Member Congregations
Becoming a member congregation
A congregation becomes a Member Congregation of CALC as follows:
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:
a. Subscribes to the Confession of Faith (Article 3) and the Statement of Purpose (Article 5) of CALC's Constitution;
b. Accepts CALC's Constitution and its Bylaws and agrees to be bound by these governing documents; and
c. Agrees to participate in the programs and activities approved by delegates to CALC’s conventions, as determined individually by said Congregation.
Application Form: The Chairperson/President of said Congregation completes and submits the application for admission as a Member Congregation found on our website.
Preliminary Acceptance/Roster. Upon the President’s receipt of the congregation’s application for admission to CALC as a Member Congregation, CALC’s National Council shall acknowledge receipt of said application and vote to admit said Congregation as an Associate Member congregation. (See description of Associate Member congregation). The congregation will thereafter be added to the roster of CALC congregations as an Associate Member congregation.
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 a full 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 admitted as a Member Congregation of CALC with all rights and obligations appertaining thereto, and its delegates to said AGC are immediately entitled to all rights and obligations of delegates of a full Member Congregation.
Rights and obligations of Member congregations.
Representation at Conventions. Member congregations may send one lay delegate per 50 confirmed members, or greater fraction thereof, to a maximum of three voting delegates, plus one pastor. A Congregation with more than 600 confirmed members shall be entitled to have a maximum of four voting delegates, plus one pastor. A congregation with a membership under 50 Confirmed members may send at least one delegate.
Termination of Membership by the Congregation. A 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.
Termination of Membership by CALC. If a 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.
Service on Councils, Boards and Committees. The Pastor(s) of the congregation and/or congregational member 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.
Resolutions. Any Member Congregation, or any group of Member Congregations, or Associate member may prepare and present a resolution of concern to the General Convention, which the President shall place on the agenda.
Concerns. Any Member Congregation or group of 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.