When Non-Members Use a Church Building

[Hilohi]

When non-members use a church building, a church member needs to be present, correct? If yes, where can I find that guideline?

[russellhltn]

A couple of things to check from the General Handbook:

35.5.2 Building Uses That Are Not Allowed

35.5.8 Nonprofit Use of Church Property

In the latter, you find "A local leader should be present." when allowing a non-profit to use the building.

It's less clear about situations where you're dealing with a group of individuals that are not part of an organized non-profit. Weddings are mentioned, but not other activities like a family reunion.

But leadership would have to be really trusting to turn over a building to a group of non-members with zero supervision.

[Hilohi]

A couple of things to check from the General Handbook:

35.5.2 Building Uses That Are Not Allowed

35.5.8 Nonprofit Use of Church Property

In the latter, you find "A local leader should be present." when allowing a non-profit to use the building.

It's less clear about situations where you're dealing with a group of individuals that are not part of an organized non-profit. Weddings are mentioned, but not other activities like a family reunion.

But leadership would have to be really trusting to turn over a building to a group of non-members with zero supervision.

Perfect. Thank you!

[BrianEdwards]

Another resource is Policies on Using Church Property, specifically paragraph 2 under the "Security and Lockup Procedures" section. It's interesting to me that this describes Priesthood Leaders as being authorized to assign individuals to lock up the building, but doesn't state they need to be members. As russellhltn states, they would have to be very trusting to have non-members perform this, but ultimately it's the Bishop's stewardship.