The Board of General Superintendents announced this week that general superintendents Jerry D. Porter and J. K. Warrick will retire at the 29th General Assembly in June 2017. Warrick is term limited per Manual paragraph 305.2, which states that a general superintendent cannot be reelected if he or she is 68 years of age or older.

Porter was elected to the Church of the Nazarene's highest office in 1997 at the 24th General Assembly in San Antonio, Texas, USA. He could serve another term, but has chosen not to continue in office.

"My 68th birthday is just six weeks after the 2017 General Assembly," Porter said in a letter to the BGS. "I feel led to retire at that time in order for [wife] Toni and me to dedicate ourselves to preaching, writing, and teaching. Additionally, this will give us more time to spend with our family.

"We decided to announce our intention now so we can make reference to this 'final lap' as general superintendent in our preaching and teaching before retirement. Making the announcement now also allows the Board of General Superintendents and the global church to plan ahead."

BGS Chair Eugénio R. Duarte said the BGS accepted Porter's decision "with regret" but understood his reasons for making the announcement at this time.

"Both Dr. Porter and Dr. Warrick have made and will continue to make important contributions to the denomination," Duarte said.

At the time of Warrick's election as general superintendent at the 26th General Assembly, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, in 2005, he was pastoring College Church of the Nazarene, Olathe, Kansas, USA, where he had served for nearly 12 years. He is recognized for his gifted preaching ministry and his heart for church planting, world evangelization, and compassionate ministry.

"Patty and I look forward to these last three years of global ministry in this assignment," Warrick said. "We will continue to give our best in service to God through the international Church of the Nazarene."
--Board of General Superintendents