Index: minister

228.10

To recommend to the district assembly, persons having ministerial credentials, members of the clergy, and those licensed for continuing ministry roles for reception of transfer from other districts, including interim transfers approved by the District Advisory Board. (203.8, 535–535.2)

326.5

Catalogue and preserve filed, surrendered, removed, and resigned credentials of ministers and deliver them only on proper order made by the district from which they were received. (537–537.1, 537.6)

500

The Church of the Nazarene recognizes all believers are called to minister to all people.

We also recognize Christ calls some men and women to a specific and public ministry. As our Lord chose and ordained His 12 apostles He still calls and sends ministers. The church, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, recognizes God calls individuals to a lifetime of ministry.

When the church discovers a divine call, the church should recognize, endorse, and assist the candidate’s entry into ministry.

502.1

The Church of the Nazarene depends largely upon the spiritual qualifications, character, and manner of life of its ministers. (536.14)

502.3

The minister of the gospel in the Church of the Nazarene must have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and be sanctified wholly by the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit. The minister must have a deep love for unbelievers, believing they are perishing, and a call to proclaim salvation.

502.4

The minister must likewise have a deep sense of the necessity of believers going on to perfection and developing the Christian graces in practical living, that their “love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight” (Philippians 1:9). One who would minister in the Church of the Nazarene must have a strong appreciation of both salvation and Christian ethics.

510

A member of the clergy employed in a ministerial capacity in a Christian education program of a local church may be assigned as a minister of Christian education.

513

A pastor is an ordained elder or licensed minister (elder track) who, under the call of God and His people, has the oversight of a local church. A pastor in charge of a local church is an assigned minister. (115, 210, 531.4)

519

In case a licensed or ordained minister presenting a credential from another denomination shall, during the interim of sessions of the district assembly, make application for membership in a local church, the pastor may not receive such applicant without first having obtained the favorable recommendation of the District Advisory Board. (107, 225)

521

The pastor shall automatically become a member of the church of which he or she is pastor; or, in case of more than one church in his or her charge, of the church of his or her choice. (536.8)