I know this has been discussed and answered, but I am still confused.
As I understand it, subscribers are folks who have registered and receive emails and newsletters and members are those who have turned off the subscription.
I have members who are receiving and responding to emails and posts. This seems counter to the above. I would like to be able to reliably understand who is who.
Thanks in advance.
A member is anyone who has entered their address on your site and validated their email by clicking the link. They might pay or not. They might receive the newsletter or not. When they visit your website, they can access any content that might be reserved for members (or paying members, if they’re paying), and they can adjust their account settings, including whether or not they want to receive your newsletter(s).
You could describe someone as a subscriber if they’re signed up to receive one or more of your newsletters. Ghost doesn’t actually use the term subscriber very much (except at the bottom of your emailed newsletter to say that they’re subscribed), although your specific theme might.
So… all subscribers are members. Not all members are necessarily subscribers. They might prefer to read your content on your website, and not want an emailed newsletter.
Thanks, Cathy. I think that isn’t clear in the new signup advice. Is it possible those emails just list everyone as a member and the distinction is only made in the publish screen?
Oh, in the emails you receive when someone signs up on your site? Yeah, I think you get an email whenever someone becomes a member. Many sites auto-subscribe new sign-ups to their newsletter, so it’s probably a reasonable guess that new members are subscribers, at least initially.
On the publish screen? When you send a post as a newsletter (choose email or web & email), you can only email the people who are subscribed to the newsletter you’re emailing. Ghost doesn’t give you an automated mechanism to email people who are not subscribers, because that’s called spamming, and you shouldn’t do it. 
Thanks. Just confusing. But much as I guessed. Man but you’re quick with replies!!
Waiting for something to install in the other window. Getting back to paid work now!