A.C.E.

Adopt-A-ChurchEssentials

UnderstandingTheChurchoftheNazarene

CurriculumNotes

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WorkshopIntroduction

ThisworkshopisintendedtohelpthepastorandboardofachurchdesiringtojointheChurchoftheNazarene,tounderstandingwhoNazarenesare.v Aswell,ittakesthemthroughtheprocessofregisteringthechurchandorganizingitinsuchawaythatitwillbecomeafully-organizedchurch.

Afullyorganizedchurchshouldbe:v Self-Governingv Self-Sustainingv Self-Propagating

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IntroductiontotheChurchoftheNazarene

EarlyChurchHistory

LetmetellyoualittleaboutthehistoryoftheChurchoftheNazareneandseveralkeypeoplewhowereresponsibleforthebeginningofourdenomination.v Todothatthough,weneedtoseeitinthecontextofthehistoryofChristianity

TheChristianChurchasweknowittodaycameintobeinginthefirsthalfoftheFirstCentury,followingthecrucifixionandresurrectionofJesusChrist.v Within300yearsfollowingtheoutpouringoftheHolySpiritonthedayofPentecost,theChristianMovementwasthemostpowerfulforceintheRomanworld.Ø Intheyear323,Christianitybecametheofficialreligionoftheempire.

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MiddleAgeChurchHistory

DuringtheMiddleAges,severalreformmovementsdeveloped.v Inthe16thCentury,theProtestantReformation,leadbyMartinLutherandothers,gavebirthtomanyofthegreatdenominationsweknowtoday.

v Intheearly18thCentury,theEvangelicalRevivaloccurredinEngland,ledmainlybytheministryofJohnandCharlesWesley.Ø TheiremphasiswasonlivingavictoriouslifethroughthepresenceoftheHolySpirit.

Ø FromthisteachingtheMethodistMovementwasborn.

Astheyearspassed,thepreachingandteachingofthedoctrineoftheSpirit-filledlife,sometimescalledsanctificationorChristianholiness,begantodiminish.v ThiscausedtheorganizationofseveralnewdenominationssuchastheWesleyanMethodistandFreeMethodistchurches.Ø TheywantedtorevivethedoctrinalteachingsofJohnandCharlesWesley.

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19thCenturyChurchHistory

Inthelasthalfofthe19thCenturywidespreadHolinessrevivalbrokeoutamongmanyProtestantdenominations.v Outofthisrevivalmany“holinessassociations”wereformed.Ø Butthemovementwasbynomeanspopular.

Ø Theoppositionforcedthesegroupstobandtogethertoformencouragementandsupport.

Ø ItwasoutofthismovementthattheChurchoftheNazarenewasborn.

PhineasF.Bresee(FoundingFather)

Inthelatterhalfofthe1800sDr.BreseewaspastoringFirstMethodistEpiscopalChurchinLosAngeles.v Duringhisyearsthere,themembershipgrewfourtimesthesizeofanyotherchurchintheconference.Ø Inhisnextchurch,innearbyPasadena,themembershipdoubledinhisfirstyearaspastor.

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BreseehadadeepdesiretotakethegospelmessagetothepoorandsoughtanappointmenttoPenielMission,anindependentworkininner-cityLosAngeles.v SincetheMethodistEpiscopalChurchdidnotallowappointmenttoindependentministries,hisrequestwasdenied.Ø Hethensteppedasidefromthechurch’sregularsystemofappointmentsandworkedwiththePenielMission.

OnOctober6,1895,hepreachedinarentedhallinthecity.v Twoweekslater,approximately100peoplebecamethechartermembersoftheveryfirstChurchoftheNazarene.

AtthesametimeBreseewasbeginningthisnewchurch,manyotherChristianclergyandlaymenwerebeingpushedoutbecauseoftheirdeterminationtoholdtothedoctrineofholiness.v Theresultwastheformationofvariousareaassociationsmadeupofindependentchurchesoflikebeliefandpractice.

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In1908,theHolinessChurchofChristmergedwithBresee’sgroupatameetinginPilotPoint,Texas,creatingauniteddenominationof228churchesand10,500members,withmissionworkinotherpartsoftheworld.

ChurchoftheNazareneNow

TheChurchoftheNazareneisnowrepresentedinsixworldregionsv Itisnowmadeupofmorethan2millionpeopleworshipinginnearly26,000congregationsin156countries

v Sinceourbeginning,educationhasbeenacentralpartoftheChurchoftheNazarene’scommitmenttodiscipleshipmaking.Ø Today,Nazarenesareblessedwiththeresourcesandresponsibilityofanetworkof53colleges,universities,andseminaries,whichprovideeducationfor53,000studentsinover120worldareas

v Todaythereareapproximately700missionariesandvolunteersservingaroundtheworld.

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v Eachweek,Nazarenesworshipinmorethan212languagesortriballanguages,withliteratureproducedin90ofthese.

v Thechurchoperates33medicalclinicsandhospitalsworldwide.

ThismissionaryenterpriseismadepossiblebythecontributionsoftheglobalNazarenefamily.

TheMissionoftheChurchoftheNazarene

“TomakeChristlikedisciplesinthenations”

Matthew28:18-20(NIV)18ThenJesuscametothemandsaid,"Allauthorityinheavenandonearthhasbeengiventome.19Thereforegoandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,20andteachingthemtoobeyeverythingIhavecommandedyou.AndsurelyIamwithyoualways,totheveryendoftheage."

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WeareaboutmovingpeoplefromignoranceaboutGodandHisChurch,tobeingafullydevotedfollowerofJesusChrist—ministeringtoeachother,andreproducingthemselvesv Weseethatarticulatedinourvision

TheVisionoftheChurchoftheNazarene“Transformingpeople,communities,andnations”

2Corinthians5:17(NIV)17Therefore,ifanyoneisinChrist,heisanewcreation;theoldhasgone,thenewhascome!2Corinthians5:20(NIV)20WearethereforeChrist'sambassadors,asthoughGodweremakinghisappealthroughus.WeimploreyouonChrist'sbehalf:BereconciledtoGod.TheCoreValuesoftheChurchoftheNazarene

TheChurchoftheNazareneisbuiltuponthreecorevalues:1. AppreciatingourChristianHeritage2. AHolinessPeople3. AMissionalPeople

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v Thesethreevalueshelpusdefinewhyweexistandhelpusinthefuturetomakesurewearecontinuingtoteach,preach,andgivelifetowhatthesevaluesareallabout.

OurChristianHeritage

TheChurchoftheNazarenedoesnotfallintothetrapofclaimingtobetheonetrueChurch.v Somesects,churches,andcultstodaymakethoseclaims.

v Wedeclarefirstofallthat“TheChurchofGodiscomposedofallwhohavebeensaved,bornagain,andconvertedtofaithinJesusChrist.AHolinessPeople

God,whoisholy,callsustoalifeofholiness.v WebelievethattheHolySpiritseekstoCleanseUsandEmpowerUs.

v Theresults:renewingusintheimageofGod;empoweringustoLOVEGodwithourwholeheart,soul,mind,andstrength,andourneighborsasourselves;producinginusthecharacterofChrist.

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AMissionalPeople

GodisasendingGod…v TheFatherSendstheSonv TheSonSendstheHolySpirit

ThemissionofthechurchisasubsetofthemissionofGodintheworldv ThemissionofthechurchisnotsomethingwithanindependentexistenceØ Themissionofthechurchisnotanenduntoitself

Ø ItonlyexistsaspartofthegreatermissionandworkthatGodisdoingintheworld

Anotherwaytolookatthisis:v ItisGodwhohasamission—notus—notthechurch.Ø WethenjoinGodinHISmission

The7PrioritiesoftheChurchoftheNazarene

Thesearethethingsweneedtoplaceintoppriorityifwearegoingtobesuccessfulincarryingoutthemission?

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1. MeaningfulWorship2. TheologicalCoherence3. PassionateEvangelism4. IntentionalDiscipleship5. ChurchDevelopment6. TransformationalLeadership7. PurposefulCompassion

TheArticlesofFaithoftheChurchoftheNazarene

1. TheTriuneGodWebelieveinOneGod,thecreatorofallthings,whorevealsHimselfasFather,Son,andSpirit.2. JesusChrist

WebelieveinJesusChrist,whoisfullymanandfullyGodatthesametime,whobecamelikeustobringaboutoursalvation.3. TheHolySpirit

WebelieveintheHolySpirit,whoisactiveintheworld,bringingustosalvation.

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4. TheHolyScripturesWebelievethattheBibleisthewordofGod,providingallweneedtoknowaboutsalvation.5. Sin:Original&Personal

Webelievethatweareallsinnersbybothnatureandactandneedtoknowhowtobesaved.6. Atonement

WebelievethatJesusChristdiedonthecrossandthatbytrustinginHisdeath,wecanberestoredtoarightrelationshipwithGod.7. FreeAgency

WebelievethatGodhasenabledustoturntoHimfromsin,butthatHehasnotforcedustodoso.8. Repentance

Webelievethateachpersonmustrepent,turnawayfromhis/hersin,andtrustChristtoaccepthim/her.

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9. Justification,Regeneration,andAdoption

WebelievethatwhenweturnfromsinandtrustinChrist,theoldrecordofsiniswipedclean,andwearebornnew,becomingpartofthefamilyofGod.10. EntireSanctification

Webelievethatafterbeingbornnew,weneedthefullnessofGod’sSpiritinourhearts.WhenwemakeacompletecommitmenttoHim,Hecleansesourspirit,fillsuswithHisperfectloveandgivesusthepowertolivevictoriously.11. TheChurch

ThosewhoconfessChristasLordandarecommittedtobeingequippedasbelieversforservicetoothers.WebelieveourmissionistotakethehopeoftheGospeltoourcommunity/world.12. Baptism

WebelieveinBaptismasapublicSymbolandtestimonyofourinwardcommitment.WeurgepeopletobebaptizedwhentheybecomeChristians.

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13. TheLord’sSupperWebelieveintheLord’sSupperasareminderofGod’sloveandsacrifice.14. DevineHealing

WebelievethatGodcananddoesprovidephysical,mental,andemotionalhealing.Weprayforhealing.WealsobelievethatGodcanworkthroughmedicalscience.15. SecondComingofChrist

WebelievethatJesusChristiscomingagain!16. Resurrection,Judgment,andDestiny

WebelievethateveryoneshallfacethejudgmentofGodwithitsrewardsandpunishments.

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StepsForTheAdoptingOfAnExistingChurch

Step1-InformtheDistrict

ContactthedistrictofficetoinformtheDistrictSuperintendentthatyourchurchdesirestobecomeaChurchoftheNazarenev Manual100:Localchurchesmaybeorganizedbythedistrictsuperintendent,orbythegeneralsuperintendenthavingjurisdiction,orbyanelderauthorizedbyeitherofthem.

v Manual101:Thenameofanewlyorganizedchurchshallbedeterminedbythelocalchurchinconsultationwiththedistrictsuperintendentandwiththeapprovalofthedistrictadvisoryboard.

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Step2-RegisteryourChurchwiththeGMC

DistrictpersonnelwillfacilitatetheregistrationofyourchurchwithourGlobalMinistryCentreinLenexa,Kansas

Step3-RegisteringYourChurchWithTheGovernment

Step3A–ObtainingaBusinessNumber

ApplyingforAFederalBusinessNumber CallCanadaRevenueAgency(CRA)at1(800)959-5525v InformthemyouwouldliketoapplyforaBNforanewchurchØ Youmayneedtoexplainthatyouarenotincorporatingthechurchasyet—youneedthenumberforpayrollandbankingpurposes

Ø Theywillinformyouhowtoaccessthecorrectapplicationform

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v NOTE:Onceachurchisincorporated,theirbusinessnumberwillbereplacedbyacorporationnumber

Step3B-ObtainingCharityStatus

ApplyingforAFederalCharityNumber Thisallowsyoutoissuetaxdeductiblereceiptsfortithesandofferings,andotherdonationstothechurchv Youcanapplyforthisnumberonline

Ø Logonto:http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/chrts/pplyng/htply-eng.html

Ø ThissitewillhavealltheinformationnecessarytoapplyforaFederalCharityNumber

v YouwillneedaletterofauthorizationfromtheDistrictOffice,includingtheDistrictCharityNumberØ Onceapproved,CRAwillassignacharitynumbertoyourchurch

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AFewFriendlyReminders TheGeneralSecretaryoftheChurchoftheNazarene,stronglyrecommendsthatachurchobtainsabusinessnumberassoonaspossible.v Withoutit,bankswillnotopenaccountsforchurchesorchurchorganizations.

AfterreceivingtheBusinessNumber,setupanefficientandcrediblesystemthatwillmanagewithholdingsandtaxpaymentsfromsalaries.v Itisextremelyimportantthatallwithholdingsaredoneproperlyandsenttothecorrectagencies.

Step4-ObtainInsuranceCoverage Everylocalchurchneedstohaveproperinsurancecoverage.Itisimportanttohavethefollowingcoverage:v PropertyInsurancev LiabilityInsurance(atleast$2,000,000)v DirectorsandOfficersInsurancev ChildProtectionInsurance

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Researchinsurancecompaniesforthebestcoverageandrates.v SomeoftheInsuranceBrokersbeingusedbylocalchurchesontheCanadaCentralDistrictare:Ø D.L.DeeksInsuranceServices500-90AllstateParkwayMarkham,OntarioL3R6H3http://www.deeksinsurance.ca/1-800-240-5283

Ø BrokerForce608-200ConsumersRoadToronto,OntarioM2J4R4http://www.brokerforce.ca/1-800-263-9870

Ø RobertsonHallInsurance431RichmondStreet,Suite300London,OntarioN6A6E2http://www.robertsonhall.com/1-800-640-0933

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ChildProtectionPolicy Everylocalchurchisrequiredtohaveachildprotectionpolicyinplaceandinuse.v Insurancecompanieswillnotprovideinsurancecoveragewithoutone.

v TheDistrict’sinsurercanrefusetoinsuretheDistrictifallchurchesdonothaveachildprotectionpolicyinplaceandinuse,anddoesnothavechildprotectioninsurancecoverage.

TheChurchoftheNazareneinOntario,uses“PlantoProtect”policy.v Thepolicyiscustomizabletoeachlocalcongregation

v ContacttheDistrictOfficefordetails

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Step5-FacilitateIncorporationProcess

Whyincorporate?a) Itprovidesachurchordistrictwithalegalidentitywhichisindependentofitsmembers.

b) Itprovidesliabilityprotectiontothechurch’sstaff,boardandmembers.

c) Itprovidesaformalizedministrystructurewithinwhichtooperate.

Ifachurchisnotincorporatedandalawsuitisbroughtagainstthechurchforanyreasonandifthelawsuitresultsinafinancialsettlement,thenthepastor,theboard,andthemembersmayallbefoundliableforpayingthesettlement.v Churches usually carry liability insuranceandDirectors&Officers insurance to coversuch happenings but it may not always besufficient.

Whydoweneedby-laws?

AnincorporatedchurchisrequiredtohavebylawsandanassociationagreementwithCanadaCentralDistrict.

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v Ifachurchisincorporatedwithoutbylawsinplaceitmeanstherearenogovernanceprovisionstoregulatetheorganizationalstructureofthechurch.Ø Thereisnostatementastowhoarethemembersofthechurch,whatthequalificationsformembershiparetobe,whocanbethedirectorsofthechurchandwhatqualificationstheyaretohave,whatquorumisrequiredtohaveavalidmembersmeetingetc.• Forexample,theorganizationalby-lawcontrolstheoperationofthechurch,themeetingrequirementsforboththeboardandthemembers,theaccountabilityoftheboardtothemembership,thecommitteestructures,theappointmentofstaff,theterminationofmembershipandthemanyotherareasasdefinedinthebylaw.

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WhatdoestheManualsayaboutincorporation?RefertoSection102-102.6

102.Incorporation.Inallplaceswherethestatuteswillpermit,thetrusteesshallhavethelocalchurchincorporated,andthesaidtrusteesandtheirsuccessorsshallbethetrusteesofthesaidcorporation. 102.4.1Thecorporatenameshallincludethewords“ChurchoftheNazarene.”Thename“ChurchoftheNazarene”shallappearonchurchsigns,officialstationery,andchurchpublications.

102.4.2ThebylawsofthecorporationshallbetheManualoftheChurchoftheNazarene.

InOntarioincorporatedchurchesareregulatedundertheOntarioIncorporationAct.v WheretheManualandtheIncorporationAct

arenotinagreementtheActwilltakeprecedencebutincreatingthegeneraloperatingby-lawforOntarioNazareneChurchesoneoftheaimswastobringthemintoharmonywhereverpossible.

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HowtoIncorporateaNazareneChurchinOntario

Whenachurchisconsideringincorporationitismandatory that the church contact the DistrictOffice.v ChurchesmaynotbeincorporatedwithoutthepermissionofCanadaCentralDistrict.

v Inmost cases thepersonat theDistrictofficewill carry out the incorporation on behalf ofthechurch.

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AssociationAgreement

InadditiontotheGeneralOperatingBy-law,eachincorporatedandunincorporatedChurchisrequiredtoenterintoanAssociationAgreementwiththeDistrict.v Thisagreementsetsouttherights,duties,privilegesandobligationsofallchurchesaffiliatedwithCanadaCentralDistrictChurchoftheNazarene.

Twosignedcopiesarerequiredv Oneisretainedbythelocalchurch—theotherisfiledattheDistrictOffice

TheAssociationAgreementincludes:v TherelationshipbetweentheLocalChurchandtheDistrict

v Requirementsofaffiliationv Rightsofaffiliationv Terminationofaffiliationv ConflictResolution

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AcquisitionofSpaceforWorshipandMinistry

Whetherowned,rented,orleased,weunderstandthatfacilitiesforworshipandministryisvitallyimportanttoalocalcongregation.

Becauseweneedtobeaccountabletothegreaterbody,andifachurchdefaultsonit’sleaseormortgagepayments,theleaserormortgagecompanywillcomeafterthedistrictforpayment,nomortgageorleaseshouldbesignedwithoutwrittenapprovalfromtheDistrictSuperintendent.

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Step6-OpenBankAccountsandEstablishFinancialPolicies

Everychurchneedstohavebankaccountstoreceiveanddisbursefundsinanorderlymanner.v Bydoingitrightfromthebeginningcreatesanatmosphereofauthenticityandintegritythatencouragesfaithfulgivingandeliminatesthepossibilityofproblems.

Makecontactwiththeresponsibleofficeratthebankandinquirewhatdocumentsareneededforachurchtoopencheckingandsavingsaccounts.v Mostbankswillrequire:Ø Acopyoftheminutesdesignatingthesignersontheaccount,orastatementonaletterheadstatingthosewhohavebeendesignatedassigners.• Thelettershouldbesignedbythepastorandthechurchboardsecretary

Ø Thechurch’sBusinessNumber/IncorporationNumber

Ø AletterfromtheDistrictOfficerecognizingthechurchasaChurchoftheNazarene

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BankAccount-CheckingThechurch’scheckingaccountshouldlist“ChurchoftheNazarene”asapartofthelegalnameofthechurch. BankAccount-SavingsChurchesoftenfinditusefultoopenasavingsaccountfordesignatedgifts,likethebuildingfundand/orcontributionsforspecialprojects.v Bykeepingdesignatedgiftsseparate,theministry’soperatingaccountsdonotexpendfundsbeingheldforaspecificpurpose.

v Tokeepfaithwithdonors,designatedgiftsmustonlybeusedforthepurposegiven.

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Step7-EstablishSoundFinancialPolicies

Thechurchplantmustdoeverythingpossibletoestablishfinancialcredibilityfromthebeginning.v Thisisdonebyfollowingsoundfinancialguidelinesthatbuildstrustandcreatesconfidence.

BasicRecommendationsv DualsignaturesonchecksØ Thisassuresthatnoindividualhassoleauthorityforexpendingchurchfunds.

v ChoosingcountersØ A“countingteam”shouldbemadeupofchurchmemberswhohavetheconfidenceoftheentirecongregation.

v TraintheCountingTeamØ Theseindividualsshouldbecoachedinhowtoprocessofferings,provideneededpaperworkforthechurch’sbookkeepingpracticesandcarefulkeepingofindividualfinancialrecords.

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Ø Theymustalsounderstandtheneedforunequivocalconfidentialityoffinancialrecordsofboththecongregationandindividuals.

v Pastor’sNon-InvolvementØ Thepastorshouldnotbeinvolvedincountingofferingsorsigningchurchchecks.

Ø Thepastor’simmediatefamilyshouldnotbeinvolved,aswell.Manual129.20

v IndividualGivingRecordsØ Accuratedonorrecordsareimportantforeverychurch.

Ø Varioussystemsareavailabletoassistchurchesinrecordingcontributionsforincometaxpurposes.

Ø Thesegivingrecordsneedtobekeptfromtheveryfirstoffering,evenifthechurchhasnotformallyorganized.

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BookkeepingSystemsv VariousbookkeepingsystemsareavailableforChurches.Ø Besurethattherecordsareclearandconciseforeveryone’sprotection.

v CheckandBalanceSystemØ Mostchurchesseparatetheirfinancevolunteersandintotwogroups:1) Thosewhoreceiveandprocesstheincomeanddonorrecords

2) Thosewhoprocessexpenseactivities,likebillpayingandcheckwriting.

Ø Separatingthesetwogroupsprovidesabuiltfinancialsafeguardandprotectseveryonewhohelpshandlethechurch’sfunds.

v UnifiedAccountingØ Itisadvisabletomaintain:• Onecheckingsystem• Onesetoffinancialrecords• OnetreasurerforthevariousministriesoftheChurch.

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Ø Aunifiedbudgetwithonesetoffinancialrecordshelpprotecttheintegrityofachurch’sfinancialprocedures.

v RegularReportsØ Regularreportsandupdatesofthechurch’sfinancialprogresshelpinformdonorsofthevalueoftheirpartnership.

Ø Regularmonthlymailingstocontributorscanprovideinformationaboutthechurch’sministriesandevengiveaddedinspirationforfinancialpartnershipsinministry.

v AnnualAuditØ Mosteffectivechurchesplananannualauditofthechurch’sfinancialrecordsbyanoutsideagency.• Intheearlyyearsofachurch’shistory,informalauditsandreviewsmaybemoreaffordablethanformalauditsbyacertifiedpublicaccountant(CPA).

• Ineithercase,anannuallettertoallcontributorsshouldinformthemofthereviewandassurethemtheircontributionsarebeingmanagedproperly.

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District&WorldMissionBudgets

AspartoftheteamofNazareneChurches,wejointogethertofundthemissionofmakingchristlikedisciples

DistrictBudget

10%oftithesandofferingsraisedfortheregularoperationsofthelocalchurchv The10%willnotincludemoniescollectedforaspecificprojectwhereallofthemoneyisbeingspentonthatprojectandisoutsideoftheregularoperationofthechurch

DistrictBudgetAllocation

• DistrictGeneralOperations 60.8%• Education 27.5%• MinisterialCareFund 4.5%• DistrictNMI 2.4%• DistrictNYI 2.4%• DistrictSDMI 2.4%

WorldMissionBudgets(WorldEvangelismFund)

5.5%ofthechurch’sincome

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Step8-Membership

MembersofyourchurchwillneedtoattendaNazareneMembershipClassv TheDistrictwillprovidesomeonetofacilitatetheclass

v TheywillbereceivedintomembershipoftheChurchoftheNazareneonthedayyourchurchbecomesaNazareneChurch

Step9-ContactDistrictSuperintendenttoSetaDatefortheAdoption

CelebrationService

OnceallthenecessarystepshavebeentakenandyoucometoaprayerfuldecisiontojointheChurchoftheNazarene,contacttheDistrictSuperintendenttosetthedateoftheAdoptionCelebrationService

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Step10-ForwardDocuments

ForwardcopiesofthefollowingdocumentstotheDistrictOfficev BusinessorCorporateNumberv CharityNumberv InsurancePolicyv AssociationAgreementv LeaseorMortgage