If you feel as though 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. 

STEPS TO RENEW A LOCAL MINISTER'S LICENSE: 

• Complete a Local Minister’s License application (Español).

• Complete the Local Church Board Interview for Renewal of a Local License (Español) (filled out by the local church).

• If the applicant held a local license in a previous church, the Verification of Credential History (Español) form must be filled out for the new, current local church.

Once approved by the church board:

• Send all documentation to the Prairie Lakes District at licensing@pldnaz.com.

• Request a Local Minister's License from the Global Clergy Development office (Español).

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

Additional Resources:

Procedures for Issuing a Local Minister's License (Español)

Local License Checklist (Espanol)

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 requirements. 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 in one of the following programs/schools: 

• District MIT (Minister In Training) Program

• Mid America Nazarene University

• Nazarene Bible College

• Nazarene Theological Seminary

After holding a Local Minister’s License for one year, participating in the Annual Minister's In Training (MIT) 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 Board of Ministry. *Reminder: A local licensed pastor who has been divorced must submit a Waiver of the Barrier of Divorce (Español), and be approved, before applying for a District License. 

STEPS FOR A FIRST-TIME DISTRICT MINISTER'S LICENSE: 

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

• Complete a District Minister’s License application (Español).

• If the applicant is new to the Prairie Lakes District, the Verification of Credential History form will need to be completed.

• Complete a Church Board Recommendation (filled out by local church) (Español).

*If you are the lead pastor of your church, the District Advisory Board will complete your church recommendation.

• Complete the Ministry Assessment Confidential Questionnaire (Español).

• Attend the Annual MIT Assessment Weekend and interview with your assigned committee.

• Send all documentation to the Prairie Lakes District at licensing@pldnaz.com.

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. 

STEPS FOR THE RENEWAL OF A DISTRICT MINISTER'S LICENSE: 

• Complete a District Minister’s License application (Español).

• Complete a Church Board Recommendation (filled out by local church) (Español).

*If you are the lead pastor of your church, the District Advisory Board will complete your church recommendation.

• Attend the Annual MIT Assessment Weekend and interview with your assigned committee.

• Send all documentation to the Prairie Lakes District at licensing@pldnaz.com.

To be eligible for ordination, the candidate must have been an assigned minister for not fewer than three consecutive years, and the candidate must currently be serving in an assigned ministry. In the case of part-time assignment, it should be understood that there should be an extension of the consecutive years of in-service time, depending on their level of involvement in local church ministry, and that their testimony and service demonstrate that their call to ministry is primary to all other pursuits.

Questions? Email us at licensing@pldnaz.com.

After graduating from the Course of Study and fulfilling the three required years of assignment ministry, 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 requirements for Ordination. If any exceptions are made, they will be from the District Board of Ministry. Ordination is a privilege for each minister that commissions them to live out their ministerial calling. 

STEPS IN APPLYING FOR ORDINATION: 

• Use the Ordination Checklist (Español) to guide you through the process.

• Complete an Ordination Application (Español).

• Attend the Ordination Interview Day and interview with the District Board of Ministry.

• Send all documentation to the Prairie Lakes District at licensing@pldnaz.com.