Property. The local church considering the purchase or sale of real estate, the erection of churches or church-related buildings, a major remodeling of either, or leasing real property for any reason, shall submit its proposal to the district superintendent and the District Church Properties Board for their consideration, advice, and approval. No indebtedness, whether involving a mortgage or not, shall be incurred in the purchase of real estate or the erection of buildings or a major remodeling of either, without the written approval of the district superintendent and the District Church Properties Board. The local church shall submit quarterly financial and status reports to this board throughout the construction process. (233–234.5)
Index: District Church Properties Board
103.1
In case agreement cannot be reached between the church board and the district superintendent and the District Church Properties Board, the issue may be submitted to the general superintendent having jurisdiction, for a decision. Either the church or the district superintendent may appeal such decision to the Board of General Superintendents for a final decision. All such appeals, rebuttals of appeals, or arguments pertaining thereto, whether to the general superintendent in jurisdiction or the Board of General Superintendents, shall be in writing. A copy of the appeal, rebuttals of appeals, or arguments pertaining thereto by either the church board or the district superintendent shall be sent to the other party involved. The minute record of a church board appeal shall include the appeal resolution, arguments sustaining it, and the record of the vote taken.
203.18
233
The District Church Properties Board shall be composed of the district superintendent ex-officio and no fewer than two assigned ministers and two lay members. Members may be elected by the district assembly to serve for a term of four years or until their successors are elected and qualified. The District Advisory Board may serve as the District Church Properties Board upon favorable vote of the district assembly.
234
The duties of the District Church Properties Board are:
234.1
To advance the cause of constructing church-related buildings within the bounds of the assembly district, in cooperation with the District Advisory Board.
234.2
To verify and conserve the titles to local church property.
234.3
To consider propositions submitted by local churches relating to the purchase or sale of real estate or the erection of church buildings or parsonages, and to advise them concerning the propositions submitted. (103–104)
234.4
To approve or disapprove, in conjunction with the district superintendent, propositions submitted by local churches relative to church building plans and the incurring of indebtedness in the purchase of real estate or the erection of buildings. The Church Properties Board shall normally approve a request to increase indebtedness subject to the following guidelines:
- The local church requesting approval to increase indebtedness paid all financial apportionments in full for the two years preceding the request.
- The amount of total indebtedness will not exceed three times the average of the amount raised for all purposes in each of the preceding three years.
- The details of the planned remodeling or construction shall have been approved by the Church Properties Board.
- The amount of indebtedness and the terms of payment will not jeopardize the spiritual life of the church.
The Church Properties Board may approve requests that do not meet these guidelines only with the approval of the district superintendent and the District Advisory Board. (103–104)
234.5
To do whatever else the district assembly may direct regarding the matter of local church property.