The Meaning of Membership (CL)

At the December congregational meeting, the "Improving Congregational Meetings Committee" passed out index cards and invited people to submit questions regarding the budget, which Jackie Heimbuch and Rev. Fred answered. 

One question wasn't really related to the budget, but Rev. Fred held on to it, and passed it along to me to answer…

"What are the advantages of church membership or incentives for membership? Other churches charge more for workshops and classes for non-members. Can non-members still wear blue nametags? Why be a member if you still have all the privileges if you don't pledge?"

My ministerial portfolio includes working with the Membership Team, which has wrestled with this very question. The question poses some interesting points; it's true, we don't charge money for our classes, for children's Religious Exploration, or for most events. We allow non-members and visitors to take part in all of those activities free of charge. Why bother being a member?

Here are some of the practical reasons:

1. Members get to wear blue nametags.

2. Ministers will officiate weddings, unions, memorial services and baby dedications free of charge to members. Building rentals are free or very reduced-cost to members.

3. Most lay-leadership positions are reserved for members. You cannot chair a committee or serve on the Board of Trustees as a non-member.

4. Members shape the direction of the church. Members vote on the budget, Board elections, calling or ordaining a minister, approving capital campaign or building plans, etc.. Democracy is a pillar of our faith (Principle #5) and exercising the right to vote is an important way of being a part of this congregation. In addition, while everyone has their opinions, the leadership of the church (including the ministers) gives the perspectives and opinions of members more weight than those of non-members.

  5. Serving as a delegate to Joseph Priestley District Assembly or UUA General Assembly is a right reserved for members. As with voting on issues of importance to UUCA, voting on issues of importance to our larger faith tradition and organization is also a privilege.

But, more importantly, I believe the reasons to be a member of this faith community have less to do with practical and pragmatic reasons, and more to do with reasons of meaning, depth, and commitment.

Consider for a moment, the debate over Marriage Equality. Why, in states where Civil Unions are legal for same-sex couples, are people still fighting for Marriage Equality? For the most part, the pragmatic details are the same. But there is something deeper, something more meaningful about Marriage, and same-sex couples and their allies are fighting for the right to have Marriage, not just the pragmatic rights and privileges. When someone chooses to join this congregation as a member, they are entering into a committed relationship, a covenant, with this community (a little bit like a marriage). The benefits are nice, but the act of taking one's faith journey seriously, and committing to walk beside members of this church as we work toward creating the Beloved Community, and being recognized as doing so, these are the real reasons we join a church community.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis is not a pay-for-service commodity.  It is not the grocery store or the movie theater. It is an organization which provides services constantly to those who need them, whether they are members or not, whether they are UU or not. Choosing to join in membership with us says, "I believe in what this church offers. I support all the work of the church, even the parts that don't pertain directly to me. I want to partner with those efforts, and I choose to support this community with my time, talents, energy, ideas, and money." 

We are so blessed to be a community of such diverse, loving, committed people. I appreciate all of you, and I know that membership is an honor and a responsibility that most of you take very seriously. Thank you for that… It is through your commitment that this place will continue to be here, for those who seek us in the future.