Statement of Purpose & Mission
The members of the NAAVC are dedicated to supporting our member churches in their ongoing work among their congregations with sacramental healing plants. Plant medicines are central to our members’ spiritual practice. For the members of the NAAVC, a spiritual practice is a healing practice, and a healing practice is a spiritual practice.
Each member of the NAAVC is engaged in an organized spiritual practice -- one considered holy and dedicated to healing through the Divine. As such, NAAVC’s membership is dedicated to the spiritual and physical healing of the individual and their communities.
NAAVC members acknowledge that our shared communities are engaged in organized spiritual practice, and that an organized spiritual practice is a religious practice.
Respecting traditions and the deep history of plant sacraments, the doctrines of our member churches are informed and renewed for each participant in ceremonial use through the sacrament itself. Our common textual foundations are to be found within shared plant sacraments. The mission of the NAAVC, in this respect, is to help spread the sacramental doctrine through the healthy and healing work of member churches.
As members of the NAAVC, we are not part of a single religion. Rather, we are united in a religious movement. We are engaged in religious practice without relinquishing our common sense or critical faculties. We are dedicated to the safety and best practices of our membership.
We seek to strengthen and grow medicinal plant knowledge in a culture of spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing.
We seek to bring the spiritual knowledge of plant-based medicines into our communities through coalition building. We welcome teachers and researchers in informing their work. We welcome all medical professionals in informing their healing practices. We recognize the value and limitations of western medical care. As such, we seek to retain connection to our spiritual and historical roots.
We welcome the members of our communities to join our movement in informing the spiritual, physical, and mental health of themselves and their families.
About Us
NAAVC is ecumenical in serving a broad range of churches with legal, informational, and network support in the protection of their rights for the free practice of religion. As an Arizona-state non-profit (2021), NAAVC is reaching out to visionary churches interested in becoming founding members. NAAVC is an organization of churches seeking to support their rights for their free expression of religion. We have a three-person governing board in addition to an Organizing and Legal Advisory board. Membership is private and confidential.
WHO WE ARE
Frequently asked questions
Membership with NAAVC
Membership is for North American based churches engaged in the sacramental use of sacramental plants. Being a member doesn’t confer special legal rights or privileges; rather, it’s a way for visionary churches to stand together to protect their common right to the free practice of religion. There’s strength in numbers, and power in solidarity. Membership lists are shared only with other member churches, and will be protected from disclosure by all lawful means.
Who should join?
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Churches whose leaders understand that by standing together, we can advance our common cause most effectively.
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Churches seeking legally protected status for their spiritual practice and communion services
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Churches doing pro-social work in a safe environment
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Churches seeking to establish visionary spiritual practice for today and future generations.
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Churches participating in a growing social movement to advance the truly free practice of visionary religion
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Churches that are ready to say . . . “We’re a church working with other churches to secure our rights to a free and open spiritual practice.”
When you register you’ll have the opportunity to either share or not share your church contact information with other churches.
Annual membership is $200.