Does Your Church Have Formal Membership? - Page 4

HRea · #31 05-29-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy

No, and some threads around here stay on point. And not everyone will agree with each other.

My momma always told me that some threads on AFF were like a box of chocolates...

RandyWayne · #32 05-29-2012, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRea

My momma always told me that some threads on AFF were like a box of chocolates...

And you can tell a lot by a thread. Where it's going... where it's been....

Jay · #33 05-29-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

I've noticed since coming to the Apostolic movement, very few Apostolic churches have "membership". It's pretty much if you attend there, that's your church. Very different, since I'm so used to church's having formal membership.

So, does your church have formal membership, or not? Any reason why one way or the other?

Actually, many times the 'informal membership role' and the formal role are very similar. It is not just always well advertised when one moves into that position. Obviously, anyone who leaves the church (moving, backsliding, etc.) are considered to have changed membership. This is why there are letters of transfer that will often be exchanged. This allows for an official transfer of membership to the new congregation.

Most churches are required by law (or good common sense) to have a church constitution or by-laws detailing who may be an official member generally this includes paying tithes, living according to the Bible, and adhering to the standards of the church. Official members are also voting members. Most churches have the formal requirements, even if it is not well advertised.

Sam · #34 05-29-2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

So because someone is poor they don't have anything to give? Even when I was broke... I had something to give... even if it's a penny...... .

let's not take this thread off into the tithing controversy.

Christians don't agree on tithing.
Some think it is no longer in effect for us under the New Covenant.
Some think it is a principle which goes beyond law and grace.
Some think it is a way to get more money back from God like "let's make a deal."
Some think it is salvational.

Jesus knows what we all have and what we all give. He speaks about that in Mark 12:41-44. The amount given is not important but the attitude of the heart of the giver is supremely important.

houston · #35 05-29-2012, 06:24 PM

YES! I think it's great.

kclee4jc · #36 05-29-2012, 09:56 PM

We have no formal membership, however we have what are considered voting member guidelines. Before a business meeting pastor will read the requirements and ask that if you do not meet those requirements, please don't vote. Off the top of my head the voting requirements are the new birth experience (Acts 2:38), faithful attendance for a year, faithful in tithes and offering, and living the Holiness standards of the church.

Bro. Robbins · #37 05-30-2012, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kclee4jc

We have no formal membership, however we have what are considered voting member guidelines. Before a business meeting pastor will read the requirements and ask that if you do not meet those requirements, please don't vote. Off the top of my head the voting requirements are the new birth experience (Acts 2:38), faithful attendance for a year, faithful in tithes and offering, and living the Holiness standards of the church.

that is formal membership... there may not be an induction, or a taking of vows, but there are formal requirements that make you a voting member. I've been shocked at how few OP churches even have these formal of requirements, but to be honest, I'm surprised at how few of them ever have business sessions, vote over major decisions, or even publish a church financial statement....

acerrak · #38 05-30-2012, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRea

Excellent points here. However, looking at the needs and what the body of Christ can do, several non-apostolic churches in my area worked with businesses for their spare and old food and other articles. When they organized this effort, they required any church by a lawfully recognized church (either through the state or federal government). This then necessitated the need for by-laws and membership. It wasn't a bondage on folk but a way to minister to people.

In the latter part of the OT, Jesus taught to render to Caesar and to God what belonged to each. Using charitable contribution deductions, the cheerful giver can prevent Caesar from taxing the things that are given to God and for use in the kingdom.

however that still isnt tithing but i agree with same that we shouldnt turn it into a tithing debate, its just when people are segregated because they dont openly show the amount they give and then are not allowed to teach as bro robbins describes i do have issue with. and they do go sorta hand and hand

Bro. Robbins · #39 05-30-2012, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acerrak

however that still isnt tithing but i agree with same that we shouldnt turn it into a tithing debate, its just when people are segregated because they dont openly show the amount they give and then are not allowed to teach as bro robbins describes i do have issue with. and they do go sorta hand and hand

Acerrak, could I present to you a hypothetical, but very prominent scenario? Happens all the time. A church needs to build, and will be taking on a significant amount of debt to do so. For this to happen, the pastor will be providing the details in a business session of just how large the loan would have to be, the payments, what the budget of the church would need to be to do so and still continue other ministries, etc. This vote is a huge deal.

Do you want someone who doesn't even support the church with any finances, isn't faithful in their attendance, and doesn't support outreach able to have the same vote as you who supports with your finances, gives of your time, and is involved? I certainly don't... It's just not fair.

And if a pastor just says, before we vote... only those who truly are faithful in your support and finances are allowed to vote, but no official list is kept.... how are we sure everyone is honest? Because if someone won't give to the work of God, they're probably not above lying so that they can vote either.

If there's a better way to remedy situations like this then I'm all for it, but I've not seen any other way than keeping rolls, membership lists, and finance records....

HRea · #40 05-30-2012, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acerrak

however that still isnt tithing but i agree with same that we shouldnt turn it into a tithing debate, its just when people are segregated because they dont openly show the amount they give and then are not allowed to teach as bro robbins describes i do have issue with. and they do go sorta hand and hand

I actually wasn't using that reference for tithing, but in the general sense of any charitable contributions to the church. Many give after receiving a paycheck which has been taxed by Caesar. Declaring charitable contributions on your income tax is the way to get back tax money that shouldn't have been levied in the first place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

Do you want someone who doesn't even support the church with any finances, isn't faithful in their attendance, and doesn't support outreach able to have the same vote as you who supports with your finances, gives of your time, and is involved? I certainly don't... It's just not fair.

Some states, like my state of Maine, has laws concerning unorganized (unincorporated) churches. Based solely on their attendance and contributions, they are "formal members" in the eyes of the state and have a say equal to the amount of their contributions. If a group of contributors got together, they could significantly and legally change the direction of the local assembly.