Questions for Candidates in Year Four

CONTENT

  • Scripture – How do the images of God in the Old Testament contrast with the images of God you see in the New Testament? Does that contrast pose any problems for you? If so, how do you handle them?
  • Doctrine of Holiness –How does the Wesleyan understanding of sin differ from a Calvinistic view of sin? What practical difference does that make in the life of a believer? How does a Wesleyan understanding of the inspiration of scripture differ from a Fundamentalist view? What practical difference does that make?
  • Church History –What is the mission of the Church of the Nazarene in the 21st century? How do origins of the Church of the Nazarene inform that mission?
  • History and Polity of the Church of the Nazarene – How do you approach the Manual’s Covenant of Christian Conduct (Special Rules) with those who are being introduced to our denomination??

COMPETENCY

  • Preaching and Oral Communication – How would you describe your passion for others to know the gospel? How is that passion reflected in your preaching / teaching?
  • Leadership and Administration – How would you go about getting the members of your board or leadership team to buy into a new idea? How would you feel if they took ownership of that idea?
  • Analytical Thinking – How would you approach replacing a children’s supervisor when a group in the church was opposed to your action?
  • Worship – What is your philosophy of public worship? To what degree should worship reflect the surrounding culture in which the church exists?

CHARACTER

  • Personal Growth – Describe the pattern of your devotional life during the past 3 months? How does that compare to other times in your life? What do you do in those seasons when you are feeling dry in your spiritual life?
  • Ethics – What is your response to a couple that is living together and wants to join the church? To a couple living together and wants to get married in the church?
  • Family – What blessings have you faced in your family on this journey of preparation? What difficulties have your faced? How well are you balancing your responsibilities at church and at home? Have your spouse write an evaluation of your ability to bring balance to these areas.