PRACTICES OF GOVERNMENT

Qualification and Definition. A participating member of the Friends Church is a person -- adult, young adult, or advanced adolescent -- who has made a credible profession of faith, and who, either on that profession or by certificate from another Friends church, has been admitted to full membership by the church. Participating members are those who show an active interest in the local church by giving it the major part of their attendance and support. Such members make the church what it is by their ready participation in its activities and services, their genuine interest in its objectives, and their faithful and loyal material support in tithes and offerings. (See Part II, Chapter I, 3.).

Application for Membership. A person desiring to be united with a local church may make application in writing or in person to the local or extension church through the pastor, or other members of the Elders Board.

Report and Official Action. It is the duty of the Elders Board, before presenting the name of an applicant for membership, to ascertain whether the person makes a credible profession of faith in Christ as Savior, the applicant's sincerity being attested by manner of life; whether the applicant accepts the teachings of Christian religion as held by Evangelical Friends Church - Mid America Yearly Meeting; whether the person will conform to these Practices of Government. Its judgment on these matters is passed on, with the application, to the local or extension church, which acts to accept or reject the applicant. The clerk notifies the applicant as to the action of the church.

Public Reception. Announcement of the reception of new members may be made publicly in a meeting for worship, that all the members may extend to them a welcome.

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Section II - Non-participating Membership

Those persons who have been participating members of the church, but who currently do not show an active interest in the local church by attendance, financial assistance, correspondence, prayers, or in other ways may be listed as non-participating members.

The Elders Board should contact individuals personally or by letter, seeking to encourage them to become active, both before and after they are listed as non-participating members. Non-participating members are to be listed on the annual statistical report, except those who are members of an extension church. (See Part II, Chapter II, Section I, D., 4, paragraph 3).

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Section III - Associate Membership

Qualification and Definition. Children born or adopted into the homes of members are, with the consent of the parents, enrolled as associate members. Children of those applying for membership may be so enrolled on their request and with the consent of the parents. They are thus recognized but not because their birthright or family connections can make them members of the body of Christ. They can become such only by experiencing the new birth by the Holy Spirit. This recognition is made partly because of the promises in the Holy Scriptures to believers and their households. Also true Christian parents will make their children the objects of loving prayer and instruct them in the Gospel. Parents will strive to pray with their children in such a way that they will surrender their hearts to God early in their youth and take a natural interest in the church as they do in the family of which they are members.

From Associate to Participating Membership. Persons thus enrolled as associate members are enrolled as participating members when they have made a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and have accepted the teachings of the Gospel as held by Friends. If an associate member does not make such a profession of faith by the time he or she reaches the age of 21, upon recommendation by the Elders Board and approval by the church, the name is then removed from the list of members.

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Section IV - Affiliate Membership

In situations where persons not Friends (or Friends temporarily located) are actively interested and engaged in the work of a church, such may be admitted to affiliate membership without severing their relations with another denomination or the home church. Affiliate members recognize and fulfill the obligation of regular attendance in the services, active moral support of the church and its work, and liberal giving toward its financial program. They may hold offices in the church, subject to the discretion of the local church. (See Part II, Chapter II, Section 1, B., 3.). They are not counted in the annual reports of membership but may be reported separately if desired. Children of such members may become affiliate members also, or at the request or by the consent of their parents they may become associate members of the church. Affiliate members may be received into full membership when they so desire.

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Section V - Transfer by Certificate or Letter

Among Friends. When members, or associate members, desire to unite with another meeting, they request their church to issue a certificate of membership. Such a transfer of membership may be initiated by the local church when it deems best to do so. Transfer of membership is not complete until the church accepting the certificate has informed the church which issued it.

With Other Denominations. When an applicant for membership produces a letter of recommendation from another denomination, the church may receive the applicant on this recommendation or on the person's own profession of faith, or may reject the applicant as is judged best. If a member wishes to unite with some other body of Christians, the church may grant to the church of the member's choice a letter stating the member's Christian standing; thereupon the person's membership with Friends terminates.

Transfer of Ministers. (See Part III, Chapter VI, 3.).

Record of Transfers. The acceptance and issuance of all certificates are to be recorded in the minutes of the churches, and the lists of members corrected accordingly.

NOTE: Sample membership forms are included on pages 104-110 in Part V, Chapter V of this Faith and Practice.

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Section VI - Resignation and Forfeiture

Resignation. Resignation of membership may be submitted in writing to the presiding clerk of the church. The church may then exercise its discretion as to accepting it.

Uniting with Another Denomination. When a member has united with another religious body which functions as a denomination, information concerning the fact authorizes the church to remove that person's name from the list of members; the church should inform the person of its action.

Forfeiture. Members who move away from any Friends church should correspond with their churches, and the churches, through their Elders Boards, with them. In case no communication has been received from a non-participating member for a period of three years, the board having made reasonable effort to get in touch with the member, the church, at its discretion, may instruct the recording clerk to remove the person's name from the list of members.

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