Overview of the School of Ministry
The South Texas Nazarene School of Ministry offers the Course of Study Toward Ordination - a program of professional study for who sense a call to ministry and desire to serve in ministry through the Church of the Nazarene. Ordination is the official recognition by the Church that someone has heard and responded to the call of God to equip the Church to serve the world and become faithful witnesses to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The Course of Study through the School of Ministry is geared for practical ministry for those engaged currently in volunteer ministry or seeking to work professionally in ministry. Laypersons in leadership are encouraged to take courses to understand better how to serve through the Church in the everyday world.
The courses are practical and intensive. There are some academic requirements such as reading books and research writing with citations. The academic rigor is not the same as it would be in a university or seminary setting. The courses are intended to introduce students to the subject matter. Students may choose to continue their studies in a university or seminary as well as continue on a pathway of lifelong learning.
Instructors have been ordained for ministry in the Church. Many of them have also completed graduate studies in related fields in which they are teaching. They are not only teachers but guides and mentors into ministry.
The Leadership Team for the School of Ministry determines course schedules and cost structures, approves and selects in-person teaching locations, recruits and trains instructors, and reports to the Board of Ministry.
The School is administrated under the auspices of the Board of Ministry for the South Texas District Church of the Nazarene with is part of the United States/Canada Region. The curriculum is approved by a Regional Course of Study Committee for meeting the educational requirements toward ordination.
Completing the Course of Study through the School of Ministry does not guarantee students will be granted ordination or given placement in a ministry role.
The Course of Study through the School of Ministry is geared for practical ministry for those engaged currently in volunteer ministry or seeking to work professionally in ministry. Laypersons in leadership are encouraged to take courses to understand better how to serve through the Church in the everyday world.
The courses are practical and intensive. There are some academic requirements such as reading books and research writing with citations. The academic rigor is not the same as it would be in a university or seminary setting. The courses are intended to introduce students to the subject matter. Students may choose to continue their studies in a university or seminary as well as continue on a pathway of lifelong learning.
Instructors have been ordained for ministry in the Church. Many of them have also completed graduate studies in related fields in which they are teaching. They are not only teachers but guides and mentors into ministry.
The Leadership Team for the School of Ministry determines course schedules and cost structures, approves and selects in-person teaching locations, recruits and trains instructors, and reports to the Board of Ministry.
The School is administrated under the auspices of the Board of Ministry for the South Texas District Church of the Nazarene with is part of the United States/Canada Region. The curriculum is approved by a Regional Course of Study Committee for meeting the educational requirements toward ordination.
Completing the Course of Study through the School of Ministry does not guarantee students will be granted ordination or given placement in a ministry role.
Cost for Students
The cost is $100 per student per course.
- Payable one week prior to the course.
- Once the course starts, the $100 is non-refundable.
- If there is a married couple taking the same course, one of them will pay only $50.
- Some students will require financial assistance. They should first seek help from their local church. Later, they may ask the Leadership Team to be approved for scholarship funds.
Location of Courses
Courses will always be available by Zoom. NOTE: Course registration for class meetings by Zoom will be limited to 20 students who live more than 60 minutes from an approved teaching location.
In-person courses take place at one of four approved centers on the South Texas District (click address for directions). These centers have meeting space for up to 20 in-person students, reliable WiFi connection and capacity for using Zoom as well as having someone on-site during class meetings to help troubleshoot issues that occasionally arise.
(Click on address for directions via Google Maps)
San Antonio
Crossroads Community Church of the Nazarene 5834 Ray Ellison Blvd, San Antonio TX 78242
San Antonio First Church of the Nazarene 10715 West Ave, San Antonio TX 78213
Austin/Georgetown
Georgetown Church of the Nazarene 4051 East University Ave, Georgetown TX 78626
Houston
Houston First Church of the Nazarene 10001 W Sam Houston Parkway N, Houston TX 77064
In-person courses take place at one of four approved centers on the South Texas District (click address for directions). These centers have meeting space for up to 20 in-person students, reliable WiFi connection and capacity for using Zoom as well as having someone on-site during class meetings to help troubleshoot issues that occasionally arise.
(Click on address for directions via Google Maps)
San Antonio
Crossroads Community Church of the Nazarene 5834 Ray Ellison Blvd, San Antonio TX 78242
San Antonio First Church of the Nazarene 10715 West Ave, San Antonio TX 78213
Austin/Georgetown
Georgetown Church of the Nazarene 4051 East University Ave, Georgetown TX 78626
Houston
Houston First Church of the Nazarene 10001 W Sam Houston Parkway N, Houston TX 77064
Arising from the Wesleyan-Holiness Tradition
Nazarene theological education and preparation for ministry has a rich tradition following in the footsteps of John Wesley, the enthusiastic expression of the 19th Century Holiness movement, and ongoing commitments to compassionate engagement, global outreach, men and women in ordained ministry leadership, and provision for sound and practical education for its clergy and laity for ministry in a complex world. Expressions of these commitments are found in the examples of John Wesley, Phineas Bresee, and Mary Lee Cagle.
John WesleyAnglican cleric and founder of the Methodist movement. His 65 year ministry is best known for preaching scriptural notion of holiness in heart and life of the Christian believer. His theology was firmly based in sacramental practice and social service especially to the poor. One of his last letters was written to William Wilberforce encouraging him in his fight to abolish slavery in English territories. Wesley once asked permission to preach in his father's old church in Epworth, England, and was denied. So Wesley climbed on his father's gravestone and preached to the gathered crowd.
"I am well assured that I did far more good to my Lincolnshire parishoners preaching three days on my father's tomb than I did by preaching three years in his pulpit." |
Phineas BreseeFounder of the Church of the Nazarene. Left thriving Methodist congregation in Los Angeles to continue gathering with those of many denominations to serve the poor and marginalized in simple and plain church called The Glory Barn, later known as the Church of the Nazarene. This church united with others from across the country to become the denomination of the same name.
"The first service of a Holy-Ghost baptized church is to the poor; that is ministry is to those who are lowest down; that its gifts are for those who need them the most. As the Spirit was upon Jesus to preach the gospel to the poor, so His Spirit is upon His servants for the same purpose." |
Mary Lee Cagle. Early Nazarene evangelist and church planter. A fiery holiness preacher, Cagle was instrumental in planting the first Nazarene churches in the state of Texas. She made a home in Buffalo Gap near Abliene, where she also married a cowhand named Henry Cagle who was converted under her ministry. She is pictured (center) with organist Trena Platt and an unidentified woman at a tent revival meeting in the late 1800s/early 1900s. She was a central figure in preaching scriptural holiness in the American South and Southwest. She was 90 years old when she preached her last sermon.
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Other Avenues for Pursuing the Course of Study
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Nazarene Theological Seminary
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Southern Nazarene University
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Nazarene Bible College
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Transfer Credit
Potential students may submit the transcripts from previous educational institutions to the School of Ministry registrar to be evaluated for transfer into the program. Contact the registrar, here.