113

A meeting of the members of a local church for conference and for the transaction of business shall be known as a church meeting. 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, 104, 113.7–113.8, 115, 517)

113.1

Only those persons who are full and active members and have reached their 15th birthday shall be entitled to vote in church meetings. (107.3, 109–109.4)

113.2

There is no provision for absentee voting in church meetings.

113.3

Business Transactions. Business, including elections, in harmony with the spirit and order of the church, and not otherwise specially provided for, may be transacted at any church meeting.

113.4

Comply with Civil Law. In all cases where the civil law requires a specific course of procedure in calling and conducting church meetings, that course should be strictly followed. (142)

113.5

Presiding Officer. The pastor, who shall be ex-officio president of the local church, or the district superintendent, or the general superintendent having jurisdiction, or someone appointed by the district superintendent or the general superintendent, shall preside at annual or special church meetings. (210.1, 307.10, 515.15)

113.6

Secretary. The secretary of the church board shall be the secretary of all church meetings; in his or her absence a secretary pro tempore shall be elected. (135.4)

113.7

Annual Meeting. An annual church meeting shall be held within 90 days prior to the meeting of the district assembly. Public notice of the annual meeting must be given from the pulpit on at least two Sundays before the meeting. This annual meeting may be conducted on more than one day or in more than one service upon approval by the church board.

113.8

Special Meetings. Special church meetings may be called at any time by the pastor, or by the church board after having obtained the consent of the pastor or of the district superintendent or of the general superintendent having jurisdiction. Public notice of special church meetings shall always be given from the pulpit in at least two preceding regular services, or in such manner as meets the requirements of civil law. (104, 113.1, 115–115.1, 123, 137, 139, 142.1, 144)

113.9

Reports. Reports shall be given at the annual church meeting by the pastor (515.7), the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) superintendent (146.6), the president of the Nazarene Youth International (151.4), the president of the Nazarene Missions International (153.2), the deaconesses (507), the local ministers (529.1), the secretary (135.2), and the treasurer (136.5) of the church board.