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. This Verification of Credential History Request Form 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. 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.

INSTRUCTION TO STUDENTS

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

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 and, if possible, the Nazarene Seminary. Other modes are the Nazarene Bible College, Carolinas School of Ministry (in alliance with Nazarene Bible College) and The Modular Course of Study.  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.

MODULAR STUDY REGULATIONS

COLLEGE STUDENTS

College students are responsible to submit to the board documentary 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 advisor. Further, assistance may be obtained from secretary or chairman of Ministerial Studies.

2. For textbooks, free price lists and study guides, contact the The Foundry Publishing.

3. For relevant application forms (for District Assembly recommendation and renewal) contact the District Secretary at distsec@southcarolinanazarene.com.

4. Please send transcripts and grades for evaluation to studies@southcarolinanazarene.com.

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.

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: LaNora Jensen

150 McSwain Drive

West Columbia, SC 26169

2. Complete the Application for District Minister's License.

3. Complete the Confidential Questionnaire.

4. The local pastor must submit a Recommendation to the District Assembly once church board approval is granted. Verification of Credential History Form 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.

1. Complete the Application for District Minister's License.

2. Complete the Confidential Questionnaire.

3. The local pastor must submit a Recommendation to the District Assembly 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.

2022 Board of Ministry Dates

Friday, April 8 | Ordination Interviews | Gunter Camp & Conference Center

Saturday, April 9 | 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.

1. Complete the Ordination & Recognition Questionnaire.

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: LaNora Jensen

150 McSwain Drive

West Columbia, SC 26169

3. The local church pastor must complete the Recommendation to the District Assembly. 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. (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.