Policy. God has given the people of North Park Baptist Church a building to be used as a tool to extend the Kingdom of God and to minister to our community. Therefore, the use of the church facilities is encouraged. Such use must meet the following guidelines:
A. Approved Users:
a. The church’s purposes are worship, evangelization, discipleship, fellowship and ministry. Priority is given to these five purposes of the church.
b. Additionally, the church has started Kingdom Kids Academy. Its programs and requirements also require primary priority concerning the use of facilities.
c. Desiring to serve our community, we welcome community organizations who may desire to use the facilities provided that they agree to the criteria below.
d. Both individual church members or individual members of our community may use the facilities, upon request, provided that they agree to the criteria below.
B. Limitations. The church may not be used for any of the following:
a. Any purpose that is in opposition to and/or inconsistent with basic Christian moral principles or that would impede our witness to the Lord of Creation who is the Head of North Park Baptist Church.
b. For reasons of cleanliness, safety and compliance with state and city fire codes, there shall be no smoking in the facilities or grounds at anytime.
c. The use of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs is not permitted on church premises.
d. No form of gambling is permitted on church property.
e. Use of the facilities for any illegal activity is not permitted.
f. Facilities shall only be used for non-commercial activities.
g. Facilities shall not be used to espouse any political activity, either by organized groups or by individuals.
h. Use of any facilities or performance of any activity not specified in the application form and agreement.
i. Applications shall normally be submitted thirty (30) days prior to an event.
C. Procedure. Church sponsored activities will have priority over non-church sponsored activities.
a. Groups Within the Church.
i. Regularly scheduled meetings of the church shall have first priority.
ii. Special meetings, activities and programs of the committees, teams or councils of the church require first checking with the church office to avoid conflict with other events and to have the meeting recorded on the church calendar.
b. Requests Originating from the Outside (including members requesting for non-church functions)
i. All requests for use of the church facility shall be made by completing the attached application and submitting it to the church secretary.
ii. The church office shall refer the application to the Administrative Council. The Administrative Council shall evaluate the request for consistencies with the policy.
iii. All requests for building use must be approved by the Administrative Council in advance or by the pastor on short notice, with ratification by the Administrative Council.
c. The church office will notify the staff and the requester of approval at the earliest opportunity.
a. In most cases a member of North Park will be required to be in the building when an outside group meets at the church.
b. See attached sheet for building use costs. Any requests for recurring use or exceptions to the fee will be negotiated by the Administrative Council.
c. Church members are not charged the fee schedule and must check a key out from the office during business hours.
d. Any group, organization or individual using the facilities shall promptly report loss or breakage, defacement, or other damage to property, fixtures or furnishings to the church office. The group or organization shall reimburse the church or restore or replace the property lost, broken, defaced or otherwise damaged.
e. Fees must be paid no less than one week prior to scheduled use.
a. All decorations may be hung by a device (e.g. fish line) from the ceiling tile framework, provided it is not heavy
b. Anything attached to the walls must be attached by 3M Command tape. Request may be made to the secretary for this tape.
c. All spills on flooring must be promptly cleaned up with appropriate materials.
d. Provide safe and responsible supervision of children at all times.
e. Replace furniture where you found it upon entering the room. Leave the facilities in the same condition you found them.
H. Personal use of church property:
No church property may be borrowed for personal use without the consent of the properties committee upon the advice of the ministry leader overseeing that property (e.g. use of the Youth Ministry equipment requires the consent of the Youth Pastor).
I. Weddings:
a. Normally, wedding ceremonies will be performed by the pastoral staff of North Park Baptist Church.
b. Visiting pastoral officiants may on occasion be approved by the pastoral team.
c. A course of pre-marital counseling is required, either completed by pastoral team or course approved by pastoral team.
d. The church retains the right to allow or deny couples the opportunity to get married in our facilities, at its discretion.
e. Rule pertaining to alcohol in B.c above remains in effect for weddings.
f. Rules pertaining to the use of electronic equipment also pertain to weddings.
a.
