The Meaning of Membership According to the New Testament, life in Christ means life in the BODY of Christ. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body" (I Cor. 12:13), so that we, "though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another" (Rom. 12:5). Membership in a local fellowship of believers, the congregation, is the way in which we affirm and live out our membership in Christ's larger body, the church universal. In our inter-relatedness with other Christians in the local church, we experience the fullness of the gifts of the Spirit, we discover ways to be faithful to our covenant with God and each other, and we are able to support one another in carrying out our common calling as the people of God.

From the time of its beginning, the Church of the Brethren has affirmed the importance of church membership and sought ways to make membership more meaningful. It is appropriate, therefore, for the congregation and its members to reflect on their mutual accountability to one another. The congregation has a responsibility to provide opportunities for members to grow in Christ and to serve.
Each member shall be active in seeking to discover their rightful place in the ministry of Christ and His church. Each member shall serve and share, to the extent of their ability, in discharging their Christian responsibilities by attendance at regular worship services, Love Feasts, Communions, and other meetings of the congregation; by contributing of time, talent and resources; and by communicating a Christian witness in word and deed.

Entering Into Membership

Membership in this church is open to all persons, irrespective of race, national origin, or status in life, who by their own act of faith say yes to God's offer of new life in Christ and accept the faith and practice as taught by the Church of the Brethren.
Entering into church membership is an important decision which should not be taken lightly. When persons respond to the invitation to accept Christ, the church shall prepare them for membership through church membership classes or individual counsel. When persons seeking membership have completed their period of preparation and are affirmed for membership, they may be received into the church in one of three ways:
1. Confession of faith and baptism by trine immersion as practiced by the Church of the Brethren.
2. A letter transferring membership from another congregation of the Church of the Brethren or from another Christian Church.
3. Reaffirmation of faith and renewal of the commitment to membership made at an earlier time in another Christian Church.

The Responsibilities of Members

Be faithful in attendance at corporate worship experiences, Love Feast and Communion, and other congregational meetings
Accept and communicate the Gospel by word and deed
Be faithful in Christian stewardship of time, talent and resources
Strive toward a lifestyle of personal devotion and discipline
Be responsible for the total ministry of the church as the Lord leads each person to commit his or her gifts in sharing and serving

Relationship to the whole church - The Church Universal
This congregation is part of the larger church, which comprises the whole body of Christ. It, therefore, shall recognize other Christian bodies and denominations and shall seek to support and to share in the united efforts of the whole church.

Relationship to the Church of the Brethren
This congregation covenants to support faithfully the program of the Church of the Brethren, recognizing Annual Conference enactments as having directive influence in its life.
This congregation is encouraged to send delegates to those official conferences of the Church of the Brethren in which it is entitled to have representation.

In case of strife or division, if any part of the congregation refuses to abide by its obligations as a member of the Church of the Brethren, that part of the congregation, whether a majority or minority of its membership, which continues in unity with the Church of the Brethren, shall be recognized as the lawful congregation and shall continue in possession of all the property of the congregation.
If the congregation (a) disbands, (b) departs from membership in the Church of the Brethren, or (c) so decreases in numbers and financial strength as to render the congregation insolvent or unable to fulfill its purpose, the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren shall have the right to take charge and control of all property, and thereafter to hold, manage, and convey the same at the discretion of the district.