Membership Criteria

Eligibility

Constituent Members
  • Denominational Churches and National Ecumenical Organizations who have been Associate Members for not less than three years and who accept this Constitution, subscribe to and abide by the Statement of Comity and the Code of ethics for mission as set out in schedules 2 and 3 respectively hereto and fulfill all other conditions as laid down in Rules made under the Constitution be eligible for membership in the Council.
  • Those eligible for membership under paragraph (1) shall follow the procedure for membership as laid down in the Rules made in that behalf, to become members of the Council.
  • All those admitted as members of the Council, shall pay an Annual Membership Fee as provided for in the Rules and an Annual Contribution (Quota), as shall be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time.
  • Any member who ceases to be eligible for membership shall be liable to be removed from membership by a vote of not less than two thirds of the members of the Council present and voting on a recommendation to that effect made by the Executive Committee.
  • The decision of the Council shall be final and conclusive

Associate Members

  • National Denominational Churches and National Ecumenical Organizations that accept the Constitution, subscribe to the Statement of Comity and the Code of Ethics for Mission in Schedules 2 and 3 respectively, hereto and fulfil all other conditions as are laid down in Rules made under the Constitution shall be eligible for Associate Membership in the Council.
  • Those eligible for Associate Membership under paragraph (1) shall follow the procedure for membership as laid down in the Rules made in that behalf to become affiliated members of the Council.
  • All those admitted as Associate Members of the Council, shall pay an Annual Membership Fee as provided for in the Rules and an Annual Contribution (Quota) as shall be determined by the Executive Committee from time to time.
  • Any Associate Member who ceases to be eligible for Associate Membership shall be liable to be removed from Associate Membership by a vote of not less than two thirds of the members of the Council present and voting on a recommendation to that effect made by the Executive Committee.
  • The decision of the Council shall be final and conclusive.

Eligibility for Associate Membership

(1)   The Applicants shall:

  • (a)    Fully subscribe to the Constitution of the Council;
  • (b)   Accept and adhere to the Statement of Comity of the Council and the Code of Ethics for Mission;
  • (c)    Be recommended by not less than three Member Churches and one member Ecumenical Organisation;
  • (d)   Submit their Constitution and the Audited Accounts for the previous three years;
  • (e)   Submit evidence that at the time of application they have been continuously active in Sri Lanka for the past twenty years; and
  • (f)     Sub-paragraph (d) and (e) will not apply in case of a merger of one of the members of the Council with another church or organization as the case may be.

(2) (a) Applicants who are Churches seeking Associate Membership shall:

  • i)  Have a minimum membership of 1000;
  • ii)  Have at least ten worshiping communities;
  • iii) Be able to demonstrate a continuing interest in   ecumenical relationships;
  • iv) Demonstrate that they are nationally administered Churches and cater  to   all people of the country; and
  • (v)Have a clear policy for recruiting and training their Clergy/Leaders

 

(b) Applicants who are national ecumenical organizations seeking Associate membership shall meet the following criteria.

  • I)         The composition of the governing body should be ecumenical in nature.
  • II)       The appointments to the Governing body should be transparent and representative in nature.
  • III)      Their aims and objectives should demonstrate a commitment to ecumenical relationships.

(3) Any of the above requirements may be waived by the Council, on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, provided it is ratified by two thirds of the members present and the voting