GLOBAL - Terms We Use
In the Old Testament God said, “If as one people they speak the same language…then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them” (Genesis 11:6). In the New Testament, God reversed the language challenge at Pentecost and how the gospel is global, unbounded by language (Acts 2:5-6).
We have many new leaders beginning to attend our churches who are unaware of the language and terms we use. The Nazarene movement is organized into 6 world regions. Below is an alphabetized list of global terms you may hear people use among us. If you have questions, feel free to contact us anytime. We are here to serve you with excellence. If there is any way we can do that better, please let us know.
Agreed Statement of Belief - the 8 simple statements that Nazarene churches agree to share throughout the world
Alabaster Offering - an offering Nazarene churches receive that provides property and buildings around the world
Articles of Faith - the more in-depth look at what Nazarenes believe, organized into 16 statements
core values - are the essence of Nazarene identity, support our vision and help shape our culture
Discipleship Place, The - an on-line community resourcing lay people; you can take courses, watch videos, participate in webinars and more
Field - an entity made up of interdependent Nazarene districts, organized to facilitate the mission of each district through mutual support, sharing resources and collaboration
Find a Church - a tool to help people locate any one of 30,000 churches throughout the world
Funding the Mission - the funding plan that allows over 24,000 churches to participate in the World Evangelism Fund, which supports our missionaries and resources the work of the church globally
Grace & Peace Magazine - a magazine for Nazarene clergy, designed to create dialogue and lifelong learning
General Assembly – the 4-year gathering of Nazarene clergy leaders and lay leaders from 163 countries and 481 Districts throughout the world
General Board – a group of clergy leaders and lay leaders elected from the 6 world regions by the General Assembly to serve on the General Church’s governing board. They meet annually and provide an annual global report on the church’s evangelism and disciple-making progress.
General Secretary – an ordained clergy leader elected by the General Assembly to oversee all clergy leader records, global documents and global communication. They gather annual statistics and reports and prepare districts for the General Assembly.
General Superintendents – Six ordained clergy leaders elected by the General Assembly to oversee and resource the Nazarene global mission of “making Christ-like disciples in the nations.”
Global Clergy Development - our team that helps prepare, resource and support Nazarene clergy in every location and language throughout the world
“global community of believers” - the term we use to describe our 2.6 million Nazarenes around the world. In 163 countries, they are all part of our global Nazarene network.
Global Ministry Center - located in Lenexa, Kansas, a team of leaders who support the work of 480+ districts throughout the world
Global Nazarene Publications - a team of leaders who publish non-English books around the world; they work alongside our regional structures
Global Regions – Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eurasia, Mesoamerica, South America and USA/Canada
Global Missions - our global team that prayerfully sends missionaries throughout the world. They also operate the ministries of NMI, NCM, Jesus Film Harvest Partners, Work & Witness, World Mission Broadcast, etc.
Global Missions Projects - a variety of opportunities for individuals, churches or districts to be involved to expand the Kingdom globally
Holiness Today - a magazine for everyday faith published by the Church of the Nazarene. Every churchy, clergy and lay person is encouraged to subscribe
internationalization - the Nazarene commitment of being one church of congregations and districts worldwide, rather than splitting into national churches like many Protestant denominations.
Jesus Film Harvest Partners - a ministry that allows us to partner with indigenous church planters globally using a variety of tools to share the gospel
journey of grace - this is Nazarene discipleship, a framework, conversation and journey. We invite you to join!
multi-national church - no one nation controls or leads the Nazarene movement, we are truly multi-national in scope
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) - partners with local Nazarene congregations throughout the world to clothe, shelter, feed, heal, educate and live in solidarity with those who suffer.
Nazarene Essentials - the seven characteristics of healthy Nazarene churches and behaviors of Nazarenes throughout the world
Nazarene Higher Education - we operate a dynamic network of 51 colleges, universities and seminaries that educate over 50,000 students each year.
Nazarene Manual - is updated at every General Assembly. It contains the constitution and bylaws for local churches, districts, the general church, Nazarene Youth International, Nazarene Missions International, Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International and guides the ministry of Nazarene higher education.
Nazarene Missions International (NMI) – a global ministry organization designed to mobilize the church in mission through prayer, disciple-making, giving and educating.
Nazarene News - a weekly e-newsletter published by the Nazarene Communication Network (NCN). NCN is the official news service for the Church of the Nazarene globally. All clergy and church members are encouraged to subscribe.
Nazarene Youth International (NYI) – a global ministry organization focused on evangelism, disciple-making and leadership development seving our youth
Preacher’s Magazine - an on-line resource designed to mentor more and better preachers in the Nazarene movement
Region - an entity made up of interdependent Nazarene Fields and Districts, organized to facilitate the mission of each field and district through mutual support, sharing resources and collaboration
Regional Director - elected by the General Board, the ordained elder who resources and serves all districts within their Region
Research Services - a team of leaders at the Global Ministry Center that provide statistics for any Nazarene church or district. This team also provides the annual reports of the church’s statistics globally.
Stewardship Development - a team of leaders that partner with local churches around the world to teach the importance of Storehouse tithing.
Sunday School & Discipleship Ministries International - has the mission to carry out the Great Commission to children, youth and adults in preparation for a lifetime fo being and making Christlike disciples in the nations.
Work & Witness - an international movement of people getting involved by traveling to and participating in mission opportunities throughout the world
World Evangelism Fund - over 24,000 churches around the world participate to fuel the church’s mission by combining each person’s and church’s gift together to fund ministries everywhere