229

The District Ministerial Studies Board shall be composed of five or more assigned ordained ministers, elected by the district assembly to serve for a term of four years and until their successors are elected and qualified. However, their terms of service may be staggered by electing a proportion of the board annually. (203.16)

229.1

Vacancies occurring in the District Ministerial Studies Board, in the interim of sessions of the district assembly, may be filled by appointment by the district superintendent. (212)

230

Before the close of the district assembly in which the board is elected, the district superintendent or district secretary shall call a meeting of all the members of the board for organization and assignment as follows:

230.1

The board shall elect from among its members a chairperson. They shall elect an assigned ordained minister as secretary, who with the other members shall have the responsibility of examining and advancing candidates through a validated course of study for ordination. They shall maintain a permanent record for all students. (230.5, 527.1–527.3)

230.2

The chairperson shall assign to the other members of the board the responsibility for and supervision of all candidates enrolled in a validated course of study for ministerial preparation. Such assignment shall continue as long as the candidates remain actively enrolled during the committee member’s term of office unless otherwise mutually arranged.

230.3

The chairperson shall attend all meetings of the board, unless providentially prevented, and shall oversee the work of the board each year. In case of necessary absence of the chairperson, the secretary shall do his or her work pro tempore.

230.4

The secretary shall, at the expense of the district assembly, provide a suitable record book of ministerial studies, which shall be the property of the district assembly, and shall be used according to instructions in the Sourcebook on Ordination.

230.5

The other members of the board shall attend faithfully the meetings of the board and shall supervise all candidates by (1) fraternal encouragement, counsel, and guidance; and (2) training by example and by conversation concerning the ethics of being a member of the clergy with specific attention being given to how a member of the clergy can avoid sexual misconduct. (230.1)

230.6

The board shall cooperate with the district superintendent and the Global Clergy Development office through the respective Course of Study Advisory Committee (COSAC) in seeking ways to encourage, aid, and guide the candidates who are pursuing validated courses of study in a Nazarene college/university or seminary.

231

The board may establish classes or seminars in order to assist licensed ministers or other candidates in the pursuit of the various validated courses of study, and establish, subject to approved district funding, central libraries of all books for loan when necessary.