21.2

SECOND. By avoiding evil of every kind, including:

  1. Taking the name of God in vain (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; James 5:12).
  2. Profaning of the Lord’s Day by participation in unnecessary secular activities, thereby indulging in practices that deny its sanctity (Exodus 20:8–11; Isaiah 58:13–14; Mark 2:27–28; Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10).
  3. Sexual immorality, such as premarital, extramarital, or same-sex relations; perversion in any form or looseness and impropriety of conduct (Genesis 19:4–11; Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Matthew 5:27–32; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Galatians 5:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7; 1 Timothy 1:10).
  4. Habits or practices known to be destructive of physical and mental well-being. Christians are to regard themselves as temples of the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 20:1; 23:1–3; 1 Corinthians 6:17–20; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:18).
  5. Quarreling, returning evil for evil, gossiping, slandering, spreading surmises injurious to the good names of others (2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:15; Ephesians 4:30–32; James 3:5–18; 1 Peter 3:9–10).
  6. Dishonesty, taking advantage in buying and selling, bearing false witness, and like works of darkness (Leviticus 19:10–11; Romans 12:17; 1 Corinthians 6:7–10).
  7. The indulging of pride in dress or behavior. Our people are to dress with the Christian simplicity and modesty that become holiness (Proverbs 29:23; 1 Timothy 2:8–10; James 4:6; 1 Peter 3:3–4; 1 John 2:15–17).
  8. Music, literature, and entertainments that dishonor God (1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 6:14–17; James 4:4).

21.3

THIRD. By abiding in hearty fellowship with the church, not inveighing against but wholly committed to its doctrines and usages and actively involved in its continuing witness and outreach (Ephesians 2:18–22; 4:1–3, 11–16; Philippians 2:1–8; 1 Peter 2:9–10).

22

The Church of the Nazarene has a representative form of government.

22.1

We are agreed that there are three legislative entities in the structure of the Church of the Nazarene: local, district, general. The regions serve as administrative entities for mission strategy and implementation.

22.2

We are agreed on the necessity of a superintendency that shall complement and assist the local church in the fulfilling of its mission and objectives. The superintendency shall build morale, provide motivation, supply management and method assistance, and organize and encourage organization of new churches and missions everywhere.

22.3

We are agreed that authority given to superintendents shall not interfere with the independent action of a fully organized church. Each church shall enjoy the right to select its own pastor, subject to such approval as the General Assembly shall find wise to institute. Each church shall also elect delegates to the various assemblies, manage its own finances, and have charge of all other matters pertaining to its local life and work.

23

The membership of a local church shall consist of all who have been organized as a church by those authorized so to do and who have been publicly received by those having proper authority, after having declared their experience of salvation, their belief in our doctrines, and their willingness to submit to our government. (100–107)

24

NOTE: Constitutional changes adopted by the 2017 General Assembly are in the process of ratification by the district assemblies at the time of printing. Where changes are being made, words in italics are new words and words in brackets [ ] are words being deleted.

The General Assembly shall organize the membership of the church into district assemblies, giving such lay and ministerial representation therein as the General Assembly may deem fair and just, and shall determine qualifications of such representatives, provided, however, that all assigned ordained ministers shall be members thereof. [The General Boundaries Committee shall fix the boundaries of assembly districts.] The General Assembly shall also define the powers and duties of district assemblies. (200–207.6)

25

NOTE: Constitutional changes adopted by the 2017 General Assembly are in the process of ratification by the district assemblies at the time of printing. Where changes are being made, words in italics are new words and words in brackets [ ] are words being deleted.

How Composed. The General Assembly shall be composed of ministerial and lay delegates in equal numbers, elected thereto by district assemblies of the Church of the Nazarene; such ex-officio members as the General Assembly shall from time to time direct; and such delegates [of districts under the administration of the Global Mission Committee of the Church of the Nazarene] as may be provided for by the General Assembly.

25.2

Credentials. The secretary of each district assembly shall furnish certificates of election to the delegates and alternates severally elected to the General Assembly, and shall also send certificates of such elections to the general secretary of the Church of the Nazarene immediately following the adjournment of the district assembly.