400

The Church of the Nazarene, from its inception, has been committed to higher education. The church provides the college/university with students, administrative and faculty leadership, and financial and spiritual support. The college/university educates the church’s youth and many of the church’s adults, guides them toward spiritual maturity, enriches the church, and sends out into the world thinking, loving servants of Christ. The church college/university, while not a local congregation, is an integral part of the church; it is an expression of the church.

The Church of the Nazarene believes in the value and the dignity of human life and the need for providing an environment in which people can be redeemed and enriched spiritually, intellectually, and physically, “made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). The primary task and traditional expressions of local church activity—evangelism, religious education, compassionate ministries, and services of worship—exemplify the church’s love for God and concern for people.

At the local church level, the Christian education of youth and adults at various stages of human development intensifies the effectiveness of the gospel. Congregations may incorporate within their objectives and function childcare/school educational programs at any or all levels, from birth through secondary. At the general church level, the historic practice of providing institutions for higher education or ministerial preparation will be maintained. Wherever such institutions are operated, they shall function within the philosophical and theological framework of the Church of the Nazarene as established by the General Assembly and expressed through the Manual.

400.1

Educational Mission Statement. Education in the Church of the Nazarene, rooted in the biblical and theological commitments of the Wesleyan and holiness movements and accountable to the stated mission of the denomination, aims to guide those who look to it in accepting, in nurturing, and in expressing in service to the church and world consistent and coherent Christian understandings of social and individual life. Additionally, such institutions of higher education will seek to provide a curriculum, quality of instruction, and evidence of scholastic achievement that will adequately prepare graduates to function effectively in vocations and professions such graduates may choose.

400.2

General Assembly authorization, upon the recommendation of the International Board of Education, is required to establish degree granting institutions.

Authorization for the development or change of status of existing institutions may be granted by the General Board upon recommendation of the International Board of Education.

No local church or combination of churches, or persons representing a local church or group of churches, may establish or sponsor a post-secondary level or ministerial preparatory institution on behalf of the church, except upon the recommendation of the International Board of Education.