Congregations that have policies in place to help with the usage of facilities or other activities may be asked to make an exception to the rules for members, member families, or others in the community. This should cause any church leader to pause and think very carefully about the implications of making such exception.
Congregations should not make exceptions. Allowing exceptions to rules that you put in place endangers the entire set of rules. For this reason, congregations should be careful not to adopt overly strict rules so you are not tempted to make exceptions. If you make an exception for one, you open yourself to the charge of discrimination when you refuse an exception for someone else. The restrictions written into these documents are intentionally general and give the church discretion in deciding what activities to allow and what activities to prohibit based on the church’s understanding of the Bible. If you adopt more specific restrictions (such as only allowing members to get married in the church building), you must never make an exception to those rules.
Between college and law school, Gary married his college sweetheart, Michelle Hayes. They have three wonderful children – Lauren, Elizabeth, and Mark.
Since 1998, Gary and Michelle have made their home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary has been a minister at the Mountain Creek Church of Christ since 2000 and the regular pulpit minister there since 2004. Since 2001, Gary has owned his own law firm in Chattanooga, serving the underprivileged who have been injured or taken advantage of by others.
Gary learned to wear multiple hats from his parents. His dad worked a full-time job, farmed, and has served as an elder in the Lord’s Church for over 25 years. His mother worked a full-time job, raised children, and taught Bible classes. True to form, Gary owns his own law practice and preaches full-time, including several speaking engagements in lectureships and meetings every year.
- Facilities Use Agreement Form - February 19, 2016
- Should We Make Exceptions to our Policies? - February 19, 2016
- Bylaws for the Local Congregation - August 10, 2015