adopt-a-church essentials
TRANSCRIPT
2
WorkshopIntroduction
ThisworkshopisintendedtohelpthepastorandboardofachurchdesiringtojointheChurchoftheNazarene,tounderstandingwhoNazarenesare.v Aswell,ittakesthemthroughtheprocessofregisteringthechurchandorganizingitinsuchawaythatitwillbecomeafully-organizedchurch.
Afullyorganizedchurchshouldbe:v Self-Governingv Self-Sustainingv Self-Propagating
3
IntroductiontotheChurchoftheNazarene
EarlyChurchHistory
LetmetellyoualittleaboutthehistoryoftheChurchoftheNazareneandseveralkeypeoplewhowereresponsibleforthebeginningofourdenomination.v Todothatthough,weneedtoseeitinthecontextofthehistoryofChristianity
TheChristianChurchasweknowittodaycameintobeinginthefirsthalfoftheFirstCentury,followingthecrucifixionandresurrectionofJesusChrist.v Within300yearsfollowingtheoutpouringoftheHolySpiritonthedayofPentecost,theChristianMovementwasthemostpowerfulforceintheRomanworld.Ø Intheyear323,Christianitybecametheofficialreligionoftheempire.
4
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.
5
19thCenturyChurchHistory
Inthelasthalfofthe19thCenturywidespreadHolinessrevivalbrokeoutamongmanyProtestantdenominations.v Outofthisrevivalmany“holinessassociations”wereformed.Ø Butthemovementwasbynomeanspopular.
Ø Theoppositionforcedthesegroupstobandtogethertoformencouragementandsupport.
Ø ItwasoutofthismovementthattheChurchoftheNazarenewasborn.
PhineasF.Bresee(FoundingFather)
Inthelatterhalfofthe1800sDr.BreseewaspastoringFirstMethodistEpiscopalChurchinLosAngeles.v Duringhisyearsthere,themembershipgrewfourtimesthesizeofanyotherchurchintheconference.Ø Inhisnextchurch,innearbyPasadena,themembershipdoubledinhisfirstyearaspastor.
6
BreseehadadeepdesiretotakethegospelmessagetothepoorandsoughtanappointmenttoPenielMission,anindependentworkininner-cityLosAngeles.v SincetheMethodistEpiscopalChurchdidnotallowappointmenttoindependentministries,hisrequestwasdenied.Ø Hethensteppedasidefromthechurch’sregularsystemofappointmentsandworkedwiththePenielMission.
OnOctober6,1895,hepreachedinarentedhallinthecity.v Twoweekslater,approximately100peoplebecamethechartermembersoftheveryfirstChurchoftheNazarene.
AtthesametimeBreseewasbeginningthisnewchurch,manyotherChristianclergyandlaymenwerebeingpushedoutbecauseoftheirdeterminationtoholdtothedoctrineofholiness.v Theresultwastheformationofvariousareaassociationsmadeupofindependentchurchesoflikebeliefandpractice.
7
In1908,theHolinessChurchofChristmergedwithBresee’sgroupatameetinginPilotPoint,Texas,creatingauniteddenominationof228churchesand10,500members,withmissionworkinotherpartsoftheworld.
ChurchoftheNazareneNow
TheChurchoftheNazareneisnowrepresentedinsixworldregionsv Itisnowmadeupofmorethan2millionpeopleworshipinginnearly26,000congregationsin156countries
v Sinceourbeginning,educationhasbeenacentralpartoftheChurchoftheNazarene’scommitmenttodiscipleshipmaking.Ø Today,Nazarenesareblessedwiththeresourcesandresponsibilityofanetworkof53colleges,universities,andseminaries,whichprovideeducationfor53,000studentsinover120worldareas
v Todaythereareapproximately700missionariesandvolunteersservingaroundtheworld.
8
v Eachweek,Nazarenesworshipinmorethan212languagesortriballanguages,withliteratureproducedin90ofthese.
v Thechurchoperates33medicalclinicsandhospitalsworldwide.
ThismissionaryenterpriseismadepossiblebythecontributionsoftheglobalNazarenefamily.
TheMissionoftheChurchoftheNazarene
“TomakeChristlikedisciplesinthenations”
Matthew28:18-20(NIV)18ThenJesuscametothemandsaid,"Allauthorityinheavenandonearthhasbeengiventome.19Thereforegoandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,20andteachingthemtoobeyeverythingIhavecommandedyou.AndsurelyIamwithyoualways,totheveryendoftheage."
9
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
10
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.
11
AMissionalPeople
GodisasendingGod…v TheFatherSendstheSonv TheSonSendstheHolySpirit
ThemissionofthechurchisasubsetofthemissionofGodintheworldv ThemissionofthechurchisnotsomethingwithanindependentexistenceØ Themissionofthechurchisnotanenduntoitself
Ø ItonlyexistsaspartofthegreatermissionandworkthatGodisdoingintheworld
Anotherwaytolookatthisis:v ItisGodwhohasamission—notus—notthechurch.Ø WethenjoinGodinHISmission
The7PrioritiesoftheChurchoftheNazarene
Thesearethethingsweneedtoplaceintoppriorityifwearegoingtobesuccessfulincarryingoutthemission?
12
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.
13
4. TheHolyScripturesWebelievethattheBibleisthewordofGod,providingallweneedtoknowaboutsalvation.5. Sin:Original&Personal
Webelievethatweareallsinnersbybothnatureandactandneedtoknowhowtobesaved.6. Atonement
WebelievethatJesusChristdiedonthecrossandthatbytrustinginHisdeath,wecanberestoredtoarightrelationshipwithGod.7. FreeAgency
WebelievethatGodhasenabledustoturntoHimfromsin,butthatHehasnotforcedustodoso.8. Repentance
Webelievethateachpersonmustrepent,turnawayfromhis/hersin,andtrustChristtoaccepthim/her.
14
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.
15
13. TheLord’sSupperWebelieveintheLord’sSupperasareminderofGod’sloveandsacrifice.14. DevineHealing
WebelievethatGodcananddoesprovidephysical,mental,andemotionalhealing.Weprayforhealing.WealsobelievethatGodcanworkthroughmedicalscience.15. SecondComingofChrist
WebelievethatJesusChristiscomingagain!16. Resurrection,Judgment,andDestiny
WebelievethateveryoneshallfacethejudgmentofGodwithitsrewardsandpunishments.
16
StepsForTheAdoptingOfAnExistingChurch
Step1-InformtheDistrict
ContactthedistrictofficetoinformtheDistrictSuperintendentthatyourchurchdesirestobecomeaChurchoftheNazarenev Manual100:Localchurchesmaybeorganizedbythedistrictsuperintendent,orbythegeneralsuperintendenthavingjurisdiction,orbyanelderauthorizedbyeitherofthem.
v Manual101:Thenameofanewlyorganizedchurchshallbedeterminedbythelocalchurchinconsultationwiththedistrictsuperintendentandwiththeapprovalofthedistrictadvisoryboard.
17
Step2-RegisteryourChurchwiththeGMC
DistrictpersonnelwillfacilitatetheregistrationofyourchurchwithourGlobalMinistryCentreinLenexa,Kansas
Step3-RegisteringYourChurchWithTheGovernment
Step3A–ObtainingaBusinessNumber
ApplyingforAFederalBusinessNumber CallCanadaRevenueAgency(CRA)at1(800)959-5525v InformthemyouwouldliketoapplyforaBNforanewchurchØ Youmayneedtoexplainthatyouarenotincorporatingthechurchasyet—youneedthenumberforpayrollandbankingpurposes
Ø Theywillinformyouhowtoaccessthecorrectapplicationform
18
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
19
AFewFriendlyReminders TheGeneralSecretaryoftheChurchoftheNazarene,stronglyrecommendsthatachurchobtainsabusinessnumberassoonaspossible.v Withoutit,bankswillnotopenaccountsforchurchesorchurchorganizations.
AfterreceivingtheBusinessNumber,setupanefficientandcrediblesystemthatwillmanagewithholdingsandtaxpaymentsfromsalaries.v Itisextremelyimportantthatallwithholdingsaredoneproperlyandsenttothecorrectagencies.
Step4-ObtainInsuranceCoverage Everylocalchurchneedstohaveproperinsurancecoverage.Itisimportanttohavethefollowingcoverage:v PropertyInsurancev LiabilityInsurance(atleast$2,000,000)v DirectorsandOfficersInsurancev ChildProtectionInsurance
20
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
21
ChildProtectionPolicy Everylocalchurchisrequiredtohaveachildprotectionpolicyinplaceandinuse.v Insurancecompanieswillnotprovideinsurancecoveragewithoutone.
v TheDistrict’sinsurercanrefusetoinsuretheDistrictifallchurchesdonothaveachildprotectionpolicyinplaceandinuse,anddoesnothavechildprotectioninsurancecoverage.
TheChurchoftheNazareneinOntario,uses“PlantoProtect”policy.v Thepolicyiscustomizabletoeachlocalcongregation
v ContacttheDistrictOfficefordetails
22
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.
23
v Ifachurchisincorporatedwithoutbylawsinplaceitmeanstherearenogovernanceprovisionstoregulatetheorganizationalstructureofthechurch.Ø Thereisnostatementastowhoarethemembersofthechurch,whatthequalificationsformembershiparetobe,whocanbethedirectorsofthechurchandwhatqualificationstheyaretohave,whatquorumisrequiredtohaveavalidmembersmeetingetc.• Forexample,theorganizationalby-lawcontrolstheoperationofthechurch,themeetingrequirementsforboththeboardandthemembers,theaccountabilityoftheboardtothemembership,thecommitteestructures,theappointmentofstaff,theterminationofmembershipandthemanyotherareasasdefinedinthebylaw.
24
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.
25
HowtoIncorporateaNazareneChurchinOntario
Whenachurchisconsideringincorporationitismandatory that the church contact the DistrictOffice.v ChurchesmaynotbeincorporatedwithoutthepermissionofCanadaCentralDistrict.
v Inmost cases thepersonat theDistrictofficewill carry out the incorporation on behalf ofthechurch.
26
AssociationAgreement
InadditiontotheGeneralOperatingBy-law,eachincorporatedandunincorporatedChurchisrequiredtoenterintoanAssociationAgreementwiththeDistrict.v Thisagreementsetsouttherights,duties,privilegesandobligationsofallchurchesaffiliatedwithCanadaCentralDistrictChurchoftheNazarene.
Twosignedcopiesarerequiredv Oneisretainedbythelocalchurch—theotherisfiledattheDistrictOffice
TheAssociationAgreementincludes:v TherelationshipbetweentheLocalChurchandtheDistrict
v Requirementsofaffiliationv Rightsofaffiliationv Terminationofaffiliationv ConflictResolution
27
AcquisitionofSpaceforWorshipandMinistry
Whetherowned,rented,orleased,weunderstandthatfacilitiesforworshipandministryisvitallyimportanttoalocalcongregation.
Becauseweneedtobeaccountabletothegreaterbody,andifachurchdefaultsonit’sleaseormortgagepayments,theleaserormortgagecompanywillcomeafterthedistrictforpayment,nomortgageorleaseshouldbesignedwithoutwrittenapprovalfromtheDistrictSuperintendent.
28
Step6-OpenBankAccountsandEstablishFinancialPolicies
Everychurchneedstohavebankaccountstoreceiveanddisbursefundsinanorderlymanner.v Bydoingitrightfromthebeginningcreatesanatmosphereofauthenticityandintegritythatencouragesfaithfulgivingandeliminatesthepossibilityofproblems.
Makecontactwiththeresponsibleofficeratthebankandinquirewhatdocumentsareneededforachurchtoopencheckingandsavingsaccounts.v Mostbankswillrequire:Ø Acopyoftheminutesdesignatingthesignersontheaccount,orastatementonaletterheadstatingthosewhohavebeendesignatedassigners.• Thelettershouldbesignedbythepastorandthechurchboardsecretary
Ø Thechurch’sBusinessNumber/IncorporationNumber
Ø AletterfromtheDistrictOfficerecognizingthechurchasaChurchoftheNazarene
29
BankAccount-CheckingThechurch’scheckingaccountshouldlist“ChurchoftheNazarene”asapartofthelegalnameofthechurch. BankAccount-SavingsChurchesoftenfinditusefultoopenasavingsaccountfordesignatedgifts,likethebuildingfundand/orcontributionsforspecialprojects.v Bykeepingdesignatedgiftsseparate,theministry’soperatingaccountsdonotexpendfundsbeingheldforaspecificpurpose.
v Tokeepfaithwithdonors,designatedgiftsmustonlybeusedforthepurposegiven.
30
Step7-EstablishSoundFinancialPolicies
Thechurchplantmustdoeverythingpossibletoestablishfinancialcredibilityfromthebeginning.v Thisisdonebyfollowingsoundfinancialguidelinesthatbuildstrustandcreatesconfidence.
BasicRecommendationsv DualsignaturesonchecksØ Thisassuresthatnoindividualhassoleauthorityforexpendingchurchfunds.
v ChoosingcountersØ A“countingteam”shouldbemadeupofchurchmemberswhohavetheconfidenceoftheentirecongregation.
v TraintheCountingTeamØ Theseindividualsshouldbecoachedinhowtoprocessofferings,provideneededpaperworkforthechurch’sbookkeepingpracticesandcarefulkeepingofindividualfinancialrecords.
31
Ø Theymustalsounderstandtheneedforunequivocalconfidentialityoffinancialrecordsofboththecongregationandindividuals.
v Pastor’sNon-InvolvementØ Thepastorshouldnotbeinvolvedincountingofferingsorsigningchurchchecks.
Ø Thepastor’simmediatefamilyshouldnotbeinvolved,aswell.Manual129.20
v IndividualGivingRecordsØ Accuratedonorrecordsareimportantforeverychurch.
Ø Varioussystemsareavailabletoassistchurchesinrecordingcontributionsforincometaxpurposes.
Ø Thesegivingrecordsneedtobekeptfromtheveryfirstoffering,evenifthechurchhasnotformallyorganized.
32
BookkeepingSystemsv VariousbookkeepingsystemsareavailableforChurches.Ø Besurethattherecordsareclearandconciseforeveryone’sprotection.
v CheckandBalanceSystemØ Mostchurchesseparatetheirfinancevolunteersandintotwogroups:1) Thosewhoreceiveandprocesstheincomeanddonorrecords
2) Thosewhoprocessexpenseactivities,likebillpayingandcheckwriting.
Ø Separatingthesetwogroupsprovidesabuiltfinancialsafeguardandprotectseveryonewhohelpshandlethechurch’sfunds.
v UnifiedAccountingØ Itisadvisabletomaintain:• Onecheckingsystem• Onesetoffinancialrecords• OnetreasurerforthevariousministriesoftheChurch.
33
Ø Aunifiedbudgetwithonesetoffinancialrecordshelpprotecttheintegrityofachurch’sfinancialprocedures.
v RegularReportsØ Regularreportsandupdatesofthechurch’sfinancialprogresshelpinformdonorsofthevalueoftheirpartnership.
Ø Regularmonthlymailingstocontributorscanprovideinformationaboutthechurch’sministriesandevengiveaddedinspirationforfinancialpartnershipsinministry.
v AnnualAuditØ Mosteffectivechurchesplananannualauditofthechurch’sfinancialrecordsbyanoutsideagency.• Intheearlyyearsofachurch’shistory,informalauditsandreviewsmaybemoreaffordablethanformalauditsbyacertifiedpublicaccountant(CPA).
• Ineithercase,anannuallettertoallcontributorsshouldinformthemofthereviewandassurethemtheircontributionsarebeingmanagedproperly.
34
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
35
Step8-Membership
MembersofyourchurchwillneedtoattendaNazareneMembershipClassv TheDistrictwillprovidesomeonetofacilitatetheclass
v TheywillbereceivedintomembershipoftheChurchoftheNazareneonthedayyourchurchbecomesaNazareneChurch
Step9-ContactDistrictSuperintendenttoSetaDatefortheAdoption
CelebrationService
OnceallthenecessarystepshavebeentakenandyoucometoaprayerfuldecisiontojointheChurchoftheNazarene,contacttheDistrictSuperintendenttosetthedateoftheAdoptionCelebrationService