Facility Rental Policy

Preface

Elim Tabernacle Port Alberni (Elim) is a society incorporated under the BC Societies Act. The purposes of our society are:

To establish and maintain a place for the worship of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father. 

To provide for Christian fellowship for those of like precious faith, where the Holy Spirit may be honoured according to our distinctive testimony. 

To assume its share of responsibility and the privilege of propagating the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, by all available means, both at home and in foreign lands.

To accept, uphold, and promote both the Statement of Essential Truths and the Positions and Practices of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, as approved by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, because we believe most assuredly that the Holy Scriptures are God’s final revelation and constitute all-sufficient rule for faith and practice by Members and Adherents of the Church.  Copies of the Statement of Essential Truths and Positions and Practices are attached and part of this policy.

To voluntarily associate and affiliate and enter into full cooperative fellowship with assemblies of like precious faith as part of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in the General Conference and the British Columbia/Yukon District Conference, thereby sharing in the privileges and responsibilities enjoined by that affiliation, while still holding inviolate its inherent and sovereign rights in the conduct of its affairs.

To constitute this society as a local assembly in fellowship with The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.

To purchase or acquire by gift, bequest or otherwise, either directly or as trustee, and to own, hold in trust, use, sell, convey, mortgage, lease, or otherwise dispose of any real estate or chattels as may be necessary for the furtherance of the Church’s charitable purposes; all in accordance with its Constitution and Bylaws or as the same may be hereafter modified or amended.

Facility Rental

Policy Statement

The Facility Rental Policy is intended to ensure that Elim Tabernacle (the church) facilities are well managed and used in ways which both glorify Jesus Christ and are consistent with our guiding values and purposes as stated above.

Our church’s facilities were provided through God’s benevolence and by the sacrificial generosity of our church members.  We desire that our facilities be used for the fellowship of the body of Christ and to bring God glory.  Although our 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 as a means of demonstrating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in practice.

But use of our facility 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.  Nor may church facilities be used for activities that contradict, or are deemed inconsistent with, the Elim’s faith or moral teachings.  The pastor, or pastor’s official designee, is the final decision-maker concerning 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 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 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 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).

Approved Users and Priority of Use

The pastor or official designee 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 ministry, organization, or sponsored activities of the church.  Church facilities and equipment will be made available to non-members or outside groups meeting the following qualifications:

  1. Groups of 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 Rental Agreement” 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 church staff.

Scheduling Events

Facility use request shall be made to the Elim Tabernacle office or Head Pastor by submitting the “Facility Rental Agreement” form.  The event will be reserved and placed on the church calendar only when the pastor or official designee approves the use.

Suggested Donation for Facility Use

To pay for the upkeep and maintenance of church facilities, a suggested donation, as per the attached “Suggested Donation for Facility Use Schedule”, may be paid to the church office.

Facility Use Guidelines

  1. A signed rental contract for the use of facilities shall be required for all This contract shall include conditions of facility use and requirements for supplies and equipment.
  2. As required, the Church will arrange for a representative(s) from the Church to oversee general supervision of the event and the operation of the sound and lighting systems. If no representative(s) are available, the facilities and/or resources will not be available.
  3. Officiating ministers or marriage commissioners must be a member of Elim pastoral staff or must be approved by the Lead Pastor (or designate) and be in alignment with Elim's guiding
  4. A damage deposit may be required upon All or part of the damage deposit may be withheld in case of damage or misuse of facilities. If damage costs are higher than the deposit - the renter will be responsible for the additional damage.
  5. Elim reserves the right to cancel the contract if contract terms are breached. In the event the user cancels the contract within seven days of the designated function, Elim reserves the right to withhold all or portion of the rental deposit. In the event that Elim requires an "unexpected use" (ie. funeral) of a portion or all facilities rented, Elim reserves the right to cancel, modify or reschedule the contract.
  6. In the event the planned function is cancelled by the renter, any expenses incurred by Elim shall be paid by the renter.
  7. Use of the facility shall be in conformity to the City of Port Alberni ordinances on fire, safety, smoking, parking, overcrowding, etc. Hallways, stairwells, foyers, and all entrances must not be blocked at any Exterior doors must NOT be propped open at any time. Room capacity rules must be observed.
  8. Candles are not permitted unless they are flameless.
  9. Small items such as popcorn, glitter, confetti, are not allowed to be used in the church facilities or on the church property.
  10. No tacks, staples or other fasteners are to be used on any furniture, fixtures or other surfaces in the facility. However sticky tack and/or masking tape may be discreetly used for hanging decorations on walls, but MUST be removed immediately after your event.
  11. If used, the kitchen area, including all stove surfaces and ovens shall be cleaned and counters disinfected with materials supplied by Elim. Floors will be cleaned by custodial staff as part of the
  12. No food or beverages are allowed in the sanctuary without prior approval from
  13. No pets or animals are allowed except those aiding persons with disabilities; without prior approval from Elim.
  14. All rooms and other areas of the Church not specified in the rental contract are off
  15. If the renter does not meet the requirements in the list above, Elim staff, at a rate of $25.00 per hour shall do the cleanup. This amount shall be deducted from (but not limited to) the damage
  16. If children are present when adults are using the facilities, they must be under the proper supervision at all times and confined to the areas Nursery, Toddler rooms and/or gym must be booked to be used.
  17. No access to, nor operation of, the Church lighting or sound systems are permitted except by designated Elim trained personnel, unless prior arrangement has been granted and stated in the rental Prior arrangement for such persons is required as part of the rental agreement.
  18. The Church musical equipment (drums, piano, microphones, ) are strictly off limits and shall not be moved from their location unless prior arrangement is made with Elim.
  19. The church computer systems, software and connections to the server are strictly off limits. If Internet connections are required, prior arrangements must be made with Elim.
  20. The photocopiers and fax machine are not available for personal
  21. Vehicles may park only in designated
  22. Table linens will not be supplied by Elim unless otherwise prearranged.
  23. Church furniture & equipment (ie. tables, podiums, projectors, ) must be booked as part of rental contract.
  24. Alcohol or illegal drugs shall not be permitted on the Church grounds or in the Church
  25. Elim Tabernacle is a 'smoke-free' Smoking of any sort is not permitted within the Church building.
  26. The Church building and Church grounds will not be used for dances, bingos or similar
  27. The Church will not be rented or used for practices of rituals of any secret society or
  28. Any condition, activity, action or deed contrary to this Facility Rental Policy, Elim's Guiding Values or Contract Terms shall be sufficient cause or reason to disallow or cancel and or evict any renter or guest thereof.
  29. Damage incurred by any member of the group attending including third parties (ie caterers) will be the responsibility of the renter.
  30. Any renter or organization applicant who falsely represents himself or herself in the rental agreement shall be denied access to the Church facilities or grounds, and this shall be sufficient cause or reason to disallow or cancel/evict any renter or guest thereof. Deposits may be
  31. It is the responsibility of the renter to supervise those attending the event and insure they are aware of the conditions of this agreement.
  32. The renter acknowledges that by signing this contract the renter will be responsible and liable for any injuries, harm, sickness, and or up to and including death of any person(s) arising from the event within the Church building or on the Church grounds including third parties (ie caterers).
  33. The renter agrees to defend and indemnify Elim Tabernacle and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada against any loss they may suffer, or any claim, which may be brought against them, resulting from the planned event or under the conditions imposed by this
  34. The leadership of Elim reserves the right to rent or allow use of these premises only by individuals or groups compatible with Elim's core values and statements and for the purposes which are compatible with Elim Tabernacle’s objectives, goals, values and statements.
  35. Deposits are due upon signing this agreement and all remaining fees are due 30 days prior to the event. Ongoing rentals will be invoiced monthly payable in advance of the rental
  36. The final determination of any disputes arising from interpretation or implementation of this policy rests with the Elim Lead Pastor or designate.
  37. All pages of this Church Rental Policy form the basis of the rental

Insurance

Proof of a Certificate of Liability Insurance for a minimum of $2,000,000, listing Elim Tabernacle as an “Additional Insured” with respect to and for the duration of the event/program, is required at least one week prior to the day of the event.

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