RESOURCES
Ooltewah Baptist Church (OBC) facilities are a gift from God for uses that are consistent with our vision and mission. OBC desires that its facilities be used for the fellowship of the church and to God’s glory. Although the facilities are not generally open to the public, we make our facilities available to members of OBC.
The restricted 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 a violation of the church’s faith and religious practices. Second, the church must present a consistent message to the community. Allowing facilities to be used by groups or people who express beliefs or engage in practices contrary to the church’s faith would have a negative impact on the message that the church strives to promote.
Ooltewah Baptist Church is a religious organization that does not discriminate based on race, age, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or marital status. OBC reserves the right to discriminate based on religion to the full extent permitted by law.
To use church facilities, your use of facilities must not violate Article 4 of the OBC Constitution. Completing this form, you certify that, to the best of your knowledge, your use of our facilities in no way violates this article.
The pastor, or his official designee, is the final decision-maker on whether a person or group is allowed to use church facilities.
Our criteria to determine building use are:
- Is the activity consistent with who we are and what we believe?
- Is the space available?
- How does the use impact our church programs or activities?
- Are there safety or legal issues?
- Does the group understand and respect the primary purpose of the property requested?
Building Use Guidelines
- The user must make arrangements to discuss and get approval for any support details that are associated with the event. Such as furniture, decorations, and AV equipment. The user must ensure all requirements are made known and resolved at least 10 days prior to event commencement.
- All groups using our facilities are expected to exercise reasonable care and judgment to prevent defacement, damage, or breakage. The person signing the agreement shall be responsible for paying costs incurred by OBC for cleaning, repairing, etc., any part of the building or its furnishings and equipment, which, in the judgment of the church administration, has been carelessly or irresponsibly subjected to more than normal wear and tear by the group involved.
- Only the rooms and facilities requested on the Event Information form may be used.
- The user assumes liability for injuries to persons attending the event and for damages or loss of the user’s property.
- Liability- The Ooltewah Baptist Church of Ooltewah, Tennessee, assumes no responsibility for the security of personal possessions or decorations associated with the events scheduled at OBC.
- Events that require the use of audio-visual equipment must have one of the church’s designated AV Technicians on duty. The cost for an AV Technician is listed in the fee section of these Facilities Use Guidelines.
- Selling merchandise or charging admission to an event must be approved in advance and consistent with the law that establishes the church as a non-profit.
- Smoking and the use of alcoholic beverages or illegal substances are not permitted at any time on church property. No event guest may attend the event under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substances.
- When children attend any event, they must always be under the supervision of their parent or a designated adult and are not permitted to roam freely on church property.
- All children or youth activities must always be supervised by a minimum of two (2) adults over the age of twenty-one.
- No open flames, flammable liquids, or pyrotechnics are permitted at any event. This includes but is not limited to fireworks, gasoline, candles, bottled gas, and oil.
- No weapons are allowed on church property, except by those persons approved by Ooltewah Baptist Church.
- The user is expected to leave the building/property in the same condition it was in prior to the event and must remove all items associated with their event upon conclusion.
- No church furnishings/equipment/supplies may be removed from the campus/facilities.
- Any item left after an event will be kept at Ooltewah Baptist Church for one week. Ooltewah Baptist Church will not be held responsible for these items.
Available Facilities
- Sanctuary
- Gymnasium
- Annex
- Classrooms in the Grow Building
- Classrooms in the main building
- Chapel
- Church Grounds
- Soccer Field