Refuge Facility Use Policy

Purpose and Philosophy

The church’s* facilities were provided through God’s benevolence and the sacrificial generosity of church members**. The church desires that its facilities be used for the fellowship of the Body of Christ and always for God’s glory. The purpose of this policy is to provide responsible guidelines to facilitate the vision of Refuge by using its building spaces for church-sponsored activities and be available for member-organized groups and events. Although the facilities are not generally open to the public, we occasionally make our facilities available to approved non-member persons and groups 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.

However, facility use will not be permitted to persons or groups holding, advancing, or advocating beliefs or promoting, advocating, or engaging in practices that conflict with the church’s faith or moral teachings, which are summarized in, among other places, our statement of faith. Nor may facilities be used for activities that contradict, deemed by the pastor as inconsistent with, or are contrary to the church’s faith or moral teachings. The pastor, or a designated staff member, is the final decision-maker on whether a person or group is allowed to use 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. They would be a grave violation of the church’s faith and religious practice (see 2 Corinthians 6:14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:22).

Second, it is essential for the church to present a consistent message to the community, which the church staff and members conscientiously maintain 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 severely impact the message that the church strives to promote. It could also be a source of confusion and scandal to church members and the community because they may reasonably perceive that by allowing the use of our facilities, the church agrees with the beliefs or practices of the persons or groups using them.

This policy applies to all church facilities because the church sees all its facilities as set apart to worship God. Therefore, in no event shall persons or groups advance, advocate, or engage in beliefs or practices that contradict the church’s faith in any church facility. Nor may facilities be used in any way that contradicts the church’s faith (see Colossians 3:17).

*  Every use of “church” in this policy is in reference to Refuge, located in St. Cloud, MN.
**  Church members are those who have been attending Refuge regularly, usually for more than six months.

Refuge In The Regency

The church’s vision and utmost responsibility are to love God and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40). Refuge is one of the multiple tenants in the Regency building. People using the church’s facilities must always respect common areas and our neighbors’ spaces, businesses, clients, guests, and vendors. Refuge has forged deep, meaningful relationships with these neighbors over the years, and all who use the church’s facilities have a vital role in this powerful witness. Groups are restricted to use only reserved areas and are encouraged to use appropriate common areas. These common areas include hallways, stairways, restrooms, and parking lot. Spaces in the parking lot are reserved for Regency tenants during business hours but may be available in the evening and on weekends.

The Regency is an event business that hosts weddings, corporate events, and other activities. These events are coordinated by the Managing Director of The Regency and are not Refuge events. Careful consideration must be given to all our neighbors when scheduling and using the church’s facilities during the work week and on weekends. Events in other areas of the building might restrict access to church facilities at certain times.

Facility Use Guidelines

  1. The pastor or designated staff member must approve all uses of church facilities.
  2. Cancellations of events must be communicated directly to the pastor or designated church staff as soon as possible.
  3. Alcohol Policy: No alcohol may be served in church facilities.
  4. Smoking Policy: No smoking is permitted in church facilities or anywhere inside the Regency building.
  5. Groups are restricted to only those areas of the facility that the group has reserved.
  6. Church equipment, such as tables and chairs, must be returned to its original placement unless arranged otherwise prior to the event.
  7. Groups must coordinate with Refuge staff to schedule locks and doors.
  8. All lights must be turned off and doors locked upon departure.
  9. Clean-up: It is the responsibility of any group using church facilities to ensure a satisfactory clean-up when finished with the space. As a general rule, church facilities will be returned in the condition it was prior to any activities.
  10. Abusive or foul language, violent behavior, and drug or alcohol abuse are strictly prohibited while using church facilities. Any person exhibiting such behavior will be required to leave the premise.
  11. Any person or group must sign the "Refuge Facility Request and Agreement” form prior to reservation of church facilities.

Refuge Facility Request and Agreement

Name of person or organization requesting use of facilities:

I affirm that:
  1. I understand that the church does not allow its facilities to be used in a way that contradicts its faith or by persons or groups holding beliefs contrary to the church’s faith.
  2. To the best of my knowledge, the purpose for which I am requesting the use of church facilities will not contradict the church’s faith, and I commit to promptly disclose any potential conflict for which I am aware or become aware to church staff.
  3. I am not aware of any beliefs that are professed by the organization I represent or me, which is requesting the use of the church’s facilities that contradict the church's beliefs. I agree to disclose any potential conflicts of belief to church staff promptly.
  4. I understand that the church does not allow its facilities to be generally available to the public and that my use of these facilities is subject to the pastor’s approval, which is conditioned in part on my agreement to the requirements in the “Refuge Facility Use Policy,” a copy of which I have read and understood.
  5. I understand that I will be responsible for any damages to the church facilities resulting from this proposed use of facilities.
  6. The church believes disputes must be resolved between parties without recourse to the courts (see Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 6). Accordingly, users of the facility agree to attempt resolution through Christian mediation and, failing that, submit to binding arbitration through a mutually acceptable arbitration service.

Submit