Policies (Attachments)

Policies attached to the By-Laws per Article VI. Policies establish statutes for Mayflower Church and are approved by the Membership.

About These Policies

Policies establish statutes for Mayflower Church that the church must follow. Policies are approved by Church Membership at any duly called meeting of church. Policies that articulate the teaching of Scripture on issues that require clear teaching, establishing biblical guidance and/or biblical standards of conduct in the Church and community, must first be approved by the Board of Elders. Policies are inserted as attachments to the by-laws.

See By-Laws Article VI — Policies.

Wedding Policy

Title: Wedding Policy

Oversight Board: Mayflower Board Elders

Effective Date: 10-21-24

Version Number: 2

Policy Statement: It is the policy of Mayflower Church that wedding ceremonies performed at the church and by church staff are biblical. All marriages at Mayflower Church and by its staff must be biblical.

Purpose: The purpose of this Wedding Policy is to define biblical marriage.

Limitations: This policy does not supersede any personal policy held by a pastor of the church. In areas is discontinuity, Mayflower Church will adhere to whichever is most strict. For example, a pastor may have a policy that he absolutely does not remarry people who have divorced. The church may allow it under biblical circumstances. In which case the pastor's policy is stricter and would be followed.

Description

A biblical marriage:

      1. Is comprised of one biological male (groom) and one biological female (bride).
      2. Is between a Bride and Groom who both profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
      3. Is a God-ordained covenant with each other to be one flesh, and to live in faithfulness and mutual forgiveness as long as they both live (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2: 24-25).
      4. Acknowledges God’s presence in the giving and taking of solemn vows.
      5. Is a commitment publicly sealed and witnessed by the Christian community that not only marks an appropriate beginning but also provides a nurturing environment in which the covenant is brought to fulfillment.
      6. Is valid in view of Jesus’s teachings on divorce in view of Matthew 19 and 1 Corinthians 7.
      7. Respects biblical teaching on human sexuality and embodiment according to 1 Corinthians 6 and Hebrews 13:4.

Deaconate Fund Financial Aid Policy

Title: Deaconate Fund Financial Aid Policy

Oversight Board: Mayflower Board of Deacons

Effective Date: 1-26-22

Version Number: 3

Policy Statement: It is the policy of Mayflower Church diaconate that funds donated to the diaconate be distributed responsibly to those in true need, with church members receiving highest priority, then the needs of others in our community and other ministries that minister to the needs of the poor.

Purpose: The purpose of this Financial Aid Policy is to define the process and criteria used by the diaconate to distribute the monies donated by the congregation to the diaconate fund.

Description

Each request or recommendation for assistance is considered by the diaconate. Every case is considered on its own merits.

Church members and attendee friends are a priority.

Financial assistance will be for essential needs such as food, utilities, medical, vehicle gas or repair, or clothing.

Repeat help may be provided to the chronically poor, while also assisting them in identifying other available sources of help.

The repeated need for help may require financial counseling or budget assistance before further assistance is provided.

Financial assistance for community members not associated with Mayflower church will be normally be limited to food or gas debit cards.

A Deacons’ Fund Request form must be completed

The individual will meet with a member of the diaconate to discuss their situation and provide us an opportunity for witness of the gospel and prayer.

In general, a community member will be helped once a year.

Forms of financial assistance include:

Bags of essential groceries

Food or gas gift cards

Payment a specific bill

Rarely, give undesignated money

Purchasing and Reimbursement Policy

Title: Mayflower Church Purchasing and Reimbursement Policy

Oversight Board: Board of Finance

Effective Date: 5-17-23

Version Number: 1

Policy Statement: It is the policy of Mayflower Church that all expenditures be within the available budget or fund limits and be pre-approved.

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to define how purchases are approved, allocated to the appropriate fund or budget, and how reimbursement is made for out-of-pocket expenses.

Description

Prior Approval

Prior approval by the appropriate board chair must be obtained prior to purchase (see table).

The need and cost estimate should be communicated, and the approval received, “in writing” via email or other means.

The method of payment (cash, church credit card, or PEX debit card) will be determined by the board chair.

Purchases

Purchases must be within the ‘do not exceed’ amount agreed during approval.

Purchases should be examined for damage and suitability and returned if needed by the purchaser.

All purchase paperwork should be returned to the approver (register receipts, packing slips or order acknowledgements)

Allocation

The approver will submit appropriate paperwork to the Treasurer: a voucher for cash reimbursement or credit card purchase; the uploaded receipt for PEX card purchases.

Reimbursement

Reimbursements or payment is not guaranteed for purchases made without prior approval.

Reimbursements will be made within two weeks for approved cash out-of-pocket expenses.

Building Use Policy

Title: Building Use Policy

Oversight Board: Board of Elders, Board of Trustees

Effective Date: 10-21-24

Version Number: 1

Policy Statement: It is our policy that the facilities of Mayflower Church be used in accordance with our beliefs, values, and by-laws, ensuring at all times that we are good stewards of the place of worship God has provided.

Purpose: The Mayflower Church Building Use Policy is established to ensure that the use of Church facilities honors the mission and values of Mayflower Church, as outlined in our Constitution and By-laws, while providing a safe, respectful, and orderly environment for church activities and community events.

Description

Alcohol Prohibition

Consistent with our commitment to promote a healthy and safe environment that aligns with our Christian values, the use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages on Church premises is strictly prohibited at all times.

Liability Insurance Requirement

All external groups or organizations using the Church facilities must provide proof of liability insurance. This insurance must name Mayflower Church as an additional insured party and cover any potential damages or injuries that may occur during the use of the facilities.

Parking Regulations

To minimize disruption to our neighborhood, parking on the streets within the immediate residential vicinity of the Church is prohibited.

Users of the Church facilities are required to use designated parking areas, which may include agreements with neighboring churches and businesses. Detailed parking arrangements and locations will be provided upon approval of facility use.

Event Timing and Noise Consideration

All events hosted at the Church must conclude by 9:00 PM. This is to ensure minimal disturbance to our neighbors and to maintain a peaceful environment in the community.

Users of the Church facilities are expected to maintain a respectful noise level at all times, particularly in the evenings.

Facility Use Approval and Scheduling

Requests for the use of Church facilities must be submitted to the Church Office for approval. Priority is given to Church functions and member-related events.

The Board of Trustees, in consultation with the Pastor and Elders if necessary, will review and approve requests based on the alignment with Church values and availability of facilities.

The Church reserves the right to deny the use of facilities for activities that are inconsistent with its mission and values as outlined in the Church Constitution and By-laws.

Responsibility for Damages and Cleanup

Groups or individuals using the Church facilities are responsible for any damages incurred during their use and are expected to leave the premises in a clean and orderly condition.

A facility use fee and/or damage deposit may be required, depending on the nature and extent of the facility use.

Compliance with Church Policies and Laws

All facility use must be in compliance with the Church's policies and applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Violation of this policy may result in immediate termination of facility use privileges and potential legal action if applicable.

Conclusion: Mayflower Church is committed to being a responsible and engaged member of our community. We welcome the use of our facilities in a manner that respects our neighbors, adheres to our Christian principles, and ensures the safety and well-being of all participants.

Child Safety Policy

Title: Child Safety Policy

Oversight Board: Mayflower Board of Deacons

Effective Date: 9-11-2023

Version Number: 2

Policy Statement: It is the policy of Mayflower Church that our facilities are adequate and appropriate, and our childcare workers trained and equipped, to ensure the safety of children in our care.

Purpose: The purpose of this Child Safety Policy is to define safety standards for childcare during children’s ministry activities at Mayflower Church. These are primarily nursery care and Discipletown children’s ministry. This policy is not meant to define child safety for teen ministries, although some elements may apply.

Description

Child Protection – child protection at Mayflower includes

Formal sign-in

This Child Safety policy

The 2-adult/never alone policy

Annual CORI-check of all child care workers

Live-stream security cameras in hallways and childcare rooms.

Children (defined as any individual under 12 years of age) are never alone with an adult worker in the church nursery or any youth program. There will either be two CORI’D adults or one CORI’D adult and a monitored, live, security camera. Childcare workers never change baby diapers or accompany a child to the toilet alone. If a child cannot toilet alone then the child’s guardian will be contacted for assistance.

Mayflower maintains a record of children signed into nursery or youth ministry program. A child’s guardian defines allergies and who may retrieve a child when a program is dismissed. Children are only released to the person specified by the guardian.

Child discipline is limited to “time out.” The child’s guardian will be contacted if children cry and cannot be comforted quickly and for behavior which is disruptive, harmful, or otherwise inappropriate.

Heath and safety procedures will be implemented to minimize exposure to or transmission of disease. Preventive measures include washing hands prior to handling; ensuring child care areas are clean; and emergency fire, safety, and first aid procedures.

Sunday Sales Policy

Title: Mayflower Church Sunday Sales Policy

Oversight Board: Mayflower Board of Elders

Effective Date: 12-4-2018

Version Number: 1

Purpose: In order to strike a balance between allowing reasonable Church function-related activities, while not becoming “money changers” within the Church, the following guidelines are established:

Policy:

Mayflower Church activities, such as leftover bake sale, or other, items from the Mayflower Club’s Craft Fair; or Youth Group cookie or candy sales, will generally be allowed, barring other conflicting needs.

Outside missionary speakers/singers will likely be allowed to sell their CD’s, DVD’s, etc. on a one-time basis.

Private sales will generally not be allowed.

Any requests will be presented to the Board of Elders, who will make the final decision as to whether the activity will be permitted.