BOARD OF MINISTRY
Application Forms
Guidelines
Downloadable Forms
LOS ANGELES DISTRICT CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE BOARD OF MINISTRY
Rev. Jerry Ferguson, District Superintendent and Chair, ex officio, of Ministerial Credentials
District Office, 225 E. Santa Clara St., Suite 300, Arcadia, CA 91006
Office: 626-446-7300; Fax: 626-446-2429
Dr. Chuck Smith, Acting Chair of Ministerial Credentials
10650 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, CA 91326
818-368-0700; Fax: 818-368-3075
Dr. Peter N. Lundell, Chair of Ministerial Studies
20801 La Puente Rd, Walnut, CA 91789-2096
Office: 909-598-7731; Cell 909-762-8809
Rev. Patricia R. Litten, Secretary of Credentials & Studies
308 D St, Fillmore, CA 93015-1615;
Board of Ministry calls: 805-524-2543; Fax: 805-265-5009
(boardofministry@earthlink.net)
Our Purpose
The purpose of the District Board of Ministry (BOM) is to aid and guide all candidates on the Los Angeles District in preparation for the various forms of ministry. The board’s responsibility extends to licensees who are enrolled in colleges as well as those enrolled in district study courses. In addition, this board is charged with the task of fostering continuing education on the district for ordained ministers. A summary of the duties of the DBM is found in Manual 228 and 230.2-31.4
Church of the Nazarene Ministerial Course of Study (COS)
There is a specific Ministerial Course of Study required by Clergy Development (the overseeing agency of the Church of the Nazarene) as a part of, or in addition to, other college work, based on a specific plan to ensure competency in a number of areas. There 24 courses or areas of training and education which may be completed at an accredited college, Bible college, seminary, online through Nazarene Bible College, or from our own Los Angeles District Training Center (a member of the Nazarene Bible College Alliance for Ministry Education).
To enroll in the Course of Study, contact the Secretary of Ministerial Studies and submit transcripts of all college undergraduate and graduate work.
Course Requirements
Course requirements may vary somewhat depending on the mode of education and whether the minister-in- training is on the Elder track or Deacon track. Sections 428-429 in the Church of the Nazarene Manual describe the differences between the orders of Elder and Deacon (available online at www.nazarene.org/files/docs/Manual2005_09.pdf.,). Sections 403-423 describe the various ministry roles.Candidates applying for a District License must have completed a minimum of six (6) verified courses (including the course History and Polity of the Church of the Nazarene), must have held a local license for a minimum of one (1) year and must receive a recommendation from their local church board.
A minimum of two courses must be completed in each subsequent year (verified by transcripts) to qualify for renewal of district license. The course of study must be completed within 10 years from the granting of the first district license, or the student will be dropped from enrollment with the DBM (Manual 427.4). All coursework must be reported by the student to the Secretary of Ministerial Studies as soon as the course is completed, and verified by transcripts annually prior to the renewal interview.
During his/her first year, each licensee and their spouse is expected to attend a Ministerial Candidate Assessment Weekend at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego in the fall. The event, sponsored by the Center for Pastoral Leadership as a part of the Southwest Region Ministerial Assessment Initiative, is a requirement that must be met within two years of receiving the District License to qualify for renewal of district license. Transcripts for coursework in progress at the time of the interview, or for which the student is enrolled, should be sent to the Secretary no later than one month prior to District Assembly each year in order to receive consideration in that assembly year.
Additional Requirements
In addition to completing the Course of Study, and prior to ordination, it is necessary to have no less than three years consecutive and current, full-time experience as a senior pastor or associate pastor (longer if part time––based on the level of involvement, responsibility, and hours per week). It is necessary to clearly document for the Board of Ministry’s satisfaction the specific kinds of ministry experiences (preaching, teaching, counseling, administration, etc.) that have been included in the candidate’s ministry. Non-paid ministry experience may accrue toward ministry requirement. However, it must be as a pro bono staff position rather than simply typical volunteer work in the church. This means the candidate must be “hired” by the pastor and church board for a specific full- or part-time position (even though unpaid), must have a job description, and must be expected to fulfill specific duties within the church under the direct supervision of the pastor or another staff person. It is important, if the position is pro bono, that the candidate keeps an accurate log of the kinds of ministry performed, the typical hours per week, etc.
It is required by the Manual that a candidate must have held the District License for no less than three years prior to ordination.
General Information
BIB-1013 Introduction to the Old Testament
BIB-1023 Introduction to the New Testament
BIB-2003 Biblical Interpretation
BIB-2013 Pentateuch /or/ BIB-2023 Old Testament Historical Books
BIB-2033 New Testament Gospels
BIB-3013 Hebrew Prophets
BIB-3053 Pauline Epistles /or/ BIB-3063 Book of Acts
CEM-2003 Introduction to Christian Educational Ministries
ENG-1013 English Composition
HIS-2013 Western World - Ancient and Medieval Times
HIS-2023 Western World - Emerging Modern Society
OTR-2013 Global Evangelism
OTR-4013 Developing a Missional Church
PAS-1023 Spiritual Formation
PAS-2013 The Practice of Christian Ministry
PAS-4023 Church Administration and Finance
*PAS-2023 History and Polity of the Church of the Nazarene Bible College
PAS-3023 Pastoral Care and Counseling
PAS-3033 Christian Preaching I
PAS-3043 Christian Preaching II
PHI-4013 Philosophy and Christian Ethics
*THE-1043 Exploring Christian Holiness /or/ THE-4043 Doctrine of Holiness
THE-3023 Systematic Theology I
THE-3033 Systematic Theology II
*No other course may be substituted; must be taken only at a Nazarene institution or
ministry training center
Required Courses for Elder
*Courses unique to that deacon track
Compassionate Ministries
Introduction to Old Testament
Introduction to New Testament
Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
Pentateuch /or/ Old Testament Historical Books
Testament Gospels
Pauline Epistles /or/ Book of Acts
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Christian Educational Ministries
English Composition
Western World - Ancient & Medieval Times
Western World - Emerging Modern Society
Global Evangelism
Developing a Missional Church
Spiritual Formation
History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene
Pastoral Care & Counseling
Church Administration & Finance
Philosophy & Ethics
Exploring Christian Holiness /or/ Doctrine of Holiness
Systematic Theology I
Systematic Theology II
*Urban Ministries
*Intercultural Communications
*Public Speaking
Administration
Introduction to Old Testament
Introduction to New Testament
Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
New Testament Gospels
Pauline Epistles /or/ Book of Acts
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Christian Educational Ministries
English Composition
Western World - Ancient & Medieval Times
Western World - Emerging Modern Society
Global Evangelism
Developing a Missional Church
Practice of Christian Ministry
Spiritual Formation
History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene
Pastoral Care & Counseling
Exploring Christian Holiness /or/ Doctrine of Holiness
Systematic Theology I
Systematic Theology II
*Multiple Staff & Team Ministries
*4 or more Business Administration courses
Christian Education
Introduction to Old Testament
Introduction to New Testament
Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
Pentateuch /or/ Old Testament Historical Books
New Testament Gospels
Pauline Epistles /or/ Book of Acts
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Christian Educational Ministries
English Composition
Western World - Ancient & Medieval Times
Western World - Emerging Modern Society
Global Evangelism /or/ Developing a Missional Church
Spiritual Formation
History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene
Church Administration & Finance
Philosophy & Ethics
Exploring Christian Holiness /or/ Doctrine of Holiness
Systematic Theology I
Systematic Theology II
*2 or more Children / Youth / Adult Ministries courses
*Leadership of Christian Ed Ministries
*Multiple Staff & Team Ministries
*Public Speaking
Music
Introduction to Old Testament
Introduction to New Testament
Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
New Testament Gospels
Pauline Epistles /or/ Book of Acts
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Christian Educational Ministries
English Composition
Western World - Ancient & Medieval Times
Western World - Emerging Modern Society
Global Evangelism
Developing a Missional Church
Practice of Christian Ministry
Spiritual Formation
History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene
Pastoral Care & Counseling
Exploring Christian Holiness /or/ Doctrine of Holiness
Systematic Theology I
Systematic Theology II
*Multiple Staff Ministries
*Music Theory I
*Music Theory II
*Minimum of two years private music instruction (voice/instrument/etc)
Required Courses for Deacon
