ARTICLE I. Membership

Section 1. Eligibility for Membership. Membership in this Church shall be open to any person who has been baptized, has been confirmed, or has made public confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and who purposes to live according to His law of love.

Section 2. Becoming a Member. Persons may become members of this Church by confession or reaffirmation of faith; by presentation of satisfactory letters of transfer from another church; by association.

Section 3. Associate Membership. Associate membership is available to those wishing to maintain ties to another church. Associate members shall have all privileges of membership except voting on disposal of Church real property.

Section 4. Reception of New Members. All persons desiring to become members of this Church shall be recommended by the pastor and the Diaconate. They shall be received into Church membership at a regular service of worship.

Section 5. Responsibilities of Membership. Members are encouraged to attend regularly the services of the Church; to contribute to its support and benevolences; to share in its organized work; to promote the well being of the Church membership, the community, and the world.

Section 6 Termination of Membership. Membership in this Church may be terminated by a request to the clerk for a letter of transfer to another church; by a letter of resignation; by transfer to inactive membership. Members and associate members who have been absent from the community and have failed to communicate with the Church for a period of one year shall be transferred from active to inactive membership by the Diaconate upon approval by Council. This shall not deprive such members of the right to a letter of transfer to another church. An attempt

Section 7. Members’ Service to Church. Membership in the Sanbornton Congregational Church is required in order to serve in the following elected positions: officer, trustee, deacon, delegate, and representative to Church Council.

Section 8. Qualified Voters. Members shall have the right to vote on boards or committees and at all meetings of the Church. Associate members shall have the same right to vote except on disposal of Church real property. (See Section VI.)

Section 9. Attendance at Meetings of Boards and Committees. Members may attend any meeting of any Church board and any committee except the Nominating, Pastoral Relations, Personnel, and Search Committees, which shall be closed to all but elected members.