539

The general secretary is authorized to receive and hold for safekeeping the credentials of a member of the clergy in good standing who, because of inactivity in the ministry for a period of time, wishes to file them. At the time of filing the credential, the District Advisory Board of the minister’s assembly district shall certify to the general secretary that the credential is not being filed for the purpose of avoiding discipline. The filing of the credential shall not prevent a member of the clergy from being subject to discipline as a member of the clergy. Members of the clergy who file their credentials with the general secretary may have them reinstated. (539.10)

539.1

A member of the clergy in good standing who has not been granted retirement status and who has remained unassigned for four or more consecutive years is considered to be no longer participating as a member of the clergy and is required to file his or her credential. The District Ministerial Credentials Board or District Board of Ministry shall report to the district assembly “the credential of (the elder or deacon in question) has been filed by the District Ministerial Credentials Board or District Board of Ministry.” This action should be considered nonprejudicial to character. The individual who files may have his or her credential reinstated. (539.10)

539.2

When an ordained minister in good standing ceases from an assigned ministry to pursue a calling or vocation other than being a member of the clergy in the Church of the Nazarene, he or she may resign the rights, privileges and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy. The district assembly, in which he or she holds standing, shall receive the credential and place it in the care of the general secretary. The record in the district minutes will show that he or she was “removed from the Roster of Ministers, having resigned his or her order.” A member of the clergy who thus resigns may have his or her credential returned. (539.11)

539.3

When an unretired ordained minister ceases from active service as a member of the clergy and takes full-time secular employment, after a period of two years he or she may be required by the District Ministerial Credentials Board or District Board of Ministry to resign from being a member of the clergy or file his or her credential with the general secretary. This two-year period shall begin at the district assembly immediately following the cessation of activity as a member of the clergy. The District Ministerial Credentials Board or District Board of Ministry shall report its action to the district assembly. This action should be considered nonprejudicial to character.

539.4

The rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a member of the clergy may be suspended and his or her name removed from the Roster of Ministers if he or she changes his or her residence from the address of record without providing a new address of record to the District Ministerial Credentials Board or District Board of Ministry within one year, or if he or she fails to submit an annual report as required in paragraphs 532.8 and 538.9. Such action to suspend shall be the responsibility of the District Ministerial Credentials Board or District Board of Ministry.

539.5

A member of the clergy who receives a Certificate of Commendation from his or her local church and has not joined another Church of the Nazarene by the time of the next district assembly, or who declares in writing that he or she has withdrawn from the Church of the Nazarene, or who joins another denomination either as a member or a minister, and who has not resigned his or her ministerial credential, may be expelled from the ministry of the Church of the Nazarene by order of the district assembly upon the recommendation of the District Ministerial Credentials Board or District Board of Ministry and his or her name be removed from the Roster of Ministers and the membership roll of the local church. (111.1, 815)

539.9

Pastors, local church boards, and others who determine assignments within the church shall not engage a member of the clergy who is not in good standing in any ministerial role or in any other position of trust or authority (such as leading worship, teaching a Sunday School class, or leading a Bible study or small group) until good standing is restored. Exceptions to this prohibition require the written approval of both the district superintendent of the district to which the minister belonged when relieved of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy, and the general superintendent in jurisdiction of that same district. (540.4)