203

Rules of Order. Subject to the applicable law, the articles of incorporation, and the bylaws of government in the Manual, the meetings and proceedings of the members of the Church of the Nazarene (local, district, and general), and the committees of the corporation shall be regulated and controlled according to Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (latest edition) for parliamentary procedure. (35)

203.1

The business of the district assembly shall be:

203.2

To hear and receive an annual report of the district superintendent which summarizes the ministry of the district including newly organized churches.

203.3

To hear or receive reports from all ordained and licensed ministers serving as pastors or commissioned evangelists; and to consider the character of all elders, deacons, and deaconesses. By vote of the district assembly the record of written reports received by the secretary may be accepted in place of oral reports of all other elders, deacons, deaconesses, and licensed ministers not engaged in active service, and those ministers having district certificates for all roles of ministry in 503–526.1. (520, 530.8, 536.9)

203.4

To license as licensed ministers, after careful examination, persons who have been recommended by church boards or the District Advisory Board and who may be judged to be called to the ministry and to renew such license upon favorable recommendation of the Ministerial Credentials Board. (129.14, 529.5, 530.1, 530.3)

203.5

To renew as licensed deaconesses, after careful examination, persons who have been recommended by church boards and who may be judged to be called to the office of deaconess upon favorable recommendation of the Ministerial Credentials Board. (129.15)

203.6

To elect to the order of elder, or to the order of deacon, persons judged to have fulfilled all the requirements for such orders of ministry upon favorable recommendation of the Ministerial Credentials Board. (531.3, 532.3)

203.7

To recognize the orders of ministry and credentials of persons coming from other denominations who may be judged qualified and desirable for placement in the Church of the Nazarene upon favorable recommendation of the Ministerial Credentials Board. (530.2, 533–533.2)

203.8

To receive, by transfer from other districts, persons having ministerial credentials, members of the clergy, and those having commissions for continuing ministry roles, in harmony with 503, 507–510.1, including interim transfers approved by the District Advisory Board, who may be judged as desirable for membership in the district assembly upon favorable recommendation of the Ministerial Credentials Board. (228.9–228.10, 535–535.2)

203.9

To issue a transfer of members of the clergy, and those having commissions for continuing ministry roles according to 503, 507–510.1, including interim transfers approved by the District Advisory Board, who desire to transfer to another district upon favorable recommendation of the Ministerial Credentials Board. (228.9–228.10, 535-535.1)