5 Essential Guidelines for Creating a Church Facility Use Policy

The use of your church’s facilities is likely an integral part to your ministry and has religious freedom implications. That’s why a sound Facility Use Policy is critical for any church that allows its facilities to be used for any functions that are outside the traditional use of the building (e.g., church services, prayer meetings, Bible studies), whether by members or non-members.

This brief resource is designed to outline some key considerations we hope your church will review as it thinks about how to ensure it has the greatest religious freedom legal protections possible.

What Our Members Are Saying

"ADF leads the way, challenge after legal challenge, uniting our organization with other ministries from across the country to help strengthen religious freedom. We have no other partner so vital to the work we do. We are grateful for them, and encourage every Christian ministry that holds to biblical standards to join with ADF and help support them financially. When there’s a need — and there are plenty — they stand in the gap and support our Christian communities."

David Goodwin

President, Association of Classical Christian Schools

"Without question, Alliance Defending Freedom is one of the most important organizations in America. I not only endorse their ministry, but am happy to serve on the faculty of their Blackstone Legal Fellowship program. They are the premier religious liberty advocacy organization in America and their Church & Ministry Alliance program is a trusted measure to ensure that churches and ministries are pursuing the necessary policies to protect their God-given liberties."

Dr. Andrew T. Walker

Associate Professor of Christian Ethics, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"We call those who defend us ‘advocates' - a word with deep meaning describing someone with the skill, experience, and will necessary to fight and win. ADF and their highly qualified attorneys embody everything it means to be a true advocate. We encourage all AACS member schools to join ADF’s Church & Ministry Alliance program. Their work for religious liberty, their will to win, and their track record of victories make partnership with them one of the best investments a ministry can make."

Jamison Coppola

Government Relations Director, American Association of Christian Schools

"Alliance Defending Freedom’s Church & Ministry Alliance program is especially needed now. Not only do pastors and houses of worship face unprecedented threats, but even more so church members who are committed to bringing their faith into their everyday lives. Our freedom to believe, worship, and arrange our lives according to our most deeply held beliefs cannot be taken for granted, and ADF’s Church & Ministry Alliance program offers the network, the expertise, and the road map every church needs."

John Stonestreet

President, Colson Center

"Institutions across biblical higher education face legal and social headwinds that are becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. I can’t think of a better time for ABHE colleges and universities to join the Alliance Defending Freedom with its full range of services. You need ADF in your corner so that your institution can stay on mission!"

Philip Dearborn

President, Association for Biblical Higher Education

What Our Members Are Saying

Pastoring a Church in the 21st Century presents great challenges that no previous generation has ever experienced before. As the Church grows, so does the reality of someone trying to attack the Church from a legal standpoint. This is why we are very excited about our on going partnership with ADF! This relationship gives me great confidence - knowing that there is someone on our side and looking out for our best interest! The world is ever changing and our best offense in reaching lost people is a really good defense!
JC Worley
‍Lead Pastor, GO Church

Over the past several months we have been working with ADF Church Alliance, in auditing and discussing our church governing documents. The process has been encouraging and thorough and the recommendations have been very helpful in providing practical, Christ Centered legal advice. I highly recommend using Church Alliance, as they focus on helping protect religious liberty across our Nation and in churches, both large and small.Dale Whittle
‍Deacon, Mountain View Christian Assembly

The Alliance Defending Freedom’s Church Alliance is especially needed now. Not only do pastors and houses of worship face unprecedented threats, but even more so church members who are committed to bringing their faith into their everyday lives. Our freedom to believe, worship, and arrange our lives according to our most deeply held beliefs cannot be taken for granted, and ADF’s Church Alliance offers the network, the expertise, and the road map every church needs.John Stonestreet
‍President, the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview

Joining the Church Alliance was the best thing our church could have done. Within the first few months of being members we were able to send in our church constitution and by-laws and other important policies, for review. We received excellent advice to strengthen what we had in place and in an incredibly fast turnaround time. In the world we live in today, it is important to make sure our religious freedoms are protected and that we have stated clearly where we stand as a church. Thanks to the Church Alliance team.Sandy Blaylock
‍Family Ministries Director, Ken Caryl Church, Littleton, CO

I feel I have a new friend who is an experienced lawyer. And his entire legal team stands ready and waiting to help our church and [me]whenever the need arises. I would encourage every church become a member of Church Alliance and gain a friend in the legal arena. ADF, thank you for providing the Church Alliance at such a reasonable cost.Mark Claudson
‍Pastor, Le Grande First Baptist