The Bridge: A Transitional Resident Membership Strategy

Due to the crisis created by hurricane Katrina all resident members were displaced, thereby placing all resident members in a non-resident status. Our membership is sub-divided into two broad categories: Resident membership and Non-Resident membership. Resident membership status is normally assigned to those members who live in the immediate area. Non-resident membership status is assigned to those members who move outside the immediate area who have not yet united with another church. (While some churches further divide the Resident membership into Active and Non-Active categories, FBC-Chalmette has not, does not and will not.)

It was further moved that the true status of the membership [determining who are resident members and who are non-resident members] be firmly established, as much as is possible, for the 2008 annual report.  

All members who complete The Bridge Sign-up Commitment Slip will become a part of a special group of “resident members” known as The Bridge. This special group of transitional members will be regarded as resident members yet symbolically serve as The Bridge that links the past with the future.

Access to The Bridge will be closed following the first Sunday that the church officially meets in its new sanctuary.  At the end of that first Sunday that the church officially meets in its new sanctuary the resident members who form The Bridge will be reclassified as Second Charter members. From that point forward the church will resume the normal process of reporting and categorizing members as Resident membership and Non-Resident membership. 

Those who chose to serve Christ through The Bridge will receive a special, framed certificate of appreciation from the church and have their names listed as Second Charter members [those who began the church again], in a special place of honor beside the original Charter members [those original members who actually began the church].

Each individual member of First Baptist Church, Chalmette, regardless of where they live, will decide their actual membership status. Neither the pastor, the church or a church committee will make this decision. 

The church constitution and by-laws is very clear about how a person ceases membership in our church:

    *Transfer of membership to another church,
    *Exclusion by direct action of the church, death, or
    *The person sends a written request that their membership be removed.

With that clarification it can clearly be stated that no one who was a member prior to Katrina will have their name removed from the membership because of Katrina. (Note: we have inadequate membership records which may create some additional challenges which will have to be patiently dealt with as the church moves forward.)

Again, let it be clearly stated, each individual member of First Baptist Church, Chalmette, regardless of where they live, will decide their actual membership status. Neither the pastor, the church or a church committee will make this decision. 

A resident member, in our situation, is anyone who desires to be a Resident Member, even if they live outside of St. Bernard parish. Also, since all members were displaced, and thereby becoming non-resident members, if a member does not indicate their desire to be placed back into the Resident member category, they will not be placed into the Resident member category. Again, neither the pastor, the church or a church committee will make this decision. Each individual member of First Baptist Church, Chalmette, regardless of where they live, will decide their actual membership status.