Membership at Reedwood:
At Reedwood, we rarely make distinctions between members (those in formal membership on our lists) and regular attenders. Certain officers and committee members must be members, but when we gather for business, we usually all have more or less equal weight in discernment and decisionmaking. Is it still important for us to encourage each other to make a formal commitment of membership?History of Quaker Membership:
When Friends first arose in England, there was no such thing as formal membership. Lists of members developed as the early congregations recorded names in their business minutes and epistles. They would also record those suffering persecution for their Christian witness, or who needed assistance for traveling in the ministry, or wanted permission to write tracts and books in the name of Friends.As the years passed, Friends began to marry, have children and die, and their names were recorded. In the years of persecution, it took courage to identify with Friends, and no special distinction was made between those whose names were on lists, and those who weren't. Eventually, beginning in the early 1700's, those who became "convinced of the Truth" and sought to join Friends, were interviewed and recorded in the records of the local meeting as "convinced Friends."
Centuries later, membership is still the only way we explicitly record "convincement" i.e. that we are ready to be publicly identified with the Quaker movement, and in particular with this community, to be supported by it in our daily life as believers, and to support it as much as we can. Far from being a record-keeping formality, membership can be a step in our growth as believers in community ... not a perfect community but a beloved one.
Membership is not salvation or entrance into the Christian household of faith; that is accomplished by faith through your personal acceptance of Jesus Christ. The emotional weight of membership varies from person to person, but its importance lies in the public identification of the member with the path of Quaker discipleship and the mutual accountability of your church family.
Common Questions about Membership at Reedwood:
Since we at Reedwood rarely "push" membership, the whole thing may be a bit of a mystery. Here are more questions and answers that might help:What does membership
mean?
Membership is a public statement, recorded in the
minutes of the church, that you identify with the specific Christian
community of Reedwood Friends and our standards of Christian faith
and ethics, and are willing to be part of a community whose members are
committed to each other as we learn together what God requires of us.
Who is eligible for
membership among Friends?
If you have made a commitment to
Christ and believe that the Quaker path of discipleship is the best way to
implement that commitment, one of the best ways to record your commitment
publicly is to apply for membership.
What kind of preparation
is required for membership?
Membership classes are a valuable way
of learning about Friends. Reedwood has at least one class on Quaker faith and
practice each year. If classes are impractical for you, speak with a pastor
about setting up a reading program with opportunities for follow-up
discussion.
Do I have to believe every word of Quaker doctrine literally to be a member?br>Friends are not a community based on rigid adherence to a written creed. Our normative beliefs and disciplines are described in Northwest Yearly Meeting's Faith and Practice. Friends meetings in and beyond Northwest Yearly Meeting vary in how exactly they expect members to adhere to details of Faith and Practice. Before applying for membership, you should be willing to study this document and other descriptions of Friends theology and spirituality. Even where you are not in total agreement, you should be willing to wrestle with these teachings and discuss your areas of agreement, disagreement and unclarity with experienced Friends.
If I'm not sure I believe
or agree with everything, but am very interested, should I apply?
If you are in substantial unity with Christian faith as
understood and practiced by Friends, you should consider membership seriously.
The church's elders will help you sort out how much your differences might
matter.
How do I apply?
Write or
speak to an elder, a pastor, or the presiding clerk of Reedwood Friends Church.
You will be given an application form which invites you to tell us about your
spiritual journey. The elders will receive this application and will set up an
opportunity for conversation with you to learn more about your interest in
membership.
What happens next?
The elders
may recommend acceptance of your request for membership. In this case, the
recommendation goes to the monthly meeting for business, by whose action you
become a member. If the elders feel you need a longer period of acquaintance or
preparation before membership, they may delay making this recommendation while
they communicate about this with you. If they feel that you have serious
problems accepting Quaker beliefs and disciplines, they may decide not to
recommend acceptance of your request. New members are welcomed by the Reedwood
community at a designated time during a worship service.
I am already a member of Friends, but in another
meeting. How can I become a member
of Reedwood?
Ask the presiding clerk of
your current Friends meeting or church to write to our presiding clerk stating
your membership in that church and indicating your desire to transfer to
Reedwood. Approvals of membership by transfer are made by the monthly meeting.
by Johan Maurer (from Reedwood Today, October 2001)
This is an informal summary; for Faith and Practice provisions on membership, click here.