We consider anyone who attends gathered worship more than once in a year to be a member of the church family. This is distinct from being a formal church member which is described in our constitution.
The process by which people become formal church members is
- If the person was formally a member of another church, we ask for communication from that church to ensure that there is nothing outstanding in terms of “leaving well”.
- The person meets has two meetings, one with the Pastor and one with a Deacon, in which they discuss the 8 parts of the Church Covenant, and their sense of calling to be a Christian Disciple, and to be a formal member of this church.
- All being well, the Pastor and the Deacon recommend to the Deaconate that the person’s name goes forward to the next Church Members’ Meeting
- All being well, at the next Church Members’ Meeting,
- the person concerned shares their sense of calling to be a Christian Disciple, and to be a formal member of this church
- other church members share their sense of this person’s calling and/or ask questions (usually the former)
- the person leaves the meeting and, after any further questions (which there usually aren’t), a vote is taken.
- the person rejoins the meeting and is told the result
- All being well, at the next Sunday Morning service at which the person is present, they briefly share something of their sense of calling and they are offered the right hand of fellowship by the Pastor and are prayed for.
The method by which anyone ceases to be a formal church member is either due to death or due to resignation. Resignation can be verbal or in writing. Resignation may arise from moving away, attending a different church or wanting not to be in covenant, the last of which may arise following the signing of the covenant at the AGM.