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MANUAL 2017–2021

MANUAL 2017–2021

to make Christlike disciples in the nations

*The provisions of the current Manual remain effective until modified by the 30th General Assembly, scheduled to convene in June of 2023, and a new version is announced by the Board of General Superintendents.

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  • Foreword
  • Historical Statement
  • Church Constitution
    • Preamble to Church Constitution
    • Articles of Faith
    • The Church
    • Articles of Organization and Government
    • Amendments
  • The Covenant of Christian Conduct
    • The Christian Life
    • Sanctity of Human Life
    • Human Sexuality and Marriage
    • Christian Stewardship
    • Church Officers
    • Rules of Order
    • Amending the Covenant of Christian Conduct
  • Church Government
    • Preamble to Church Government
    • Local Government
      • Local Church Organization, Name, Incorporation, Property, Restrictions, Mergers, Disorganization
      • Local Church Membership
      • Local Church Evangelism and Church Membership Committee
      • Change of Local Church Membership
      • Termination of Local Church Membership
      • Local Church Meetings
      • The Local Church Year
      • Calling of a Pastor
      • The Local Church/Pastoral Relationship
      • Renewing the Local Church/Pastoral Relationship
      • The Local Church Board
      • The Stewards of the Local Church
      • The Trustees of the Local Church
      • The Local Church Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International Board
      • The Local Church Nazarene Youth International (NYI)
      • Nazarene Childcare/Schools (Birth through Secondary) of the Local Church
      • The Local Church Nazarene Missions International
      • Prohibition of Financial Appeals for a Local Church
      • Use of the Local Church Name
      • Church-sponsored Corporation
      • Associates in the Local Church
    • District Government
      • District Bounds and Name
      • Membership and Time of District Assembly
      • Business of the District Assembly
      • The District Assembly Journal
      • The District Superintendent
      • The District Secretary
      • The District Treasurer
      • The District Advisory Board
      • The District Ministerial Credentials Board
      • The District Ministerial Studies Board
      • The District Evangelism Board or Director of Evangelism
      • The District Church Properties Board
      • The District Assembly Finance Committee
      • The District Advisory Committee
      • The District Chaplaincy Director
      • The District Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International Board
      • The District Nazarene Youth International
      • The District Nazarene Missions International
      • District Paid Assistants
      • Disorganization of a District
    • General Government
      • General Assembly Functions and Organization
      • Membership of the General Assembly
      • The Time and Place of General Assembly
      • Special Sessions of the General Assembly
      • General Assembly Arrangements Committee
      • Business of the General Assembly
      • The General Superintendents
      • General Superintendents Emeriti and Retired
      • The Board of General Superintendents
      • The General Secretary
      • The General Treasurer
      • The General Board
      • Pension Plans
      • Subsidiaries of The Church of the Nazarene, Inc.
      • Nazarene Publishing House
      • The General Christian Action Committee
      • Committee on the Interests of the God-Called Evangelist
      • International Course of Study Advisory Committee
      • The Global Nazarene Youth International
      • The Global Council of the Global Nazarene Missions International
      • National Boards
      • The Region
  • Higher Education
    • Church and College/University
    • Global Nazarene Education Consortium
    • International Board of Education
  • Ministry and Christian Service
    • Call and Qualifications of the Minister
    • Categories of Ministry
      • Ministry of Laypersons
      • Ministry of Clergy
    • Roles of Ministry
    • Education of Clergy
      • Educational Foundations for Ordained Ministry
      • Cultural Adaptations of Educational Foundations for Ordained Ministry
    • Credentials and Ministerial Regulations
      • The Local Minister
      • The Licensed Minister
      • The Deacon
      • The Elder
      • The Recognition of Credentials
      • The Retired Minister
      • The Transfer of Ministers
      • General Regulations
      • The Filing, Suspension, Resignation, or Revocation of a Ministerial Credential
      • The Restoration of Members of the Clergy
  • Judicial Administration
    • Investigation of Possible Wrongful Conduct and Church Discipline
    • Response to Possible Misconduct
    • Response to Misconduct by a Person in a Position of Trust or Authority
    • Contested Discipline of a Layperson
    • Contested Discipline of a Member of the Clergy
    • Rules of Procedure
    • District Court of Appeals
    • General Court of Appeals
    • Regional Court of Appeals
    • Guaranty of Rights
  • Sacraments and Rituals
    • Sacraments
      • Lord’s Supper
      • Baptism of Believers
      • Baptism of Infants or Young Children
    • Rituals
      • Dedication of Infants or Young Children
      • Reception of Church Members
      • Matrimony
      • Funeral Service
      • Installation of Officers
      • Organzation of a Local Church
      • Church Dedications
  • Charter & Ministry Plans/Constitution/Bylaws
    • Nazarene Youth International
      • Nazarene Youth International Charter
      • Local Ministry Plan Template
      • District Ministry Plan Template
      • Regional Ministry Plan Template
      • Global Ministry Plan
    • Nazarene Missions International
    • Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International
  • Forms
    • The Local Church
    • The District Assembly
    • Bills of Charges
  • Appendix
    • General Officers
    • Administrative Boards, Councils, and Educational Institutions
    • Administrative Policies
    • Current Moral and Social Issues
  • Special Revision Index

Quick Reference

More Information

  • About the Manual
  • How to Use the Electronic Manual

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  • MANUAL 2017–2021
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  • Church Government
  • General Government
  • The General Secretary
  • 326

326.4

Preserve all permanent records and decisions made by the General Court of Appeals. (614)

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Copyright 2017
by Nazarene Publishing House

Published by the authority of
the Twenty-ninth General Assembly
held in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
June 25–29, 2017

Editing Committee

  • Dean G. Blevins
  • Stanley J. Rodes
  • Terry S. Sowden
  • James W. Spear
  • David P. Wilson

All scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

The seal and logo of the Church of the Nazarene are registered trademarks of the Church of the Nazarene, Inc. Use or reproduction thereof, without the expressed, written consent of the Church of the Nazarene, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

to make Christlike disciples in the nations