"Helping Churches Build Christ's Kingdom"
The District Committee on Properties and Buildings is happy to be a participant in ministry with you by "Helping Churches to Build Christ's Kingdom." Each of our committee members is both conscientious and competent and views his participation as a ministry to you, your church and Christ, the Head of the Church.
Our committee's desire is to expedite your project by walking with you through the process. To get you started on the right foot, we begin with an introductory, yet detailed presentation for your church leadership. We provide this manual with the supplemental book, Before You Build. And we walk with you by providing one of our committee members to act as your church's consultant and liaison with our committee.
To keep your project moving, please bear in mind that the District Committee on Properties and Buildings does not meet monthly, but schedules its regular meetings on a quarterly basis. Please plan accordingly.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the committee chairman at the District Office or contact your consultant.
ByLaws of The Western Pennsylvania District
Article 12 - Approval of Building Plans
The District Executive Committee shall appoint a Committee on Properties and Buildings which shall constitute a bureau to whom churches and district organizations must refer all prospective real estate acquisitions and sales, remodeling plans, building plans, contracts and plans for financing the same for its review and approval of any such projects costing twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more. (Maintenance items such as carpet replacement, roof replacement, heating, air conditioning, ventilation replacement, etc., or purchase of equipment does not fall within the provisions of this statute.) In addition, the Committee on Properties and Buildings must approve all loans of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more. The acquisition of any real estate falling within these guidelines requires an on-site inspection by the Committee on Properties and Buildings or its representative(s).
All prospective donations of real estate require an on-site inspection, filing of appropriate forms and/or drawings, and approval by the Committee on Properties and Buildings.
The Committee on Properties and Buildings alone can grant approval on all matters brought before it.
Any church or district organization may appeal a decision of the Committee on Properties and Buildings relating to the approval process as outlined above, by utilizing the following procedure:
A. A letter of rationale will be sent to the District Superintendent stating the reason(s) for the request and a brief explanation of the action desired.
B. A representative from the District Committee on Properties and Buildings and the appealing body will both present their case to DEXCOM.
C. After hearing the presentation DEXCOM will render a decision which shall be considered final.
REGULATIONS OF THE WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICT
M. DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON PROPERTIES AND BUILDINGS
The Chairman of the District Committee on Properties and Buildings shall be a member of the district office staff and shall be appointed by the District Superintendent.
1. The Chairman should have the following qualifications:
a. Administrative capability
b. A knowledge of building trades
c. A demonstrated financial integrity
2. The Chairman's responsibilities include:
a. Coordinating the regular quarterly meeting dates in conjunction with the District Executive Committee's meetings.
b. Coordinating specially called meetings and conference calls.
c. Establishing and maintaining communication with petitioning churches.
d. Keeping and dispensing all necessary Building Guidelines Notebooks to include blank forms (a copy of all completed forms, blueprints, floor plans, site plans and evaluation plans will be kept at the District Office.)
e. Keeping the District adequately informed of all matters affecting the building status of all churches being processed by the District Committee on Properties and Buildings through a written report to the District Executive Committee.
f. Be available to act as a consultant to district churches planning to build.
g. Maintain a list of resources including architects, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, etc.
h. Conducting on-site visit or appointing a committee representative to do so.
3. The committee shall:
a. Review all church building plans.
Meet with the pastor and/or representative(s) from the Building Committee or Governance Authority.
b. Make proper recommendations to:
1. Pastors
2. Church committees
3. The District Executive Committee (during the appeals process)
c. Conduct on-site visits at the determination of the committee or at the request of the local church or district organization.
d. Provide written suggestions of several reputable Christian stewardship programs.
N. PROCEDURE FOR APPROVAL OF BUILDING PLANS
1. All churches or district organizations intending to purchase, sell, build, remodel, repair, or receive a donation of real estate, etc. shall present their intentions in writing to the District Committee on Properties and Buildings as covered by District Bylaws Article 12.
2. The Committee on Properties and Buildings shall provide the inquiring church or district organization with the current procedural outline and appropriate forms to proceed with the approval process.
3. The current procedural outline and forms shall be approved by the District Executive Committee.