Membership

A Biblical Basis for Record Keeping

In the Bible, order is a part of God’s creative activity in bringing the universe into being. In the life of the Hebrew people and of the Christian church, responsible leaders emerged who were accountable to God for ordering the life of God’s people. A part of that order was and is the maintenance of records. Since God acts in human history, historical records are of great significance. They become salvation history because they contain the story of God’s action to save sinful human beings. The community of faith expresses its caring concern for the persons to whom it ministers in maintaining records of the faith journeys of individuals and congregations.

An important task of the church is the serious discipline of caring for and sustaining the vital relationships among the people of God. Records are means to remember, empower, and stimulate personal belief in Christ. We need to keep track of people because they are citizens of God’s kingdom.

¶ 234.Membership Secretary

–The charge conference shall name a membership secretary who, under the direction of the pastor, shall keep accurate records of the membership and shall report at least annually to the church council.