Index: membership

240

Nazarene youth ministry is organized on the district under the auspices of Nazarene Youth International (NYI), under the NYI Charter, and the authority of the district superintendent, the District Advisory Board, and the district assembly. The district NYI shall be composed of the members and local groups of Nazarene Youth International of the assembly district.

241

The District Nazarene Missions International (NMI) shall be composed of the local NMI within the boundaries of the assembly district. The district NMI shall represent Global Nazarene Missions International in district ministries. (811)

530.2

Licensed ministers from other denominations, desiring to unite with the Church of the Nazarene, may be licensed as ministers by the district assembly, provided they present the credentials issued to them by the denomination in which they formerly held their membership; and further provided that they:

  1. have passed a course of study equivalent to a validated course of study in the Church of the Nazarene for local ministers;
  2. have been recommended by the church board of the local Church of the Nazarene of which they are members;
  3. have given evidence of grace, gifts, and usefulness;
  4. have been carefully examined under the direction of the district assembly regarding their spiritual, intellectual, and other fitness for such work;
  5. have promised to pursue immediately a validated course of study prescribed for licensed ministers and candidates for ordination;
  6. have had any disqualification, which may have been imposed by a district assembly or its equivalent, removed by an explanation in writing by the district superintendent or his or her equivalent and the District Advisory Board or its equivalent of the district where the disqualification was imposed; and provided further that their marriage relationship does not render them ineligible for a district license; and
  7. in case of a previous divorce, the recommendation of the District Ministerial Credentials Board along with supporting documents will be given to the Board of General Superintendents, which may remove this as a barrier to pursuing a license. (530.1)

530.7

Licensed ministers shall be vested with authority to preach the Word and/or to use their gifts and graces in various associate ministries in servant ministry to the Body of Christ. In addition, provided they pass annually their required studies and are in an active and assigned ministry recognized by their local district, licensed ministers shall also be vested with authority to administer the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper in their own congregations, and to officiate at marriages where the laws of the state do not prohibit. (30.2, 510–511, 514, 514.4, 514.9, 522, 531–531.2, 532–532.2, 800, 802, 803)

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)

533

Ordained ministers from other denominations, desiring to unite with the Church of the Nazarene and presenting their ordination papers, may have their ordination recognized by the district assembly, after satisfactory examination by the District Ministerial Credentials Board as to their conduct, personal experience and doctrine, provided that:

  1. they demonstrate appreciation, comprehension and application of the Manual and history of the Church of the Nazarene by successfully completing the related portions of a validated course of study;
  2. they file with the district assembly the Ordination/Recognition Questionnaire, carefully filled in; and
  3. they meet all requirements for ordination as outlined in 531–531.3 or 532–532.3; and
  4. provided further that the candidate must currently be serving in a ministry assignment. (203.7, 225, 527, 530.2)

533.1

The general superintendent having jurisdiction shall issue to the ordained minister a certificate of recognition, bearing the signature of the general superintendent in jurisdiction, the district superintendent, and the district secretary. (536.6)

533.2

When the credential of a minister from another church has been recognized, the credential issued by said church shall be returned to him or her inscribed in writing or stamped on the reverse side of the credential as follows:

Accredited by the ____________________ District Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene this _______ day of _______, _______, (year) as the basis of the new credentials.

__________________________, General Superintendent

__________________________, District Superintendent

__________________________, District Secretary

536.4

A licensed minister actively assigned as pastor or associate pastor of a Church of the Nazarene shall be a voting member of the district assembly. (201)

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)