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Delegates to 2024 Florida District Advance
Everything you need to know to prepare for District Advance is here! If you are an elected or Ex-Officio (because of your official position) delegate from your local church OR an assigned district-credentialed minister, YOU ARE A DELEGATE and this is the information you need to know to prepare for District Advance.
What to expect: District Advance
is a combination of business, inspiration, equipping, and fellowship.
Elected delegates and guests from our 130+ churches and multiple language groups from throughout the Florida District will be in attendance.
Delegates will be expected to vote on business matters.
Keynote speakers will provide inspiration and training, followed by workshops to “drill down” into even more information.
Additional workshops will offer training and information in specific areas.
And as always, meals will be great times of fellowship and connection. Make a new friend!
So let’s get ready!!
BUSINESS:
Here are important steps to prepare you for the business portion of District Advance:
BEFORE THE EVENT: Download the Florida District app (see picture) from your device’s App or Play Store. Look for our blue dot cross icon. Select the language of your choice when you set up your account on the app. All voting will take place through this app. A limited number of tablets will be available for those who do not have devices or need assistance.
Links to Florida District App: APP STORE PLAY STORE
READ UP: Yes, you have homework to do! Please review the various reports (see links below) that will be presented in the Business Sessions. Delegates will be voting to adopt or receive these reports by a yes/no vote or show of hand during the business. You may want to print them off and bring them to the event.
BE AN INFORMED VOTER: Delegates will also be voting on a number of ballots to fill vacancies on district boards and committees. Ballot information is available in the links below. The ballots will be open from the start of business on Friday, April 19 until Saturday at 9:30 am, so you have time to vote at your leisure. READ FURTHER FOR IMPORTANT VOTING INFORMATION
HELP YOUR FRIENDS!: If you have fellow delegates that are not quite as tech-savvy as you, PLEASE help them to access this information and download the app.
PLAN TO STAY: You’ll want to be there for the Friday evening Celebration Service (7 PM), and the Saturday afternoon Celebration of Ministry Service (4 -6:30 PM) These are both an integral part of the whole event.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE at Highland Park church (aka Church for the One) in the Main Campus lobby:
CHECK IN: District Advance begins at 12:30 on Friday afternoon, but we will begin checking in delegates at 10 AM so they have time for lunch. (see SCHEDULE) BUT, our volunteers while be glad to check you in WHENEVER your arrive, either Friday or Saturday.
YOUR DELEGATE ID: you will receive a name badge and your UNIQUE delegate/voter ID at check-in, which will enable you to VOTE. Your name will be listed under your church’s name, by city — ex: Jacksonville University Blvd, or Orlando Center Pointe.
BE NICE! We are expecting nearly 700 delegates and guests, and our volunteers will be working as efficiently as they can. Your patience and grace will be appreciated.
MEAL TICKETS: Pre-registration for meals is necessary (deadline April 9). We will have a MEALTICKET table in the lobby.
For individual meal orders — your ticket(s) will be in an envelope marked with your name
For church meal orders — the tickets for the group will be in an envelope with the CHURCH NAME. Please make sure the person picking up the tickets has a list of who gets what.
MEALS: All meals take place in the FAMILY MINISTRIES BUILDING (FMB), across the road from the Main Campus. We will have limited shuttles available for transport over to the FMB.
TRANSLATION SERVICES: Visit our Translation Station in the lobby for translation options, if needed. OR CLICK HERE for information
WHAT ABOUT MY KIDS? If you pre-registered your children for Kids Advance (deadline April 9), their event begins Friday AFTER LUNCH in the Family Ministries Building — and moves to the Main Campus Kids Area for the Friday evening service through Saturday. See schedule here: LINK
THE MAIN EVENT: all business and worship sessions will take place in the Sanctuary in the Main Campus. For information about our speakers for 2024 District Advance, visit HERE
WIFI? Yes, we will have wi-fi and will let you know any details for connection that day. Because so many people will be accessing the service, please use your 5G signal when possible.
LOOK AROUND: The lobby area will have tables with displays and information from Trevecca, the Nazarene Foundation, District NYI (Youth), District NMI (Missions), Kids Ministries, and more!
WORKSHOPS!! Multiple workshops will be available throughout the weekend, and will take place on the Main Campus and FMB. Check out the WORKSHOP SCHEDULE to plan ahead. Maps and printed schedules will be available in the lobby.
LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!
Advance vs Assembly — we use the term District Advance for this event, but the body of delegates is referred to as the District Assembly!
Dr. T. Scott Daniels, our Jurisdictional General Superintendent, will be chairing the business portions of District Advance. He is one of six General Superintendents, and was elected to that role in 2023 at the Nazarene General Assembly.
The following links (in blue) will take you to the various reports related to the business of District Advance. Action on most of these reports will be taken by a yes/no voice vote or a show of hands, with the exception of the ballots. This business with be spread out over the two days of District Advance. Per Robert’s Rules of Order, only delegates may ask questions, propose amendments, or vote on these reports.
2024 Assembly Organization Report — this report outlines specific details about those assisting with the business, the schedule, etc.
2024 District Ministerial Studies Report — this report shows those enrolled in the ministry preparation Course of Study and their progress. We have over 100 students enrolled in the Course of Study!
2024 Ministerial Credentials Report - this is a report from the District Board of Ministry with details related to the various ministers on the Florida District, transfers in and out of the district, new, renewed, and removed ministerial credentials, and recommendations for ordination. Did you know our district has jurisdiction over nearly 450 district-licensed or ordained ministers? One of the largest in the USA/Canada Region.
2024 Nominations Committee Report — this report explains the process used for nominations, as well as the nominations of the committee for the various ballots. A survey is sent out to pastors each year for recommendations these positions. The work of this committee establishes the ballots to be presented to the assembly.
2024 Ballot Information — please review this information for details on the ballot and those nominated. A ballot for Nazarene Missions International (NMI) as prepared by the District NMI Council, is also included. PLEASE REVIEW THIS INFORMATION as not all of this information will be on the actual ballot on your mobile device. REMEMBER — your Voter ID is what registers your vote!
SO…. HOW DO I VOTE ON THE BALLOTS??
Select VOTING on your Florida District APP to see the ballots.
Ballots will be listed as SAMPLE BALLOT until the ballots are unlocked for voting.
Each ballot will have a place for you to enter your VOTER ID when you are DONE voting. Entering your VOTER ID registers your vote, so do it LAST!
Then go on to pick the next ballot, and so on.… EACH TIME you will enter your VOTER ID to register your vote.
To practice, try out the FUN BALLOT — enter the Access Code “FUN” after making your choice..
Ratification of General Assembly Action - Article 15 — as required by the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene, the Florida District will vote on the ratification of a revision to Article 15 of the Articles of Faith, as adopted by the General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene. The attached document gives direction and the rationale for the action.
2024 District Advisory Board Report — The District Advisory Board (DAB) is made up of ordained ministers and laypeople who serve as advisors to the District Superintendent in matters of business related to the Florida District, in accordance with the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene.
2024 District Finance Committee — this committee, appointed by the DAB, makes recommendations to local congregations in matters of business, finance, pastoral care and compensation, and district and denominational apportionments. The report also contains a proposed District Operating Budget for 2024-25.
2023-24 District Treasurer’s Report — this report provides a snapshot of the financial health of the Florida District, and the financial activity of the past fiscal year. Our thanks goes to our great District Treasurer, Mrs. Mindy Rickey!
YOU’VE GOT THIS! You’re all ready for a GREAT District Advance 2024. Looking forward to seeing you there! Questions (after reading all of this)? Contact Mary at mary@floridanaz.com