Membership FAQs

DO I WANT TO BE A MEMBER AT SALT HOUSE AT THIS TIME IN MY LIFE? (OR CONTINUE TO BE). ANY OF THE BELOW RESPONSES ARE INDICTORS FOR SOMEONE TO BECOME/REMAIN A MEMBER:

• I want Salt House to be my church home. I am ready to cross the threshold.
• I am already a member (whether as charter member or declared membership at our recent congregational meetings) and I want to remain a member.
• I want to commit to SH as my spiritual home, even if I don’t know how long I will be here.
• I don’t know how often I can be here, but I want this to be my community.
• I’m still exploring my faith (and Salt House specifically) but I want to step in with both feet to see for sure.
• This is my church.
• I don’t want to be Lutheran, but I like Salt House and want to call this home.
• I am a Lutheran, or want to be one, and want to call this home.
• I’m curious about Jesus and want a place to explore what the Bible says from a progressive lens.
• I want to invest in my spiritual growth.
• I want to nurture relationships and connections at Salt House.

If any of these resonate for you – then membership at SH is right for you at this time.

WHAT AM I COMMITTING TO?

• As a member, you are committing to Three Marks of Membership. These are really marks of discipleship, things we do when we follow Jesus as a part of community. We: Show-up, Give, and Grow
  • SHOW UP: be present in the community
  •  GIVE: contribute by giving of your resources, (volunteering and/or financial contributions)
  •  GROW: to be open to growing with us in community! That’s it. It’s that simple, and that profound.  Committing to these practices will form us.
• These three marks complement our Seven Core Practices – we see the core practices as the central things we DO together to embody the life of Jesus.  Practicing them here at Salt House, so we can practice them everywhere.  

WHY SHOULD I BECOME A MEMBER? (WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?)

• This is a chance to choose growth! It isn’t about membership – this is an invitation into a commitment to form you more deeply into the love and life of Jesus. We know our hesitations to commit, to anything – but the things that form us most in life are the things we jump into with both feet. 
• Saying YES to something we receive the mutual affirmation and the opportunities that arise in making a relational commitment.  Not only do you make commitments, SH makes commitments to you!
• To officially help in the “running of our household.”
• We are better when you’re here!  In the great Mystery of God, community gathered is always able to do far more than its individual parts alone.
• Making a commitment means you’ll be here more often (and you’ll be more connected). Your “full involvement” is different than someone else’s; what this looks like changes based on the season of life we’re in.
• To be clear: you don’t have to be a member to participate in worship and life at Salt House. We practice radical welcome for all!
• Our Constitution and Bylaws indicate the only technical distinction for members is that they can vote in our church-wide meetings that happen at least once a year and to be on church council

DO I HAVE TO BE BAPTIZED TO BE A MEMBER?

• The quick answer is no, you do not have to be baptized to be a member.
• If you haven’t been baptized and would like to find out more or even work through previous experiences or even baggage you may have about it – we’d love to talk with you.
• There are some restrictions from the ELCA around members who aren’t baptized when it comes to ELCA synod duties. These are outlined in our constitution that you can find on the Salt House website. (Section C8.02-f. 1,2, and 3)

WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO BE A MEMBER RIGHT NOW, BUT STILL WANT TO BE INVOLVED?

• Then you are still radically welcomed here at Salt House, as you are. The only restriction you’ll experience is that you won’t be able to vote in elections.

 
Pastor Sara Wolbrecht & Gila Fein (former Church Council President)
March 2020