Will You Join Us?

Applying for Membership in ANiC

If you are a new or established congregation – large or small – and are interested in joining ANiC, please follow the process laid out below.

1. Learn – Refer to the ANiC website, where you will find documents, reports and references, which will provide information on why ANiC was formed, what we stand for, and details on our Governance Structure.

2. Discern – Spend time in prayer and discernment – now and throughout the application process.

3. Connect – At least one meeting should take place with ANiC’s Regional Bishop to discuss your interest in ANiC. If after meeting you and the bishop agree about your congregation pursuing membership, you should review the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU - See below) appropriate for your congregation. (Discuss with the bishop which MOU is appropriate.) The MOUs outlines conditions of membership.

4. Apply – If you wish to express formal interest in becoming a member of ANiC, a letter requesting membership should be sent to ANiC’s Regional Bishop, with a copy to ANiC’s head office. The letter should include:
   
   a. Information on the congregation seeking membership (history, reasons for wishing to join ANiC, ministries, vision for the future, and size and demographic profile)
   
   b. Confirmation that members of the congregation are in full agreement with ANiC’s theological stand. The Regional Bishop will then discuss your application with ANiC’s Moderator and House of Bishops. If your application is approved you will receive a conditional acceptance.

1. MOU – Formal acceptance by ANiC will be provided after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is signed and you have complied with the conditions outlined in that MOU. Contact the ANiC office for the appropriate MOU form. The signed MOU is to be forwarded to the ANiC office administrator.

1. Motion – In the case of an established parish, a motion to join ANiC must be approved by a formal meeting of parish members. A written copy of this motion must be provided to ANiC along with the completed MOU.

1. Welcome – ANiC’s moderator will send your congregation a letter to welcome to the ANiC family.

If you need information or assistance at any stage of this process, please contact the ANiC office administrator, at admin@anglicannetwork.ca or call 1-866-351-2642.

Memorandum of Understanding

A memorandum of understanding formalizes the agreement between ANiC and its members. ANiC has identified four types of congregations and local ministries. Each has a different Memorandum of Understanding: • Parish • Church plant • Project • Mission

Generally speaking
A Project is a small, forming congregation which may or may not meet regularly on Sundays and likely does not have a full-time clergy person.

A Church plant has become financially viable, meets regularly on Sundays, employs a full or part-time pastor licenced by ANiC, has a governance structure, has obtained appropriate insurance, and has implemented needed financial controls.

A Parish has become incorporated, has received charitable tax status, and has annual general members’ (vestry) meetings.

A Mission is focused on community service ministries, rather than congregational development.

MOUs may be requested from the ANiC office.