We are agreed on the necessity of a superintendency that shall complement and assist the local church in the fulfilling of its mission and objectives. The superintendency shall build morale, provide motivation, supply management and method assistance, and organize and encourage organization of new churches and missions everywhere.
Index: Church of the Nazarene
22.3
We are agreed that authority given to superintendents shall not interfere with the independent action of a fully organized church. Each church shall enjoy the right to select its own pastor, subject to such approval as the General Assembly shall find wise to institute. Each church shall also elect delegates to the various assemblies, manage its own finances, and have charge of all other matters pertaining to its local life and work.
23
The membership of a local church shall consist of all who have been organized as a church by those authorized so to do and who have been publicly received by those having proper authority, after having declared their experience of salvation, their belief in our doctrines, and their willingness to submit to our government. (100-107)
24
The General Assembly shall organize the membership of the church into district assemblies, giving such lay and ministerial representation therein as the General Assembly may deem fair and just, and shall determine qualifications of such representatives, provided, however, that all assigned ordained ministers shall be members thereof. The General [Assembly] Boundaries Committee shall [also] fix the boundaries of assembly districts[, and]. The General Assembly shall also define the powers and duties of district assemblies. (200–205.6)
327.1
The general secretary is authorized to collect historic material relating to the rise and development of the denomination, and shall be the custodian of these records and materials.
331
The Church of the Nazarene, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation incorporated under the laws of the state of Missouri, U.S.A. The General Board shall be composed of members who shall be elected by ballot by the General Assembly from among the persons nominated as provided in 332.1-333.4. To be elected a member of the General Board as a representative of a church region, one must be a resident on that region as well as a member of a local church on that region. (305.6, 334)
400
The Church of the Nazarene, from its inception, has been committed to higher education. The church provides the college/university with students, administrative and faculty leadership, and financial and spiritual support. The college/university educates the church’s youth and many of the church’s adults, guides them toward spiritual maturity, enriches the church, and sends out into the world thinking, loving servants of Christ. The church college/university, while not a local congregation, is an integral part of the church; it is an expression of the church.
The Church of the Nazarene believes in the value and the dignity of human life and the need for providing an environment in which people can be redeemed and enriched spiritually, intellectually, and physically, “made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). The primary task and traditional expressions of local church activity—evangelism, religious education, compassionate ministries, and services of worship—exemplify the church’s love for God and concern for people.
At the local church level, the Christian education of youth and adults at various stages of human development intensifies the effectiveness of the gospel. Congregations may incorporate within their objectives and function childcare/school educational programs at any or all levels, from birth through secondary. At the general church level, the historic practice of providing institutions for higher education or ministerial preparation will be maintained. Wherever such institutions are operated, they shall function within the philosophical and theological framework of the Church of the Nazarene as established by the General Assembly and expressed through the Manual.
21.2
SECOND. By avoiding evil of every kind, including:
- Taking the name of God in vain (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; James 5:12).
- Profaning of the Lord’s Day by participation in unnecessary secular activities, thereby indulging in practices that deny its sanctity (Exodus 20:8–11; Isaiah 58:13–14; Mark 2:27–28; Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10).
- Sexual immorality, such as premarital, [or] extramarital, or same-sex relations[,]; perversion in any form[,] or looseness and impropriety of conduct (Genesis 19:4–11; Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Matthew 5:27–32; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Galatians 5:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7; 1 Timothy 1:10).
- Habits or practices known to be destructive of physical and mental well-being. Christians are to regard themselves as temples of the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 20:1; 23:1–3; 1 Corinthians 6:17–20; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:18).
- Quarreling, returning evil for evil, gossiping, slandering, spreading surmises injurious to the good names of others (2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:15; Ephesians 4:30–32; James 3:5–18; 1 Peter 3:9–10).
- Dishonesty, taking advantage in buying and selling, bearing false witness, and like works of darkness (Leviticus 19:10–11; Romans 12:17; 1 Corinthians 6:7–10).
- The indulging of pride in dress or behavior. Our people are to dress with the Christian simplicity and modesty that become holiness (Proverbs 29:23; 1 Timothy 2:8–10; James 4:6; 1 Peter 3:3–4; 1 John 2:15–17).
- Music, literature, and entertainments that dishonor God (1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 6:14–17; James 4:4).
21.3
THIRD. By abiding in hearty fellowship with the church, not inveighing against but wholly committed to its doctrines and usages and actively involved in its continuing witness and outreach (Ephesians 2:18–22; 4:13, 11–16; Philippians 2:1–8; 1 Peter 2:9–10).
Index
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