Section: Church Constitution

25.4

Quorum. When the General Assembly is in session, a majority of the whole number of delegates elected thereto shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum has once been obtained, a smaller number may approve the unapproved minutes and adjourn.

25.5

General Superintendents. The General Assembly shall elect by ballot from among the elders of the Church of the Nazarene as many general superintendents as it may deem necessary, who shall constitute the Board of General Superintendents. Any vacancy in the office of general superintendent in the interim of General Assemblies shall be filled by a two-thirds vote of the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene. (305.2, 316)

25.6

Presiding Officers. A general superintendent appointed thereto by the Board of General Superintendents shall preside over the daily meetings of the General Assembly. But if no general superintendent be so appointed or be present, the General Assembly shall elect one of its members as temporary presiding officer. (300.1)

25.7

Rules of Order. The General Assembly shall adopt rules of order governing its manner of organization, procedure, committees, and all other matters pertaining to the orderly conduct of its business. It shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its own members. (300.2–300.3)

25.8

General Court of Appeals. The General Assembly shall elect from among members of the Church of the Nazarene a General Court of Appeals and shall define its jurisdiction and powers. (305.7)

25.9

Powers and Restrictions.

  1. The General Assembly shall have power to legislate for the Church of the Nazarene, and to make rules and regulations for all the departments related to or associated with it in any respect, but not in conflict with this Constitution. (300, 305–305.9)
  2. No local church shall be deprived of the right to call its pastor, subject to such approval as the General Assembly shall find wise to institute. (115)
  3. All local churches, officers, ministers, and laypersons shall always have the right to a fair and orderly trial and the right to make an appeal.

26

The provisions of this Constitution may be repealed or amended when concurred in by a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly members present and voting, and when ratified by not less than two-thirds of all the Phase 3 and Phase 2 district assemblies of the Church of the Nazarene. A majority vote is required on each constitutional amendment item by any Phase 3 or Phase 2 district assembly. Either the General Assembly or any Phase 3 or Phase 2 district assembly may take the initiative in the matter of proposing such amendments. As soon as such amendments shall have been adopted as herein provided, the result of the vote shall be announced by the Board of General Superintendents, whereupon such amendments shall have full force and effect.

27

Resolutions amending the Articles of Faith (paragraphs 1–16.2) shall be referred by the General Assembly to the Board of General Superintendents for review by a study committee, including theologians and ordained ministers, appointed by the Board of General Superintendents that reflect the global nature of our Church. The committee shall report, with any recommendations or resolutions, to the subsequent General Assembly.

21.2

SECOND. By avoiding evil of every kind, including:

  1. Taking the name of God in vain (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; James 5:12).
  2. 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).
  3. 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).
  4. 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).
  5. 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).
  6. 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).
  7. 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).
  8. 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).