Membership
Members of the Preterist Theological Society are selected or authorized by the Leadership Board in accordance with the PTS ByLaws, rules of conduct, and membership agreement. Membership may consist of individually ordained ministers, churches, organizations, institutions, or other members who wish to affiliate with the PTS for the purpose of ordination, education, training, networking, social interaction, or for other various approved functions. Membership in the PTS allows for two primary membership affiliations: Full Membership or Associate Membership.
Doctrinal Basis:
All full members must subscribe annually to the Doctrinal Basis of the Society. Initially, this is done by completing the application process and affirming the PTS Doctrinal Basis. Associate members are not required to affirm this statement, however, they are also not allowed to vote, be recommended for leadership within the PTS, receive ordination, or receive other benefits of full membership affiliation.
Annual Dues:
PTS memberships are for the calendar year. Annual dues are $25 for full and associate members. All retirees over 65, students, or ministers shall pay annual dues of $15. A subcription to the Preterist Theological Journal is included as a membership benefit to all members.
Full Members:
Full members must affirm the doctrinal statement and also must be recommended by a current full member of the PTS. Only full members have voting and leadership privileges. Full members must be able to show at least a Master’s Level education as a current student or have completed at least a Master’s level education with the following exceptions:
1. The individual has completed a four year degree program, intends to enroll in a Master’s level program within the next four years, and has at least two recommendations from current full members.
2. The individual has made significant contributions within the fields of theology or preterism specifically, and has at least two recommendations from current full members.
3. The individual has written published books or peer reviewed scholarly articles within the fields of theology or preterism specifically, and has at least one recommendation from a current full member.
Associate Members:
Associate members do not need to affirm the doctrinal statement of the PTS, but must be in sympathy with the scholarly and theological purposes of the society. Associate members are subject to the same fees as full members. Typically, associate members do not present papers at the annual meetings, and they do not have access to the member directories and email lists. Associate members are non-voting members and may not hold leadership positions within the PTS, or receive ordination or other benefits from PTS. Associate members have no education requirements and may become a member by meeting all other requirements found within the membership application.
Student Members:
Student members must be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate school at any accredited institution of theology or seminary, or at a university that teaches theological coursework. They are subject to the same requirements as full members. Only students enrolled in a master’s level program or above may submit a proposal for a paper to be read at the annual meeting or for inclusion into our quarterly journals, unless they have been approved to submit an article by peer review of the PTS board. All student proposals must be accompanied by the recommendation of a professor familiar with the research to be presented and submitted to the PTS.
Required Recommendation:
All full members must receive the recommendation of a current full member of the society on their initial application form in order to be considered for full membership. Associate members are not required to provide a recommendation.
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