Below you will find both broad statements concerning the beliefs of The Father’s House of Kerman, as well as more focused statements concerning issues relevant to our current cultural climate. These statements are important to understand to be able to rent our facilities, please read them carefully before moving on to the next section.

Important Bible Truths

From its beginnings, the The Father’s House of Kerman has based its beliefs on “the whole Bible rightly divided.” We accept the Bible as God’s Holy Word, inspired, inerrant, and infallible. We believe the Bible to be God’s written revelation of Himself to mankind and our guide in all matters of faith; therefore, we look to the Bible as our highest authority for doctrine, practice, organization, and discipline.

The Father’s House of Kerman is firm in its commitment to orthodox Christian belief.

• We affirm that there is one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• We believe in the deity of Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, the physical miracles He performed, His atoning death upon the Cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal return in power and glory at His second coming.

• We profess that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential for the salvation of sinful mankind.

• We believe the sinner is brought to an awareness of the need for salvation through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. We believe that in sanctification by the blood of Christ, one is made holy.

• We affirm the present, active ministry of the Holy Spirit who guides the Church and by whose indwelling and empowerment we are able to live godly lives and render effective service to God and others.

• We believe in the oneness and ultimate unity of believers for which our Lord prayed, and that this should be visibly displayed “that the world may know, see, and believe” God’s glory, the coming of His Son, and the great love He has for His people (John 17:20–23).

• We are committed to the sanctity of the marriage bond and the importance of strong, loving Christian families.

• The Church embraces all biblical doctrines as taught in the New Testament and are outlined in the church’s 29 Biblical truths.

Statement on Marriage, Sexuality, and Human Life

The Father’s House of Kerman affirms the biblical teaching that marriage is sacred and should not be entered into lightly without proper preparation. Marriage was originally instituted by God as a properly recognized covenant relationship between one man and one woman for life. The Church affirms the biblical family as a father and mother in wedlock who may procreate children. The Church further asserts that the home, including the extended family, is to be guided by love, discipline, and other nurturing aspects as taught in God’s Word. Because the Church is committed to the sanctity of marriage and human life, we diligently stand against abortion, incest, abuse, euthanasia, adultery, divorce, homosexuality, and lesbianism, which we believe are contrary to God’s original design as expressed in His Word. All biblically unlawful unions such as same-sex, incestuous, or polygamous marriages are renounced by the Church even if they are recognized as legal by civil governments.

Statement on the Sanctity of Human Life

We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps 139.)

Final Authority for Matters of Faith and Conduct

The International Assembly of The Church of God of Prophecy (our denomination), a meeting open to all members of The Father’s House of Kerman, is the highest decision-making body. It serves as an interpretative and decision-making body that deals with pressing universal truths requiring definitive decisions for translocal matters in expediting the proclamation of the Gospel (Acts 1:21–23; Ephesians 2:13–16, 19, 20; Acts 15:6–9). It is the place at which members of the Church and their official representatives assemble together under the headship of Christ to search the Scriptures. As the Bible is illuminated by the Spirit, understanding and resolution of differences of interpretations, which tend to be divisive among the churches, will be received. The International Assembly accepts the Bible as its highest authority.

Purpose Statement

Our church’s facilities were provided through God’s benevolence and by the sacrificial generosity of our church members. We desire that our facilities be used for the fellowship of the body of Christ and to bring God glory. Although our facilities are not generally open to the public, we make our facilities available to approved non-members as a witness to our faith, in a spirit of Christian charity, and as a means of demonstrating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in practice.

But use of our facility will not be permitted to persons or groups holding, advancing, or advocating beliefs or practices that conflict with the church’s faith or moral teachings. Nor may church facilities be used for activities that contradict, or are deemed inconsistent with, the church’s faith or moral teachings. The pastor, or pastor’s official designee, is the final decision-maker concerning use of church facilities.

This restricted facility use policy is necessary for two important reasons. First, the church may not in good conscience materially cooperate in activities or beliefs that are contrary to its faith. Allowing its facilities to be used for purposes that contradict the church’s beliefs would be material cooperation with that activity, and would be a grave violation of the church’s faith and religious practice. (2 Cor 6:14; 1 Thess 5:22.)

Second, it is very important that the church present a consistent message to the community, and that the church staff and members conscientiously maintain that message as part of their witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Allowing facilities to be used by groups or persons who express beliefs or engage in practices contrary to the church’s faith would have a severe, negative impact on the message that the church strives to promote. It could also cause confusion and scandal to church members and the community because they may reasonably perceive that by allowing use of our facilities, the church agrees with the beliefs or practices of the persons or groups using its facilities.

Therefore, in no event shall persons or groups who hold, advance, or advocate beliefs, or advance, advocate, or engage in practices that contradict the church’s faith use any church facility. Nor may church facilities be used in any way that contradicts the church’s faith. This policy applies to all church facilities, regardless of whether the facilities are connected to the church’s sanctuary, because the church sees all of its property as holy and set apart to worship God (Col 3:17).

Approved Users and Priority of Use

The pastor or official designee must approve all uses of church facilities. Generally, priority shall be given to church members, their immediate families, and organized groups that are part of the ministry, organization, or sponsored activities of the church. Church facilities and equipment will be made available to non-members or outside groups meeting the following qualifications:

• Groups or persons requesting facility use must affirm that their beliefs and practices and planned uses of the facilities are consistent with the church’s faith and practice.

• The group or person seeking facility use must submit a signed “Church Facility Reservation Request and Agreement” form.

• The group or person seeking facility use must be willing to take responsibility for the facilities and equipment used and must agree to abide by the church’s rules of conduct for facility use, as stated below and as described in any additional instructions by church staff.

Facility Use Hours and Capacity

Facilities are available between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Use outside these hours may be approved by the pastor or official designee.

Seating in the sanctuary is 150 max. Seating in the social hall is 80 with table and chairs. Outdoor seating is available but will not be provided by the church.

Scheduling Events

Facility use requests shall be made to the Advisory Team of The Father’s House by submitting the “Church Facility Reservation Request and Agreement” form online. The event will be reserved and placed on the church calendar only when the pastor or official designee approves the use.

Fees

Use of our church facilities is subject to a security deposit of $100 to pay for any damages from the event. The use of church facilities fee are as follows for 4 hours of total rental time plus a $100 deposit…

• Non-church attender of The Father’s House - $500

• Regular attender of The Father’s House (consistent attendance of over the previous year) - $400

• Official Member of The Father’s House in good standing - $250

We are not considered public accommodation under local or state law. Security Deposit will be given back within 7 days past the event if nothing is damaged and facility is left in acceptable fashion.

Facility Use Guidelines

• No alcohol may be served on church facilities.

• Smoking in any indoor church facilities is strictly prohibited. Smoking outdoors (50ft from building) is allowed if filters are properly disposed of.

• Groups are restricted to only those areas of the facility that the group has reserved.

• Food and beverages in classrooms are allowed. Beverages in worship space is not allowed without lid.

• Church equipment, such as tables and chairs, must be returned to original placement, unless arranged otherwise prior to the event.

• All lights must be turned off and doors locked upon departure.

• Clean-up of both indoor and outdoor areas is the renters responsibility.

• Abusive or foul language, violent behavior, and drug or alcohol abuse are strictly prohibited on church premises. Any person exhibiting such behavior will be required to leave the premises immediately.

• No food may be cooked/bbq’d on the premises without prior consent.

• Any consumables that are found on the church property are the property of the church and may not be used for the event. The cleaning supplies and vacuum may be used to assist in cleaning the facility before leaving.

• The use of nails/thumbtacks/permanent sticky tape may not be used to hang decorations.

• Any person or group must sign the “Church Facility Reservation Request and Agreement” form prior to reservation of church facilities.

• Any music used at the event must be clean.

Insurance

For all non-church-sponsored events, the group or person using the facilities must obtain liability insurance coverage in the amount of at least $1,000,000.00. The user must also agree to the “Facility Use Indemnity and Hold Harmless Agreement.” 

I affirm that:

1. I understand that the church does not allow its facilities to be used in a way that contradicts its faith or by people or groups holding beliefs that contradict the church’s faith.

2. To the best of my knowledge, the purpose for which I am requesting use of church facilities will not contradict the church’s faith and I commit to promptly disclose any potential conflict of which I am aware or become aware to church staff.

3. I am not aware of any beliefs that are professed by me or the organization I represent, and which is requesting use of the church’s facilities that contradict the beliefs of the church. I agree to promptly disclose any potential conflicts in belief to church staff.

4. I understand that upon approval of my facilities use request, I will need to provide a security deposit in the amount of $100, a certificate of insurance for at least $1,000,000 of coverage, and all other fees required by the church no later than 15 days before the event paid in full.

5. I understand that the church does not allow its facilities to be generally available to the public and that my use of these facilities is subject to the pastor’s approval, which is conditioned in part on my agreement to the requirements in the “Church Facility Use Policy,” a copy of which I have read and understood.

6. I understand that I will be responsible for any damage to the church facilities resulting from this proposed use of facilities.

7. The church believes disputes are to be worked out between parties without recourse to the courts. See, generally, Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 6. Accordingly, users of the facility agree to attempt resolution of any disputes through Christian mediation. 

The undersign agrees to the following by signing below:

1. The facilities will be used according to the policies of The Father’s House of Kerman as set forth in the Biblical Principles, Beliefs and Practices that is part of this Agreement.

2. The undersign will be responsible for the conduct of those coming to or participating in the activity for which the facilities are reserved and will be used.

3. The undersign will be responsible for any damage beyond normal wear and tear that may occur as a result of the activity or the undersigns use of the facilities.

4. The undersign will indemnify and hold harmless The Father’s House of Kerman from all liability and each demand, cause of action, loss, cost, damage, and expense (including without limitation mediation fees, reasonable attorney fees, and costs of litigation) incurred by The Father’s House of Kerman from a default or any other action by the undersign, in connection with, or growing out of, this Agreement or the undersigns use of the facilities.