Church Board
As the church in the first century developed, Paul and Barnabas appointed people to serve in leadership positions. With prayer and fasting these people were placed in positions of trust.
Serving on the church board is not something to be taken lightly. While serving in any capacity is important and appreciated, serving on the church board is critical because it is a position of leadership and will impact the life of the entire church.
In the Church of the Nazarene the church board is composed of men and women who are elected annually to serve the body of Christ. They are not elected to rule over the body, but to be servants to the body. The position is not one of power and control; it is one of humility and service. As a board member, you will be asked to take responsibility in some area of service.
Someone once said, "Reduced to simplest terms, the board's goal should be to ascertain the will of God, and then to translate His will into action." The role of board members is obviously an extremely important one. It calls for commitment, sacrifice, flexibility, understanding and cooperation. It calls for those who have shown maturity in their faith and a commitment to the beliefs of the church.
The qualifications, as stated in 1 Timothy 3 include: self controlled, hospitable, able to teach, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, not a recent convert, has a good reputation with outsiders, not overbearing, not quick tempered, loves what is good, upright & holy, disciplined, above reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, respectable, not given to drunkenness, manages his own family well, sees that his children obey him, does not pursue dishonest gain, keeps hold of the deep truths, sincere, tested.
If anything, this list shows that serving as a board member is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. Our church manual, paragraph 127, also gives direction: "We direct our local churches to elect as church officers active members of the local church who profess the experience of entire sanctification and whose lives bear public witness to the grace of God that calls us to a holy life; who are in harmony with the doctrines, polity, and practices of the Church of the Nazarene; and who support the local church faithfully in attendance, active service, and with tithes and offerings. Church officers should be fully engaged in “making Christlike disciples in the nations.”
Church Board Responsibilities
The full function and responsibilities of the church board can be found in the Local Church Board section of the Manual.
Serving on the church board is not something to be taken lightly. While serving in any capacity is important and appreciated, serving on the church board is critical because it is a position of leadership and will impact the life of the entire church.
In the Church of the Nazarene the church board is composed of men and women who are elected annually to serve the body of Christ. They are not elected to rule over the body, but to be servants to the body. The position is not one of power and control; it is one of humility and service. As a board member, you will be asked to take responsibility in some area of service.
Someone once said, "Reduced to simplest terms, the board's goal should be to ascertain the will of God, and then to translate His will into action." The role of board members is obviously an extremely important one. It calls for commitment, sacrifice, flexibility, understanding and cooperation. It calls for those who have shown maturity in their faith and a commitment to the beliefs of the church.
The qualifications, as stated in 1 Timothy 3 include: self controlled, hospitable, able to teach, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, not a recent convert, has a good reputation with outsiders, not overbearing, not quick tempered, loves what is good, upright & holy, disciplined, above reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, respectable, not given to drunkenness, manages his own family well, sees that his children obey him, does not pursue dishonest gain, keeps hold of the deep truths, sincere, tested.
If anything, this list shows that serving as a board member is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. Our church manual, paragraph 127, also gives direction: "We direct our local churches to elect as church officers active members of the local church who profess the experience of entire sanctification and whose lives bear public witness to the grace of God that calls us to a holy life; who are in harmony with the doctrines, polity, and practices of the Church of the Nazarene; and who support the local church faithfully in attendance, active service, and with tithes and offerings. Church officers should be fully engaged in “making Christlike disciples in the nations.”
Church Board Responsibilities
The full function and responsibilities of the church board can be found in the Local Church Board section of the Manual.
Serving on the Board
For those who are formal members of the Church of the Nazarene and have been nominated to serve on the church board, or are wondering what the expectations are for serving on the church board, we encourage you to prayerfully consider these questions.
For those who are formal members of the Church of the Nazarene and have been nominated to serve on the church board, or are wondering what the expectations are for serving on the church board, we encourage you to prayerfully consider these questions.
- Have you fully surrendered your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?
- Have you been attending worship services regularly?
- Have you been seeing to your personal growth through Bible Study and Prayer (at home)?
- Have you been involved in any group Bible Study (or discipleship) programs?
- Have you been faithful in contributing 10% of your income (a tithe) to this local church?
- Do you know and understand the doctrines (Articles of Faith) of the church? (See Manual, page 26 to 34)
- Do you know and understand and abide by the covenants of Christian Conduct? (See Manual, page 44 to 63)
- Are you prepared to abstain from alcohol and tobacco?
- Are you aware of, and are you in agreement with the church's position on human sexuality?
- If you are married, do you have the support of your spouse?
- Will you be able to attend at least 2/3rds of the Board meetings (currently the 2nd Tuesday of each month)?
- Is your life free from any habits or hindrances that would negatively impact your spiritual life or testimony?