DO YOU HAVE A CALL TO MINISTRY?

WE WANT TO MAKE THE PROCESS CLEAR AND SUPPORT YOU HOWEVER WE CAN.

 STEP #1 - VERIFY YOUR CALL

  • The journey you are beginning is your faithful response to God’s call. As you tell people you are pursuing a call to the ministry, they will ask questions you may find difficult to answer: “What kind of ministry are you called to?” “Do you want to be ordained?” “Do you think you’ll pastor a church someday?” “Where is God calling you to go?” Remember, you are just beginning; so take some pressure off yourself! You don’t need clear answers to those questions at this point. Instead, concern yourself with seeking God’s heart, which is truly the central concern of this journey from start to finish. ~ Guide to Ministerial Preparation and Ordination

  • Pray, pray, and pray some more. We believe in the power of prayer and trust that God will reveal His call for your life.

  • Talk with your Pastor and/or other mature spiritual mentors.

  • Study Scripture.

  • Plan a retreat weekend to go away and seek God’s direction. (Pinerock Camp & Retreat Center offers a discounted rate to pastors, you can send them a request below)

STEP #2 - OBTAIN A LOCAL LICENSE

  • Your church will help you secure the application.

  • The local church will determine the format for the interview process.

  • License must be renewed annually.

  • Make sure your church notifies the district office when you are given a local license so they can clear you through the GMC database.

  • You will not use the title “Pastor”, administer sacraments or officiate marriages.

The CANDIDATE HELPS BROCHURE  and STEPS TOWARD ORDINATION documents contain important information to help guide the Local Licensed Minister through the District process.

Contact Brenda Mastin, brendamastin@arizonadistrict.org, to complete the required VERIFICATION OF CREDENTIAL HISTORY FORM.

Click on the following link to download a template that may be used by the local church when issuing a Local Minister’s License:  GMC Local License Application

NOTE: Notify the district office of the action of the church board (date vote taken and the motion to grant a local minister’s license).

For more information on the Local License process please contact Brenda Mastin at the District Office.

STEP #3 - BEGIN THE COURSE OF STUDY

  • This step can be accomplished through the District Office, Nazarene Bible College, other Nazarene institutions, Bible colleges, etc.

  • A minimum of 6 courses in a validated course of study must be completed before obtaining a District License. (Two of which must be Nazarene History and Polity & Doctrine of Holiness)

  • For a list of all courses offered by the AZ District, click on the Modular Courses button below.

  • Candidates have 10 years to complete educational requirements after receiving their first District License.

For more information on the Course of Study please contact Rev. Cody Abrahamson.

 STEP #4 - APPLY FOR A DISTRICT LICENSE

  • This is done through the District Office.

  • Must have had a local license for at least one year.

  • Need a board recommendation from the local church.

  • Your pastor will need to complete a Pastor’s Checklist.

  • Must have completed 6 courses in a validated course of study, one of which must be Nazarene History and Polity. Transcript must be submitted to the District Office but can be an unofficial transcript.

  • All forms can be emailed to Brenda Mastin or mailed to: Arizona Nazarene District Office, 2420 W. Ray Rd., Ste. 1, Chandler AZ 85224.

  • In order to be approved for licensing in 2022, all applications MUST BE SUBMITTED by January 17th, 2022.

 STEP #5 - THE INTERVIEW AND RENEWAL PROCESS

Interviews:

Every candidate will have a scheduled interview time each year.

  • Until studies are completed, the Studies Board will review progress and clarify education questions.

  • Throughout the entire process, the Credentials Board will carefully examine and evaluate all persons desiring to receive a certificate for any of the roles of ministry, including all lay and ministerial candidates aspiring to be recognized for ministries beyond the local church, and any other special relations provided by the Manual.

  • Both boards will need to approve a candidate before ordination.

Renewals:

Must submit a full application packet every year to renew license including:

  • Lead Pastor Checklist

  • Board recommendation from the local church

  • An updated record of studies (must complete a minimum of 2 courses per year)

 STEP #6 - FIND A MENTOR

It is our intention to institute a plan for every ordination candidate on our district to walk the path from their first district license to ordination with a District trained and approved mentor.  These mentors were selected from the body of ordained ministers on the district and given some basic training in the process of being a mentor.

STEP #7 - ATTEND A MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE WEEKEND FROM PLNU

Each fall, a three-day consultation and training workshop is offered to those on the path to ordination, as well as their spouses. Check back later for registration.

  STEP #8 - APPLY FOR ORDINATION

Once you have:

  • Attended the MCW Weekend

  • Completed the courses required for ordination

  • Fulfilled the years of service requirements

**This application does not guarantee an ordination interview. It serves as a step in the process to move things forward. The District Superintendent, District Secretary, and Chair of the Ministerial Studies Board must still approve and notify the candidates of their interview date.**

**INVITATIONS FOR ORDINATION WILL BE SENT OUT BY JANUARY 31ST EACH YEAR**

 STEP #9 - LIFE-LONG LEARNING AND REPORTING

All licensed or ordained ministers are required to complete a minimum of 20 life-long learning hours annually. All ministers should register and track their life-long learning hours in the denominational registry. For questions on the registry and life-long learning hours click here.

 Annual Reports

Each year that you hold a District License or Permanent Credential, you must submit an annual report to the District Assembly. This requirement even applies to Retired Pastors. Lead Pastors fulfill this requirement through the Annual Pastor's Report (APR) online for their church. All others submit a report to the District Secretary. All other District Licensed and Ordained Ministers (special forms for Evangelists, Retired and a few others) can download and submit this form.

Transferring Districts

It is the Minister's (Licenses or Ordained) responsibility to ensure that their credential is transferred to a new District when you relocate off the District. To do so, contact Brenda Mastin at brendamastin@arizonadistrict.org and send her the Ministerial Transfer form.

Notes:

  • You must have selected a new local church in your new District prior to transferring.

  • If you have not yet been ordained, you will also need to ensure that your credentials records are up to date and request that they are sent to your receiving District.