Salem Lutheran Church welcomes diversity and celebrates that we are united in Christ to love, grow and serve. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12 about the body of Christ or the church in Corinth, “4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Individuals desiring to join Salem, as members or associate members, are asked to fill out a New Member Form (application), return it to the office and are officially welcomed at a specified worship service. There is not a ‘formal’ new member class, but New Member Orientation is an evening of getting to know one another with desert, coffee and conversation. New members will hear about different Salem Ministry Teams, about how things ‘work’ here, and ways they may use their passions and gifts to become involved in growing in faith and outreach.
Salem’s Constitution describes membership as follows:
MEMBERSHIP
C8.01. Members of this congregation shall be those baptized persons on the role of this congregation at the time that this constitution is adopted and those who are admitted thereafter and who have declared and maintain their membership in accordance with the provisions of this constitution and its bylaws.
C8.02. Members shall be classified as follows:
a. Baptized members are those persons who have been received by the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in this congregation, or, having been previously baptized in the name of the Triune God, have been received by certificate of transfer from other Lutheran congregations or by affirmation of faith.
b. Confirmed members are baptized persons who have been confirmed in this congregation, those who have been received by adult baptism or by transfer as confirmed members from other Lutheran congregations, or baptized persons received by affirmation of faith
c. Voting members are confirmed members. Such confirmed members, during the current or preceding calendar year, shall have communed in this congregation and shall have made a contribution of record to this congregation. Members of this congregation who have satisfied these basic standards shall have the privilege of voice and vote at every regular and special meeting of the congregation.
d. Associate members are persons holding membership in other Lutheran (Christian) congregations who wish to retain such membership but desire to participate in the life and mission of this congregation, or persons who wish to retain a relationship with this congregation while being members of other congregations. They have all the privileges and duties of membership except voting rights and eligibility for elected offices or membership on the Council of this congregation.
C8.03. All applications for confirmed membership shall be submitted to and shall require the approval of the Council.
C8.04. It shall be the privilege and duty of members of this congregation to:
a. make regular use of the means of grace, both Word and sacraments;
b. live a Christian life in accordance with the Word of God and the teachings of the Lutheran church; and
c. support the work of this congregation, the synod, and the church wide organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through contributions of their time, abilities, and financial support as biblical stewards.
C8.05.01 Members who move away shall be encouraged to transfer their Membership. A confirmed member in good standing desiring to change his or her membership to another Lutheran (Christian) congregation shall, upon request, receive a letter of Transfer.
C8.05.02 A confirmed member who, in the judgment of the Council, shows no interest in attending church services and does not partake of Holy Communion; and who does not contribute to the congregational treasury according to the congregation’s record for a period of two years shall lose the right to vote, and shall not be counted in the membership statistics of the congregation. However, his or her name and record shall be kept in the files for a period of five years thereafter. Such person shall be encouraged to take part in the congregational life, or to transfer elsewhere, as the situation may dictate. If he or she resumes activity within the five-year period, he or she shall be restored to the active membership list; if not, he or she shall be dismissed from the congregation and, if possible, shall be notified of this action.
C8.05.04 Such persons who have been removed from the roll of members shall remain persons for whom the church has a continuing pastoral concern.