ARTICLE VII - Dissolution
Should the Membership of Mayflower Church become less than 10 active Members the Church may vote for dissolution. In the event of dissolution or liquidation of Mayflower Church, after all liabilities and obligations have been paid, satisfied or discharged, all remaining property and assets shall be distributed by the active Members to a nonprofit organization affiliated with Mayflower Church or other Christian non-profit organization (Voted 10-15-2007). Priority will be given to evangelical ministries whose aim is to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Kingston/Plymouth County.
POLICIES
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:
- Is comprised of one biological male (groom) and one biological female (bride).
- Is between a Bride and Groom who both profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
- 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).
- Acknowledges God’s presence in the giving and taking of solemn vows.
- 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.
- Is valid in view of Jesus’s teachings on divorce in view of Matthew 19 and 1 Corinthians 7.
- Respects biblical teaching on human sexuality and embodiment according to 1 Corinthians 6 and Hebrews 13:4.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
GUIDELINES FOR SEEKING A MINISTER?
(From the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference)
The ministry of the Church of Jesus Christ is a composite one, comprising both a congregation and a Pastor. We think of its activities being on the Lord’s Day in a Church building, but actually its ministry is being carried on continually, wherever the Lord’s people may be found.
Churches, like people, vary from community to community, and from one generation to the next, however, eventually the time comes when a Church finds it necessary to seek a new under-shepherd for the flock. For some, this occurs every so often, while for others it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and they find themselves in a totally unfamiliar situation. Whichever the case, it is often wise to take into consideration several issues and suggestions that could serve to ease what might be a difficult situation and at the same time, forestall possible serious problems in the future.
The best time to think about these matters is while you are enjoying the ministry of your present Pastor. To wait until he has announced his call to another Church, or has already left, is a poor time to suddenly come under the pressure of establishing guidelines and procedures to be followed. Therefore, it would be wise to have a previously planned procedure spelled out, either within the Church’s By-laws, or else, as part of the permanent records of, for example, the Board of Deacons. It would be well for the Deacons to be substantially represented on a Pulpit Committee, the size and makeup of which should be part of these suggested plans.
As we make these suggestions, it is a presupposed matter that the Search Committee and the Church are constantly praying for the leading of God in their lives, and the special gift is sought whereby personalities and special interests are set aside. This being done, the following suggestions are worthy of your consideration:
- Your local Conference Area Representative is available for counsel.
- Names of possible candidates can be obtained from the Conference office.
- A retired minister, a former missionary, or a particularly gifted layman should be sought to serve as interim minister. This provides continuity of leadership at a critical time.
- When the names of possible candidates are obtained, it is very desirable for the Committee to visit the Churches they are serving, unannounced. In doing so, they may observe these men and their congregations in their “home territories.” Be careful, however, to disburse yourselves throughout the congregation. To sit in a body could create an awkward situation for the Pastor later on.
- Wait until after the service to make yourselves known, and arrange to meet with the Pastor later on in the day.
After hearing several men in the above manner, and after concentrated prayer and discussion, the Pulpit Committee should then invite the one who is their choice to preach as a candidate, with a vote of the Church following soon after. A candidate called as the result of any vote less than a two-thirds vote may prove to be an unwise choice.
Before a Church votes to call a particular candidate, and before he gives his answer accepting or declining, a clear and frank discussion should be had between the candidate and the Search Committee on the following issues:
Moving expenses, salary, other allowances, vacation and parsonage. These should be agreed to in writing. The candidate should not hesitate being frank about his financial needs and habits.
- Any particular strengths or weaknesses the Church may have.
- The reason for the previous Pastor’s leaving.
- The reason for the candidate’s wishing a change.
- The position of both the Church and candidate on:
- Baptism
- The Charismatic Movement
- Marriage and Divorce
- Missions
- Relationship with the Conference, Council of Churches, etc.
There should be a full and comprehensive discussion of the above issues, followed by a written statement of agreement (if felt desirable) on these matters, signed by both the candidate and the chairman of the Search Committee.
- Does the candidate unreservedly accept the Church’s Statement of Faith?
- Is there a clear understanding of the role and responsibility of the Pastor’s wife?
Pastors and their congregations are human and fallible, but in a direct manner as they center their lives and ministries around the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and maintain a balance of both doctrine and experience, the work of Christ will go on, God glorified, the saints edified, and the lost won to Christ.
It is our prayer that Churches making use of these suggestions will be led in God’s own time to the Pastor of His choice.