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The Church

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 21, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 42.

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The Church

By T. E. Bowen

Instruction Pertaining to the Duties and Responsibilities of Officers and Members

Transferring Church-Membership

WHEN church-members change their places of residence, it is desirable that they unite with the church nearest them. This gives the church where they live the benefit of their counsel and help, and relieves the church where they last lived of carrying upon the book names that are really of no practical help. This is the general rule, to which there may be some rare exceptions. Where there is no church near, and the absent members report by letter, sending tithe and offerings, as well as helping with the financial burdens of the church from which they are absent, the names of such are with profit continued upon any church record book. If there is a church near enough for attendance, it is better to transfer membership.
A brother writes: “Whose duty is it to make application for church letter when a transfer of membership is desired?”
In reply, we should say that the individual himself should apply to the clerk of the church where he holds his membership, requesting that a letter be granted him to join the church at ———, being careful to state the church to which he wishes his membership transferred, giving also the name and address of the church clerk. The clerk of the church where he holds his membership should immediately bring this request for letter to the attention of the church elder. The elder, at any regular service of the church, may present the request, and secure the vote of the church authorizing the clerk to make out the letter of transfer. The clerk mails this printed form, with the return letter attached, to the clerk of the church where the member wishes to unite, retaining the name upon his church record until the return letter is received. Upon receiving that, he without further action of the church, drops the name, at the same time filling in on his record book the date of transfer. This letter is valid for three months only.
The clerk receiving a letter for transfer of membership should promptly report to the elder of the church, who should obtain the vote of the church accepting the member, either the Sabbath following the receipt of the letter or not later than the second Sabbath. Then the clerk should promptly send back the return letter to the clerk forwarding it, that the latter may know that the member has been accepted, thus authorizing him to drop the name from his record. Otherwise the name may appear upon two church books at the same time. Much confusion results if the church clerk where the member is received fails to promptly send back the letter of acceptance to the clerk issuing the letter.
In no case should the clerk issuing a letter give it to the individual himself. In every instance it should be sent direct to the clerk of the church where the member wishes to unite.
Those who are members of distant churches should keep their home churches informed as to their whereabouts. This is a duty every member owes to his church.
We can not believe the Lord is pleased with slackness concerning the vital records of our churches. The church officials entrusted with the care of the churches should take an interest in these matters, and know that the record of their church is as perfect as it is possible for them to make it.
T. E. BOWEN.