MEMBERSHIP
Qualifications:
The Companions of Christ is a fraternal Order of persons called to preach the Gospel.
Men and women, both lay and ordained, may be a part of the Order.
The Order is chartered under the Canons of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches, but members may be from any expression of the Christian faith. It is not necessary to renounce other previous affiliations to be a member of the Order.
Procedures:
Membership is by invitation only.
Applicants may be nominated once a year at the meeting of the annual Chapter.
Applicants must be approved by a unanimous vote of the Board of Elders.
Membership must be renewed annually for a period of two years. After two years of membership, a three-year membership may be granted upon request. After five years of membership, a permanent membership may be granted upon request.
Members may resign at any time.
Postulants:
Men and women called to preach the Gospel and in whom the call to ordained ministry has been discerned may pursue Holy Orders with the Order.
Procedures for application, acceptance, and study will be in accordance with the Canons of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches.
Candidates for Holy Orders may affiliate with the Order as postulant members.
Postulant membership is subject to the same procedures as regular membership, specifically, it is by invitation only and upon unanimous vote of the Board of Elders, and must be renewed annually.
Upon ordination the postulant member becomes a regular member of the Companions and is subject to the membership procedures as described above.
Discipline:
The Order has the right to terminate membership at any time given sufficient cause and notice must be given to the member.
The member has the right of appeal.
The Bishop Protector and his chosen delegation will form the court of appeals.
