Lawrence (Larry) Elliott

I serve in a church that is located in an area where the major industry is the US Navy and various support organizations.  That means that our population changes rather frequently as people move from one Naval Posting to another, often on the other coast.  We have many regular attenders who are not formally members of our church.  Many of our people view themselves as just passing through on their current set or orders, or the current support contract.  They have no interest in moving their membership away from their home.  This applies to at least a third of the congregation.  Many of this third are devout christians and provide service and support to our congregation in great abundance.  We are thankful to God for the active provision of help, and don't check too close to see if their formal membership papers are in the file cabinent where we keep such documents when they attend a congregational meeting.  Works for us, although we have never contemplated asking a non-member to serve on council.