03-07-2008, 12:54 PM
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 | Puritanboard Professor | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wrightwood, CA
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Dr. Einwechter's church, Immanuel Free Reformed Church, in Schoeneck, PA, has, I believe, two levels of membership. A communicant membership that paedos can join, and a voting membership which only those who hold to the LBC can join.
The book of church order is here: http://www.immanuelfrc.org/BookofChurchOrder.html Quote:
Article I. Membership
Each member of the Church is acknowledged to form a vital part of the body and to have a particular function in the life of that body. Practical considerations, such as the desire for fellowship with those who may not agree with all the doctrinal standards and practices of the church yet seek membership with us, new believers who cannot be expected to affirm doctrines and practices they either do not understand or haven’t yet considered, lead us to establish two types of membership for this Church.
1. Constituent Membership.
a. Qualifications - Those who would be admitted to the constituent membership of the church must meet the qualifications set forth in paragraph 9 of the Church Covenant. In particular, they must be in agreement with the Church Doctrinal Standards and the Book of Church Order.
b. Privileges - All men in the membership who are heads of households, or single but over the age of 21, shall have the privilege of participating in interaction, attending membership meetings, voting on all matters before the congregation, and of serving in positions of leadership and teaching if they meet the additional qualifications required for any of these positions and are called to them by the membership.
c. Responsibilities - In addition to the responsibilities set forth in the Church Covenant, members shall be responsible to uphold, defend, and follow the doctrines and practices set forth in the Church Doctrinal Standards and the Book of Church Order.
d. Admission - Upon the recommendation of the elders and the majority vote of the membership new members shall be received into the membership of this church during a regular Lord’s Day worship service.
e. Termination
(1) If a member can no longer in good conscience uphold the doctrines and practices of the London Baptist Confession of Faith or the Book of Church Order, then he will become an associate member or may seek a transfer of membership to another orthodox church.
(2) A member may request a transfer of their membership to another local church. This request will be submitted in writing to the elders and should give the specifics concerning the church where he is seeking membership and the specific reason(s) why a transfer is desired. The elders will have the authority to approve the request and grant the letter of transfer.
(3) If a member habitually absents himself from the stated meetings of this church without showing just cause, or if due to relocation he may be excluded from the membership at the discretion of the elders. Also, any member who personally so requests may after due admonition be excluded from the membership by the elders if they deem it appropriate to do so.
(4). Excommunication (See Article VI on Church Discipline for specifics).
2. Associate Membership.
a. Qualifications - Those who would be admitted to the associate membership of the church must meet the qualifications set forth in paragraph 9 of the Church Covenant. They must profess full belief in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds and agree to receive the teaching of the church concerning the doctrines and practices set forth in the London Baptist Confession of Faith and the Book of Church Order without murmuring or disputing.
b. Privileges - All men in the associate membership who are heads of households, or single but over the age of 21, shall have the privilege of participating in interaction, attending membership meetings and participating in the discussions, serving on committees, voting on leaders for the congregation, and voting on church discipline. However, their privilege of voting shall be limited to these, and they will not be permitted to serve in leadership or teaching positions.
c. Responsibilities - Associate members shall be responsible to fulfill the terms of the Church Covenant and confess their faith in the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds. They are not responsible to believe, defend, and uphold the doctrines of the London Baptist Confession of Faith. Neither are they required to be in full agreement with all the details of the Book of Church Order. However, they are asked to respect the practices set forth in the Book of Church Order as they relate to the government and public meetings of the church, and not make them matters of contention.
d. Admission - Upon the recommendation of the elders and the majority vote of the membership, associate members shall be received into the membership of this church during a regular Lord’s Day worship service.
e. Termination
(1) An associate member may request a transfer of their membership to another local church. This request will be submitted in writing to the elders and should give the specifics concerning the church where he is seeking membership and the specific reason(s) why a transfer is desired. The elders will have the authority to approve the request and grant the letter of transfer.
(2). If an associate member habitually absents himself from the stated meetings of this Church without showing just cause, or if due to relocation he may be excluded from the membership at the discretion of the elders. Also, any member who personally so requests may after due admonition be excluded from the membership by the elders if they deem it appropriate to do so.
(3). Excommunication (See Article VI on Church Discipline for specifics).
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