2544. Planning and Financing Requirements for Local Church Buildings--Any local Church planning to build or purchase a new Church or educational building or a parsonage, or to remodel such a building if the cost will exceed 10 percent of its value, shall first establish a study committee to analyze the needs of the Church and community, project the potential membership with average attendance, and write up its program of ministry (201-204). This information will form the basis of a report to be presented to the charge conference and to be used by the building committee (2544.3-.4). The study committee's findings become a part of the report to the district board of Church location and building (2544.5, 2521.1).
1. It shall secure the written consent of the pastor and the district superintendent.
2. It shall secure approval of the proposed site by the district board of Church location and building as provided in the Discipline (2520.1).
3. Its charge conference shall authorize the project at a regular or called meeting, not less than ten days' notice (except as local laws may otherwise provide) of such meeting and the proposed action having been given from the pulpit or in the weekly bulletin, and shall elect a building committee of not fewer than three members of the local Church to serve in the development of the project as hereinafter set forth; provided that the charge conference may commit to its board of trustees the duties of a building committee as here described.
4. The building committee shall:
a) Estimate carefully the building facilities needed to house the Church's program of worship, education, and fellowship and/or to provide a residence for present and future pastors and their families.
b) Ascertain the cost of property to be purchased.
c) Develop preliminary architectural plans, complying with local building, fire, and accessibility codes, which shall clearly outline the location on the site of all proposed present and future construction. In all plans for new Church buildings and parsonages and in all major remodeling plans, adequate provisions shall be made to facilitate parking, entrance, seating, restroom facilities, and otherwise make facilities reasonably accessible for persons with handicapping conditions.
d) Newly constructed or newly purchased parsonages shall include on the ground floor level one room which could be used as a bedroom by a person with a handicapping condition, a fully accessible bathroom and laundry facilities.
e) Secure an estimate of the cost of the proposed construction.
f) Develop a financial plan for defraying the total cost, including an estimate of the amount the membership can contribute in cash and pledges and the amount the local church can borrow if necessary.
5. The building committee shall submit to the district board of Church location and building, for its consideration and approval, a statement of the need for the proposed facilities, and the architectural plans and financial estimates and plans.
6. The building committee shall ensure that adequate steps are taken to obtain the services of minority (nonwhite) and female skilled persons in the construction of any United Methodist church, parsonage, institution, or agency facility in proportion to the racial/ethnic balance of the metropolitan area in which construction occurs. In nonmetropolitan areas racial and ethnic persons are to be employed in construction where available and in relation to the available work force.
7. The pastor, with the written consent of the district superintendent, shall call a Church conference, giving not less than ten days' notice (except as local laws may otherwise provide) of the meeting and the proposed action from the pulpit or in the weekly bulletin. At this conference the building committee shall submit, for approval by majority vote of the membership present and voting, its recommendations for the proposed building project, including the data specified herein.
8. After approval of the preliminary plans and estimates the building committee shall develop detailed plans and specifications and secure a reliable and detailed estimate of cost and shall present these for approval to the charge conference and to the district board of Church location and building, which shall study the data and report its conclusions.
9. The local Church shall acquire a fee simple title to the lot or lots on which the building is to be erected, by deed or conveyance, executed as provided in this chapter.
10. If a loan is needed, the local Church shall comply with the provisions of 2540-2541.
11. The local Church shall not enter into a building contract or, if using a plan for volunteer labor, incur obligations for materials until it has cash on hand, pledges payable during the construction period, and (if needed) a loan or written commitment therefor which will assure prompt payment of all contractual obligations and other accounts when due.
12. Trustees or other members of a local Church shall not be required to guarantee personally any loan made to the Church by any board created by or under the authority of the General Conference.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 2544
1996 United Methodist General Conference