Florida District Board of Ministry
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Ministerial Credentials
Spanish language [Lengua Española]
Haitian Creole language [Lang Kreyòl Ayisyen]
Ministry Preparation and Studies - Licensing & Educational Resources
Local Church Resources - Information for use by local Pastors & MITs
Local Church Recommendation Form - (online form)
Fòm rekòmandasyon legliz lokal 2025 - An kreyòl ayisyen
Formulario de Recomendación de la Iglesia Local - haga clic aquí
Florida Nazarene Bible Institute - On-district Course of Study classes
FNBI “First Class” - Required District Orientation Class
Centro de Estudios Ministeriales - Hispanic Language Corse of Study
Florida District Mentoring - For MITs & Mentors
Annual Minister’s Report - for ministers not filing the Annual Church Report (APR)
Contact Information - Board of Ministry
The Board of Ministry on the Florida District primarily exists to prepare and evaluate the developmental progress of ministers in training (MITs) for ordination, through service experience and education. Further, it also serves to give oversight to the “continuing education” of those serving as pastors, or in other ministries, such as chaplaincy, evangelism, etc.
To fulfill its primary purpose, the District Board of Ministry functions in two sub-units, Ministerial Credentials and Ministerial Studies. Though they work in tandem, each sub-unit has its specialized function as described below.
Ministerial Credentials
To evaluate and affirm the gifts and graces for ministry of those who present themselves as candidates for district licensing and eventual ordination (elder or deacon) in the Church of the Nazarene. (2023 Nazarene Manual 229 - 231.10)
Ministerial Studies (click here)
To assist those who want to meet the educational requirements for eventual ordination in the Church of the Nazarene. (2023 Nazarene Manual 232 - 234.1)
Education for Nazarene Ministers
The educational preparation required of all Nazarene ministers is called the Validated Course of Study (VCOS). This is the minimum educational requirement. A VCOS curriculum is designed to develop the range of abilities under the developmental purposes of Content, Competency, Context and Character, as needed for effective ministry. Those preparing for ministry must complete the minimum VCOS program and must adhere to the specific guidelines of the region on which they hold membership in the Church of the Nazarene. (2023 Nazarene Manual 523 - 531.12)
Florida District Educational Resources (for meeting minimum requirements)
Florida District Nazarene Bible Institute (FNBI) (English, and other languages as needed)
El Centro de Estudios Ministeriales (CEM) (Hispanic language based)**
Church of the Nazarene Educational Resources
Nazarene Bible College [NBC.edu] (Ministry Preparation Program, non-degree)
Northwest Nazarene University [NNU.edu] (Course of Study Online, non-degree)
Mount Vernon Nazarene University [MVNU.edu] (Certificate of Ministry Preparation, non-degree)
Ministerial Development Resources (general information)
Ministerial Educational Resources (specific information)
**SENDAS - Seminario Nazareno De Las Americas (full range of programs in Spanish)
Haitian language-based studies - “Educational Theologique Nazareene Specialisee” (ETNS)
Portuguese landguage-based studies - “STNB” or “Euorpean Nazarene College” worldwide
Full Roster of Validated Course of Studies Programs (USA/Canada, degree programs) [Español]
The Board of Ministry is also responsible for:
Candidate Assessment
"Ministerial Candidate Workshop" - a semi-annual weekend event, jointly sponsored by the districts of the Southeast Region and Trevecca Nazarene University's "Center for Pastoral Health." This is part of the developmental evaluation process.
Mentoring
The mentoring of ministers in training toward their goal of ordination, and exampling a life-time of ministerial service to the Church.
Life-Long Learning
To provide information and resources for the “continuing education” of those serving as pastors and ministers in accountability to meet annual denominational requirements for Lifelong Learning Credits (2023 Manual 521.6; 523, 530.18), and to remain relevant in the ever-changing landscape of ministry.
Nazarene Bible College - Institute for Ministry Enrichment: https://www.nbcime.com/