Purpose Statement. The church’s facilities were provided through God’s benevolence and by the sacrificial generosity of church members. The church desires that its facilities be used for the fellowship of the Body of Christ and to bring God glory. Although the facilities are not generally open to the public, we make our facilities available to approved non-members as a witness to our faith, in a spirit of Christian charity, and to demonstrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ in practice. Use of church facilities is a privilege and may be revoked without explanation or provocation.

Facility use will not be permitted to persons or groups holding, advancing, or advocating beliefs or practices that conflict with the Bible and, therefore, the Church’s faith or moral teachings, which are summarized in, among other places, the Church’s Constitution and Bylaws. Nor may church facilities be used for activities that contradict or are deemed inconsistent with, the Bible, the church’s faith, or moral teachings. The Elders and pastors are the final decision-makers concerning the use of church facilities.

This restricted facility use policy is necessary for two important reasons. First, the church may not, in good conscience, materially cooperate in activities or beliefs that are contrary to its faith. Allowing its facilities to be used for purposes that contradict the Bible and, therefore, our church’s beliefs would be material cooperation with that activity. It would be a grave violation of the church’s faith and religious practice. (2 Cor 6:14; 1 Thes 5:22.)

Second, the church must present a consistent message to the community. The church staff and members conscientiously maintain that message as part of their witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Bible. Allowing facilities to be used by groups or persons who express beliefs or engage in practices contrary to the church’s faith would have a severe, negative impact on the message that the church strives to promote. It could also cause confusion and scandal to church members and the community because they may reasonably perceive that by allowing our facilities, the church agrees with the beliefs or practices of the persons or groups using its facilities.

Therefore, in no event shall persons or groups who hold, advance, or advocate beliefs, or advance, advocate, or engage in practices that contradict the Bible, and therefore this Church’s faith use any church facility. Nor may church facilities be used in any way that contradicts the Church’s faith. This policy applies to all church facilities, regardless of whether or not the facilities are connected to the church’s sanctuary because the Church sees all of its property as holy and set apart for the worship of God. (Col 3:17.)

Approved Users and Priority of Use. The pastors and Elders must approve all uses of church facilities. Generally, priority shall be given to church members, their immediate families, and organized groups that are part of the church's ministry, organization, or sponsored activities. Church facilities and equipment will be made available to non-members or outside groups meeting the following qualifications:

Facility Use Policy.

1. Groups or persons requesting facility use must affirm that their beliefs and practices and planned uses of the facilities are consistent with the Church’s faith and practice.
2. The group or person seeking facility use must submit a signed “Facility Request Form.”
3. The group or person seeking facility use must be willing to take responsibility for the facilities and equipment used and must agree to abide by the church’s rules of conduct for facility use, as stated below and as described in any additional instructions by the church staff.

Facility Use Hours

Facilities are available between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday - Saturday. Use outside these hours may be approved by the Pastors or Elders.

Scheduling Events

Facility use requests shall be made by submitting the “Facility Request Form” to the Church office. The event will be reserved and placed on the church calendar only when the pastor or official designee approves the use.

Fees. Use of church facilities may be subject to a use and maintenance fee to pay for the upkeep of church facilities. Church members are not required to pay a fee for usage because the maintenance of the facilities are derived from member tithes and offerings.

Facility Use Guidelines.

1. Alcohol Policy: No alcohol may be served in church facilities.
2. Smoking Policy: Smoking on church property is prohibited
3. Groups are restricted to only those facility areas that the group has reserved.
4. Food and beverages in classrooms, worship space and meeting facilities is not allowed without proper, well-fitting lids. All spills should be cleaned up by the users as soon as possible.
5. Church equipment, such as tables and chairs must be returned to original placement unless arranged otherwise before the event.
6. All lights must be turned off and doors locked upon departure.
7. Clean-up is the responsibility of the person or group using the facility. All areas must be returned to their original condition, normal wear and tear excepted. A walkthrough will be performed after the event. If appropriate clean-up has not been performed, a cleaning fee of $25 per hour may be assessed.
8. Abusive or foul language, violent behavior, and drug or alcohol abuse are strictly prohibited on church premises. Any person exhibiting such behavior will be required to leave the premises.
9. Any person or group must sign the “Facility Use Agreement” form before reservation of church facilities.
10. Any damage to property or equipment is to be reported as soon as possible to the church staff.

Insurance. For all non-church-sponsored events, the group or person using the facilities may be required to obtain liability insurance coverage as deemed necessary by the pastors or elders. The user must also sign a “Facility Use Agreement.”