SO YOU FEEL A CALL TO MINISTRY!
Personal Calling
You have been sensing that you have a call on your life for ministry. What do you do next? You should:
1. Speak with your local pastor
2. Schedule an interview with your local church board about local licensing
3. Submit a letter of intent to the board
4. Type your testimony for board review
Once you've completed the above steps. Your local pastor will submit the required paperwork. You will then be notified by the Alabama South District regarding your course of study.
Course of Study
Your Course of Study is the Educational Component required for all persons seeking ordination in the Church of the Nazarene. The Course of Study has a number of features.
First is the Course Record Sheet, a four-page document that indicates the 4 levels and required courses on each level. A Course Record Sheet is recorded for each person studying to fulfill the ordination requirement for ordination. The Director of Ministerial Studies for the Alabama South District maintains the Course Record.
Second are the educational paths available to the student. The student can choose to work on one or more of the paths to complete the ordination requirement. The Alabama South District does not issue certificates or degrees for educational work completed. The District records that the work has been satisfactorily completed for ordination. The paths that are currently available are College, Seminary, Bible College, On-line, Alabama School of Ministry, and Module Classes. Each of these is discussed in more detail below.
Third is a Ministry Internship. The internship is completed with the help and oversight of an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene. The internship is customized to the specific needs of the student.
Educational Paths
College/Seminary
Graduation from a Nazarene College or seminary will meet our Course of Study requirements provided sufficient credits are earned as prescribed by Pastoral Ministries, including a supervised field education experience.
Bible College
A three or four year Nazarene Bible College degree may be earned by on-campus enrollment in the ministry track chosen by the student. Graduation from Nazarene Bible College completes the Course of Study.
Nazarene Bible College (NBC)
On-Line – a computer and NBC's 800 number enables students to earn a NBC degree. Enrollment as a NBC On-Line student and payment of the current per credit fees will enable the student to log on and do the assigned work in 5 out of every 7 days. For information, go to the web sit at www.nbc.edu or, e-mail at info@NBC.EDU
Alabama School of Ministry - (college level courses on the Alabama South District) helps you move along at a faster pace and would give you classroom experience. Much of the classroom work may be transferred to a college as credit. If you are interested in taking any course work, you should contact Rev. H. Lamar Smith, 669 Azalea Road, Mobile, AL 36609, (334) -666-0040.
Module Classes - The District will offer classes through its training center to be taught by Ordained elders who have met the requirements for teaching. The classes will be offered at the church of the pastor who is teaching the course. All courses sponsored by the district training center will follow the syllabi provided by Nazarene Headquarters.
Enrollment in the Course of Study
Enrollment - You must be certain that you are called into ministry. By now you have spoken with your local Pastor and received Board approval for a local license. You will now need to complete an Application for Enrollment. Once you've completed your Application for Enrollment you will be forwarded the appropriate materials for your select ministry track (i.e. field of ministry).
Ministry Track
The Church of the Nazarene recognizes three levels of ministry. An ordained elder is a person with a call to lifetime ministry with a preaching commitment. An ordained deacon is a person with a call to a lifetime of ministry that does not necessarily include a call to preach. Another category is the certified lay minister. People with this designation are called to minister but do not feel called to the more official and public work of the ministry and do not plan to devote full time to the ministry (Manual 408).
Educational preparation is similar for each level of ministry, but not the same. Each level has a prescribed Course of Study. The deacon level is the only level with more than one Course of Study depending on the area of ministry focus. The deacon can concentrate his /her study in one of the following areas: Christian Education, Compassionate Ministries, Music Ministries, Youth, Administration, and Chaplain Ministries.
Call to Ministry
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Alabama South District PO Box 680898 |
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Alabama South District Church of the Nazarene