Membership

6.1 MEMBERSHIP

Membership is determined by the Local Meeting. The following suggests how to order affairs related to membership.

Today membership may not involve putting liberty, goods or life on the line but the spiritual understanding of membership is, in essentials, the same as that which guided the "Children of Light".  People still become Friends through "Convincement", and like early Friends, they wrestle and rejoice with that experience.  Membership is still seen as a discipleship, a discipline within a broadly Christian perspective and tradition of the Society, where the quality of a life lived is more important than a particular belief affirmed.

Like all discipleship, membership has its elements of commitment and responsibility but it is also about joy and celebration.  Membership is a way of saying to the Meeting, and to the world, that you accept at least the fundamental elements of being a Quaker: the understanding of divine guidance, the manner of corporate worship and the ordering of the Meeting's Business, the practical expression of inward convictions and the equality of all before God.  In asking to be admitted into the community of the Meeting you are affirming what the Meeting stands for and declaring your willingness to contribute to its life.

"When early Friends affirmed the priesthood of all believers it was seen as an abolition of the clergy; in fact it is an abolition of the laity.  All members are part of the clergy and have the clergy's responsibility for the maintenance of the Meeting as a community.  This means helping to contribute time and energy to the necessary tasks within the Meeting; serving on committees, helping out with children's classes or Meeting events and being willing to serve on various Regional or Yearly Meeting groups.  There is a special responsibility to attend Meetings for church affairs, for it is here that Meeting enacts its faith.  Membership also entails a financial commitment appropriate to a members means, for without money neither the local Meeting nor the wider structure can function" .......

.THE MEANING OF MEMBERSHIP from Britain Yearly Meeting Book of Discipline (revision draft 1994)

"Membership is a practical matter and indicates a commitment to attend regularly Meetings for Worship, including those for the conduct of business, give service through committees, and otherwise, as the way opens: and share in the financial responsibility.

" MEMBERSHIP from Pacific Yearly Meeting, USA

"Today membership is a recognised outward sign of an inner and spiritual commitment to a way to worship and life as lived within the Society of Friends.  There may be some who consider membership unnecessary.  However it is the experience of Friends that one's full growth is helped by formally accepting commitment as a member of a group by expression of faith in action, by accepting responsibilities, and by sharing in worship, seeking and caring."

 MEMBERSHIP from Australian Quaker Handbook

 (C&SAYM Quaker Handbook: 6.1-Membership)