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From: Pastor Randy Smith

This note is intended to address what appears to be some confusion concerning the function of the local church Board of Trustees as prescribed by our Discipline.

Par. 2501 explains the "Trust Clause" and why we have a local church Board of Trustees, stating that:

All properties of United Methodist local churches...are held, in trust, for the benefit of the entire denomination, and ownership and usage of church property is subject to the Discipline...as a connectional structure...titles to all real and personal, tangible and intangible property held...by a local church...shall be held in trust for the United Methodist Church.

Par. 2532 describes the Powers and Limitations of a local church Board of Trustees:

Subject to the direction of the Charge Conference, the board of trustees shall have the supervision, oversight, and care of all real property owned by the local church and of all property and equipment acquired directly by the local church or by any society, board, class, commission, or similar organization connected therewith...

What this means, effectively, is that all matters concerning property -- its construction or acquisition, its maintenance, its improvement or expansion -- and any out of the ordinary use of it, should receive the attention of the Board of Trustees. They are charged with the responsibility of evaluating, carefully and in depth, each proposal regarding property as to its suitability. For example: Does the proposal meet a clearly identifiable need? Will it cause conflicts for other, present or prospective, users of the church facilities? Will it create difficulties with regard to maintenance and upkeep? Does it seem to "fit" within the church’s vision, short term or long term, for its ministry?

By raising and seeking to answer these, and other similar questions, the Board of Trustees is not acting either to approve or to veto any particular proposal in regard to property but is rather seeking to "perfect" all proposals presented to them. Should the Board have concerns over a particular proposal, they should share these with the Church Council (or Charge Conference), with whom decision making authority rests. It is important to bear in mind that the overarching goal of the Board of Trustees, in every case, is to attend to the property matters of the church in such ways as to maximize the availability of the church’s facilities for the ministry programs of the church.

Grace and peace.