“Jesus said unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes unto the Father, but by Me”
John 14:6
5816 SHAKESPEARE ROAD, SUITES A/B
COLUMBIA, SC 29223
(803) 348-7117
MEMBER’S HANDBOOK
Revised, January 2015
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Church Policy and Procedure Index
“THE LIFE” Church Mission and Vision……………………………………………….... 03
Making the Vision Known………………………………………………………………... 04
Leadership Guide…………………………………………………………………………. 05
Accidents on Church Premises……………………………………………………………. 06
Insurance………………………………………………………………………………….. 06
Announcements…………………………………………………………………………… 06
Media Ministry……………………………………………………………………………. 06
Bulletin Boards and Signs………………………………………………………………… 07
Church Computers………………………………………………………………………… 07
Copy Machine, Copy Paper& Work Area Essentials…………………………………….. 07
Eating in the Building……………………………………………………………………... 07
Facility Rental……………………………………………………………………………... 07
Facility Reservations………………………………………………………………………. 06
First Aid Kit………………………………………………………………………………... 07
Benevolence Ministries…………………………………………………………………….. 07
Church Pantry……………………………………………………………………………… 07
Insurance…………………………………………………………………………………… 07
Facility Keys ………………………………………………………………………………. 08
Kitchen Facility………………………………………………………………………… 07
Refrigerator………………………………………………………………………………… 08
Microwave Oven…………………………………………………………………………....08
Maintenance………………………………………………………………………………... 08
Choir Rehearsal & Sound Systems………………………………………………………… 09
Nursery Room……………………………………………………………………………....10
Opening and Closing the building………………………………………………………… 10
Smoking…………………………………………………………………………………… 10
Sound System/Music Instrument Area……………………………………………………. 10
Table and Chairs…………………………………………………………………………… 10
Vending…………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
Church Website…………………………………………………………………………….. 11
Confession of Faith………………………………………………………………………… 12
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“Jesus said unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes unto the Father, but by Me”
John 14:6
We are a “LIFE CHURCH” our primary purpose exists to assist individuals in getting back into the swing of LIFE and care for their souls. One of our main goals is to assist brothers and sisters develop a sincere relationship with our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. Because we place great emphasis on developing and nurturing relationships at all levels, we intentionally and lovingly seek to speak "LIFE" into all people regardless of their level of faith. To that end, we have intentionally designed our ministries, worship experience and projects around that fact.
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1. To fulfill the mission of John 14:6 and Luke 4:18-19. Every member wins seven souls to
Jesus Christ by the end of each quarter (3 months) of 2015. This effort will be reinforced with training on seminars on soul winning. Every member has a Ministry of Reconciliation, 2 Cor.
5:17. We will have a Celebration each quarter of souls added to the “The Life" Church.
2. Every member involved in a Ministry and Specialized Emphasis on Small Groups and Small
Group Leader Training.
3. Average over 300 in monthly attendance by the End of 2015. Exceed a monthly financial budget of over $7,000 by the End of 2015.
4. To perpetuate fellowship, discipleship, worship, ministry and evangelism training through
WORD-BASED teaching, preaching, singing and Christian Arts that by the power of the Holy
Spirit, will enable believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
5. Strategic emphasis on taking the ministry of Deliverance, Relationship building, Marriage enrichment, and children and youth ministries to another level. Pray that God will send us true workers and worshippers with a heart for Christ in these ministries.
6. Strengthen and enhance the following ministries across the board: Music Ministry, Praise
Team, Choir, Prayer Ministry, Singles Ministry, Discipleship Training attendance, and Bible
Enrichment attendance.
7. Continue to develop and implement the Finance/Stewardship training, New Beginnings class,
Ministers and Lay Leaders training and Intercessory Prayer Ministry. Before 3 rd Quarter, begin offering small-scaled Bible School curriculum.
8. Develop stronger evangelism and outreach ministries. Continue to seek outreach through advertisements in local papers and newspapers such as the Fort Jackson Leader and The State
Newspaper. Strengthen the benevolent outreach food ministry, “The Bread of Life” at least twice per month. Host two revivals and Four conferences; Marriage, Men, Ladies and Singles in
2015.
9. Develop and implement a 12 month plan by End of 2015 into 2016, for a Supernatural Debt
Cancellation project to pay off all church debt as well as lay down strategic, spiritual plans for our very own church “Life and Resources Center” building on church property.
10. Strategically plan for additional part and or full time staff to help in the advancement of
“THE LIFE” CHURCH’s ministry. Intentionally plan to host at least one program per month.
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ACCIDENTS ON CHURCH PREMISES
If you witness an accident on the church premises, please report it to a member of the Hospitality
Ministry or an officer of the church immediately. A full report of the injury will be written. If medical assistance is required, the person in charge should seek immediate medical assistance.
*Members and caregivers will carefully monitor all children, to include walking toddlers at all times while on/in church property. Members will ensure no children in their care are allowed to wander around or run inside the main sanctuary or in or around church premises. Members will monitor children at all times to ensure that they are not allowed up on the pulpit nor in close proximity to electrical sources or sound systems. Members and or caregivers will monitor young children when they are eating hard food sources and or food that could possibly choke them. Members will refrain from allowing any children, young or older, to play on or around church music instruments (drums, piano, cymbals), unless approved by the Pastor.
INSURANCE
“THE LIFE” CHURCH has a multi-peril insurance policy, as deemed appropriate by the Executive Board.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Any group wishing to place church announcements in the bulletin should complete the appropriate form located in the Welcome Desk. Forms should be turned in one week prior to run date. Information for
PowerPoint is taken from the weekly bulletin. All church announcements must be made through the bulletin or Power Point to be posted on church website. Only approved church announcements will be made from the pulpit.
MEDIA MINISTRY
The Welcome Desk located in the church lobby is now taking orders for DVDs of the worship services.
Visit “THE LIFE” CHURCH online bookstore at www.thelifechurchsc.org
to purchase books, DVDs, CDs and other types of Christian resources (site under construction).
MEDIA ROOM
The media/sound room is located directly behind the sanctuary and adjacent to the Fellowship Hall.
Only designated media ministry workers are allowed inside this area. At no times will media personnel remove any video/sound equipment from this area.
BULLETIN BOARDS AND SIGNAGE
The bulletin boards are used for general-purpose promotions. Signs for special events may only be displayed on easels after obtaining permission from the First Lady or Administrator. To maintain a
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pleasing and uniform appearance and to keep walls and doors from being damaged no posters, signs, notices, or advertisements will be placed on any doors or any other area of “THE LIFE” CHURCH. Any department requiring special signs should submit their request to the church Administrator. All affixed signs should comply with the same uniformity and décor for the entire complex.
CHURCH COMPUTERS
All computers at “THE LIFE” CHURCH have been equipped with a protective code. No one should use a church computer unless you have been authorized by the person responsible for that workstation or area, and have been given the password directly from the individual who normally uses that computer.
Passwords cannot be obtained from the church office, except from the individual responsible for that computer.
COPY MACHINES, COPY PAPER AND WORKROOM AREA ESSENTIALS
The church has a common work area known as the Work Room area located directly inside the
Administration Room. Only authorized ministry workers will have access to this area. This area has been designated to accommodate most of the needs for each church ministry. A copy machine is provided in this area for those working in church ministries. The Work Room area is also supplied with paper for the copier, scissors, and other office supplies. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE ANY OF THESE ITEMS
FROM THE WORK ROOM area. The church administrator is responsible for maintaining the Work Room area essentials. If the copy machine gives you a message you do not understand or if you have a paper jam and you have never been properly trained on that machine, please do not attempt to fix the problem. You should notify a member of the church staff immediately. If no one is available, write a note and leave it on the copy machine to report the problem.
EATING IN THE BUILDING
Eating in the building is allowed except in the following areas: Sanctuary and lobby. Eating is allowed in the Fellowship Hall during designated times only. We prefer that you do not feed small children in the sanctuary (as to not spill baby food/milk in pew/chairs), but rather visit the Fellowship Hall.
FACILITY RENTAL
A facility rental agreement must be obtained from the church office or administrator. Members/nonmembers may also request rental of church facilities online at our official church website: www.thelifechurchsc.org
. Rental agreements are heavily screened, and the church reserves the right to deny any outside party the desire to rent our facility for any reason we deem in conflict with our Mission
Statement, Vision Statement, Corporate By-Laws, or Statement of Faith.
FIRST AID KIT
A first aid kit is provided in the Administration Office.
BENEVOLENCE MINISTRIES
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“THE LIFE” CHURCH sponsors a benevolence ministry and a food ministry called “The Bread of Life”, which is a ministry for the needy. Anyone wishing to donate non-perishable food to this ministry should place it in the “Life Manna” basket/box located in the Fellowship Hal. Anyone wishing to make larger item donations or clothing should speak to someone in the administrative office or First Lady. If any form of benevolence is required, a form can be obtained from the Administrative office/First Lady.
Requests will be carefully reviewed and assistance provided on approval and availability of funds or items needed on a case by case basis.
No requests for monetary funds will be made directly to the Pastor under any circumstances. All requests for requested funds will be directed through church officers, e.g., (First Lady).
CHURCH PANTRY
The church food ministry “The Bread of Life” maintains a small non-perishable food pantry. The pantry items are located in the church kitchen. The pantry maintains stocked food items in secured pantry cabinets as well as non-perishable items in unsecured area. Anyone desiring food items should contact
First Lady to arrange for handing out of selected items on as needed basis. Amount of food items handed out will be measurable to the size of household requesting items to ensure stocks are not depleted.
FACILITY KEYS
All keys must be obtained from the Business Administrator/Pastor. Each person receiving a key is
required to read a disclaimer and sign out the key. The disclaimer states that the individual is not to duplicate the key(s) under any circumstances and will not loan it out to anyone, for any reason. If a key is lost or damaged, a new key can be obtained from the Business Administrator; however, no one is authorized to duplicate their key for any reason. Ministry workers signing out facility keys have direct responsibility for all property, facility and items direct to that entrance key. Any property damaged, lost or stolen will be the sole responsibility of that ministry worker.
KITCHEN FACILITY
Anyone using the kitchen must adhere to the following:
1) No trash should be left in the kitchen after your event. Please put all trash in the trash dumpster located outside.
2) No food should be left in the refrigerator following your event unless with prior approval.
3) All silverware, pots, pans, glasses, coffee mugs and other kitchen items must be washed and returned to their designated place when finished.
4) No liquids are to be poured into the trash receptacles. All liquids (water, coffee, tea, soda, etc.) must be properly disposed of by using the sinks. However, please take care not to dispose of coffee grounds and other solid waste in the kitchen sinks.
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The church provides general items such as soaps, detergents, and hand towels. Cups, plates, forks, spoons, knives, tablecloths and napkins must be provided by the group using the kitchen.
REFRIGERATOR
The church provides a refrigerator to keep perishable items and keep cool/cold food items for the body.
No one is to open the church refrigerator without prior approval under any conditions. Adult Members who have business in the kitchen (prior approval) or serves on the Hospitality Committee may open/utilize the church refrigerator. At no time will youths or children open/utilize the refrigerator.
MICROWAVE OVEN
The church provides a microwave oven to cook/heat/warm up food items for the body. No one is to utilize the church microwave without prior approval under any conditions. Adult Members who have business in the kitchen (prior approval) or serves on the Hospitality Committee may open/utilize the church microwave. At no time will youths or children utilize the microwave (insurance purposes).
MAINTENANCE
A Maintenance Request Form can be obtained from the Welcome Desk, administrative office and from all church staff. This form is used when reporting the need for a repair. Please do not try to repair any machine, fixture, or item in the facility. Complete a maintenance form and turn it into the administrative office. If you are a good handyman and enjoy making repairs, we suggest you join the
Maintenance Ministry, which will provide assistance for needed church repairs.
SOUND SYSTEM/MUSIC INSTRUMENT AREA
The sound system located in the sanctuary is a restricted area to anyone who has not been authorized and trained properly on all the equipment in the sound booth and music instrument area.
For critical media and PA sound systems, church piano to include the drum sets, please DO NOT attempt to fix or perform maintenance on these systems. If these systems are found to be broken, contact Pastor, Deacon, Elder or First Lady immediately. Pastor will ensure these items are fixed/corrected by trained personnel.
CHOIR REHEARSAL & SOUND SYSTEMS
Church Praise & Worship Teams and Choirs will rehearse between 7:00 and 8:15 PM on Wednesdays and on TBA (times to be announced), on designated rehearsal times. In the interest of preventative maintenance, effective immediately, the use of the primary microphone set used for worship service will not be utilized. The alternate, back up set will be used for all music rehearsals. Except for piano synchronization, the primary sound system will not be utilized. Alternate sound system, amplifier for guitars will be used along with the alternate microphone sets.
No one will attempt to set or fix the primary sound system under any conditions. Only musicians or
Pastor will set/attempt to set sound volumes and controls on that system.
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NURSERY ROOM
“THE LIFE” CHURCH will provide one nursery (Located in designated area in fellowship Hall) that is considered a common usage area for children four (4) years old and under. The regular nursery ministry of “THE LIFE” CHURCH is offered during most scheduled church services. All children age four (4) and under should be registered/signed in on the Nursery Registration/Signup Board/Clip Board sheet, which is located on the outside wall of the Nursery. Only authorized adults may pick up children from the nursery. In the absence of nursery ministry caregivers, and nursery service is requested, the parent or responsible family caregiver will volunteer to watch their child/children in the nursery.
The nursery room may not be used when groups are meeting in the church unless adult supervision or
authorized, prior approved, responsible teens are provided. This will occur during our monthly/quarterly “Marriage & Couples” enrichment forums. If adult supervision is provided during meeting, please leave the room as you found it, upon your departure. Additionally, the nursery room will be available for monthly teaching/men’s & women’s ministry training, held once monthly on the 4 th
Sunday directly after worship service.
OPENING AND CLOSING THE BUILDING
On Sundays, Wednesdays and any scheduled all-church event, “THE LIFE” CHURCH will be opened by the church custodian/Deacon/Pastor. After each event, the building will be locked up by a designated key holder.
During the week: Any group using the facility will be responsible for opening and closing the building for your group or event.
SMOKING
“THE LIFE” CHURCH and it's direct grounds (parking areas and direct areas) is a smoke free facility.
Please observe this policy and politely assist us in enforcing our no-smoking policy.
TABLES AND CHAIRS
Each common usage area has designated tables and chairs that can be used in that area. Any additional needs should be designated on your reservation form, for your event. At no time will chairs, tables, or equipment be removed from the church property or premises without prior approval from the Pastor.
VENDING
Any group/individual(s) desiring to sell fund raising items should comply with the following policy:
1.
Absolutely no vending should be done in the main lobby or sanctuary.
2.
Vending is acceptable in the following areas: Outside the building in the parking lot/space, in
Fellowship Hall. (Special circumstances may be considered that are not covered in our vending policy).
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3.
Upcoming: Year round selling items such as Church T-Shirts, cookbooks, and coupon books can be sold in the administrative office. This does not apply to food items, unless they are wrapped or sealed.
CHURCH WEBSITE
Please visit our church website at www.thelifechurchsc.org
. The church site provides information on the church (all things), our staff, and ministries. Upcoming events are highlighted on the site as well as bible verses of the day, upcoming Giving and Church Store areas to purchase sermons, books, etc. (under construction).
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