Nazarene, do you covenant to give yourself to the fellowship and work of God in connection with it, as set forth in the Covenant of Christian Character and the Covenant of Christian Conduct of the Church of the Nazarene? Will you endeavor in every way to glorify God, by a humble walk, godly conversation, and holy service; by devotedly giving of your means; by faithful attendance upon the means of grace; and, abstaining from all evil, will you seek earnestly to perfect holiness of heart and life in the fear of the Lord?

Response: I will.

The minister shall then say to the person or persons:

I welcome you into this church, to its sacred fellowship, responsibilities, and privileges. May the great Head of the Church bless and keep you, and enable you to be faithful in all good works, that your life and witness may be effective in leading others to Christ.

The minister shall then take each one by the hand, and with appropriate words of personal greeting welcome each into the church.

(Alternate form for members joining by letter of transfer:)

________________________________, formerly a member (members) of the Church of the Nazarene at ______________________________________, comes (come) to join the fellowship of this local congregation.

Taking each by the hand, or speaking to the group, the minister shall say:

It gives me pleasure on behalf of this church to welcome you into our membership. We trust that we will be a source of encouragement and strength to you and that you, in turn, will be a source of blessing and help to us. May the Lord richly bless you in the salvation of souls and in the advancement of His kingdom.

Option 2:

We believe:

In one God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That the Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living.

That all humanity is born with a fallen nature, and is, therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually.

That the finally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost.

That the atonement through Jesus Christ is for the whole human race; and that whosoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is justified and regenerated and saved from the dominion of sin.

That believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

That the Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth, and also to the entire sanctification of believers.

That our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the final judgment will take place, (paragraphs 20.1-20.8)