Church of the Nazarene Ministerial Course of Study (COS)

There is a specific Ministerial Course of Study required by Clergy Development (the overseeing agency of the Church of the Nazarene) as a part of, or in addition to, other college work, based on a specific plan to ensure competency in a number of areas.  There 24 courses or areas of training and education which may be completed at an accredited college, Bible college, seminary, online through Nazarene Bible College, or from our own Los Angeles District Training Center (a member of the Nazarene Bible College Alliance for Ministry Education).

To enroll in the Course of Study, contact the Secretary of Ministerial Studies and submit transcripts of all college undergraduate and graduate work.

Course Requirements

Course requirements may vary somewhat depending on the mode of education and whether the minister-in- training is on the Elder track or Deacon track.  Sections 428-429 in the Church of the Nazarene Manual describe the differences between the orders of Elder and Deacon (available online at www.nazarene.org/files/docs/Manual2005_09.pdf.,).  Sections 403-423 describe the various ministry roles.Candidates applying for a District License must have completed a minimum of six (6) verified courses (including the course History and Polity of the Church of the Nazarene), must have held a local license for a minimum of one (1) year and must receive a recommendation from their local church board.

A minimum of two courses must be completed in each subsequent year (verified by transcripts) to qualify for renewal of district license. The course of study must be completed within 10 years from the granting of the first district license, or the student will be dropped from enrollment with the DBM (Manual 427.4).  All coursework must be reported by the student to the Secretary of Ministerial Studies as soon as the course is completed, and verified by transcripts annually prior to the renewal interview.

During his/her first year, each licensee and their spouse is expected to attend a Ministerial Candidate Assessment Weekend at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego in the fall. The event, sponsored by the Center for Pastoral Leadership as a part of the Southwest Region Ministerial Assessment Initiative, is a requirement that must be met within two years of receiving the District License to qualify for renewal of district license. Transcripts for coursework in progress at the time of the interview, or for which the student is enrolled, should be sent to the Secretary no later than one month prior to District Assembly each year in order to receive consideration in that assembly year.

Additional Requirements

In addition to completing the Course of Study, and prior to ordination, it is necessary to have no less than three years consecutive and current, full-time experience as a senior pastor or associate pastor (longer if part time––based on the level of involvement, responsibility, and hours per week). It is necessary to clearly document for the Board of Ministry’s satisfaction the specific kinds of ministry experiences (preaching, teaching, counseling, administration, etc.) that have been included in the candidate’s ministry. Non-paid ministry experience may accrue toward ministry requirement. However, it must be as a pro bono staff position rather than simply typical volunteer work in the church. This means the candidate must be “hired” by the pastor and church board for a specific full- or part-time position (even though unpaid), must have a job description, and must be expected to fulfill specific duties within the church under the direct supervision of the pastor or another staff person. It is important, if the position is pro bono, that the candidate keeps an accurate log of the kinds of ministry performed, the typical hours per week, etc.

It is required by the Manual that a candidate must have held the District License for no less than three years prior to ordination.

Required Courses for Elder

  • BIB-1013 Introduction to the Old Testament
  • BIB-1023 Introduction to the New Testament
  • BIB-2003 Biblical Interpretation
  • BIB-2013 Pentateuch  /or/  BIB-2023 Old Testament Historical Books
  • BIB-2033 New Testament Gospels
  • BIB-3013 Hebrew Prophets
  • BIB-3053 Pauline Epistles  /or/  BIB-3063 Book of Acts
  • CEM-2003 Introduction to Christian Educational Ministries
  • ENG-1013 English Composition
  • HIS-2013 Western World – Ancient and Medieval Times
  • HIS-2023 Western World – Emerging Modern Society
  • OTR-2013 Global Evangelism
  • OTR-4013 Developing a Missional Church
  • PAS-1023 Spiritual Formation
  • PAS-2013 The Practice of Christian Ministry
  • PAS-4023 Church Administration and Finance
  • *PAS-2023 History and Polity of the Church of the Nazarene
  • PAS-3023 Pastoral Care and Counseling
  • PAS-3033 Christian Preaching I
  • PAS-3043 Christian Preaching II
  • PHI-3013 Philosophy and Christian Ethics
  • *THE-1043 Exploring Christian Holiness  /or/  THE-4043 Doctrine of Holiness
  • THE-3023 Systematic Theology I
  • THE-3033 Systematic Theology II

            *No other course may be substituted; must be taken only at a Nazarene institution or ministry training center

Required Courses for Deacon

*Courses unique to that deacon track

         Compassionate Ministries 

  •  Introduction to Old Testament
  •  Introduction to New Testament
  • Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
  • Pentateuch  /or/  Old Testament Historical Books
  • Testament Gospels
  • Pauline Epistles  /or/  Book of Acts
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Christian Educational Ministries
  • English Composition
  • Western World – Ancient & Medieval Times
  • Western World – Emerging Modern Society
  • Global Evangelism
  • Developing a Missional Church
  • Spiritual Formation
  • History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene
  • Pastoral Care & Counseling
  • Church Administration & Finance
  • Philosophy & Ethics
  • Exploring Christian Holiness  /or/  Doctrine of Holiness
  • Systematic Theology I
  • Systematic Theology II
  • *Urban Ministries
  • *Intercultural Communications
  • *Public Speaking

          Administration 

  • Introduction to Old Testament
  • Introduction to New Testament
  • Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
  • New Testament Gospels
  • Pauline Epistles  /or/  Book of Acts
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Christian Educational Ministries
  • English Composition
  • Western World – Ancient & Medieval Times
  • Western World – Emerging Modern Society
  • Global Evangelism
  • Developing a Missional Church
  • Practice of Christian Ministry
  • Spiritual Formation
  • History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene
  • Pastoral Care & Counseling
  • Exploring Christian Holiness  /or/  Doctrine of Holiness
  • Systematic Theology I
  • Systematic Theology II

            *Multiple Staff & Team Ministries

            *4 or more Business Administration courses

         Christian Education 

  • Introduction to Old Testament
  • Introduction to New Testament
  • Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
  • Pentateuch  /or/  Old Testament Historical Books
  • New Testament Gospels
  • Pauline Epistles  /or/  Book of Acts
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Christian Educational Ministries
  • English Composition
  • Western World – Ancient & Medieval Times
  • Western World – Emerging Modern Society
  • Global Evangelism  /or/  Developing a Missional Church
  • Spiritual Formation
  • History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene
  • Church Administration & Finance
  • Philosophy & Ethics
  • Exploring Christian Holiness  /or/  Doctrine of Holiness
  • Systematic Theology I
  • Systematic Theology II
  •  *2 or more Children / Youth / Adult Ministries courses
  •  *Leadership of Christian Ed Ministries
  •  *Multiple Staff & Team Ministries
  •  *Public Speaking

         Music

  • Introduction to Old Testament
  • Introduction to New Testament
  • Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
  • New Testament Gospels
  • Pauline Epistles  /or/  Book of Acts
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Christian Educational Ministries
  • English Composition
  • Western World – Ancient & Medieval Times
  • Western World – Emerging Modern Society
  • Global Evangelism
  • Developing a Missional Church
  • Practice of Christian Ministry
  • Spiritual Formation
  • History & Polity of the Church of the Nazarene
  • Pastoral Care & Counseling
  • Exploring Christian Holiness  /or/  Doctrine of Holiness
  • Systematic Theology I
  • Systematic Theology II
  • *Multiple Staff Ministries
  • *Music Theory I
  • *Music Theory II

            *Minimum of two years private music instruction (voice/instrument/etc)