Basis of Membership
Membership in the Religious Society of Friends, as a part of the Christian fellowship, is both a privilege and a responsibility. Ideally, it is the outward sign of an inner experience of the Living God and of unity with the other members of a living body. It implies a commitment to enter wholeheartedly into the spiritual and corporate activities of the Society and to assume responsibility for both service and support, as way opens. Faith in God and an effort to follow the life and teachings of Jesus under the guidance and authority of the Light Within are the bases of our Quaker faith. The Society should reach out to and welcome into active membership all who find unity with the principles and the testimonies of Friends, as reflected in this book of Faith and Practice.
Only monthly meetings are empowered to accept individuals into membership and to record them as members of the Religious Society of Friends. Membership in a monthly meeting entails membership in the quarterly meeting, the New England Yearly Meeting, the Friends United Meeting, the Friends General Conference, and the Friends World Committee for Consultation.