Building Use
We allow members to use the building informally upon request. If you would like to use the building to host a team meeting during normal office hours or on a Sunday after service, contact admin@cpcnewhaven.org to coordinate. If your meeting takes place outside of normal office hours there must be someone present with both a key and alarm code to unlock and lock up the building. This should also be coordinated by emailing admin@cpcnewhaven.org. All other uses of the building for members and non-members must be requested through our Building Use Form found online at cpcnewhaven.org/forms-and-handbooks. We are not equipped to allow open access to our building during the day for non-church-members.
Van Use
You must be officially approved in order to drive the church van. A van sign out sheet is available for approved drivers and must be filled out when using the van. Contact our Administrator if you wish to begin the process of becoming an approved driver or for access to the sign out sheet. Our van is considered a commercial vehicle because it holds 16 passengers including the driver. Any approved driver may drive adults over the age of 18. In order to drive children, or “school aged” children in high school, even if they are 18, you need a special State Endorsement called a “Public Passenger Endorsement.” This endorsement can be obtained by testing for it at the DMV.
Reimbursement
In order to be reimbursed for a church expense that you paid for with personal funds, you must fill out a Reimbursement Form, attach all necessary receipts, and submit it to the bookkeeper. The Reimbursement Form is located in the copy room or can be obtained by emailing admin@cpcnewhaven.org.
Direct Expense
If you require CPC to provide money for an expense beforehand you must submit a Direct Expense Form which is available in the copy room or by emailing admin@cpcnewhaven.org. If you are requesting funds over $600 then a W9 must also be obtained from the service provider and submitted to the bookkeeper along with your form.
Tax Exemption
We are a tax-exempt organization and as such are not subject to state taxes. When making purchases on behalf of the church, please date and use the CPC Tax-Exempt Cert-119 with companies and service providers when making purchases that may incur a tax. Copies of the Cert-119 are available in the copy room or by contacting our Administrator.
Who to Contact
As per the Ministry Map in this manual your first point of contact regarding your team is the staff member liaison designated in parentheses. If you are seeking help regarding a spiritual concern you may contact an elder, pastor, or WLB member. If you need administrative help then contact the CPC administrator.
Announcements
If you would like to have a written announcement in the bulletin, or to have your announcement included in the Friday CPC Weekly, or to make a verbal announcement on Sunday morning, please send your request to our Administrator by Wednesday morning of that week. You may not stand up to give a verbal announcement on Sunday morning unless it has been arranged previously.
Promotions
We encourage you to be creative in the promotion of your team or ministry. If you would like help from our administrative staff or graphic designer please send a request as far ahead in advance as possible so that it may be discussed and determined how to proceed given other responsibilities at the time.
Worship and Event Cancellation/Snow Policy
In the event of the need to cancel or delay a worship service, the call will be made at least 1.5 hours in advance of the service by the Sr. Pastor. He will alert the Administrator, who will update the voicemail message and send an email to the congregation if possible. He will also update the website slider and post information about the delay or cancellation. Others to be notified include the Worship Director, Pastors, Welcome Team, and the Café Team regarding the time of catering. In the event of the need to cancel or delay an event the call will be made with as much notice as possible by the Sr. Pastor. The Communications Director will update with website if necessary and send an email to the congregation.
Funeral Representation
If an immediate member of a church member’s or staff’s family passes away, we want CPC to be present vicariously at the funeral, typically through flowers, as a condolence. This will be enacted by CPC staff or a Team Leader, and does not fall in the category of Mercy Ministry. An email of notice will also be sent to the congregation with a link to leave digital condolences and requesting prayer for the remaining family.
Member Shepherding
Each member of CPC is assigned to (or chooses) a community group. This member will be prayed for on a rotating basis by the elder who is responsible for oversight of that community group.
Annual Planning Schedule
1) Create Congregational Survey
• Pastoral Staff draft Survey and review with full staff/boards (early Feb)
• Challenges/Solutions focused- e.g. future focused assuming past
2) Send Congregational Survey
• Out mid/late March
• Due early April
3) Congregational Meeting (mid-April)
• Review survey
4) Joint Boards Planning Meeting (SLB, Session, WLB) (mid/late April)
• Review survey
• Brainstorming
5) One Day Pastoral Retreat
• Develop conceptual plan with key issues (Vision vs. Strategy)
6) Board Committees (SLB/WLB/Session) draft proposals for their next board meeting (May)
7) 1.5 day Staff Retreat (lunch to lunch) (May/June)
8) Session/WLB Retreat (June and July)
Small Group Curriculum and Formation
At the beginning of the term, or transition, all small group and discipleship facilitators should submit their curriculum for session approval to the session moderator via the Administrator at admin@cpcnewhaven.org. Ideas for new small groups should be vetted through the WLB (women) and session (men) for final approval by session.