The Session keeps a roll of communicant members in the form prescribed by the General Assembly (see Appendix 17). Session adds to this roll the names of those persons who from time to time it receives as communicant members:

1. by profession of faith (see rule 3:39); or
2. on receipt of satisfactory certificates of transfer (see rule 3:41); or
3. by special resolution of the Session for this purpose.

It removes from this roll the names of those persons who cease to be communicant members of the congregation:

4. through death; or
5. by issue of certificate of transfer; or
6. by special resolution of the Session for this purpose.

For definitions regarding communicant members, see rules 2:13-15.

The Session keeps a roll of adherents in the form prescribed by the General Assembly (see Appendix 17). Session adds to this roll the names of those persons who it considers fulfil the requirements of adherents after carefully explaining to them the requirements of rules 2:16-18 and obtaining their assent. The names of those who cease to comply with these requirements are removed from the roll of adherents.

The Session keeps a register of baptisms in the form prescribed by the General Assembly (see Appendix 17) and adds to it the names of all persons baptised within the parish or mission field under the jurisdiction of the Session.

Admission into the visible church of Christ is by the sacrament of baptism received in infancy or in later life, but baptised persons are admitted into the privileges and responsibilities of communicant membership only when, having signified their desire to become communicant members, they make profession of their faith and are admitted by the Session to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

In the case of those desiring admission to communicant membership it is the duty of the Session, therefore, following explanation of rules 2:13-15 to the applicants, to satisfy itself as to:

1. their baptism;
2. their profession of faith in Christ;
3. their knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith (as defined, for example, in clause 1 of the Declaratory Statement), and the nature and significance of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper; and
4. their life being consistent with their profession.

The Session revises the rolls of communicant members and adherents annually. In doing this it may remove from the roll of communicant members the names of those persons who have shown their lack of interest by infrequent attendance at public worship, having little or no involvement in the witness and work of the Church, or by continued absence from the Lord's Supper, provided that the Session, if practicable, first gives these persons notice of its intention and then gives them an opportunity to be heard in the matter.

Names once removed from the roll of communicants or of adherents may be restored only by a special resolution of the Session for this purpose.

The Session, at the meeting when the rolls are revised, shall record in the minutes the fact that such revision has been made.

The Session issues a transfer certificate to any communicant member of the congregation not under process of discipline who applies to leave the congregation with a view to joining another. The Session takes care to prevent the name of any communicant member being on the roll of more than one congregation at the same time.

When an adherent of a congregation applies to leave the congregation to reside in another district with the declared intention of maintaining a church connection, the Session issues a letter of introduction and advises the minister or Session of the congregation indicated of the fact of such removal. The same procedure may also be followed for a person who is neither a communicant member nor an adherent, but who is a regular attender at worship and supporter of the church's witness.

The Session has, and as necessary exercises, the power of discipline over members of the congregation in accordance with the law of the church.

Any name removed from the roll of communicants or the roll of adherents in the exercise of discipline is restored only by a special resolution of the Session for this purpose.

The Session, in the exercise of its pastoral duty, compiles and keeps a complete roll of families and individuals connected with the congregation. Before the minister leaves his charge, the Session brings this roll up to date.

The Session ordinarily assigns to each elder an area within its bounds, provides him with a list of the families and individuals within that district whose names are on the roll of families, and charges him with their oversight under the direction and control of the Session.