CHURCH FACILITIES USAGE POLICY
PURPOSE STATEMENT
The church’s fellowship hall was provided through God’s benevolence and by the sacrificial generosity of church members. The church desires that its fellowship hall be used for the fellowship of the Body of Christ and to bring God glory. Although the fellowship hall is not generally open to the public, we make our fellowship hall available to approved non-members as a witness to our faith, in a spirit of Christian charity, and as a means of demonstrating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in practice.
Fellowship hall use will not be permitted to persons or groups holding, advancing, or advocating beliefs or practices that conflict with the church’s faith or moral teachings, which are summarized in the Rock Spring Baptist Church Constitution. The church fellowship hall may not be used for activities that contradict, or are deemed inconsistent with, the church’s faith or moral teachings. The pastor, or the deacons, are the final decision-maker concerning use of church facilities.
This restricted fellowship hall 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 fellowship hall to be used for purposes that contradict the church’s beliefs would be material cooperation with that activity, and would be a grave violation of the church’s faith and religious practice. (2 Cor 6:14; 1 Thess 5:22.) Second, it is very important that the church present a consistent message to the community, and that the church staff and members conscientiously maintain that message as part of their witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Allowing the fellowship hall 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 use of 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 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 the facilities are connected to the church’s sanctuary, because the church sees all of its property as holy and set apart to worship God. (Col 3:17.)
1. The person in charge of using the fellowship hall must be a church member.
2. Reservations are made through the church calendar. Date and time must be specified. The fellowship hall is only available for Sunday use between the hours of 1PM
and 5PM. Available times will be indicated on the sign-up calendar to avoid conflicts.
3. Church functions will take priority over outside group usage of the fellowship hall.
4. For youth activities, an adult church member must be present and in charge while the fellowship hall is in use.
5. Church members may use the fellowship hall for family reunions, birthday parties, etc. but the fellowship hall may not be used by anyone for sales meetings or other
functions that would result in personal financial gain for the individual. Dancing in the context of a party or reception is not allowed.
6. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on church grounds.
7. There is to be no smoking in any church building or at the entrances to any of the buildings. Anyone wishing to smoke may do so outside.
8. After use, the fellowship hall must be left clean and the furniture arranged as it was found.
9. When using the fellowship hall for non-church related activities the user must furnish items such as paper cups, plates, napkins, etc. Any of the other dishes may be
used provided they are washed and put away immediately after use.
10. The furniture of Rock Spring Baptist Church including tables and chairs are not to be removed from the church property.
11. The fellowship hall is not to be used or preparation done during church hours for non-church related activities.
12. The following items constitute the minimum cleanup required after using the fellowship hall:
a. Empty all trash cans. If food or drink is spilled on the floor, please wipe, clean, or mop that particular area.
b. Sweep the entire floor.
c. Remove all food from the fellowship hall except that which is to be left in the refrigerator. (ice, mustard, mayonnaise …)
d. Check that all toilets are flushed and faucets shut off.
e. Reset thermostat as found.
f. Turn off all lights.
g. Lock all entry doors throughout the building.
NOTE: There is a $350 fee for using the fellowship hall for functions hosted by non-profit (e.g., 501(c)(3)) organizations where food is not served. There is a $650 fee for using the fellowship hall for functions hosted by non-profit (e.g., 501(c)(3)) organizations where food is served.
PURPOSE STATEMENT
The church’s fellowship hall was provided through God’s benevolence and by the sacrificial generosity of church members. The church desires that its fellowship hall be used for the fellowship of the Body of Christ and to bring God glory. Although the fellowship hall is not generally open to the public, we make our fellowship hall available to approved non-members as a witness to our faith, in a spirit of Christian charity, and as a means of demonstrating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in practice.
Fellowship hall use will not be permitted to persons or groups holding, advancing, or advocating beliefs or practices that conflict with the church’s faith or moral teachings, which are summarized in the Rock Spring Baptist Church Constitution. The church fellowship hall may not be used for activities that contradict, or are deemed inconsistent with, the church’s faith or moral teachings. The pastor, or the deacons, are the final decision-maker concerning use of church facilities.
This restricted fellowship hall 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 fellowship hall to be used for purposes that contradict the church’s beliefs would be material cooperation with that activity, and would be a grave violation of the church’s faith and religious practice. (2 Cor 6:14; 1 Thess 5:22.) Second, it is very important that the church present a consistent message to the community, and that the church staff and members conscientiously maintain that message as part of their witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Allowing the fellowship hall 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 use of 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 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 the facilities are connected to the church’s sanctuary, because the church sees all of its property as holy and set apart to worship God. (Col 3:17.)
1. The person in charge of using the fellowship hall must be a church member.
2. Reservations are made through the church calendar. Date and time must be specified. The fellowship hall is only available for Sunday use between the hours of 1PM
and 5PM. Available times will be indicated on the sign-up calendar to avoid conflicts.
3. Church functions will take priority over outside group usage of the fellowship hall.
4. For youth activities, an adult church member must be present and in charge while the fellowship hall is in use.
5. Church members may use the fellowship hall for family reunions, birthday parties, etc. but the fellowship hall may not be used by anyone for sales meetings or other
functions that would result in personal financial gain for the individual. Dancing in the context of a party or reception is not allowed.
6. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on church grounds.
7. There is to be no smoking in any church building or at the entrances to any of the buildings. Anyone wishing to smoke may do so outside.
8. After use, the fellowship hall must be left clean and the furniture arranged as it was found.
9. When using the fellowship hall for non-church related activities the user must furnish items such as paper cups, plates, napkins, etc. Any of the other dishes may be
used provided they are washed and put away immediately after use.
10. The furniture of Rock Spring Baptist Church including tables and chairs are not to be removed from the church property.
11. The fellowship hall is not to be used or preparation done during church hours for non-church related activities.
12. The following items constitute the minimum cleanup required after using the fellowship hall:
a. Empty all trash cans. If food or drink is spilled on the floor, please wipe, clean, or mop that particular area.
b. Sweep the entire floor.
c. Remove all food from the fellowship hall except that which is to be left in the refrigerator. (ice, mustard, mayonnaise …)
d. Check that all toilets are flushed and faucets shut off.
e. Reset thermostat as found.
f. Turn off all lights.
g. Lock all entry doors throughout the building.
NOTE: There is a $350 fee for using the fellowship hall for functions hosted by non-profit (e.g., 501(c)(3)) organizations where food is not served. There is a $650 fee for using the fellowship hall for functions hosted by non-profit (e.g., 501(c)(3)) organizations where food is served.