District License Guidelines

The Licensed Minister:

                To get a district license you need to complete the following actions:

(1) Have held a local minister’s license for one full year

(2) Have completed one-fourth of a validated course of study for ministers, or have passed the Nazarene History and Polity course plus three additional courses in a validated course of study for ministers. Or if in enrolled in a Nazarene college or university or seminary, have completed one fourth of a validated college/university course of study for ministers.

(1) Have been recommended for such work by the church board of the local church of which they are members, to which the recommendation be attached to the Application for District license. Fill out a District application for Minister’s license

(2) Have given evidence of grace, gifts, and usefulness

(3) Have been carefully examined, under the direction of the district assembly of the district within the bounds of which they hold their church membership, regarding:

a. Spiritual

b. Intellectual

c. And other fitness for such work as determined by the District Advisory Board

(4) Have promised to pursue immediately a validated course of study prescribed by a district assembly for licensed ministers and candidates for ordination.

(5) Have had any disqualifications, which may have been imposed by District Assembly, removed by explanation in writing by the District Superintendent and the District Advisory Board of the District of where the disqualification was imposed.

(6) In case of a previous divorce and remarriage, the recommendation of the DMDB along with supporting documents will be given to the general superintendent in jurisdiction, which may remove this as a barrier to pursuing a license or ordination.

A minister’s license shall terminate with the close of the next district assembly. It may be renewed by vote of the district assembly, provided:

(1) That the candidate for renewal shall file with the district assembly the application for Minister’s License carefully filled in and interviewed;

(2) Provided the candidate shall have completed at least two courses in a validated course of study;

(3) Provided that the candidate has been recommended for license by the local church board of which he or she is a member.

Eligibility for Ordination

(1) Successfully completed a validated course of study

(2) Has been district licensed for not less than three years

(3) Has been recommended for a district license by the church board of the local church or by the District Advisory Board, when the pastor is in the Senior pastor position.

(4) Has completed the appropriate time allotted for ministerial service:

a. Not less than three consecutive years as pastor or registered evangelist, or

b. Not less than four consecutive years as an associate pastor, or

c. One year as pastor and not less than two consecutive years as an assigned associate pastor, or

d. Served at least four years as an assigned teacher in a religious department of any Nazarene college/university

**** part-time associate pastors should be given an extension on time of consecutive years, depending on the level of involvement

(5) Must be serving in a ministry assignment

(6) Any additional requirements imposed by the District Assembly or District Superintendent. See Manual 429