536.10

Any ordained minister uniting with a church or denomination other than the Church of the Nazarene, or engaging in other Christian ministry, will cease membership unless he or she obtains approval of the District Advisory Board of the assembly district in which he or she holds ministerial membership, and obtains the written approval of the Board of General Superintendents. The district assembly shall cause to be entered into its minute record the following statement: “Removed from the membership and ministry of the Church of the Nazarene by uniting with another church, denomination, or ministry.” (107, 112)

536.11

No ordained minister shall regularly conduct independent church activities that are not under the direction of the Church of the Nazarene, or carry on independent missions or unauthorized church activities, or be connected with the operating staff of an independent church or other religious group or denomination, without the annual written approval of the District Advisory Board and the annual written approval of the Board of General Superintendents. When the said activities are to be conducted on more than one district, or a district other than the district on which said minister holds ministerial membership, the written approval of the Board of General Superintendents must be obtained prior to the participation in said activities. The Board of General Superintendents shall notify the respective District Advisory Boards that a request for said approval is pending before their board.

Should an ordained minister fail to comply with these requirements, he or she may, on recommendation by a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the Ministerial Credentials Board, and by action of the district assembly, be dropped from the membership of the Church of the Nazarene. The final determination as to whether any specific activity constitutes “an independent mission” or “an unauthorized church activity” shall rest with the Board of General Superintendents. (112–112.1)

536.12

An assigned minister may start a local church when authorized to do so by the district superintendent or the general superintendent having jurisdiction. Official organization reports are to be filed with the General Secretary’s office by the district superintendent. (100, 208.1)

536.13

Membership in the district assembly shall be by virtue of being a pastor or other assigned minister who is actively serving and maintains employment in such ministry as his or her primary vocation in one of the assigned ministerial roles defined in paragraphs 505–526.

536.14

Information disclosed to a minister during the course of counseling, advising, or spiritual direction shall be held in the strictest confidence possible, and shall not be disclosed without the informed consent of the person, except as required by law.

Whenever possible and as soon as possible, the minister should disclose those circumstances under which confidentiality may be breached:

  1. When there is the clear and present threat of harm to self or others.
  2. When there is the suspicion of abuse or neglect perpetrated on a minor child, disabled person, elderly person, or other vulnerable person as defined by local law. It is not the responsibility of the reporter to ascertain the veracity of the report or to investigate the context of the report, but only to report suspicion to the appropriate authorities.
  3. In legal cases when under court order to provide evidence.

Ministers should keep secure minimal records of the content of sessions, including a record of the disclosures given and the informed consent received.

Knowledge that arises from professional contact may be used in teaching, writing, homilies, or other public presentations only when measures are taken to absolutely safeguard both the individual’s identity and the confidentiality of the disclosures.

While counseling a minor, if a minister discovers that there is a serious threat to the welfare of the minor and that communication of confidential information to a parent or legal guardian is essential to the child’s health and well-being, the minister should disclose information necessary to protect the health and well-being of the minor.

536.15

All elders and deacons are expected to be involved in 20 hours of lifelong learning per year, to be administered by the District Ministerial Studies Board. (527.6)

536.16

A minister may solemnize marriage only for those who have been qualified by careful counseling, and who have a biblical basis for marriage.

Biblical marriage only exists in a relationship involving one man and one woman. (30–30.4, 32, 514.10)