Below are some documents and letters that may be helpful to local churches in monitoring the spiritual health of their members and encouraging decisions about each one's ongoing commitment.
Dear Friends:
Please take some prayerful time to examine the following believer's covenant and come tomorrow evening at 6 o'clock to the Junior room for discussion and refining of this document.
Thank you.
Pastor
THE BELIEVER'S ANNUAL COVENANT
Having tasted and accepted the grace and goodness of God Almighty, and desiring membership in the fellowship of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of _________, I commit myself to a daily, growing relationship with my God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Consequently:
Recognizing that all humans are created in God's image, I shall love and value others (Lev. 19:18; Jn. 13:34, 35).
Recognizing that God had my best interest in mind when giving His holy commandments, I shall live morally and ethically right (Ex. 20:2-17; Jn. 14:15).
Recognizing that all things belong to a generous God, I shall return my faithful tithes and offerings to His church (Mal. 3:10; 2 Cor. 9:6, 7).
Recognizing that on the Lord's day, the Sabbath, He has chosen to fellowship with His children in His sanctuary, I shall attend worship services regularly (Lk. 4:16; Heb. 10:25).
Recognizing that the good news of God's grace and salvation given me are too glorious to hide, I shall be a living witness to His mercy and goodness (Mk. 5:19; 1 Pet. 2:9).
Recognizing that God has endowed me with gifts and talents for His glory, I shall serve God with my spiritual gifts (1 Pet. 4:10; Eph. 4:11, 12).
Name: __________________________
Signed: _________________________Date: ____________
Annual Church Membership Covenant
Having tasted and accepted the grace and goodness of God Almighty, I desire continued membership in the fellowship of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of __________________ .
Name: ________________________Signed: _________________________Date: ______________
Another letter that is helpful:
Date
Dear ___________ ,
It has been several years since we have seen you in our church. Since you are now living outside of this area, we would like to encourage you to transfer your membership to a Seventh-day Adventist church near you. The Church Manual states that when a member has left the area for six months, he or she should transfer church membership. This is to help the local church you are attending to be able to minister to you and help you grow spiritually.If this is your wish, ask the clerk of the church near you to request a recommendation from our church for your membership transfer.This will allow us to keep our records up-to-date and accurate.
Please assist us in doing this. And please stop by and visit with us whenever you are in this area. Above all else, don't permit your moving out of this area to lessen your interest in the church. Become active in the church, and maintain a growing Christian experience.We shall be very happy to hear from you. Let us know how things are going with you. In the meantime, rest assured that we are continuing to remember you in our prayers.In His service, Church Clerk (or Church Board )
As a follow-up letter to this:
Date
Dear ____________,
It has been some time now since you moved away from here, and so far we have not heard from you. You will recall our letter of (date). We are wondering whether or not you have gotten established in the church there. Sometimes during the process of a move, situations develop that make it easy to drop out or lose interest. We surely hope that this is not the case with you. If you have not been attending the church, won't you start attending regularly without further delay? Introduce yourself to the pastor and to some of the members, and manifest an interest in the program. Also, as suggested in the previous letter, have the clerk write to our church clerk for a transfer of membership. There is little we can do for you at such a distance. But the local church near you needs your talents and input, and you can benefit from its fellowship. Now won't you please write us a letter and let us know how things are with you? Also, don't forget to stop by and visit with us if you are in our area.
Yours in the Savior's name,
Pastor