If you feel you have been called to ministry, your first step is to talk with your pastor at your local church. The pastor and the local church serve as your first partner in ministry.

Upon receiving the support from your local pastor, he or she will have you fill out an application for a Local Minister’s License. This license is supported by your local church staff and church board, affirming your call to ministry. Below are the steps for you and your church to follow in obtaining a Local Minister’s License:

• Complete a Local Minister’s License application.

• Complete the Local Church Board Interview Guidelines (to be filled out by the local church).

• Complete a Verification of Credential History form (to be filled out by the local church).

• Confirm that a Criminal Background Check has been run on the candidate.

• Send all documentation to the Chicago Central District Ministry Center by emailing office@ccdnaz.org.

The Global Ministry Center will issue a Local Minister’s license to the candidate. This license is to be renewed annually by your local church. Below are the steps for you and your church to follow in renewing a Local Minister’s License:

• Complete a Renewal Application for a Local Minister’s License

• Complete the Local Church Board Interview Guidelines for Renewal (to be filled out by the local church).

• Send all documentation to the Chicago Central District Ministry Center by emailing office@ccdnaz.org.

If you have decided you no longer wish to seek a ministerial calling, please notify your local church’s pastor.

Educational preparation is next in the ministerial preparation journey. While holding a Local Minister’s License, it is your responsibility to learn as much as you are able in your church and from your educational coursework.

The Church of the Nazarene requires pastors to finish an outlined Course of Study to ensure quality and consistent education among their ministers. Take a look at the Course of Study outline and consider registering at one of the following schools:

• Nazarene Bible College

• Nazarene Theological Seminary

• Olivet Nazarene University

Any courses you have already taken at a college or university may help you progress in the course of study. To have your transcripts evaluated for credit, please visit: nbc.edu/go/evaluation. Evaluating your transcripts through Nazarene Bible College qualifies you to take a free course.

After holding a Local Minister’s License for one year, participating in the Board of Ministry Discovery Weekend, and completing one-fourth of the Course of Study requirements, you are eligible to apply for a District Minister’s License. This next step requires your local church’s support and the approval of the District Advisory and Studies Boards. Below are the steps for you and your church to follow in applying for a first-time District Minister’s License:

• Decide if you will follow the Elder or Deacon track in the Church of the Nazarene.

• Complete a District Minister’s License Application.

• Complete a Church Board Recommendation.

• Send all documentation to the Chicago Central District office by emailing office@ccdnaz.org.

• Attend the Board of Ministry Day and interview with your assigned committee.

Your District Minister’s License is to be renewed annually using this same process. Upon receiving your first district license, you will be expected to make progress in the Course of Study (educational requirement) each year. If you have graduated from the Course of Study, you are expected to follow the guidelines for Lifelong Learning hours.

To be eligible for ordination, you must have been an assigned minister on a full-time basis for three consecutive years and, at the time of ordination, you must currently be serving in assigned ministry.

There are multiple assignments (called role codes) and various levels of service time requirements. If you are assigned in a full-time role, you will need three calendar years to be eligible for the next step. However, if you serve in a half-time or quarter-time role, your ministry experience must be the equivalent of three calendar years (At half-time this would be six calendar years and quarter-time would be twelve years).

After graduating from the Course of Study and fulfilling the three required years of assigned ministry, and holding a district minister’s license for three years, you are eligible to submit an application for Ordination. From the time you receive your first District Minister’s License, you have ten years to complete the Course of Study; if any exceptions are made, they will be from the District Advisory and Studies Boards. Ordination is a privilege for each minister and is not a right. Completing all steps in the process does not guarantee an individual will be ordained. Below are the steps for you to follow in applying for Ordination:

• Complete an Ordination Application.

• Attend the Board of Ministry Day and interview with your assigned committee.

• Final interview will be held with the Jurisdictional General Superintendent prior to District Assembly.

For further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Chicago Central District Office or use the following resources:

• 2023 Nazarene Manual (English)

• 2023 Nazarene Manual (Spanish)

• Nazarene Guide to Ministerial Preparation and Ordination