2521. Approval of Construction, Purchase, or Remodeling Plans for Local Churches--1. The board shall require any local Church in its district, before beginning or contracting for construction or purchase of a new church or educational building or a parsonage, or remodeling of such a building if the cost will exceed 10 percent of its value, to submit for consideration and approval a statement of the need for the proposed facilities, preliminary architectural plans, an estimate of the cost, and a financial plan for defraying such costs, as provided in 2544.4-.5. Before finally approving the building project, the board shall ascertain whether the preliminary architectural design and financial programs have been reviewed, evaluated, and approved by proper authorities (2544.5). The design for renovation shall provide for equal access to persons with handicapping conditions where readily achievable and financially feasible.
2. When the local Church has secured final architectural plans and specifications and a reliable and detailed estimate of the cost of the proposed undertaking as provided in 2544.8, the board shall require their submission for consideration and approval. The board shall study carefully the feasibility and financial soundness of the undertaking and ascertain whether the financial plan will provide funds necessary to assure prompt payment of all proposed contractual obligations, and it shall report its conclusions to the church in writing.
3. A final decision of the board approving purchase, building, or remodeling shall automatically terminate after a period of one year, where no action has been taken by the local Church to carry out such decision.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 2521
1996 United Methodist General Conference