Index: powers

100

Organization. Local churches may be organized by the district superintendent, or by the general superintendent having jurisdiction, or by an elder authorized by either of them. Official reports of new churches shall be filed with the General Secretary’s office through the respective jurisdictional office. (23, 107, 208.1, 536.12)

100.2

The Multicongregational Church. Organized local churches may enlarge their ministry by establishing Bible classes in various languages using the facilities of these churches. These Bible classes may develop into church-type missions or organized churches (100–100.1). This may result in more than one congregation existing under one church name, with the approval of the district superintendent. In such multicongregational churches where not all the individual congregations are organized churches, the District Advisory Board, with the approval of the district superintendent and the general superintendent in jurisdiction, may grant to such congregations the rights and privileges of an organized local church subject to the following conditions:

  1. Such congregations may not be incorporated separate from the organized local church.
  2. Such congregations shall not hold title to property separate from the organized local church.
  3. Such congregations shall not incur indebtedness without the approval of the district superintendent, the church board of the organized local church, and the District Advisory Board.
  4. No such congregation may withdraw as a body from the organized local church or in any way sever its relation thereto except by the express permission of the district superintendent in consultation with the pastor of the local church.

101

Name. The name of a newly organized church shall be determined by the local church in consultation with the district superintendent and with the approval of the District Advisory Board. (102.4)

101.1

Change of Name. A local Church of the Nazarene may change its name by this process:

  1. The local church board submits the proposed change to the district superintendent who shall obtain the written approval of the District Advisory Board;
  2. A majority ballot vote in an annual or special meeting of the church membership;
  3. The District Advisory Board reports the change to the district assembly, and the district assembly votes approval of the same. (102.4)

102.1

Where property is purchased and developed by the District Advisory Board for a local church or where a new church is formed, it is recommended that the District Advisory Board transfer the title to the local church upon the repayment by the local church of the money invested by the District Advisory Board.

102.4

The Articles of Incorporation of each local church shall include the following provisions:

  1. The corporate name shall include the words “Church of the Nazarene.”
  2. The bylaws of the corporation shall be the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene.
  3. The Articles of Incorporation shall not contain any provision that might prevent the local church from qualifying for any tax exemption available to churches in the same area.
  4. Upon dissolution, the assets of the corporation shall be distributed to the District Advisory Board.

The Articles of Incorporation may contain additional provisions when appropriate under local law. No provision, however, shall be included that can cause the property of the local church to be diverted from the Church of the Nazarene. (101–101.1, 104.3, 106.1–106.3)

104

Restrictions. The local church may not purchase or lease real estate, nor sell, mortgage, refinance, exchange, or in any other way encumber real property, or otherwise dispose of real estate unless approved by a two-thirds vote of the members present at an annual meeting, or at a special meeting duly called. The church board may approve by two-thirds vote of its members present and voting, the disposition of properties donated for the specific purpose of providing funds for the local church. Both items require the written approval of the district superintendent and the District Church Properties Board. (113.3–113.4, 113.7–113.8, 234.3–234.4)

104.2

A local church which mortgages or sells real estate, or receives insurance claims on real estate, shall use the proceeds only for the purchase or capital improvement of real estate, or to reduce other real estate indebtedness. Only with the approval of the district superintendent and the District Advisory Board shall any proceeds be used for other purposes.

104.4

Withdrawal of Churches. No local church may withdraw as a body from the Church of the Nazarene, or in any way sever its relation thereto, except by provision of the General Assembly, and upon agreed conditions and plans. (106.2–106.3)

105

Mergers. Two or more local churches may be merged upon two-thirds favorable vote by ballot of the members present and voting at specially called meetings of the churches involved, provided: the merger shall be recommended by a majority vote by ballot of all the members of the respective church boards, and the merger shall have been approved in writing by the district superintendent, the District Advisory Board, and the general superintendent in jurisdiction.

The merger shall be finalized in a special meeting of the new congregation for the purpose of electing officers and making pastoral arrangements. The district superintendent, or an elder appointed by the superintendent, shall preside.

The organization thus created shall combine the total membership of the former churches, the membership of all departments of those churches, and may combine part or all of the assets and liabilities of those churches subject to the approval of the district superintendent, the District Advisory Board, and the general superintendent in jurisdiction. The merger will also combine the general, educational, and district apportionments.

Upon notification by the district superintendent, the general secretary of the Church of the Nazarene is authorized to remove the names of the inactive churches from the roll of churches.