Associate Member Congregations

The Associate Member category includes:

  • Individuals who are not able to join a CALC congregation; and

  • Independent Lutheran congregations who, by reason of their governing documents or polity, are unable or unwilling to seek the status of Member Congregation; yet, in both cases, desire to unite with CALC congregations for worship, education, equipping and encouragement.

becoming an associate member congregation

A congregation becomes an Associate Member Congregation of CALC as follows:

  1. Congregational Meeting: At least a simple majority of the voting members present and voting at a duly called meeting of said congregation vote to approve a motion whereby the congregation Subscribes to the Confession of Faith (Article 3) and the Statement of Purpose (Article 5) of CALC's Constitution.

  2. Application Form: The Congregation executes an application for admission as an Associate Member Congregation as found on CALC’s Website.

  3. Preliminary Acceptance/Roster. Upon the President’s receipt of the congregations application for admission to CALC as a Member Congregation, CALC’s National Council shall acknowledge receipt of said application, vote and admit said Congregation as an Associate Member congregation. The congregation will be added to the roster of CALC congregations as an Associate Member congregation.

  4. Final Acceptance/Roster. A first order of business at the next Annual General Convention (AGC) will be to propose a motion to admit the subject congregation as an Associate Member Congregation of CALC. Upon the vote of a simple majority of the delegates present and voting in favor of the motion, the subject congregation is formally admitted as an Associate Member Congregation of CALC with all rights and obligations appertaining thereto.

Rights and obligations of associate membership

  1. Representation at Conventions. Associate Member congregations may send at least one lay delegate and a Pastor to the AGC. The Pastor and delegate shall have voice but no vote.

  2. Termination of Membership by the Associate Member Congregation. An Associate Member congregation may terminate its membership in CALC in accordance with the procedure prescribed in the constitution of the congregation involved. If no procedure is prescribed, a simple majority vote at a legally called and conducted meeting of the congregation shall terminate membership in the Association. The congregation shall notify CALC’s President of the vote to terminate membership. The congregation’s membership is terminated upon receipt of the notice of termination of membership by CALC’s President.

  3. Termination of Membership by CALC. If the Associate Member congregation violates the terms of membership stated above, CALC may terminate a congregation’s membership. The congregation may seek to appeal its termination, in writing, to CALC’s President. The President shall convene an a Board of Appeals and Adjudication (BPAA) who shall meet with said congregation and thereafter will prepare a written statement of findings of facts and make recommendations for action on the appeal. The delegates to the next AGC will act to approve or disapprove the BPAA’s findings and recommendations. The decision of the delegates shall be final.

  4. Service on Boards, Councils and Committees. The Pastor(s) of the congregation and/or congregational members of an Associate Member congregation may serve on CALC’s National Council or any committee established by National Council or the AGC, provided they are duly nominated and receive the necessary votes by the delegates to the AGC, or are duly appointed by the National Council.

  5. Resolutions. Any Associate Member Congregation may prepare and present a resolution of concern to the General Convention, which the President shall place on the agenda.

  6. Objections. Associate Member congregations may object to official resolutions and procedures of the Association. The objection must be filed with the President, and the reasons therefore should be clearly stated, so that complete brotherly understanding can result, and any necessary corrections or alterations be made. Should no satisfactory result be obtained through the efforts of the President, the objections should next be laid in accordance with the procedures detailed in the Bylaws.