Excerpted from the Region's current Bylaws
Article III — The Region
Membership of the Region is comprised of covenanting congregations, clusters, and affiliated ministries. Voting members of the Region shall be covenanting congregations which have been accepted as members by the Region’s Board (the Board). Each such covenanting congregation, through its delegate(s) and in accordance with the procedures set forth herein, shall be entitled to vote in an election of Board members and on any other matter requiring membership approval. Clusters and affiliated ministries shall be non-voting members, and, as such, have no rights to vote for the election of Board members or appoint delegates.
A covenanting congregation shall:
1. Affirm and participate in the mission and purpose of the Region.
2. Conduct regular weekly services of worship and operate in conformity with generally accepted Baptist beliefs and practices.
3. Support the mission of the Region at responsible financial and volunteer levels. All churches are encouraged to give at least ten percent (10%) of their income to American Baptist mission, as a basis upon which to build their mission giving. Churches below this level are encouraged to move toward this goal at the rate of one percent (1%) per year. Congregations aligned with more than one denomination shall share their mission funds proportionately with these denominations.
4. Retain an American Baptist pastor in good standing. A pastor who is not credentialed at the time of call by the congregation shall obtain recognition and good standing with the Region. A pastor of a multi-aligned congregation credentialed in another denomination shall obtain regional recognition of his or her credentials and maintain good standing with the Region.
5. Share with the ABC family the impact of the church’s ministries in reaching the community and world for Christ.
The Board shall determine the membership status of covenanting congregations from time to time based on these minimal criteria.
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