local license process
Steps for the
First-time Applicant
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Procedures for Issuing a Local Minister's License -- This document will guide the candidate, local church pastor, and board through the application process.
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Application for Local Minister's License -- This document is to be completed by the candidate and submitted to the local church pastor.
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Interview with the local church board
Interview Guidelines -- This document provides the local church board with guidelines for interviewing a candidate for the Local Minister's License.
Discussion may include:
* Spiritual experience (salvation, entire sanctification)
* Doctrinal understandings
* Spiritual formation and disciplines (prayer, Bible reading, etc.)
* Ministry experience (teaching, leadership, witnessing, etc.)
* Gifts and graces (spiritual gifts) -
Submit A Request for Verification of Credential History form to the General Secretary's Office for each individual seeking a local or district minister's license for the first time. Open the form to see full instructions.
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Establish prayer partners
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Establish a ministry assignment/serving position in the local church
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Submit a signed copy of Journey Toward Ordination document to the district office (senior pastor's signature is needed)
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Enroll in an approved course of study and begin required classes required as listed in the Plan of Examination. If you have questions about courses, contact the Studies Board Chair or Secretary.
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Hold a Local Minister’s License for at least one year and complete at least six courses before applying for a district license. (We recommend your first five courses be: 1) Telling the Old Testament Story of God; 2) Telling the New Testament Story of God; 3) Exploring Christian Ministry; 4) Exploring Nazarene History and Polity; 5) Communicating with Spoken and Written Language. Please refer to the Plan of Examination for a full list of courses).
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Make plans to attend the Ministry Assessment event before applying for a district license.
Steps for the
Senior Pastor of First-time Applicant
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Procedures for Issuing a Local Minister's License -- This document will guide the candidate, local church pastor, and board through the application process.
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Have applicant complete the Application for Local Minister's License; review and share with church board prior to the interview.
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Schedule applicant to interview with the local church board
Interview Guidelines -- This document provides the local church board with guidelines for interviewing a candidate for the Local Minister's License.
Discussion may include:
* Spiritual experience (salvation, entire sanctification)
* Doctrinal understandings
* Spiritual formation and disciplines (prayer, Bible reading, etc.)
* Ministry experience (teaching, leadership, witnessing, etc.)
* Gifts and graces (spiritual gifts) -
Submit an online Request for Verification of Credential History form to the General Secretary's Office for each individual seeking a local or district minister's license for the first time.
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Complete a criminal background check for each individual seeking a local or district minister's license.
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When the verification is received, order a local license from Global Clergy Development. Please note: these licenses are available only to members of the Church of the Nazarene.
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Work with the locally licensed minister to establish prayer partners and provide an assignment for ministry in the local church
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Work with the applicant to submit a signed copy of Journey Toward Ordination document to the district office (senior pastor's signature is needed).
Renewal Applicant Packet
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Procedures for Renewing a Local Minister's License -- This document will guide the candidate, local church pastor, and board through the process of renewing the Local Minister's License.
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Renewal Application for Local Minister's License -- This document is to be completed by the candidate and submitted to the local church pastor.
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Interview Guidelines -- This document provides the local church board with guidelines for interviewing a candidate for the renewal of the Local Minister's License.
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NEWLY REVISED A Request for Verification of Credential History form must be completed for each individual seeking the renewal of a local or district minister's license when A) the church board approving renewal is not of the same local church that granted the individual his or her first local or district minister's license, or B) the church board approving the renewal failed to submit the form when it granted the individual his or her first local or district minister's license. Open the form to see full instructions and to learn more about this process.
Click here to order a Local Minister's License from Global Clergy Development. Please note: these licenses are available only to members of the Church of the Nazarene.