2.b) While primary responsibility and initiative rests with each
individual professing member faithfully to perform the
vows of the baptismal covenant membership which have
been solemnly assumed, if the professed member should be neglectful of
that responsibility, these procedures shall be followed:
(1). If a professed member
residing in the community...the membership secretary shall report that
professed member's name to the Administrative Council or the Council on
Ministries, which shall do all in its power to reenlist the professed
member in the active fellowship of the Church. It shall visit the
professed member and make clear that, while the professed
member's name...and that, since the professed member is not attending
the church where enrolled, the professed member is requested to do one
of four things: (a) renew the vows and become a
regular worshiper return to living in the community
of the baptismal covenant in the church where the professed member's
name is recorded, (b) request transfer to another United Methodist
church where the professed member will be a regular
worshiper return to living in the community of the
baptismal covenant, (c) arrange transfer to a particular church of
another denomination, or (d) request withdrawal. If the professed
member does not comply with any of the available alternatives over a period of
three years, the professed member's name may be removed. (See
§ (4).)
(2). If a professed member whose address
is known...encourage a transfer of the professed
membership shall be followed each year until that
professed member joins another church or requests in writing that the
name be removed from the roll of professing members membership
roll; provided, however, that if after three years the council
has not been able to relate that professed member to the church at the
new place of residence, the name may be removed from the roll of professing
members by the procedure of § (4) below.
(3). If the address of a professed member
is no longer known...If the professed member can be located, the
directives of either § (1) or § (2) above
shall be followed, but if after three years of such efforts the address is
still unknown, the professed member's name may be removed from the
roll of professing members membership roll by the
procedure of § 4 below.
(4). If the directives of §§
(1), (2), or (3) above have been
followed for the specified number of years without success, the
professed member's name may be removed from the roll of professing
members membership roll by vote of the Charge
Conference...provided that the professed members's name shall have been
entered...and if the action is on the basis of § (3), there
shall be added: "Reason: address unknown." The membership of the person
shall thereby be terminated, and However the record
thereof shall be retained;4 provided
that upon request the member may be restored to membership by recommendation of
the pastor; in order that upon reaffirmation of the baptismal
covenant the person may be restored as a professing member. and
provided further, that sShould a transfer of professing
membership be requested, the pastor may, after consultation with the
person, restore the person's membership for this purpose
and issue the certificate of transfer.
(5). Recognizing that the Church has a
continuing moral and spiritual obligation to nurture all persons, even those
whose names have been removed from the roll of professing members
membership roll, it is recommended....
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21441-DI-230-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference