You may have come across the term “District Superintendent” or heard someone mention it in passing. But who are they, really? What do they do? How does someone even become one? These questions aren’t strange at all. In fact, they’re very important for understanding how leadership works in the Church of the Nazarene.

Let’s break it down in a clear, practical way.

In the Church of the Nazarene, a District Superintendent (often referred to as a “DS”) is the key spiritual and administrative leader of a district. A district, in this case, is a defined geographical area made up of multiple local churches. The superintendent’s role is deeply pastoral, strongly administrative, and entirely grounded in the Church’s mission of holiness, service, and evangelism.

The superintendent provides spiritual oversight and guidance to all churches and pastors within the district. According to Church Manual ¶210, this means modeling a life of prayer and Scripture, promoting biblical pastoral practices, upholding Wesleyan-Holiness theology, casting a vision for evangelism and church planting, and helping churches stay healthy—both spiritually and organizationally.

But their duties go far beyond preaching and prayer. In fact, the Church Manual (¶211) outlines a long list of responsibilities. These include:

• Organizing and supervising local churches (¶211.1)
• Helping churches deal with spiritual, financial, and pastoral challenges (¶211.2)
• Leading interventions when a church is in crisis, including evaluating the pastor’s leadership, working with the church board, and even declaring a church in crisis if necessary (¶211.3)
• Helping churches come out of crisis and return to normal ministry (¶211.4)
• Conducting pastoral reviews to evaluate the health of the pastor-church relationship (¶211.5)
• Supervising church-type missions (¶211.6)
• Filling key district vacancies like secretary or treasurer (¶211.7–211.8)
• Promoting chaplaincy and appointing directors (¶211.9)
• Approving the nomination of pastors and ensuring they’ve been properly vetted (¶211.10)
• Handling licensing and staffing matters, including unpaid and paid associates (¶211.12–211.13)
• Overseeing schools and childcare ministries run by churches (¶211.14)
• Signing legal documents for the district (¶211.15)
• Nominating and supervising district staff (¶211.16)
• Appointing pastors when necessary (¶211.17)
• Appointing church board members, NDI presidents, and others when required (¶211.18)

Clearly, this is not a small or symbolic role—it’s full of hands-on leadership and decision-making that impacts the spiritual life of entire congregations.

As for how someone becomes a district superintendent, it depends on how they are chosen. The Church Manual (¶208) says they can either be elected at a district assembly or appointed by a General Superintendent. If elected, their term begins 30 days after the assembly and lasts for two full assembly years. After that, they may be reelected. If appointed, their term starts immediately and also covers the current and next two church years.

There are also special provisions for when the office becomes vacant due to resignation, removal, or incapacitation (¶209). In such cases, the General Superintendent—after consulting the District Advisory Committee—can appoint someone to fill the role temporarily or permanently. During transitions, all district staff are expected to resign, though the incoming superintendent may reappoint them if necessary (¶209.3–209.4).

In all of this, the District Superintendent functions not as a distant authority figure, but as a shepherd, coach, and spiritual leader—someone who walks alongside churches, empowers pastors, and helps the district move forward in mission.

In short, the District Superintendent is both servant and strategist—called to lead with wisdom, grace, and a deep love for the Church and its calling to make Christlike disciples in the nations.