Bethel Baptist Church
Building Usage Guidelines
Statement of Purpose
Bethel Baptist Church’s property and facilities were provided through God’s benevolence and the sacrificial generosity of church members. Bethel desires that its property and facilities be used for the fellowship of the Body of Christ and always to God’s glory. Although facilities are not generally open to the public, we make our facilities available to approved non-member persons and groups as a witness to our faith, in a spirit or Christian charity, and as a means of demonstrating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in practice. For use of the property or facilities, Bethel Baptist’s Church’s policies and procedures for reservation, use, and care must be followed.
Approved Users and Priority of Use
Staff-led ministry events, including pastoral, missions, worship, student, and kids ministry events, trips, and services will have first priority in scheduling facility use. Auxiliary ministries, including but not limited to men’s ministry, women’s ministry, Cooks for Christ, and Life Group fellowships will be considered and approved based on facility/schedule availability after the staff-led events have been scheduled and approved. Additionally, priority shall generally be given to members of the church and organized groups that are part of the ministry, organization, or sponsored activities of the church. This includes birthday parties, private parties (showers, teas, etc.) and weddings (see separate Wedding Policies and Procedures document). All the above approved users are required to complete all documents/procedures required to reserve the facility and must receive approval for their event before it will be added to the church calendar.
Outside groups and organizations such as school groups may use the facility, subject to approval and completion of the required documents and fees.
Bethel Baptist Church’s facilities are not available for use by for-profit individuals/businesses/groups that wish to utilize the space for their company/business activities.
Procedures for Facility Requests:
- Fully complete and submit your request found at bethelnet.com/request. This is your official facility request and should be completed in full detail to ensure your needs are understood; it will be referenced at the time of your event to assure cooperation between Bethel and your planned event. Failure to complete the form in full may result in a denial of your building usage or unavailability of needed resources (rooms, equipment, etc.). Requests cannot be edited or changed once received; a new request must be submitted with necessary changes and edits and reapproved based on priority and availability.
- Once your request form is submitted, you will receive a request confirmation email with a link to additional information, fees, procedures and requirements for facility usage. This form, along with any required deposits, must be signed and returned to the church to hold your requested date(s). Once your deposit is paid, the usage guidelines have been signed, and any necessary questions/details have been worked out, your event will be added to Bethel’s calendar.
Facility Use Approval Timeline:
Staff-led and auxiliary ministry events will be scheduled according to their priority, availability of date/spaces needed, and in order of receipt. Standing or reoccurring events (such as men’s breakfast, Bible study groups, etc.) will be reevaluated quarterly or as needed to ensure there are no scheduling conflicts with other events.
Reservations for private parties and events must be made at least two weeks in advance with a maximum of three months prior to the event. Reservations are subject to calendar approval through the church administration offices and can take up to two full business weeks to receive approval. No events will be scheduled on church holidays or during any regular church activities.
Special events and requests requiring more than 3 months advance approval will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may take up to six business weeks for approval.
Facility Use Fees:
A damage deposit of $200 per event (payable by check) will be required. The deposit check will be held until and returned after your event provided the facility is returned to its original condition and the rules have not been violated. A requested date will not be held until the damage deposit is received. The damage deposit must be paid separately from the usage fee. The usage fee is due in-full a minimum of two weeks prior to your event date.
For private parties, showers, teas, etc. there will be a charge of $25.00 per hour with a two hour minimum.
School groups will be charged a facility use charge of $500 per event with a maximum usage of five hours if the event or program is conducted outside of church office hours.
For school programs scheduled during office hours (Monday – Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm), there will be no facility use charge.
Facility Use Rules:
Any room used will be set up by the group and must be returned to its original arrangement at the conclusion of the event. Each group using the worship center or multiple rooms will be charged a $100 cleaning charge for restrooms and common area cleaning. All other areas must be picked up/cleaned before vacating the property
All groups must furnish their own equipment (other than tables and chairs) for their event. Audio and video equipment availability is subject to additional fees and must be operated by a certified Bethel AV technician.
Within the kitchen area, the refrigerator, freezer and ice machine are the only appliances available for use without special approval. The stoves, ovens, warmer, fryers, and dishwasher are not available for use unless requested and approved by church administration and is granted on a case-by-case basis.
For gymnasium use, hardballs (baseballs, softballs, bowling balls, golf balls, etc.) are not permitted. Additionally, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, roller skates, cleated shoes, remote-control vehicles, and inflatables are not allowed.