The church’s facilities were provided through God’s benevolence and by the sacrificial generosity of church members. The church desires that its facilities be used for the fellowship of the Body of Christ and always to God’s glory. Although the facilities are not open to the public, we 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 advancing, advocating, or engaging in practices that conflict with the church’s faith or moral teachings, which are summarized in, among other places, the church’s statement of faith and bylaws. Nor may facilities be used for activities that contradict, or are deemed by the pastors as inconsistent with, or contrary to the church’s faith or moral teachings. The pastor, or his official designee, 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, and would be a grave violation of the church’s faith and religious practice. See 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:22.

Second, it is very important to the church that it presents 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. To allow 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 be a source of confusion and scandal to church members and the community because they may reasonably perceive that by allowing use of our facilities, the church is in agreement with the beliefs or practices of the persons or groups using church 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 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 or auditorium, because the church sees all of its property as holy and set apart to worship God. See Colossians 3:17.

The pastor or official designee must approve all uses of church facilities. Priority shall generally be given to people connected with the church, 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 people or groups not connected with the church who meet the following qualifications:

1. Groups or persons requesting facility use must affirm that their beliefs and practices and planned uses of the facilities are in harmony with the church’s faith and practice.
2. The group or person seeking facility use must submit a signed “Facility Use Request Form.” Signing this form does not guarantee the use of the facility or obligate the Church in any way.
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.

The following guidelines apply to all guests’ space usage of the Church’s facilities, and therefore they shall be incorporated by reference or expressly in all space-sharing agreements.

1. Alcohol Policy: No alcohol may be served or consumed on church property.
2. Smoking in any indoor area of the Church is prohibited.
3. Groups are restricted to only those areas of the facility that the group has reserved.
4. Food and beverages in classrooms and worship space is allowed but fixing damages and additional clean-up due to food and beverage use will be charged to the group that used the facility.
5. Church equipment, such as tables and chairs, must be returned to original placement, unless arranged otherwise prior to the event.
6. All lights must be turned off and doors locked upon departure.
7. Clean-up is the responsibility of the group using the facility. If clean-up is not satisfactory to the facility administrator the church will have discretion to charge additional fees.
8. 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.
9. No childcare can be conducted during the organizations use of the church’s facility.
10. Any person or group must sign the “Facility Use Request Form & Agreement.” prior to reservation of church facilities.

NewSpring requires the presence of local law enforcement (police officers) during an event if the attendance is expected to be greater than 150 people. When attendance is expected to be 500 people or more, NewSpring requires one police officer for every 500 people. If the expected attendance is near any of these tiers, NewSpring has the discretion to require an additional police officer.

NewSpring reserves the right to require the presence of a staff member prior to, during, and after an event for site preparation and monitoring at the group’s expense. Depending on the event size and schedule, NewSpring may require multiple staff representatives to be present.

The group must provide a certificate of insurance naming NewSpring as additionally insured and as certificate holder. The group must also provide workers compensation statutory coverage for their employees.

With respect to the group’s liability policy, NewSpring Church shall be named as additional insured of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence; and $2,000,000 in the aggregate. Such limits may be provided through a combination of umbrella and primary policies, in form no less broad than a standard ISO CG 00 01 (most current edition).

The certificate of insurance should also include:
- Insurance limits for general liability, automobile liability, workers compensation statutory coverage, and sexual acts liability as needed.
- NewSpring Church, Inc. P.O. Box 1407, Anderson, SC 29622 as certificate holder
- Newspring Church, Inc. as additional insured showing the specific location of the event
- Insurance coverage periods that include the date(s) of the event(s)

NewSpring is not responsible for any loss or damage no matter how caused, to any samples, displays, properties, rentals, or personal effects brought into the premises. If there is any damage to the premises by the group or their appointed contractors it will be the responsibility of the group to pay for any repairs.

USE OF THE CHURCH’S PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT IS AT GROUP’S RISK. GROUP HEREBY AGREES THAT THE CHURCH WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE, INJURY OR LOSS TO GROUP, ITS PARTY OR POSSESSIONS WHILE ON THE PREMISES. GROUP HOLDS HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFIES THE CHURCH AND ITS OWNERS, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES, ASSOCIATES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, GUESTS AND TENANTS AGAINST ANY SUIT, CLAIM, LOSS, ACCIDENT, JUDGMENT, FINE, INJURY OR DAMAGES, INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEES. THIS INDEMNIFICATION SHALL INCLUDE CLAIMS OR LITIGATION ARISING THROUGH THE SOLE NEGLIGENCE OR SOLE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE CHURCH CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT DURING AND AFTER THE TERM OF THE USE FOR SUCH CAUSES ARISING DURING THE TERM OF THE USE.

GROUP AGREES TO SAVE, INDEMNIFY, AND KEEP HARMLESS THE CHURCH AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, JUDGMENTS, OR DEMANDS, INCLUDING DEMANDS ARISING FROM INJURIES OR DEATH OF PERSONS (GROUP’S EMPLOYEES INCLUDED) AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OUT OF OBLIGATIONS HEREIN UNDERTAKEN OR OUT OF THE OPERATIONS CONDUCTED BY GROUP, INCLUDING CLAIMS OR LITIGATION ARISING THROUGH THE SOLE NEGLIGENCE OR SOLE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE CHURCH. IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE PARTIES THAT THE INDEMNITY PROVIDED FOR BY THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR INDEMNITY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PROVIDED FOR BY LAW AND INCLUDES ALL DEFENSE COSTS AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES.

I affirm individually (and on behalf of the organizational guest and its agents) as follows:

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 that contradict the church’s faith.

2. To the best of my knowledge the purpose for which I am requesting 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 me or the organization I represent and which is requesting use of the church’s facilities that contradict the beliefs of the church. I agree to promptly disclose.

4. I understand that upon approval of my facilities use request, I will need to provide a security deposit in the amount of 50% of the donation amount, and any other fees required by the church.

5. 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 “Facility Use Request Form & Agreement,” which I have read and understood, and to compliance with the Facility Use Guidelines set forth in such Policy and below.

6. I understand that even if my request is approved, the church may fully terminate or alter conditions of any agreement with me or the organization. Such termination or alteration of an agreement is not anticipated, however, the church reserves the right to terminate or alter the agreement at any point prior to the event.

7. I understand that I will be responsible for any damages to the church facilities resulting from this proposed use of facilities.

8. I understand I am responsible for the setup and takedown of all rooms and areas used and returning them to their original state.

9. I understand I am responsible for the cleanup of the facility and removal of any garbage. If clean-up is not satisfactory to the facility administrator the church will charge for clean-up to the group responsible.

10. I understand that the sidewalks, halls, passages, and stairways shall not be obstructed by any persons connected with my use or used for any purpose other than for ingress to and egress from the Premises. The halls, passages, entrances, stairways, and roof are not for the use of the general public, and the Church shall in all cases retain the right to control and prevent access thereto of all persons whose presence, in the Church’s judgment shall be prejudicial its safety, character, reputation and interests.

11. I further agree to assume full responsibility for protecting the facility from theft, robbery and pilferage, including, without limitation, keeping doors locked and windows and other means of entry to the facility closed during my use.

12. On behalf of the organization and individually, I release and discharge the Church, its directors, officers, volunteers, employees, and other representatives from any and all liability, claims, demands, or causes of action that I, the organization, its other agents, and/or its invitees, may hereafter have for injuries or damages arising out of the facility use. I further agree individually and on behalf of such persons not to sue or make any claim against the Church for damages or other losses sustained as a result of anyone’s participation in the facility use. I further agrees individually (and on behalf of such persons) to indemnify and hold the Church harmless from all claims, settlements, judgments and costs, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, and to reimburse the Church for any expenses whatsoever incurred in connection with an action brought by any participant or on any participant’s behalf as a result of facility use.

13. In the event that I, or the organization, or its agent(s) shall violate any of the foregoing covenants, I acknowledge that the Church, at its option, shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and the Church may terminate this Agreement at any time. I further acknowledge that the Church has the right to make such other and further reasonable rules and regulations as in its judgment may be needed for the facility’s safety, care and cleanliness, and for the preservation of good order therein for the benefit of all facility occupants.

14. Any and all claims or disputes arising from or related to this Agreement, other than a claim for injunctive relief, shall first be submitted to mediation in Anderson County, South Carolina with a panel of one (1)
mediator and if not resolved by mediation, then by binding arbitration in Anderson County, South Carolina, with a panel of one (1) arbitrator under, and in accordance with, the then governing rules of The Institute for Christian Conciliation. In the event that the Institute for Christian Conciliation ceases to exist during the course of this Agreement, arbitration under this Section 14 shall be conducted according to the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered in the District Court for the County of Anderson, South Carolina. The Church and Group shall bear their own costs related to any mediation or arbitration proceeding. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Church from filing any action in a court of competent jurisdiction for the limited purposes of outlining and supervising the enforcement of the mandatory arbitration process and of issuing any injunctive or similar preliminary relief as may be deemed appropriate by such court in advance of the issuance of any arbitration award.

Group will be responsible for all children and minors attending the event and will properly supervise, in an appropriate child-to-adult ratio, any children and minors participating in the event.

Group verifies that all staff members, chaperones and volunteers supervising the activity or event have been properly screened for child protection purposes, including the risk of child sexual abuse, before interacting with children or minors on Church property.

Group verifies that it has policies in place meant to address child protection issues, including the risk of child sexual abuse, and that these policies are known to and followed by staff members, chaperones and volunteers involved in an activity occurring on Church property.

Group verifies that they train staff members, chaperones and volunteers involved in an activity occurring on Church property to understand the risks inherent in programs providing services to children or minors, including the risk of child sexual abuse. This training includes information intended to enable staff members or volunteers to recognize sexual abuse offender characteristics and behavior, as well as abuse and neglect legal reporting requirements within the State of South Carolina.

Group agrees to comply at all times with Church rules, policies and requests, including any requests or restrictions imposed by the Church which it deems reasonable or necessary in the circumstances, related to Church property. The Church must be left clean and tidy. All guests, contractors and program participants must take all belongings when the agreed time of use is over.

Other restrictions and limitations may also apply to the number of permitted attendees, including fire, safety, service and other rules and restrictions imposed by the Church at its discretion.

I have read and fully understand the foregoing information. I am signing below individually and on behalf of the organization (if any).