Church Policy Manual (Sample) and Other Sample Policy & Procedures

Free Church Policy Manual (samples of church policies and procedures) with many different types of church policies that you can download, customize and print.

Church Policy and Procedures

...you may wish to use as a guide in developing your own policy and procedure manual.

What is a Church Policy & Procedures Manual?

A Church Policies and Procedures Manual is a reference guide to the functions and operations of the church. It lists routine duties and answers questions that arise as duties are performed. The procedure section gives step by step instructions for performing each task.

What is a Policy?

A policy is a statement that defines the authority required, boundaries set, responsibilities delegated, and guidelines, established to carry out a function of the church. In other words, policies are "what" a company does or who does the task, why it is done, and, under what conditions it is done. Policies answer questions that arise during unique circumstances.

Policies provide uniform treatment of a situation, thus achieving continuity of operation. Policies take personalities out of the picture. Decisions are based on the church policy not on the individual, and each situation is treated the same.

What is a Procedure?

Procedures tell "how" a task is done. A detailed listing is made of each step taken to complete the process. A step by step description of the process is used to complete the job.

This manual below is a sample which can be used as a guide when developing your own church policy and procedures. Policies cover leadership, management, financial, personnel, general administration and ministry.

Policy and procedures, if properly applied, become very invaluable for identifying and assigning responsibilities, keeping a quality level of performance throughout church ministries, and protecting the congregation and church leaders as a whole.

The church policy and procedures should be kept in a manual available for the church administration to access at any time. If a question arises, the manual should have policies to lead and guide anyone through any crisis.

There is a one page "Quick Start the Policy Manual" below that will help you know what to do to get started.

Here is a sample of one of the policies below:

Baby/Child Dedication Policy and Information

“Children are a heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward!” – Psalm 127:3

Purpose

It’s our desire that every child be blessed. A Baby/Child Dedication is a commitment by the parents and the church to provide opportunity for the child to know and experience what it means to follow God. For this reason, A Baby/Child Dedication is defined by the following criteria:

Why do we do Baby/Child Dedications?

The dedication of a child is a voluntary act in which believing parents publicly present their child and themselves to the Lord as an outward expression of their commitment to God regarding the raising of this child. The parent(s) are essentially committing themselves to raising this child, with God’s help, in a way that demonstrates an example of Godliness, discipling according to God’s ways and prayerfully training that child in God’s teachings until that child can made a decision on his or her own to follow God. At the time of dedication, the family at [Church Name] is also committing themselves to participate in raising of this child through our children and youth programs as well as to encourage this child in such a way as to be a positive witness and influence so that the child can grow up to one day accept Christ and live for Him. (Download the sample policy below for more information.)

Church Policy Manual (Sample)

Quick Start the Policy Manual

Here are some sample church policy and procedures not included in the Church Policy and Procedure Manuals above:

• Accounting Church Policy Manual (Sample)
• Accountable Plan for Ministry Expenses (Sample)
• Baby/Child Dedication Policy and Information
• Background Check Policy
• Baptism Policy
• Benevolence Policy and Procedure
• Board Giving Policy
• Bookkeeping Practices Policy
• Budgeting Policy
• Building Fund Policy
  
• Cell Phone Use Policy & Check Request Form
• Church Attendance Policy & More
• Church Bus or Van Usage Policies and Forms
  
• Church Counseling Policy
  
• Church Equipment Loan Policy
• Church Internet Acceptable Use Policies (2 Samples)
• Church Keys Policy
  
• Church Secretary Evaluation and Policy
  
• Church Treasurer Practices Policy
• Church Usher Policy and Procedure & Usher General Guidelines
• Confidentiality Agreement (3 Samples) & Policy
  
• Conflict of Interest Policies (2 Samples)
  
• Contribution Policy (2 Samples)
  
• Credit Card Usage Policies & Forms
• Data Protection Policy & GDPR Data Privacy Notice
  
• Donation Fund Policy & Procedures (5) with Letter to Congregation Regarding Fund Donations
• Donor Privacy Policy
• Education Assistance Plan-Policy
• Email Policy and Procedure
  
• Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
• Executive Compensation Policy
• Facilities Policy
• Finance Committee Practices Policy with Finance Committee Checklist & Internal Audit Forms
• Fraud Prevention Policy
  
• Fundraising Events Policy
  
• Funeral Policy
• General Accounting System Policy
• Gift Acceptance Policy
• Grievance Policy and Procedure
• Guest Speakers Policy (Sample)
  
• Hospital Visitation Policy and Procedure
• Inclement Weather Policy (Sample)
  
• Infection Control Policy (Sample)
  
• Jury Duty Policy and Procedure
  
• Lay Delegate(s) Policy
  
• Memorial Fund Policy
• Ministry Program Policies
  
• Missions Policy
  
• Ordination Policy and Procedure
• Photo and Video Policy
• Probationary Period Policy
• Progressive Discipline Policy
• Record Retention Policy
• Reimbursement Policies (2) & Form
• Returned Check Policy
• Safe Church Policy & Disclosure Forms
• Scholarship Policy and Guidelines
• Sexual Harassment Policy
• Social Media Policy
• Sunday School/Behavior Standards Policy
• Surveillance Camera Policy
• Travel Policy & Reimbursement Forms
• Violence in the Workplace Prevention Policy
• Wedding Policy Handbook (Sample Brochure) & Wedding Policy (Sample)
• Whistleblower Protection Policy
• Youth Activities Fund Policy
• Youth Camp Policy and Guidelines

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