Ministerial Credentials

THE BOARD OF MINISTRY OFFERS GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THOSE WHO WISH TO HOLD LICENSE AND PURSUE CREDENTIALS IN THE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE


2023 IMPORTANT DATES

January 1 | District Minister's License Application & Renewals Process Begins

February 16 | Deadline to Complete Documentation for District Minister's License or Ordination

March 10 | Ordination Interviews (Required) | Gunter Camp & Conference Center

March 11 | District License Interviews (Required) | Gunter Camp & Conference Center

July 16-17 | The Gathering: SC District Assembly & Conventions


Please use the STEPS below to guide you through the Ministerial Preparation process. Be aware that some forms and applications will be unavailable until certain times of the year. Please refer back to this page regularly for updates. If you have any questions about the process, please contact the District Office, the District Secretary or the Studies Director.

  • PROCESS FOR OBTAINING LOCAL MINISTER'S LICENSE

    Speak with your local church pastor about obtaining a Local Minister's License. This is the first step in the credentialing process of the Church of the Nazarene. Your local pastor who will walk you through this process. You must complete the Application for Local Minister's License and submit it to your local church board for approval. Here is the Church Board Interview Checklist that is helpful in this process. This Verification of Credential History Request Form (SPANISH) (PORTUGUESE) will need to be submitted by the local pastor. Once approval is granted from the local church board, the local pastor will need to submit the Request for Local Minister's License.

     

    If you already have a local minister's license and would like to pursue a District Minister's License, the first place to begin is by reading the Guide to Ministerial Preparation & Ordination (SPANISH). This document outlines the entire credentialing process that occurs at the District Level and eventually culminates in becoming an ordained ELDER or DEACON in the international Church of the Nazarene.


    Local Minister's Licensing Process Presentation (2022)

  • INSTRUCTION TO STUDENTS

    For comprehensive information to guide you through the Course of Study, please refer to the Guide for Ministerial Preparation & Ordination. (SPANISH)


    ELIGIBILITY

    The Board of Ministry (Studies) serves only the persons who are properly enrolled.  Consult Manual Paragraphs 529-529.2 – “General Guidelines for Preparation for Christian Ministry.”

     

    COURSES

    There are four general courses administered by the Board of Ministry (Studies):  Ministerial leading to Elder; Christian Education, Compassionate Ministries and Music Ministries leading to Deacon.  These may not be ordained without having completed their respective course of study.

     

    Annual renewal of the Commission as a Minister of Music is subject either to having completed the course in the Deacon Track or showing evidence of pursuing it.

     

    MODES OF STUDY

    The recommended mode of preparation for full-time Christian service is by attending a Nazarene liberal arts college or Nazarene Bible College and, if possible, the Nazarene Theological Seminary. Other modes are the Ministerial Preparation Program at Nazarene Bible College and Northwest Nazarene University.  The Modular Course of Study is under the immediate supervision of the District Board of Ministry Assessment (Studies).

     

    General curriculum areas for ministerial preparation are in Manual Section 529.3.  Modular courses are in the Guide to Ministerial Development & Ordination (SPANISH).


    STUDY REGULATIONS

    1. Each student is instructed to download the Guide to Ministerial Development & Ordination (SPANISH) in order to become familiar with the details of the entire program.

    2. All course work and transcripts must be submitted and credited by June 30 in order to apply to current assembly year.  Work filed thereafter will be applied to the following year. Course work must be submitted annually prior to the Board of Ministry interview.

    3. Approval for consideration for a course may be requested at any time prior to taking the course by contacting the Studies Director.

    4. Lifelong Learning classes are permitted aids to study, but not a means of courses.

    5. Candidates should be prepared to appear for an interview as called by the Board of Ministry Assessment.


    COLLEGE STUDENTS

    College students are responsible to submit evidence of academic standing in harmony with Manual section 529. At graduation, the final transcript will be evaluated by the District Board of Ministry Studies Officer, and no requirements stated in the Manual will be waived.

     

    WHERE TO GO

    1. For information or guidance, the student should first consult his/her pastor or mentor. Further assistance may be obtained by contacting the District Secretary and/or the Studies Director.

    2. All relevant application forms (for District Assembly recommendation and renewal) are available through the Ministerial Credentials page of the SC District Website.

    3. Please send transcripts and grades for evaluation to studies@southcarolinanazarene.com. Official transcripts may be sent by mail to "Studies, c/o SC District Office, 150 McSwain Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169.

  • FIRST-TIME DISTRICT MINISTER'S LICENSE

    In order to apply for a District Minister's License, you must have held a Local Minister's License for a minimum of one year and have completed at least six courses in the Course of Study. For Renewal of a District's Minister's License, please see STEP 3B. For comprehensive information on the ministerial preparation process, see the Guide to Ministerial Preparation & Ordination. (SPANISH)


    1. A Background Check must be completed by the SC District Office. Complete the Background Authorization Form. You will need to pay the Background Check Fee of $25 (Background Check will not be processed until the fee is received). Send a check made out to "SC District Church of the Nazarene" and send to:


    SC District Office

    Attn: Treasurer

    150 McSwain Drive

    West Columbia, SC 29169


    2. Complete the Application for District Minister's License. (SPANISH) (PORTUGUESE)


    3. Complete the Confidential Questionnaire.


    4. The local pastor must submit a Recommendation to the District Assembly (SPANISH) once church board approval is granted. Verification of Credential History Form (SPANISH) (PORTUGUESE) should be completed before the Recommendation to the District Assembly is submitted (This only needs to be completed once).


    5. Once all forms have been completed and submitted, you will be notified of an interview time with the Board of Ministry. This interview is required.

  • RENEWAL OF DISTRICT MINISTER'S LICENSE

    Please use the following steps if you currently hold a District Minister's License. Renewal of the District Minister's License must be completed annually. For a First-Time District Minister's License, please see STEP 3A. For comprehensive information on the ministerial preparation process, see the Guide to Ministerial Preparation & Ordination. (SPANISH)

     

    1. Complete the Application for District Minister's License. (SPANISH) (PORTUGUESE)

     

    2. Complete the Confidential Questionnaire.

     

    3. The local pastor must submit a Recommendation to the District Assembly (SPANISH) once church board approval is granted.


    4. Once all forms have been completed and submitted, you will be notified of an interview time with the Board of Ministry. This interview is required.

  • BOARD OF MINISTRY INTERVIEW

    If you have held your Local Minister's License for at least one year, and meet the education and service requirements for a District Minister's License, you will need to interview with the Board of Ministry prior to District Assembly. If you currently hold a District Minister's License, you must meet with the Board of Ministry each year until you complete the Ordination process.


    The Board of Ministry Interviews are conducted in the Spring. The interview is a requirement for anyone seeking a First-Time District Minister's License, a Renewal of District Minister's License or Ordination.


    2023 Board of Ministry Dates

    Friday, March 10 | Ordination Interviews | Gunter Camp & Conference Center

    Saturday, March 11 | District License Interviews | Gunter Camp & Conference Center


    Interviews will be assigned as documentation is received beginning in January.

  • This assessment is required at the time of application for your third District Minister's License Renewal. The assessment is usually held in May at Trevecca Nazarene University. Please contact the District Secretary at distsec@southcarolinanazarene.com for more information.

  • ORDINATION

    Ordination is by invitation from the South Carolina District. If you believe you are eligible for Ordination, but have not received an invitation by February 1, please contact the District Secretary at distsec@southcarolinanazarene.com. For comprehensive information on the ministerial preparation process, please refer to the Guide to Ministerial Preparation & Ordination. (SPANISH)


    1. Complete the Ordination & Recognition Questionnaire. (SPANISH) (PORTUGUESE)


    2. A Background Check must be completed by the SC District Office. Complete the Background Authorization Form. You will need to pay the Background Check Fee of $25 (Background Check will not be processed until the fee is received). Send a check made out to "SC District Church of the Nazarene" and send to:


    SC District Office

    Attn: Treasurer

    150 McSwain Drive

    West Columbia, SC 29169


    3. The local church pastor must complete the Recommendation to the District Assembly. (SPANISH) If you are a local church lead pastor, the District Advisory Board will complete the Recommendation to the District Assembly for you.


    4. Complete the Application for District Minister's License (SPANISH) (PORTUGUESE). (Although you may be eligible for Ordination, the District Minister's License must be renewed before Ordination.)


    5. Complete the Confidential Questionnaire.


    Once all documentation is received, an Ordination Interview will be scheduled. Please refer to STEP 4 for Board of Ministry Interview dates. Interviews will be assigned as documentation is received beginning in January.


    The Ordination Service will take place during the South Carolina District Church of the Nazarene's District Assembly.