Section: Ministry and Christian Service

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)

539.10

Reinstatement of a Filed Credential. When an elder or deacon in good standing has filed his or her credential, such credential may, at any subsequent time when the elder or deacon is in good standing, be returned to the elder or deacon upon order of the district assembly where it was filed, provided that the return of his or her credential shall have been recommended by the district superintendent and the District Advisory Board. Between district assemblies, a District Advisory Board may vote to approve the return of a minister’s filed credential.

539.11

Reinstatement of a Resigned or Revoked Credential. An elder or deacon who, while a minister in good standing, resigned his or her order of ministry or whose credential was revoked upon uniting with another church, denomination, or ministry, may have his or her credential returned by the district assembly upon submitting the Ordination/Recognition Questionnaire, reaffirming the vows of ministry, being examined and favorably recommended by the District Ministerial Credentials Board or District Board of Ministry, and upon prior approval of the district superintendent and the general superintendent in jurisdiction. (539.2)

539.13

Separation/Divorce. Within 48 hours of the filing of a request for divorce or legal termination/separation of a marriage of a minister or within 48 hours of the physical separation of the minister and his or her spouse for the purpose of discontinuing the physical cohabitation, the minister shall (a) contact the district superintendent, notifying the superintendent of the action taken; (b) agree to meet with the district superintendent and a member of the District Advisory Board at a mutually agreeable time and place, or if no mutually agreeable time and place can be arranged, at a time and place designated by the district superintendent; and, (c) explain (at the meeting designated in item “b”) the circumstances of the action taken, explain the marital conflict, and explain the biblical basis for justification as to why the member of the clergy should be permitted to continue to serve as a member of the clergy in good standing. If a member of the clergy fails to comply with the subsections above, such noncompliance shall be cause for discipline. All ministers whether active, inactive, or retired, assigned or unassigned, are subject to these provisions, and must show due regard for the united advice of the district superintendent and the District Advisory Board. No active or assigned minister may continue in any member of the clergy role without the affirmative vote of the District Advisory Board.

540

The Church of the Nazarene recognizes its responsibility to extend the hope and healing of God’s redeeming and renewing grace to any of its own ministers who, by surrender of credential, voluntary or otherwise, have been relieved of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of the clergy due to conduct unbecoming a minister. The church also acknowledges its obligation to invite into the embrace of God’s loving care the spouse and family, congregation, and community of the minister. For this reason, the process leading toward restoring the minister to good standing is to be conducted in two distinct steps:

  1. Recovery. Without regard for the severity of the minister’s misconduct, the likelihood of his or her eventual return to ministerial service, or his or her initial receptivity to grace and offers of help extended, the recovery of the minister’s well-being (spiritually and otherwise) and that of his or her spouse and family is to be diligently, prayerfully, and faithfully pursued by the district in accordance with paragraphs 540.1–540.7. Such recovery is to be the singular aim of this step.
  2. Reinstatement. Restoration to good standing of the minister and recommendation for the return of his or her credential is to be considered in a process separate from and subsequent to efforts seeking the recovery of the health and well-being of the minister and his or her spouse and family. (540.6–540.12)

540.1

Appointment of a Recovery Team. When clergy misconduct becomes evident, a timely response of appropriate and compassionate intervention is critical for the sake of the minister and his or her spouse and family, the congregation, and the community. Since such developments are rarely anticipated, advance selection and preparation of qualified persons, both clergy and laity, to facilitate recovery is an important element of the district response plan. These persons are to be appointed by the district superintendent in consultation with the District Advisory Board. When situations of clergy misconduct arise, these persons, acting as a recovery team, are to be deployed by the district superintendent as immediately as possible and in accordance with the district plan. A recovery team so deployed should be comprised of no less than three persons. (211.20, 225.5, 540)