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.
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.
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.
Postions on the Board
The majority of the church board members will be either Stewards or Trustees (see duties below). We will also have a Secretary and a Treasurer. Along with them, there will also be the local church "heads" of Nazarene Youth International, Nazarene Misisons International, and Sunday School & Discipleship Ministries International.
The duties of the stewards are:
The duties of the trustees are:
The majority of the church board members will be either Stewards or Trustees (see duties below). We will also have a Secretary and a Treasurer. Along with them, there will also be the local church "heads" of Nazarene Youth International, Nazarene Misisons International, and Sunday School & Discipleship Ministries International.
The duties of the stewards are:
- 138.1. 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.
- 138.2. 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 (Romans 12:6-8). Therefore stewards should offer their time and spiritual gifts in acts of service, administration, encouragement, mercy, visitation, and other ministries.
- 138.3. To serve, at the discretion of the church board, as the Evangelism and Church Membership Committee as outlined in paragraphs 110-110.8.
- 138.4. 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 socioeconomic backgrounds in the immediate and nearby communities.
- 138.5. To serve as liaisons to community Christian action and service organizations.
- 138.6. To give assistance to the pastor in public worship and Christian nurture in the local church.
- 138.7. 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, 515.4)
- 139. A vacancy in the office of steward may be filled by the local church at a properly 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. (32-32.5)
The duties of the trustees are:
- 143.1. 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 paragraphs 102-104.4.
- 143.2. To give guidance to the development of the physical facilities and to financial planning, unless the church board has provided otherwise.
- 144. A vacancy in the office of trustee may be filled by the local church at a properly called church meeting. (113.8)
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?
- Do you know and understand the doctrines of the church?
- Do you know and understand and abide by the covenants of Christian Character and Conduct?
- If you are married, do you have the support of your spouse?
- Will you be able to attend meetings on a monthly basis?
- Have you been attending worship services regularly?
- Have you been seeing to your personal growth through Bible Study and Prayer?
- Are you involved in study and prayer groups at the church?
- Have you been supporting the church financially in contributing a 10% of your income to the local church as a tithe?
- Is there something in your life that will reflect negatively in your spiritual life?