Church Membership at Ebenezer

A simple guide

As a charity we are required to have trustees and a church membership. In addition, we are required to have an Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 3 additional meetings (“Quarterly Church Meetings”) each year.

The following FAQ is based on our Church Handbook and should hopefully cover most of the key questions you might have, but please don’t hesitate to speak to a church leader or email leaders@ebenezermachen.com if you’d like any more information. Full copies of our Constitution and Church Handbook are also available on request.

Q. Who can become a member of Ebenezer Machen?

If you are an adult, a Christian and you think of Ebenezer Machen as your ‘spiritual home’ then you can demonstrate this formally by becoming a Church Member.

Alternatively, if you are below the age of 18 you can become a “Junior Member”. Junior Members are not allowed to vote in church meetings but you may attend with consent of their parents/guardians and at least one Church Leader.

Furthermore, if you are 18 or over but spend periods of the year away from the local area due to academic study/apprenticeship or similar you can become a “Student Member”. Student Members may attend and vote in all Church Meetings.

Finally, if you have membership of a church elsewhere but are joining our church family for a significant period of time you can become an “Associate Member”. This category of membership is also available for anyone who may not be capable of managing and administering their own affairs because of mental disorder, illness or injury. As an Associate Member you may attend and participate in discussions at a Church Members’ meetings but are not allowed to vote.

Q. What does becoming a member involve? What is the commitment?

Become a Church Member is a formal way of committing to use your gifts and time to serve in our Church. Church Members are encouraged to attend Church Members’ meetings whenever possible, and have a particular role in decision-making within our Church, for example proposing and voting on decisions such as:

  • appointing Church Leaders and Charity Trustees;
  • agreeing ways the Church should carry out its mission, activities and priorities;
  • deciding to create new staff roles and/or appoint staff;
  • identifying ways of using the Church’s resources.

Q. How can I become a member?

If you’d like to become a Church Member, we ask people to complete the following online form at least 2 weeks before our AGM:

The form will ask you to do the following:

  • Enter your details (name, contact number and email address).
  • Select which “type” of membership you are requesting (see above).
  • Agree with our Basis of Faith (please see Appendix A from the link at the side of this page).
  • Commit to use your time and gifts to serve Jesus together with the other members of the Church.
  • Accept the responsibilities of being a church member (see Appendix B from the side of this page).
  • Agree to abide by the constitution (available on request).

Applications for membership will then be taken by the church leaders to the AGM, where they must be voted on by the Church Members. Following the AGM the Church Leaders will contact you to let you know the decision of the church.

Click here to access the Membership Form

Q. What is the procedure for changing or ending my membership?

If you wish to change or end your membership at the church, please write to the leaders or simply email leaders@ebenezermachen.com