Local Church Administration

Administration is intended to support the mission of the church by providing guidance and structure in key areas, and doing so in ways that contribute to healthy community within the body.  In developing policies and procedures, it can be helpful to start with what others have developed over time, especially in complex matters and in those involving specialized knowledge (e.g., tax law).  The documents below may provide such a starting pont.  For finance questions, the Compensation & Tax Memos offered by Nazarene Pensions & Benefits may be helpful also.

• Sample Policy for Professional Expense Reimbursement
• Sample Policy for Prevention of Sexual Misconduct
• Background Check Request (contact district office for more info)
• Housing Allowance Concept and Sample Request
• Memorandum of Understanding: Compensation and Ministry Support

Year-End Reports

Pastors and congregations in the Church of the Nazarene report annually to the district and denomination, shortly after the close of the fiscal year.  On the Intermountain District, the fiscal year is March through February, so updated forms will become available early in January or February.  These reports are due in early March.  For more information, contact the district office.

The Pastors' Reporting App will also be useful for both fiscal-year-end and other such information.

• APR Worksheet (pdf) and Instructions (pdf)
• Certificate of Election (doc, pdf)
• Deceased Church Members Report (doc, pdf)
• Request for Continuing Staff (doc, pdf)
• Seating of Alternates (doc)
• Calculating Year-End Contributions for Funding the Mission (pdf)
• Church Directory Page (customized, will be sent directly to each pastor)
• Year-end Checklist (coming in 2022)

Credentialed minister reports:

• Church Board Recommendation of District-Licensed Ministers (pdf)
• Ordained or Licensed Minister (doc, pdf)
• Retired Minister (doc, pdf)
• Role and Status Codes Chart (pdf)

Local Church Requests to the District

The polity of the Church of the Nazarene is representative -- neither purely episcopal nor wholly congregational.  Local churches are organized into districts, which are organized into regions, which together comprise the Global Church of the Nazarene.  Most ministry decisions in a local church are made by representatives elected and entrusted with those responsibilities.  Some decisions must also be submitted to a district board for approval, such as prior to taking on significant financial obligations.  (For more information about governance in the Church of the Nazarene, click here.)

In partnership with local churches, district leaders assist churches in a variety of ways, such as overseeing pastoral searches, offering trainings, coordinating camps and retreats, assisting with development of sabbatical plans, helping churches in crises, maintaining a list of potential preachers for pulpit supply, etc.  For more information about such resources, contact the district office.

• Requesting to Hire Pastoral Staff (doc)
• Requesting Continuation of Pastoral Staff (doc)
• Requesting Approval to Borrow Money (doc)
• Requesting Approval to Refinance a Loan (doc)
• Requesting Approval to Purchase Land (doc)
• Requesting Approval to Sell (doc, pdf)
• Requesting Approval to Lease Property (doc)
• Requesting Approval to Lease Church-Owned Property (pdf)
• Requesting Approval to Remodel (doc)
• Requesting Approval to Build: Conceptual Phase (doc)
• Requesting Approval to Build: Construction Phase (doc)

District Journal and Reports

District committees provide oversight, guidance and resources for local congregations and the district as a whole.  Like local churches, district committees report at the end of each fical year (Mar-Feb).  These various reports are incorporated into the District Assembly Handbook and the District Journal.

• District Journal 2022
• District Journal 2021

Ministers in Development (MIDs)

In the Church of the Nazarene, we believe that all Christ-followers are called to minister.  We also affirm that Christ calls some to specific and public pastoral ministry, much as He chose and ordained His 12 apostles.  When the church, guided by the Holy Spirit, recognizes such a call in a person's life, we assist as that person endeavors to follow where God leads.  Ordination of ministers signifies the church's endorsement of the call to a lifetime of ministry.  Both women and men may be ordained, and may also be elected to the various places of leadership within the Church of the Nazarene, including the office of pastor.

Each region, district, and local church has an active part to play in the process of helping in discernment and preparation for ministry.  On the Intermountain District, those who are in this process are called Ministers in Development, or MIDs.  If you believe God is calling you to pastoral ministry in the Church of the Nazarene, please talk with the pastor of your local church and connect with the district to begin the process.  The district leadership, especially the Board of Ministry, will partner with you, your local church, and its pastor in preparing, challenging, and mentoring you.  We trust you will experience the transforming love and power of God in this process.  And, if your journey leads to ordination for ministerial leadership in the church, it will be the role of the district to affirm your call and recommend you for that ordination.

The MID process includes a variety of elements, including educational preparation, licensing, supervised ministry experience, mentoring, and periodic assessments and interviews intended to help along the way.  A great place to start is by reading the Guide to Ministerial Preparation and Ordination, which provides a broad overview of the preparation and process on the USA/Canada region.  The Intermountain District Minister Development Procedures overview document offers more details specific to this district.

Talk with your pastor about the call you are sensing and Apply for a Local Minister's License with the church board of your local church.  This level of licensing normally comes after the pastor and local church leadership have had opportunity to observe your life and ministry involvement over time.  (Renewal of licensing must be requested annually.)  Upon the granting of a local minister's license, begin connection with the District Board of Ministry also by submitting an Application to Enroll as a Minister in Development.  Those two connections -- with the local Church Board and with the district's Board of Ministry -- mark an important start to the process of ministry preparation.  Here are some of the other documents that will be helpful along the way:

• Church Board Resource: Granting a Local Minister's License (procedures, form)
• Church Board Resource: Renewing a Local Minister's License (form)
• Application for a District Minister's License (prerequisites, form)
• Church Board Resource: Recommendation for a District Minister's License (form)
• Request for a District Coach (doc)

District Licensed Minister's Annual Report & Interview -- A District Minister's License must be renewed annually (due dates in January), including the requirement of submitting these documents: Application for District Minister's License, recommendation from the local church board, proof of progress in the course of study, and annual Licensed Minister's Report (see year-end reports).  All MIDs who apply for an initial license or renewal of license are interviewed each year by members of the District Board of Ministry.  

Supervised Ministry Experience
Supervised Ministry Experience (SME) provides opportunities for MIDs to explore ministry in a variety of contexts, and to grow both as a disciple and as a leader through personal reflection and through conversations with others about those experiences.  Ideally, the MID will begin with Quad 1 relatively early in the MID process, progressing to Quad 4 over time.

• SME Overview (pdf)
• SME Quad 1: Observation (pdf)
• SME Quad 2: Exploration (pdf)
• SME Quad 3: Experience (pdf)
• SME Quad 4: Integration (pdf)