Associate Church Membership

[Gregory Matthews]

In an earlier thread, LynDel asked the purpose of church membership.  In one of my responses, I mentioned that sometime in that past five (5) years I had proposed to a local congregation an Associate Membership level.  This proposal had addressed a number of concerns that denominational leaders might have had.

The local congregation received my proposal and considered it to be of value and useful in their ministry.  However, that congregation decided that it would not enact an associate membership level.

Due to interest in this in the post below I will post my proposal for an Associate level of membership.  It should be noted that I have removed and  changed all wording that identified the congregation.  Also, the copy below is slightly changed in format from what I gave to that congregation.

[Gregory Matthews]

Membership Proposal:

Local SDA Church

R:170506

Proposal:  The local congregation of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination shall establish two (2) categories of membership, as is listed below:

1.  Membership in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination:

a. Membership:  shall be both in the Local Congregation and in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.

‘b. Requirements for membership:  The requirements for membership will be the general requirements for membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as outlined in either the standard Baptismal Statement of Belief or the Alternate Baptismal Statement of belief and as these statements may be amended by the appropriate denominational body from time to time.

c. Teaching tool:  the so-called 28 Fundamental Beliefs and any following amended editions may be used as a tool to teach common areas of SDA belief and practice, but they will not be used as a standard for baptism.

d. Record of membership:  Membership will be recorded in both congregational records and in the records of the Local Conference.

e. Ministry leadership:  The basic level of eligibility for leadership and other ministry positions will be considered to have been met by membership in the SDA Denomination.  However, some positions of leadership and positions that result in ordination and/or require ordination may have other requirements that must be met and/or are generally required by the SDA denomination.

2.  Associate Membership in the Local SDA Congregation:

a. Membership:  shall be an Associate Membership that is only in the Local congregation and is NOT in either the Local Conference or in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.  Such membership shall not be eligible for transfer.

b. Requirements for membership:  The basic standard for Associate Membership in the L:ocal SDA congregation will be that the Associate Member will have a commitment to follow the leading of Christ as led by the Holy Spirit and in addition will understand the mission and values of the Local congregation and will want to participate in that congregation in a manner that will live peaceably with its congregational members.   The Associate Member category will include people who:

1. Are not in full accord with the general understanding of SDA doctrines.

2. Are not fully compliant with the general understanding of SDA life style practices.

3. Wish to associate with other Christians but who have reservations about formally joining a denomination.

4. May have other reasons for joining as an Associate member without denominational membership.

c. Teaching tool:  Associate members will be required to have a basic knowledge of the beliefs and life style practices of the SDA Denomination.  But, they will not be required to either believe them or to practice them.

d. Record of membership:  The local conference will not be given an itemized listing of these names as the local conference  is not set up to in a manner that requires it to have a listing of people who may attend, but are not SDA members.

e.  Ministry leadership:  Associate Members may be restricted in the leadership positions that they can hold:

1.  Leadership that requires ordination will be restricted to denominational members and will not be available to Associate members.

2. Associate members will not be ordained in leadership positions that allow for ordination but do not require it.

3. Associate Members may hold leadership positons that would not generally be considered to be of spiritual leadership.  E.G. Fund raising for a building project.

4. Associate Members may participate in programing and in other roles that may be considered to have some level of spiritual leadership as long as the above is not violated and the Associate Member is carefully considered and will not use such a positon to agitate against the common beliefs and practices of the  SDA denomination.

5.  The Local Congregation may place such additional restrictions on the use of Associate Members as it believes is needed.

 

[Kevin H]

I have felt that we should offer some thing like this for a long, long time. I'm glad to hear others proposing it as well. Thank you Gregory.

Oh, another aspect of this is to invite pastors of other denominations and their family to come and worship with us in a way where they don't have to be the pastor and pastor's family, but just worshipers of God a chance for rest and spiritual growth.