Application for Congregational membership in ELCM

Upon the approval by the Officers and Executive Board a congregation is received as an Associate member to our congregational roster of ELCM. Upon approval of the General Conference the congregation is recieved as a full voting member without any period of probationary membership.

During this first year of our life from September 7, 1999 - September 7, 2000 congreations and pastors shall be recieved on our rosters as Charter member congregations and Charter member pastors.

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

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 does your congregation 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?___________

How would you describe your Worship Style ( examples - "Low Church" "High Church", "Traditional Liturgy", "Contemporary") ____________________________________________________________

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 the various 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_________

If the answer to the above is "No" please explain your present pastors reasons_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of the President of the Congregation if a person other than the Pastor____________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________

Telephone(___)____________

Name of the Lay Vice President of the congregation_______________________________________

Address________________________________________________________

Telephone (___)____________

Additional information

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
Evangelical Lutheran Conference & MInisterium
RD 5, 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.