News and Updates for Upstate Pastors!
 

District Assembly is in Watertown!
 

IMPORTANT CHANGE:


District Assembly and Conventions will be in Watertown again this year! Our dates coincided with major university graduations in Rochester and made hotels too expensive. We look forward to the great hospitality of Pastor Bob and his team again this year!


District Assembly and Conventions will be held on

May 8-10, 2025 at Life Church of the Nazarene in Watertown, NY. 

Preparing for Annual Meeting

115.7. Annual Meeting. An annual church meeting shall be held within 90 days prior to the meeting of the district assembly. Public notice of the annual meeting shall be conveyed to the congregation at least two weeks before the meeting. This annual meeting may be conducted on more than one day or in more than one service upon approval by the church board.


Annual Meetings may be held as early as February 8, 2025, and the deadline to report delegates to the assembly is March 19, 2025. This church checklist will help guide your church in completing all forms required for district assembly.
 
 

Delegates for Assembly and Conventions

Because NDI, NMI, and NYI will be done in partnership with District Assembly you will need to consider the way in which you elect delegates. In the past, “Super Delegates” have been allowed; however, this can create confusion for delegates when they register at assembly. 


The District Assembly, NDI Convention, NMI Convention, and NYI Convention all follow different bylaws for determining the number of delegates. Please pay careful attention to the number of delegates allowed for each category. Delegates are allowed to serve in more than one category, but please do not list delegates as "Super Delegates" on the election certificates. Churches will need to submit certificates of election for each — District Assembly, NDI Convention, NMI Convention, and NYI Convention.

 

Annual Pastors' Report (APR)
 

The Annual Pastor’s Report (APR) is to be completed online by the lead pastor at: http://apr.nazarene.org. You can print the form and supplemental questions for personal use, but the APR must be completed online.


If you are having trouble filling out the Annual Pastors' Report online, be sure to watch this video tutorial: APR Walkthrough


There is also a "Help Text" available in English and Español.


The deadline for completing the APR is March 19, 2025.
 
Local Church APR Walkthrough Video

APR Walkthrough Video
 

District Required Forms & Reports

Request for Approval to Hire Staff —

This form is required for all lead pastors requesting to hire or retain staff for 2025-2026.

The Manual in ¶169-169.8, 139.9, and 211.13 outlines the steps for a church to hire a staff (whether paid or unpaid). All local paid or unpaid associates who provide specialized ministry within the context of the local church must be approved annually by the DS.


Lead Pastor's Written Report —

This is a report of ministry highlights, vision for the future, or other items related to the mission of the church that will be in the District Assembly Handbook. The max word count is 600 words.


Annual Report of Retired Minister —

This form is for all retired ministers on the Upstate New York District


Annual Report of Ordained Minister or Licensed Minister —

This form is required for all ordained or licensed minister who are NOT already submitting a pastor's, evangelist's, or retired minister's report form.


Special Assignment Renewal —

This form is required for all ministers requesting Special Assignment.


Email completed form to the District Office: office@upstatedistrict.org
 

District Assembly and Convention

Thursday, May 8th at 7pm — Celebration Service — We know some people will be traveling and will miss this. There will be no official business, but we would encourage you to make this a priority as we will be praying and worshipping together to kick off this meaningful time.


Friday, May 9th at 8:30am — We will have business for the Assembly, the conventions, and workshops throughout the day, and Ordination Service will be that evening. Some people may choose to travel this morning to save on hotel stays.


Saturday, May 10th at 8:30am — We will have business for the Assembly, the conventions, and workshops throughout the morning. We will end midday so people can travel home.


You will be receiving more information about our Assembly at Life Church in Watertown soon! Hotel information is now available and we encourage you to book rooms as soon as you can.

End of the Church Year

It is that time that elections are happening in your local church in preparation for the new Church Year that starts on March 1, 2025. Let’s all be praying for one another during this important time in the lives of our churches.


As a reminder, please make sure your district allocation payments are clearly labeled. Checks for the district should be made out to "Upstate NY District Church of the Nazarene" and mailed to: PO Box 573, Henrietta, NY 14467


We also need to know if you are applying them to 2024-2025 or the upcoming 2025-2026 year. We will assume all checks received after 3/15 will apply to the new assembly year. Please let Bridget Beardsley know if you have special circumstances.

Resources for Pastors
 
 

Missional Grants


Funding innovative and impactful ministry across the Upstate New York District Church of the Nazarene


Missional Grant Application Packet
 

My Cup Runneth Over: A Pastor's Resource

This downloadable resource for pastors includes weekly sermon outlines for each Sunday in Lent plus Easter; small group discussion questions; and service outline suggestions for Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. Also included are promotional materials to use in your church as you prepare for the beginning of Lent.


Use the code NYLN at checkout to receive this Pastor's Resource for free as a gift from the district!
My Cup Runneth Over: A Pastor's Resource
 

Lifelong Learning Hours



All pastors are required to complete 20+ hours of Lifelong Learning hours. Lifelong Learning is reported online at https://learning.nazarene.org.


If you are enrolled in a qualifying education program, you are exempt from reporting hours online. Please notify Pastor Janae Meyer at jmeyer@upstatedistrict.org if you are exempt.
 

Nazarene Benefits USA introduced a new Ministers Match last year.


NBUSA matches contributions by eligible ministers and/or their church (local effort) to their Nazarene 403(b) account when the church also pays at least 50% of their NBUSA Fund allocation.


The greatest benefit to the local minister occurs when the church pays 100%.


The chart below shows how the Ministers Match works for a lead pastor or full-time/full-livelihood associate who contributes $5,000 annually to their 403(b) account. If the church also pays 100% of its NBUSA Fund allocation, the pastor receives a match of $2,500 [50% of local effort 403(b) contributions]. As you can see, the amount of the Match is affected by both the amount of local effort and percentage of NBUSA Fund allocation paid.



For more information visit: https://nbusa.org/

 

Compensation & Tax Memos



NBUSA Compensation & Tax Memos are designed to help pastors and church treasurers with various clergy and church financial matters, such as retirement, Social Security, taxes, business expenses, ministerial compensation, church audits, and more. Each memo is reviewed annually for accuracy by certified public accountants to assure you’re getting the most accurate information.
Compensation & Tax Memos
 

Pastoral Care Resources


Spiritual Direction:

The district will cover 3 sessions with any of these folks in this directory. If you have any questions, email the district office at: office@upstatedistrict.org. 
Spiritual Direction Directory

Retreat Homes Around the District:

The Springwater Retreat House is a place to pray and listen to the still quiet voice of the Lord. Pastors face multiple challenges and carry the burdens of many people. Here is a place where they can obey Jesus’ words and go away with Him to a quiet place to rest. For free.

The Wilmington Retreat Home is a three bedroom home with a fully-applianced kitchen, dining and living room. This is an excellent place for a prayer or sermon planning retreat.
 
 

Upstate New York District Church of the Nazarene | PO Box 573 | Henrietta, NY 14467 US

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