ELCM Congregational Application

Application for
Congregational Membership in ELCM

Upon the approval by the ELCM General Conference Executive Board a congregation is received as full rostered member to the ELCM congregational roster subject only to the successful conclusion of the 30 day affirmation period which begins upon the date of notification to ELCM member congregations and member pastors of the Executive Board approval of the applicant congregation. Upon the conclusion of the 30 day affirmation period the approved applicant congregation is deemed a full voting member without any period of probationary membership.

KJV Psalm 68:6 God setteth the solitary in families:
he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

KJV Psalm 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Printable Version

Application for Congregational Membership in ELCM

Congregation Name __________________________________________________________________

Congregation Address ________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

State or Commonwealth ______________________________________________

Country______________________________________ Zip Code____________

Church Office Address (if different from Church Address)

_________________________________________________________________________________

Church Office Telephone Number (_____) ________________________

Check one of the following as applicable:

______	New congregation
______	Established congregation since ___________ (Date of Incorporation or founding)
______	Currently In process of formation

Does your congregation own a Parsonage? _________

Do you own your own church facility? ___________

Your Present Church body or Synod affiliation _____________________________________________

The Baptized Membership of the Congregation ________________________

How many Worship Services do you hold on the average week? __________

The name of the hymnal (s) used for weekly worship ___________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

What is the frequency of the Sacrament of Communion in your congregation each year? _________

Describe the Educational Ministry of your Congregation during the past year. (For example: Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Bible Study Classes, Classes in the Lutheran Confessional teachings)

________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

What curriculum materials have you used in your programs? _____________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Present Pastor _________________________________________________________

Address of Present Pastor_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

How long has your present Pastor served your congregation ________________

Will your present Pastor be making application for membership in our Synod together with the congregation _____________

Name of the President of the Congregation, if it is a person other than the Pastor.

___________________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone (_____) _______________________________

Name of the Lay Vice President of the congregation _______________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Telephone (_____) _______________________

Additional information

I. Include any pertinent Information that you think should be known about the congregation.

II. Submit a brief history of the congregation with this form.

III. Submit a brief paper ( typed and double spaced) in which you as a church board/ council/ congregation describe the qualities that you desire in future pastors. Please complete this step even if you are presently served by a pastor and your pastor also plans to make application for charter Clergy membership to our Synod with the congregation.)

IV. Submit a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws of your Congregation. If you have a copy of a budget plan for the current year or for the previous year and would be willing to share that information this also would be helpful as we learn to know you as a congregation.

When you have completed all of the above parts of the application Mail the completed application and accompanying information to our President as follows:

Pastor Roy A. Steward, President Central Pa. Ev. Lutheran Ministerium & General Parish RD5 Box 864 Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601-9610

When your materials have been received The President will make contact by Telephone to confirm the receipt of the Application document and accompanying materials and at that time will present a scheduled time of the meeting of our board and officers for the purpose of considering and acting upon the application of your congregation.

If your congregation would like to meet with the President for a time of getting acquainted prior to any board Action such a meeting can be arranged at the time of the receipt of documents confirmation.

We give thanks to God that you are considering and/ or have made application to be a Charter Member congregation of our Centrist Lutheran Synod.

Blessings to you in the Name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Amen.