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District Superintendent: Loved ones in Christ, we are gathered on this Lord’s Day for the special purpose of officially organizing the (name) Church of the Nazarene. Indeed you are already a church but today the life of this congregation moves to a new level as you embrace the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of an organized congregation in accordance with the Constitution and polity of the Church of the Nazarene.

On behalf of the global family of Nazarenes, I commend you for your vision, your faith, and your diligent labor as you have worked together hand in hand and heart to heart to be a community of faith that lives as an authentic expression of the kingdom of God in the world. By this act of organization, you declare your intention to share with the global family of Nazarenes in fulfilling our common mission: “To make Christlike disciples in the nations.”

Three core values guide us in this mission:

We are a Christian people. We stand with Christians everywhere in affirming the historic Trinitarian creeds, and we deeply value our particular heritage in the Wesleyan-holiness tradition. We look to the Bible as our primary source of truth as it proclaims Christ to us, and “all things necessary to our salvation.”

We are a Holiness people. We believe that the grace of God provides not only forgiveness for sins but also the cleansing of our hearts by faith. By this gracious act of the Holy Spirit, we are sanctified and empowered to live Christlike lives in the world.

We are a Missional people. We believe God calls us to participation in the kingdom mission of reconciliation. We do this by preaching the gospel, by acts of compassion and justice, and by making disciples after the pattern of Jesus.

District Superintendent to the pastor: Pastor, would you please now present those who will be the charter members of (name) Church of the Nazarene?

Pastor: (name of district superintendent), it is my honor to present to you the charter members of this congregation. I commend them to you as brothers and sisters in Christ who are committed to our common mission as members of the Church of the Nazarene.

(Pastor reads the names or introduces each member or family.)

District Superintendent: Brothers and Sisters, I ask you now to reaffirm your membership vows.

Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and do you believe that He saves you now?

Response: I do by faith.

Do you affirm the Agreed Statement of Belief of the Church of the Nazarene?

Response: I do.

Do you covenant to give yourself to the fellowship and work of God in connection with the Church of the Nazarene as set forth in the Covenant of Christian Character and the Covenant of Christian Conduct? Will you endeavor in every way to glorify God, by a humble walk, godly conversation, and holy service; by devotedly giving of your means; by faithful attendance upon the means of grace; and, abstaining from all evil, will you seek earnestly to perfect holiness of heart and life in the fear of the Lord?

Response: I will.

District Superintendent: Therefore, by the authority entrusted to me as superintendent of the (name) District Church of the Nazarene, I hereby declare the official organization of the (name) Church of the Nazarene. Welcome to the global family of Nazarene congregations. May the Lord in His great mercy equip you daily with everything good for doing His will. And may the peace of Christ be with you.