Churches sometimes have different levels of membership or affiliation, based on any number of criteria. But it is essentail that the rights and obligations of these distinctions are carefully spelled out.
So I was glad when I read the membership application for the National Religious Campaign Against Torture because they do just that. From the application.
There are three levels of membership; please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss which level will best suit your organization or congregation. Contact info below.
Membership Level (Please Check One)
____ Participating Religious Organization – A religious organization that (a) supports the mission statement; (b) can make use of the products of the campaign; (c) names a representative to the Coordinating Committee and thereby participates in the decision making process; and (d) make an annual financial contribution at an amount that the participating member itself deems appropriate.
____ Endorsing Religious Organization – A religious organization that (a) supports the mission statement, and (b) can make use of the products of the campaign.
____ Adjunct (Secular) Organization – A secular organization that supports the mission statement, and can make use of the products of the campaign. An adjunct (secular) organization member is free to contribute to the financial well-being of the campaign, but may not participate in the decision making process for the organization.
Those are helpful distinctions and I hope a bit of encouragement for your congregation to join this organization. Â The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is a participating member and the Unitarian Universalist Association is an endorsing organization.