Annual Report The Church of the Nazarene Garden City, KS

Transcription

1 Annual Report The Church of the Nazarene Garden City, KS Ca-pac-i-ty (noun) 1. The maximum amount that something can contain. 2. The ability or power to do, experience, or understand something.

2 Ca-pac-i-ty Index Pastor s Report The Trustees Report The Stewards Report Treasurer Report NMI Missions Report NYI President s Report Student Ministries Report Children s Ministry Report Women s Ministry Report Timothy Fields Eldon Alexander Jeff Orebaugh Gene Wells Cheryl Sturdevant Matt Fields Jamie Johnson Choiseul Orebaugh Brenda Fields Articles of Faith Election Process Church of the Nazarene Garden City, Kansas

3 Ca-pac-i-ty Pastor s Report God deserves all the Glory! It is exciting to have witnessed God at work in so many people s lives. That is a sure sign of people responding to God s calling and His goodness and anointing. Seeing all the blessings has made the year pass so quickly. I want to thank God for His Goodness and for a church that has responded to His Word. Capacity was one of the driving thoughts this year. It was derived from Jesus words, Do you believe this? I think Jesus was asking what are you willing to believe? Let me go on record again and say God wants to bless His Church - His People who are willing to believe what He says and then live it out in their daily lives. God has never failed anyone who looks to Him first. Life in this world has it s challenges, yet God always prevails. It has been a year of transition for the church. Many things have been happening. Opportunity - Out of classroom space. Filled to current capacity. Solution - Expand our capacity. How? By investing a year of time that God has granted us to complete a new Children s Building adding 8900 square feet to our facilities. This will give us room to grow some more. Young Adults as well as other classes will have a classroom to call theirs. I cannot put into words the importance of having a vibrant Children s Ministry. The building does not automatically provide that, yet it is an awesome tool for us to use to make ministry more impactful in reaching the lost for Christ s sake. Special thanks goes to all those who have spent time working on the building. Everything from sweeping floors, to hooking up the lights, to making the train work. Many people have spent a tremendous amount of time on the building. You know who you are and mentioning names here is a small reward compared to what you will receive in heaven. Although the building is just now wrapping up, it will be fully utilized very soon. If the Lord tarries, imagine how many people will come up to you in heaven and say thanks for caring. The building is nearing it s completion with Zero indebtedness. Praise the Lord! People have invested over $400,000 in this new building. If it had been done conventionally, it would have cost between $1.2 million to $1.4 million. That s incredible! I dare mention one person in particular, special recognition to Kenny Green who was our General Contractor and helped in many ways above and beyond. Opportunity - Need more capacity to minister Solution - Get involved in ministry somewhere. Touch some people s lives and see what God will do. Many have labored and given financially this past year. Because you gave, this Great Blessing from God has been made possible. Last year the church stepped out and expanded it s much needed staff. Starting this year off in a deficit was challenging with that addition. yet look at what God has done. God s plan works. The church has overcome that deficit and has the additional staff position. Our capacity has been expanded. Opportunity - need to fill the staffing vacancies. Solution - The church is in transitin right now seeking a Children s Pastor since Pastor Phil has left. The church was blessed with 5 great years with Pastor Phil. I am anticipating God s next servant coming. Amy Stoddard is also transitioning out, moving back to the Michigan area. Amy has helped a great deal in the front office. Be much in prayer for the Stoddards as well as the front office position as the transition takes place.

4 Ca-pac-i-ty Pastor s Report Opportunity - Enlarge our capacity of reaching out to others. Solution - Recruit more people that are willing to serve. To the greeters, ushers, bus drivers, cooks, nursery workers, all the teachers, hall monitors, board members, janitor, and other workers that make this happen week after week, Thank You and God Bless now and in the life to come. I could write several pages of what God has done this year, yet allow me to throw a few numbers out there that speaks of God s Goodness. This past year, we witnessed the following: * 6 Weddings * 5 Baby Dedications * 35 New Members including two Nazarene transfers * 4 Celebration of Life Services * 21 Baptisms * All time record giving * Average Sunday Worship and Celebration Service attendance of 321 and an all time record attendance second only to last year Everyone say Amen! God is Good. All the time, God is Good. That is awesome! So what s next? Let me ask you a question in order to answer that. What are you willing to believe? We have not yet arrived at our capacity to serve and to reach the lost in Garden City and the surrounding areas. The harvest is obvious...the workers are growing in numbers...matt 9:37 and Romans 12:5 - every member of the body matters! Serving Him, Pastor Tim Fields Senior Pastor

5 Ca-pac-i-ty Trustee s Report As we began the year, we focused on our capacity to become more accountable. First of all to God but also to man. 2 Corinthians 8:20-21 says: We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable. Handling God s money is a huge responsibilty which we have taken very seriously. It is to be handled honestly, with accountability, and transparency. In these matters, we have attempted to be above reproach in the finances of the church. Our capacity as a church increased in several key areas: * Refinanced the church s original loan at a lower rate and longer pay back * Financial reporting and documentation were raised to a higher level * Better communication between the stewards and trustees on financial issues * Raised the awareness of the importance of our annual budgets and the church at large budgets * Increased attention to how we prioritize the use of the funds available * Improvement on the way in which staff compensation and other financial matters are handled * The discipline of staying away from any borrowed funds for the children s building There is so much we can praise God for in this area of the church: * Some months of all time highs in giving * Near completion of the children s building * Caught up on the church at large budgets * Increased capacity in the areas of living in harmony with one another, being sympathetic, loving as brothers, as well as being compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8 * Increased capacity to persevere through difficult situations It has been an honor and privilege to serve the church this past year. Whatever our role is in the church, our constant yearning and desire must be increased capacity for reaching the lost at home and abroad. May our prayer be: Father keep us sharp, sensitive, and surrendered to you in all things, not as a last resort, but a first response, take over Jesus, live your life through each one of us Trustee Board: Eldon Alexander, Jay Main, Jim Mills, Leon Nicholson, Gene Wells Honored to serve God and the Church, Eldon Alexander Head Trustee

6 Ca-pac-i-ty Steward s Report Garden City Church of the Nazarene Stewards Report This last year, the Stewards met reqularly as needed for the purpose of overseeing the ministry and care of the Church congregation. This ranged from but was not limited to: * Setting up and serving communion and cleanup of same * Developing a communion procedure list * Assisting with baptism preparation and cleanup * Developing a baptism procedure list * Supporting and recognition of Church staff * Assistance in planning for the Church s future growth * Visiting congregation members in the hospital * Developing a yearly activity schedule * Implemented and held training for an Altar ministry * Assist pastor in filling the Children s Pastor position An overall goal of the Stewards is to help equip the people of the congregation with opportunities to grow into their full capacity of what God has called them to do. As the Church continues to grow, the importance of having a strong Steward s leadership becomes more evident in accomplishing this. I want to personally thank this year s Stewards for their help, support, guidance, insight, ideas, faithfulness, prayers and dedication Stewards * Jeff Crist * Jeremy Roderick * Michael Rush * Rod Willis Respectfully Submitted, Jeff Orebaugh Jeff Orebaugh, Head Steward

7 Ca-pac-i-ty Treasurer s Report GARDEN CITY NAZARENE FINANCIAL REPORT MAY MARCH 2014 RECEIPTS GIVING FOR LOCAL PURPOSES 514, GIVING FOR CHILDREN S BUILDING FUND 87, GIVING FOR MISSIONS 53, INTEREST INCOME 1, TOTAL RECEIPTS 656, EXPENDITURES PAYMENTS FOR BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT 66, CHILDREN S BUILDING CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS 82, STAFF SALARIES AND BENEFITS 244, CHURCH AND OFFICE OPERATING EXPENSES 11, MINISTRIES EXPENSES 13, UTILITIES EXPENSES 32, MAINTENANCE/REPAIR/GROUNDSKEEPING 6, INSURANCE 10, VEHICLE EXPENSES 17, DEPARTMENT EXPENSES: SUNDAY SCHOOL 5, CHILDREN S MINISTRIES 6, YOUTH MINISTRIES 18, TOTAL FOR LOCAL OPERATIONS 514, DENOMINATIONAL SUPPORT: KANSAS DISTRICT 29, MID-AMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY/ETC. 11, GENERAL CHURCH: WORLD EVANGELISM FUND 26, PENSION AND BENEFITS FUND 11, OTHER LOCAL AND WORLD MISSION EXPENDITURES 12, TOTAL FOR OTHERS 91, NET RECEIPTS MINUS EXPENDITURES 51, SPECIAL NOTE: This year s report covers the first 11 months of the church year, since April is not yet finished and we are holding our annual meeting before the end of the month. The total outstanding debt for the building and large bus as of March 31, 2014 was $953,

8 Ca-pac-i-ty NMI Missions Report What a terrific year we have had through our local Missions department. It is only possible because YOU had the capacity to hear and obey. We began the church year by loading up over 150 Crisis Care Kits and taking these to the missions convention in Wichita. From there, they went to a warehouse in Pennsylvania, and then on to the places worldwide that were coping with natural disasters. In July we were reminded that many children south of El Paso in the area of Juarez were eager to begin school, but did not have any school supplies. We were able to ship around 100 school bags for some of these children. Our Faith Promise Emphasis was in October with special speaker, Dr Jim Bond and his wife. You heard him present the needs worldwide, and you obeyed when we aske for help to meet our goal. But you didn t just meet the goal. You surpassed the goal by pledging over over $60,000 for local, regional and worldwide missions. Our hearts were filled to capacity with joy and praise, not for what we could do as a church, but what God could do through us with this offering to Him. Thank you so much. In November, the Missions Council agreed to provide Thanksgiving Dinners for the bus children and their families. The bus ministry team helped distribute 84 boxes of complete meals on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. My heart was filled to capacity as I heard stories of how this impacted people s lives. We helped an area pastor, Luis Morales and his family, with a Christmas gift. They are pastoring the Liberal Spanish Church and sacrificially give of themselves to this ministry. We were able to get together as a congregation with Pastor Luis, Veronica and their three boys due to confilcting schedules, but we still gave them a gift of $1,000 plus something for each boy. Many children come to church on Wednesday evening, not just to learn about God, but to eat a hot, delicious meal. Our fellowship hall and classes are filled to capacity with these energetic, enthusiastic kids. You gave through Faith Promise and we then helped supplement donations for these meals. The missions council recently agreed to give the Children s ministry $1, and it was used to purchase Bibles for the children who don t have one. Again, this is your Faith Promise giving as it is working to reach children for God. All our assigned budgets are up to date. These budgets are designed to support our missions worldwide. The NMI council consists of people dedicated to God, to missions to the local church. They put in hours assisting with the many projects. Thank you: Rosie Adams, Dustin Algrim, Terry Algrim, Judy Coombs, and Menely Hogan. Leon Nicholson also served on the council for a few months. You will never live to capacity if you hold on to the things of the world. You won t live to capacity if you don t use the gifts and experiences that God has given you. Take what God has given you and do the best you can with it. Only then can you live to your capacity. It has been my pleasure to serve as your Missions President during this past year. In Christ, Cheryl Sturdevant NMI President for

9 Ca-pac-i-ty NYI President s Report NYI (Nazarene Youth International) A Year In Review We begin our profession of faith by saying: I Believe or We Believe. Before going any further, we must ask what to believe means. It is our counterreply to God. It is our response to God! The NYI youth and college, this year, are understand ing how to begin their reply in response to God. Jamie Johnson and the NYI council has done a remarkable job of getting the younger generation to desire God by helping them find ways to know Him, by understanding God in the church, and how they can speak to Him. NYI saw a tremendous outward growth in We averaged 62 youth and college aged students on Wednesday nights and 16 youth in Sunday School. We had a total of 26 volunteers, 37 Club52 sponsors, 2 Club52 prayer sponsors, 12 district events, 1 zone event, 3 Fundraising events, 4 local events, 2 mission trips, 2 sponsorship programs, 1 membership class, 7 Teen Bible Quizzers and 173 total youth and college members. What does this mean? And how is this a response? The hope and vision is as our youth and college career learn more about God in the worship services and in Sunday School, connecting with their friends through fun activities, and serving others through compassion, they will feel and embrace God s love for them. Some might ask where or how can the youth and college grow? The NYI response would be, of course, all facets of Youth ministry and College ministry (a.k.a. The Circle) is where we could grow more. We do need to show more love for all students by staying in constant communication with them. We are making some headway with our new online database but have not had the capacity to reach out to individual students yet. This is where are focus will be for next year. I need to take time to thank, from the bottom of my heart, everyone who donated, sponsored, and volunteered this year. These individuals made it possible for youth to grow and reflect, really feeling a belonging to a larger faith community, celebrating our faith and traditions, and creating memories to last a lifetime. I am excited to see what happens next in ! NYI President, Matthew Fields Peace

10 Ca-pac-i-ty To Garden City Church of the Nazarene, NYI Student Ministries Report I, Jamie Johnson, am very thankful for the prayers and support that we receive on a regular basis. We could not do anything without those. We surrender the ministry to the Lord on a daily basis and expect Him to do great things through it, and hopefullly through those of us who volunteer our time and skills towards the ministy. Momentum Student Ministries is happy to report that we have continued our focus on Christian Education as we did last year. The focus has changed a little from large group format to a small group format. We have geared this year much more towards relationships and being intentionally Christ-like in all our relationships. How does the Bible call us to view God, What is our Capacity?, God s Chisel, Proper Ways to deal with our personal baggage, Discovering our Identity in Christ, are a few series amongst several others that we have dove into over this past year. Sunday school has developed into being a time of discovery. Discovering how to have an intentional quiet time to a beginning of a grand overview of the Bible, by using The Story curriculum that goes over the whole Bible in different summaries. Sunday Evenings, our group has been separated out by gender into smaller groups for more intentional conversation. This last year marked the first year of our prayer group; Club 52, which is an intentional way to connect the church congregation to the youth ministry through quarterly news updates and the youth calendar, but most importantly, through prayer. Without this ministry, we feel a huge hole in our direction. We do not want to do anything without covering the ministry in prayer! Our club members support through prayer is greatly appreciated and is always felt! Understanding our capacity through God s eyes and not our own, we are able to see a limitless world. We are capable of reaching the lost. We are capable of doing incredible things. We are capable of doing anything in God s Name, through His will. Momentum Student Ministries would like to adopt this mentality as we head into this new year and prayerfully ask ourselves; What is our capicity through God s eyes? What are we, can we, and will we do differently this year to understand this mentality better? Considering this last year s focus of the Student Ministry being on Christian Education and this year s focus is on reaching our God-given capacity, we ask you to imagine with us the following: 75 plus teenagers and college age individuals growing in their faith and understanding of what they are capable of in God s eyes. Can you imagine that? We like to think about that every time we meet together and attempt to grow that understanding and knowledge. The Lord has great things in store for our students and our church. Thanks be to God! Respectfully Submitted, To Life! Jamie Johnson Momentum Student Ministries Youth Pastor And now unto Him, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus thoughout all generations, forever and forever! Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21

11 Ca-pac-i-ty Children s Ministries Report Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14. It has been another blessed year for our NazKids. From our bus ministry, to the continuation of our Weds night Epic Series, to all of our volunteers, we have seen growth in our numbers, biblical education and in the spiritual lives of the children we minister to. The capacity of our current building is overflowing with children. Our new children s building is nearly complete and much needed. A very special thank you to all the volunteers who have given of their finances, time and talents to help with this project. We still have a little ways to go but we are very close to completing this building and being able to enhance the learning and the lives of the children that will fill this new building. The NazKids transportation ministry is in full swing. we have 6 full time drivers, 6 COW buses and 8 chaperones that pick up on average around 180 kids and teens each week. Most of the children we pick up would otherwise not go to any kind of church or service. The capacity of our bus ministry is overflowing with children seeking God s Word. Our Weds night NazKids services have overflowed with biblical stories, worship, and Scripture memorization. We have averaged around 171 children each week. Our cow buck program is going strong. The children receive cow bucks for attendance, bringing their Bible, bringing a new friend, and memorizing their Scripture. We finished up our first year of the Epic Series on Weds nights. This series is a basic walk through all the Epic stories in the Bible. They are learning basic values and lessons from the stories that are told and the Scripture they are memorizing. Each week they discover a new story and we review the story from the previous week. They also learn a new Scripture every 2 weeks that goes along with the Bible stories that they are learning. Without the amazing teachers and chaperones, who give of themselves each week, none of this would be possible. Thank you so much for your dedication and love to the children of our church. We pray that God will continue to bless the children and workers of our church as well as be a blessing to our community. Sincerely, Choiseul Orebaugh Interim Children s Director

12 Ca-pac-i-ty Greetings from the Jazzy Nazzy Council, Women s Ministries I have heard, over the years, the phrase, I m being stretched. Being stretched to handle, to hold more than we thought we were capable of or more than our capacity. We could compare it to a balloon that starts out small but stretches as it holds more air. Paul said, we re pressed but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. We are stretched, but we won t pop! We don t pop because God gives us the grace to use our capacity to His purpose and plan. The Jazzy Nazzy Council has on more than one occasion felt that stretching but each time God has blessed us with that extra capacity to fullful His purpose. I am truly blessed to serve with those that have the desire to let God fill their lives with His definition of full capacity. In summary of the past year we have served: 3 - Wedding Table Showers 3 - Baby Crib Showers 3 - New mother s meals Cards sent to ladies 12 - Gifts given to family members by Comfort Givers 87 - Attendees for Creative Sisters Craft Nights 33 - Participating in Secret Sister Ministry 50 - Cards sent to our Military members 10 - Care packages sent to our deployed Military members and Christmas gifts for family members state side Annual Events Garden Valley Birthday Party was held in December. Edith Scheuerman Sign Choir presented the entertainment for the evening and was rewarded with treat bags from the council. Birthday gifts were also given to residents with a December birthday. GCN hosted a crib shower for ABC Pregnancy Center in September and also sponsored the Thursday night Bridge s Meetings in May. Two Bible Studies were made available in September and February. Both had 30+ attendees. Three Ladies fellowship events were held; Pajama Party with 50 in attendance, Ornament Exchange with 56 in attendance and the Garden Party with 65 in attendance. Praise the Lord! He gives us the grace to accomplish all these things well beyond our own capacity. A super thank you goes out today to the council members who serve with me; Sandy Rodgers, Pat Mills, Dorothy Willis, Beverly Sigafoose, Mary Wilson, Martha Boor and Judy Engler! May the capacity in our Jazzy Nazzy balloon be filled even more this year so that more can be accomplished for His kingdom, Brenda Fields Jazzy Nazzy Director

13 Articles Of Faith As Stated in the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene I. The Triune God 1. We believe in one eternally existent, infinite God, Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe; that He only is God, holy in nature, attributes, and purpose. The God who is holy love and light is Triune in essential being, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1; Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Isaiah 5:16; 6:1-7; 40:18-31; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-20; John 14:6-27; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 2:13-18, I John 1:5, 4:8) ll. Jesus Christ 2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead; that He was eternally one with the Father; that He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary, so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say the Godhead and manhood, are thus united in one Person very God and very man, the God-man. We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that He truly arose from the dead and took again His body, together with all things appertaining to the perfection of man s nature, wherewith He ascended into heaven and is there engaged in inter cession for us. (Matthew 1:20-25; 16:15-16; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1-18; Acts 2:22-36; Romans 8:3, 32-34; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:12-22; 1 Timothy 6:14-16; Hebrews 1:1-5; 7:22-28; 9:24-28; 1 John 1:1-3; 4:2-3, 15) lll. The Holy Spirit 3. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Triune Godhead, that He is ever present and efficiently active in and with the Church of Christ, convincing the world of sin, regenerating those who repent and believe, sanctifying believers, and guiding into all truth as it is in Jesus. (John 7:39; 14:15-18, 26; 16: 7-15; Acts 2:33; 15:8-9;Romans 8:1-27; Galatians 3:1-14; 4:6; Ephesians 3:14-21; 1Thessalonians 4:7-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 3:24; 4:13) lv. The Holy Scriptures 4. We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, by which we understand the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, inerrantly revealing the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation, so that whatever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an article of faith. (Luke 24:44-47; John 10:35; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:10-13; 2 Peter 1:20-21) V. Sin, Original and Personal 5. We believe that sin came into the world through the disobedience of our first parents, and death by sin. We believe that sin is of two kinds: original sin or depravity, and actual or personal sin We believe that original sin, or depravity, is that corruption of the nature of all the offspring of Adam by reason of which everyone is very far gone from original righteousness or the pure stat of our first parents at the time of their creation, is averse to God, is without spiritual life and inclined to evil, and that continually. We further believe that original sin continues to exist with the new life of the regenerate, until the heart is fully cleansed by the baptism with the Holy Spirit We believe that original sin differs from actual sin in that it constitutes an inherited propensity to actual sin for which no one is accountable until its divinely provided remedy is neglected or rejected We believe that actual or personal sin is a voluntary violation of a known law of God by a morally responsible person. It is therefore not to be confused with involuntary failures, or other deviations from

14 a standard of perfect conduct that are the residual effects of the Fall. However, such innocent effects do not include attitudes or responses contrary to the spirit of Christ, which may properly be called sins of the spirit. We believe that personal sin is primarily and essentially a violation of the law of love; and that in relation to Christ sin may be defined as unbelief. (Original sin: Genesis 3; 6:5; Job 15:14; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Mark 7:21-23; Romans 1:18-25; 5:12-14; 7:1 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Galatians 5:16-25; 1 John 1:7-8) (Personal sin: Matthew 22:36-40 {with 1 John 3:4} John 8:34-36; 16:8-9; Romans 3:23; 6:15-23; 8:18-24; 14:23; 1John 1:9 2:4; 3:7-10) VI. Atonement 6. We believe that Jesus Christ, by His sufferings, by the shedding of His own blood, and by His death on the Cross, made a full atonement for all human sin, and that this Atonement is the only ground of salvation, and that it is sufficient for every individual of Adam s race. The Atonement is graciously efficacious for the salvation of those incapable of moral responsibility and for the children in innocency but is efficacious for the salvation of those who reach the age of responsibility only when they repent and believe. (Isaiah 53:5-6, 11; Mark 10:45; Luke 24:46-48; John 1:29; 3:14-17; Acts 4:10-12; Romans 3:21-26; 4:17-25; 5:6-21; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Galatians 1:3-4; 3:13-14; Colossians 1:19-23; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:9; 9:11-14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:18-21; 2:19-25; 1John 2:1-2) VII. Prevenient Grace 7. We believe that the human race s creation in Godlikeness included ability to choose between right and wrong, and that thus human beings were made morally responsible; that through the fall of Adam they became depraved so that they cannot now turn and prepare themselves by their own natural strength and works to faith and calling upon God. But we also believe that the grace of God through Jesus Christ is freely bestowed upon all people, enabling all who will to turn from sin to righteousness, believe on Jesus Christ for pardon and cleansing from sin, and follow good works pleasing and acceptable in His sight. We believe that all persons, though in the possession of the experience of regeneration and entire sanctification, may fall from grace and apostatize and, unless they repent of their sins, be hopelessly and eternally lost. (Godlikeness and moral responsibility; Genesis 1:26-27; 2:16-17; Deuteronomy 28:1-2; 30:19; Joshua 24:15; Psalm 8:3-5; Isaiah 1:8-10; Jeremiah 31:29-30; Ezekiel 18:1-4; Micah 6:8; Romans 1:19-20; 2:1-16; 14:7-12; Galatians 6:7-8 Natural inability: Job 14:4; 15:14; Psalms 14:1-4; 51:5; John 3:6a; Romans 3:10-12; 5:12-14, 20a; 7:14-25 Free grace and works of faith: Ezekiel 18:25-26; John 1:12-13; 3:6b; Acts 5:31; Romans 5:6-8, 18; 6:15-16, 23; 10:6-8; 11:22; 1 Corinthians 2:9-14; 10:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:21-23; 2 Timothy 4:10a; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:12-15; 6:4-6; ; James 2:18-22; 2 Peter 1:10-11; 2:20-22) VIII. Repentance 8. We believe that repentance, which is a sincere and thorough change of the mind in regard to sin, involving a sense of personal guilt and a voluntary turning away from sin, is demanded of all who have by act or purpose become sinners against God. The Spirit of God gives to all who will repent the gracious help of penitence of heart and hope of mercy, that they may believe unto pardon and spiritual life. (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 32:5-6; 51:1-17; Isaiah 55:6-7; Jeremiah 3:12-14; Ezekiel 18:30-32; 33:14-16; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 3:1-14; 13:1-5; 18:9-14; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 17:30-31; 26:16-18; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9) IX. Justification, Regeneration, and Adoption 9. We believe that justification is the gracious and judicial act of God by which He grants full pardon of all

15 guilt and complete release from the penalty of sins committed, and acceptance as righteous, to all who believe on Jesus Christ and receive Him as Lord and Savior. 9.1 We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that gracious work of God whereby the moral nature of the repentant believer is spiritually quickened and given a distinctively spiritual life, capable of faith, love, and obedience. 9.2 We believe that adoption is that gracious act of God by which the justified and regenerated believer is constituted a son of God. 9.3 We believe that justification, regeneration, and adoption are simultaneous in the experience of seekers after God and are obtained upon the condition of faith, preceded by repentance; and that to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness. (Luke 18:14; John 1:12-12;3:3-8; 5:24; Acts 13:39; Romans 1:17; 3:21-26, 28; 4:5-9, 17-25; 5:1, 16-19; 6:4; 7:6; 8:1, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:16-21; 3:1-14; 26; 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:6-7; 2:1, 4-5; Philippians 3:3-9; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 1:9; 3:1-2, 9, 4:7; 5:1, 9-13, 18) X. Christian Holiness and Entire Sanctification 10. We believe that sanctification is the work of God which transforms believers into the likeness of Christ. It is wrought by God s grace through the Holy Spirit in initial sanctification, or regeneration (simultaneous with justification), entire sanctification, and the continued perfecting work of the Holy Spirit culminating in glorification. In glorification we are fully conformed to the image of the Son. We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin, or depravity, and brought into a state of entire devotement to God, and the holy obedience of love made perfect. It is wrought by the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit, and comprehends in one experience the cleansing of the heart from sin and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life and service. Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by grace through faith, preceded by entire consecration; and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness. This experience is also known by various terms representing its different phases, such as Christian perfection, perfect love, heart purity, the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit, the fullness of the blessing, and Christian holiness We believe that there is a marked distinction between a pure heart and a mature character. The former is obtained in an instant, the result of entire sanctification; the latter is the result of growth in grace. We believe that the grace of entire sanctification includes the divine impulse to grow in grace as a Christlike disciple. However, this impulse must be consciously nurtured, and careful attention given to the requisites and processes of spiritual development and improvement in Christlikeness of character and personality. Without such purposeful endeavor, one s witness may be impaired and the grace itself frustrated and ultimately lost. Participating in the means of grace, especially the fellowship, disciplines, and sacraments of the Church, believers grow in grace and in wholehearted love to God and neighbor. (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17; John 7:37-39; 14:15-23; 17:6-20; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8-9; Romans 6:11-13, 19; 8:1-4, 8-14; 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14 7:1; Galatians 2:20; 5:16-25; Ephesians 3:14-21; 5:17-18, 25-27; Philippians 3:10-15; Colossians 3:1-; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Hebrews 4:9-11; 10:10-17; 12:1-2; 13:12; 1 John 1:7,9) ( Christian perfection, perfect love : Deuteronomy 30:6; Matthew 5:43-48; 22:37-40; Romans 12:9-21; 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13; Philippians 3:10-15; Hebrews 6:1; 1 John 4:17-18 Heart purity : Matthew 5:8; Acts 15:8-9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:3 Baptism with the Holy Spirit : Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 15:8-9 Fullness of the blessing : Romans 15:29 Christian holiness : Matthew 5:1 7:29; John 15:1-11; Romans 12:1 15:3; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:17 15:20; Philippians 1:9-11; 3:12-15; Colossians 2:20 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:7-8; 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:19-22; Hebrews 10:19-25; 12:14; 13:20-21; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Peter 1:1-11; 3:18; Jude 20-21)

16 XI. The Church 11. We believe in the Church, the community that confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, the covenant people of God made new in Christ, the Body of Christ called together by the Holy Spirit through the Word. God calls the Church to express its life in the unity and fellowship of the Spirit; in worship through the preaching of the Word, observance of the sacraments, and ministry in His name; by obedience to Christ, holy living, and mutual accountability. The mission of the Church in the world is to share in the redemptive and reconciling ministry of Christ in the power of the Spirit. The Church fulfills its mission by making disciples through evangelism, education, showing compassion, working for justice, and bearing witness to the kingdom of God The Church is a historical reality, which organizes itself in culturally conditioned forms; exists both as local congregations and as a universal body; sets apart persons called of God for specific ministries. God calls the Church to live under His rule in anticipation of the consummation at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Exodus 19:3; Jeremiah 31:33; Matthew 8:11; 10:7; 16:13-19, 24; 18:15-20; 28:19-20; John 17:14-26; 20:21-23; Acts 1:;7-8; 2:32-47; 5:1-2; 13:1; 14:23; Romans 2:28-29; 4:16; 10:9-15; 11;13-32; 12:1-8; 15:1-3; 1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 7:17; 11:1, 17-33; 12:3, 12-31; 14:26-40; 2 Corinthians 5:11 6 :1; Galatians 5:6, 13-14; 6:1-5, 15; Ephesians 4:1-17; 5:25-27; Philippians 2:1-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; 1 Timothy 4:13; Hebrews 10:19025; 1 Peter 1:1-2, 13; 2:4-12, 10-11; 1 John 4:17; Jude 24; Revelation 5:9-10) XII. Baptism 12. We believe that Christian baptism, commanded by our Lord, is a sacrament signifying acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Chris, to be administered to believers and declarative of their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior, and full purpose of obedience in holiness and righteousness. Baptism being a symbol of the new covenant, young children may be baptized, upon request of parents or guardians who shall give assurance for them of necessary Christian training. Baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, according to the choice of the applicant. (Matthew 3:1-7; 28:16-20; Acts 2:37-41; 8:35-39; 10:44-48; 16:29-34; 19:1-6; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:18-22) XIII. The Lord s Supper 13. We believe that the Memorial and Communion Supper instituted by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is essentially a New Testament sacrament, declarative of His sacrificial death, through the merits of which believers have life and is distinctively for those who are prepared for reverent appreciation of its significance, and by it they show forth the feast, only those who have faith in Christ and love for the saints should be called to participate therein. (Exodus 12:1-14; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; John 6:28-58; 1 Corinthians 10:14-21; 11:23-32) XIV. Divine Healing 14. We believe in the Bible doctrine of divine healing and urge our people to seek to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick. We also believe God heals through the means of medical science. (2 Kings 5:1-19; Psalm 103:1-5; Matthew 4:23-24; 9:18-35; John 4:46-54; Acts 5:12-16; 9:32-42; 14:8-15; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; James 5:13-16) XV. Second Coming of Christ 15. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again; that we who are alive at His coming shall not precede them that are asleep in Christ Jesus; but that, if we are abiding in Him, we shall be caught up with the risen saints to meet the Lord in the air, so that we shall ever be with the Lord. (Matthew 25:31-46; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 9:26-28; 2 Peter 3:3-15; Revelation 1:7-8; 22:7-20)

17 XVI. Resurrection, Judgment, and Destiny 16. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, that the bodies both of the just and of the unjust shall be raised to life and united with their spirits they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation We believe in future judgment in which every person shall appear before God to be judged according to his or her deeds in this life We believe that glorious and everlasting life is assured to all who savingly believe in, and obediently follow, Jesus Christ our Lord; and that the finally impenitent shall supper eternally in hell. (Genesis 18:25; 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalm 50:6; Isaiah 26;19; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 25:31-46; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 16:19-31; 20:27-38; John 3:16-18; 5:25-29; 11:21-27; Acts 17:3-31; Romans 2:1-16; 14:7-12; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15; 22:1-15)

18 Sample Nomination Letter

19 Sample Nomination Letter

20 Church Board Philosophy The Church of the Nazarene holds high expectations for those who would serve in leadership roles. The following is a brief summary of criteria gathered from the Bible, the Manual, and from experience. I. When elected, it is assumed that each is in the experience of entire sanctification according to the requirements of the Manual: We direct our local churches to elect as church officers only persons who are clearly in the experience of entire sanctification (Special Rules, paragraph 38) II. Each one is expected to attend all meetings of the board and to be on time. It is the individual s responsibility to contact the pastor if illness or other emergencies makes their attendance impossible. III. Each is expected to fulfill the duties and responsibilities commensurate with his/her office as outlined in the Manual, and to perform additional tasks as requested by the board. IV. Each is expected to be a leader and an example, which involves faithful attendance at the means of grace (agreed upon when joining the church). One cannot adequately serve the church without attending prayer meeting, Sunday school, morning worship, evening service, and revival meetings. The Spirit of God must operate in and through men and women. To speak intelligently at the board meeting, it is necessary for one to know, to feel, and to sense the mood and spirit of the whole church. This can be grasped only through faithful attendance. V. Each must be willing to be a spiritual leader. One is elected not only to serve the church as a leader in business affairs, but most importantly to give direction to the spiritual life of the church. Full consideration should be given to these areas of concern: A. Each should maintain a consistent daily devotional life. B. As spiritual leaders, each should be the first to respond to the pastor s call for workers, and help pray around the altar. C. Each should be a worthy example of the standards of the church. VI. Each should be a storehouse tither. (10%) The board makes many financial decisions during the year, spending the consecrated money of consecrated people, many of who give sacrificially. No one should be a director in the spending of other person s tithes if he himself is not a storehouse tither. VII. Each is expected to perform as part of a team. Each is expected to maintain the integrity of the board. A. Little things must not be allowed to divide big people. Ideas, plans, organizations, programs and procedures can be reviewed and discussed pro and con without any individual being attacked as a person, which would bring hurt, strife, or division. B. Feelings and ideas can be presented as strongly as desired in the meetings, but when a decision is reached by the board, each must help carry out the decision regardless of which way the decision falls. The board must act as a team---all for one and one for all. C. When an executive session, is declared, nothing that is done or said during that time is to be mentioned to or shared with anyone (husband, wife, relative, or friend) outside the board meeting. Even when not in executive session, concerns of the board need to be shared through proper channels not leaked or gossiped around the church and community. If we do the right things today, the goals of tomorrow will inevitably follow.

21 The Stewards From the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene 138. The duties of the stewards are: To serve as a church growth committee, unless otherwise provided for, with the responsibilities of outreach evangelism, and extension, including sponsoring new churches and church-type missions, with the pastor as ex-officio chairperson To provide assistance and support for the needy and distressed. A biblical role of lay leaders is that of ministering in areas of practical service (Acts 6:1-3; Romans 12:6-8) Therefore stewards should offer their time and spiritual gifts in acts of service, administration, encouragement, mercy, visitation, and other ministries To serve, at the discretion of the church board, as the Evangelism and Church Membership Committee as outlined in To assist the pastor in organizing the church so that Christian service opportunities are available to all members. Special Attention should be given to the development of ministries toward those of other cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in the immediate and nearby communities To serve as liaisons to community Christian action and service organizations To give assistance to the pastor in public worship and Christian nurture in the local church To provide the elements for the Lord s Supper, and when requested by the pastor, to assist in the distribution of the same. (29.5, 514.9) 139. A vacancy in the office of steward may be filled by the local church at a duly called church meeting. (113.8) 140. The stewards shall constitute the Stewardship Committee, whose duty it shall be to promote the cause of Christian stewardship of life resources in the local church in cooperation with the pastor and the Stewardship Ministries office of the general treasurer. ( ) The Trustees From the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene 143. The duties of the trustees are: To hold the title to church property and manage it as trustees of the local church, where the local church is not incorporated, or where the civil law requires it, or where for other reasons it is deemed best by the district superintendent or the District Advisory Board, subject to the guidance and the restrictions as set forth in To give guidance to the development of the physical facilities and to financial planning, unless the church board has provided otherwise A vacancy in the office of trustee may be filled by the local church at a duly called church meeting. (113.8)

22 The Sunday School Superintendent From the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene The duties and powers of the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International superintendent are: To have executive supervision of all Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) ministries in the local church To administer the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) in keeping with the SDMI Bylaws. (812) To promote programs of growth in enrollment, attendance, and leadership training To preside over the regular meetings of the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) Board, or the Education Committee of the church board, and to lead the SDMI Board in performing its duties To submit an annual budget for Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) to the church board To make a monthly report to the church board and to submit a written report to the annual church meeting.