906

Annuities. The General Board and institutions of the church are prohibited from using annuity gifts until such have become their valid property by the death of the annuitant. Such gifts are to be carefully invested in funds usually accepted as trust funds by the courts of the land. (2017)

907

Debt. No entity may collateralize charitable pledges for the purpose of underwriting debt. (2017)

908

Bible Societies.

  1. Approved Bible Societies. The Church of the Nazarene places special emphasis upon the Bible as the written revelation of God, and we believe that it is the primary agency to win new followers to Jesus Christ, and because there is an increasing need for more copies of the Scripture; therefore be it Resolved,
    First, That the General Assembly express its hearty approval of and sympathy with the work of the United Bible Societies around the world.

    Second, That we endorse the observance of Universal Bible Sunday, directing attention on this day to the essential place the Scriptures should occupy in the lives of Christian people.

  2. Offering for Bible Societies
    Resolved, That the Church of the Nazarene designate the second Sunday of December of each year as a special time for the presentation of this important matter and the taking of an offering for each nation’s Bible Society. The Bible Society chosen shall be members (associate or full), of the worldwide fellowship of the United Bible Societies or in the absence of a member society, such other Bible Society designated by the district; also that a special effort be made to have all of our churches take part in such an offering. All churches should consult their district office for instructions regarding how to send their contributions to their respective country’s Bible society. (2017)

909

Manual Editing Resolution. Be it Resolved, That the Board of General Superintendents appoint and authorize a Manual Editing Committee to harmonize conflicting statements that may appear in the record of the actions of the Twenty-ninth General Assembly in regard to changes in the Manual; and also to make such editorial changes in the text of the present Manual as will correct the language without altering the meaning; also to make such editorial changes in the copy of the newly adopted matter as may serve to correct the language without altering the meaning.

The Manual Editing Committee is hereby further authorized to substitute plainly understood words or expressions for confusing words or expressions, to revise the numbering of paragraphs, sections, and other divisions of the Manual in harmony with any actions adopted by the Twenty-ninth General Assembly, and also to prepare the index in harmony with any actions adopted by the Twenty-ninth General Assembly.

Further resolved that the supervision of all translations of the Manual shall be a duty of the Manual Editing Committee. (2017)

910

Manual Appendix Review. Any item remaining in Sections III and IV of the Appendix (paragraphs 906–933) for three quadrennia without reconsideration shall be referred by the Committee on Reference to the proper committee of the General Assembly for the same consideration as a resolution to the General Assembly. (2013)

911

Tenure of Committees. Any special committee created for any purpose, unless specified otherwise, will cease to exist at the following General Assembly. (2017)

912

General Assembly Business.

(From the 2017 General Assembly Rules of Order)

Resolutions and Petitions

Rule 14. Presenting Resolutions to the General Assembly. District assemblies, a committee authorized by the district assembly, regional councils, the General Board or any of its recognized departments, official boards or commissions of the general church, the Global Nazarene Missions International Convention, the Global Nazarene Youth International Convention, or five or more members of the General Assembly, may present resolutions and petitions for the consideration of the General Assembly in accordance with the following rules:

  1. Resolutions and petitions shall be printed or typewritten on the official form furnished by the general secretary.
  2. Each resolution or petition presented will include the subject and the name of the delegates or group making the presentation.
  3. All resolutions that call for action that requires expenditures must include an estimated cost to complete the action.
  4. Proposals for changes in the church Manual must be presented in writing and shall give paragraph and section of Manual to be affected and the text of the change, should it be adopted.
  5. They shall be presented to the general secretary no later than 01 December prior to the convening of the assembly to be numbered and sent to the Reference Committee for reference in accordance with Rule 24 and Manual 305.1.
  6. Any resolutions which are non-Manual items must indicate which entity has responsibility to enact legislation.

Rule 15. Resolutions and Petitions for Late Reference. Resolutions, petitions, and other items may be presented to the general secretary for reference to a legislative committee no later than 01 June. Resolutions from global conventions which meet just prior to the General Assembly, will be processed for consideration.

Rule 16. Manual Changes. Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly shall be submitted to the Manual Editing Committee to be harmonized with other Manual provisions.

913

Historic Sites and Landmarks. District and regional assemblies may designate places of historic significance within their boundaries as Historic Sites. At least 50 years must elapse after a place achieves historic significance before it is recognized as a Historic Site. A Historic Site does not have to have original buildings or structures surviving in order to be designated. The assembly secretary shall report newly designated Historic Sites to the general secretary, reporting the action taken, information on the site, and the site’s significance.

District and regional assemblies can ask the General Assembly to designate places of denomination-wide significance as Historic Landmarks. Nominations are restricted to previously designated Historic Sites. The general superintendents or a committee appointed for the purpose of screening nominations must concur with a nomination before it receives General Assembly consideration.

The general secretary shall keep a register of Historic Sites and Landmarks and publicize them appropriately (paragraph 327.2). (2009)