How to Participate!

Participation with the Living Stream Church of the Brethren

We celebrate the participation of everyone who chooses to be a part of this welcoming and affirming online worshiping community, a community rooted in the Church of the Brethren and its values of peace and justice, to whatever level of participation that each person feels called.  We’ve defined four broad participation levels — Viewer, Friend, Associate Member, and Member.  The four participation levels are outlined below.

If you have joined us for worship at least once, you’ve already made it to “Viewer” status! Newcomers are welcome to choose a participation level as they begin worshiping with us, and all of us are invited to take time in October and November to review and renew the participation level to which we feel called for the coming year.  Given the nature of our online community, we understand participation with Living Stream Church of the Brethren as a dynamic commitment, and so participation levels do not carry over from year to year. Indeed, anyone can change their participation level/membership status whenever desired, not just on an annual basis.

To indicate or update your desired level of participation for the coming year, complete our online 2024 Participation Form.  If you’d like to discuss your participation before you complete the form, or if you wish to be more involved, just contact our pastors directly. Either way, we’ll be glad to be in conversation with you!

Thank you for your interest in the Living Stream Church of the Brethren!

Living Stream Participation Levels — Where do You Fit?

We invite all participants in the Living Stream Church of the Brethren to join us in celebrating our various levels of participation! You may choose to describe yourself as a Viewer, Friend, Associate Member, or Member.  Here are complete explanations of these four broad categories of participation/membership.

Viewer Friend Associate Membera Member*
Worship A Viewer will watch the worship broadcast from time to time (perhaps even regularly), yet may never post greetings or comments. A Friend desires to tune into worship fairly often, and typically posts greetings and perhaps adds comments at times. An Associate Member tunes into worship regularly, posts greetings, and often will make a comment or pose a question. A Member tunes into worship regularly, posts greetings, and participates in worship with comments or questions.
Prayers A Viewer typically is not very involved with the life of the congregation or others in it. A Friend will be moved to support the congregation in prayer at times. An Associate Member supports the congregation, its leaders, and its members, in prayer. A Member supports the congregation, its leaders, and its members, in prayer.
Offerings A Viewer typically has not donated to help keep the church streaming. A Friend is likely to make modest donations to help keep the church streaming. An Associate Member makes regular donations, however modest, to support the congregation. A Member commits to sharing regular tithes and offerings in support of the congregation.
Participation A Viewer typically does not choose to participate in the life of the congregation. A Friend may take advantage of the opportunities to participate in the life of the congregation in a number of ways, if so moved. An Associate Member participates in the life of the congregation, whether in worship or in other ways. A Member seeks to participate in the life of the congregation fully, by such things as helping with worship, reading scripture, suggesting ideas and resources, contributing to the newsletter, or other ways.

a* Membership categories are formal affiliations with the Church of the Brethren.  An Associate Member retains primary membership status elsewhere, yet is also formally recognized as an active participant here.  A Member is understood to have committed to their primary church affiliation here.

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Complete the online participation form now!  2024 Participation Form