234. The basic membership records in each local Church shall consist of: a permanent Church register and a card index, a loose-leaf book, or a membership record on an electronic information system (see 246).
1. The permanent Church register shall be a volume of durable material prepared by The United Methodist Publishing House. The format and content of the record forms contained in it and the manner of its binding shall be as approved by the Committee on Official Forms and Records of the General Council on Finance and Administration (see 905.4c). The names shall be recorded chronologically as each person is received into the fellowship of that Church, and without reference to alphabetical order. The names shall be numbered in regular numerical order, and the number of each shall appear on the corresponding card, page, or record in the card index, loose-leaf book, or electronic information system membership record.
2. The card index, loose-leaf book, or electronic system membership record shall be kept on a form approved by the General Council on Finance and Administration or, in the case of electronically maintained records, shall contain the same information as required in the approved form. This record of membership shall be filed in alphabetical order and shall show the number appearing opposite each name on the permanent register. The pastor shall report annually to the annual conference the total membership of the charge as shown on the membership records.
3. When an electronic information system is used for recordkeeping, print-out copies of the membership records and back-up electronic media shall be retained in a secure off-site place (see 246).
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 234
1996 United Methodist General Conference