109. Inactive Membership. A local church may designate persons as "inactive members" for the reasons stated in 109.1 and 109.2. (112.3, 133)
109.1. A member of a local church who has moved to another community and ceases to be active at his or her church of membership should be urged to attend the Church of the Nazarene there and to request a transfer of membership to that church. The pastor of the nearest church should be notified of this change of residence directly or through the USA/Canada Mission/Evangelism Department of the General Board. After one year, if a member fails to request a transfer of membership or if that member's address is unknown, the membership may be declared inactive by recommendation of the Evangelism and Church Membership Committee and action of the church board. After such action, the pastor shall write opposite the member's name "Placed on the Inactive Membership Roll by the church board (date)." If this person reestablishes residence in the community where his or her membership was declared inactive, full membership may be granted by recommendation of the Evangelism and Church Membership Committee and action of the church board.
109.2. When a member of a church has been absent from all religious services of the church for six successive months without a reason deemed justifiable by the church board, and attempt has been made to encourage him or her to become active when possible, that person's membership may be declared inactive upon recommendation of the Evangelism and Church Membership Committee and action of the church board. The person shall be informed by a redemptive letter from the pastor within seven days of the action of the church board. After such action of the church board, the pastor shall write opposite the member's name "Placed on the Inactive Membership Roll by the church board (date)." A 120-day waiting period including prayer and supplication shall follow these actions, during which an inactive member may request in writing that the church board return his or her name to the active roll of the church. The request must include a reaffirmation of the vows of membership and renewed participation in the worship activities of the local church. The church board shall respond to the request within 60 days. Full membership may be restored to such a person by recommendation of the Evangelism and Church Membership Committee and action of the church board.
109.3. Inactive members shall be included in the full membership of the local church with active members. Membership shall be reported to the district assembly in separate categories, namely (1) active and (2) inactive members. (112.3)
109.4. Inactive members shall not be eligible to vote in annual or special church meetings or hold office.
112.2. Release from Membership. The pastor, when requested by a member, may grant a letter of release (see form in 813.3), thus terminating such person's membership immediately. (111.1, 112)
112.3. After two years from the date when a person's membership was declared inactive, his or her name may be removed from the church roll by action of the church board. After such action of the church board, the pastor shall write opposite the member's name, "Removed by the church board (date)." (109, 109.3, 133)
—Nazarene Manual 2001-2005 |
