Purpose
Northern Light Church exists first and foremost for the worship of God, the teaching of Scripture, and the making of disciples. Our facility is dedicated primarily to ministry purposes. As an expression of Christian fellowship, limited use of designated church spaces may be approved for certain family milestone events, subject to the guidelines below.
Eligibility
Facility use under this policy is primarily intended for:
Active members in good standing of Northern Light Church
Private family celebrations (such as birthday parties, anniversary gatherings, and similar occasions)
Events personally hosted by the member
Northern Light Church does not function as a public rental venue. All requests are subject to pastoral and leadership approval.
Member-Sponsored Non-Member Events
In limited circumstances, Northern Light Church may permit use of the fellowship/dining and kitchen areas for a private family event involving non-members, provided the event is sponsored by an active member in good standing.
The following conditions apply:
A Northern Light Church member must submit the request
The member sponsor must be present for the entire event
The member sponsor assumes full responsibility for the conduct of all guests
All facility rules and restricted-area boundaries remain in effect
Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed
Northern Light Church reserves the right to decline any request that does not align with the church’s mission, facility availability, or risk considerations.
Approval Process
A Facility Use Request Form must be submitted in advance
Approval must be granted by the Pastor or designated church leadership
Church ministries and scheduled events always take priority
Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed
Permitted Areas
Approved events may use the fellowship/dining and kitchen areas together as one shared space.
Because portions of the facility cannot be physically secured, the following expectations apply:
The sanctuary, classrooms, and church offices are not part of the approved event space
Guests should not gather, play, or roam in the sanctuary, classrooms, or offices
Children must remain in approved areas and may not use the sanctuary, classrooms, or church offices as play spaces
Brief, quiet personal prayer at the altar is permitted and welcomed
The member host is responsible for ensuring all guests respect these boundaries
Failure to maintain guest boundaries may result in immediate loss of facility privileges
Kitchen Use Guidelines
To maintain health standards and reduce liability:
Meals may not be prepared or cooked on-site for private events
The kitchen is limited to warming, serving, refrigeration, and light food staging only
No raw food preparation, frying, or full meal cooking is permitted
All food brought into the facility must be prepared off-site
The kitchen must be left clean and sanitary after use
Northern Light Church reserves the right to restrict kitchen access if misuse occurs.
Prohibited Activities
The following are not permitted on church property:
Alcohol, illegal drugs, or smoking
Gambling or games of chance
Ticketed or public admission events
Political events or fundraisers not sponsored by the church
Overnight events
Activities inconsistent with the church’s biblical beliefs and mission
Responsibilities of the Member Host or Sponsor
The member requesting or sponsoring the facility is fully responsible for the event and must:
Be present for the entire event
Provide all food, paper goods, and supplies
Supervise all guests and children at all times
Ensure all restricted areas remain respected
Prevent damage to church property
Complete full cleanup immediately after the event
Remove all decorations and personal items
Dispose of trash properly
Leave kitchen areas clean and sanitary
The facility must be returned to the same condition in which it was received.
Fees, Donations, and Charges
Northern Light Church does not charge a facility use fee for approved member family events.
For approved member-sponsored non-member events:
A $200 facility use fee is required and is non-refundable
In all cases:
Voluntary donations to help offset facility wear, utilities, and cleaning are welcomed and appreciated
The member host or sponsor is financially responsible for any damage caused during the event
The church reserves the right to assess charges for excessive cleaning if required
Repeated failure to follow cleanup expectations may result in loss of facility privileges
Decorations and Setup
Decorations must be temporary and non-damaging
No nails, screws, staples, or damaging adhesives
No open flames except approved birthday candles
Furniture must be returned to its original arrangement
Liability
The member host or sponsor assumes responsibility for the conduct of all guests and for any damage or injury arising from the event. Northern Light Church reserves the right to require additional liability protections if deemed necessary for a particular event.
Right of Revocation
Northern Light Church reserves the right to:
Deny any request
Cancel previously approved events if ministry needs arise
Revoke facility privileges for failure to follow this policy
Pastoral and Board Oversight
All facility use operates under the authority of church leadership. Every event must reflect conduct that honors Christ and supports the mission of Northern Light Church.
Effective Date
This policy becomes effective upon Board approval and remains in force until amended by church leadership.