Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes © 2026

Know your hirer

One-off bookings can be a great way for Local Churches to raise additional income and engage with the wider community. However, accepting bookings is not always a simple of question of whether space is available at a certain time. A booking by a particular group or for a particular purpose could lead to unintended consequences and reputational damage, particularly in these times of societal division.

To help booking secretaries and others involved in managing one-off bookings/hires, we’ve put together a list of questions that you can run through to ensure you “know your hirer” before accepting bookings:

Who is the proposed hirer?
  • Your proposed hirer could be an individual e.g. a parent booking a child’s birthday party – this is likely to be uncontroversial.
  • Your proposed hirer could however be individuals on behalf of a wider group e.g. two members of a local unincorporated community group such as a community choir, or even a company or another type of legal entity.
  • If it is unclear whether the hirer - or the event that a hirer wants to hold at your premises - is linked to a wider group or organisation e.g. a recognised campaign or pressure group, don’t be afraid to ask. You want to know who will be using your premises.

What will the hirer be using your premises for?
  • Please consider the Methodist use restrictions under Standing Orders including Standing Orders (SO) 920 to 928 (CPD Volume 2 - p478 of the PDF version) to ensure the proposed use is permitted under Methodist rules.
  • Does the hirer understand that they cannot use Methodist premises for the sale supply or consumption of alcohol (SO 922), betting or gambling (SO 924), public dances (SO 925), non-Christian worship or Masonic services and meetings (of an exclusive nature) (SO 928)? (See Note *1)
  • Will the hire involve Christian worship? (See below and SO 920)
  • Will the group be using the premises for a political meeting? (See below and SO 921)

Note *1: There are various exceptions to the use restrictions that apply in specific circumstances as set out in the Standing Orders cited e.g. conferences at a designated conference centre. Those responsible for bookings are encouraged to check with the Local Managing Trustees so that they can be confident the proposed hire is permitted under Methodist law and policy. Please see: “Where to go for help”.

Does the hirer want to use the premises for a political meeting?
  • Please refer to SO 921 and check that the proposed use falls within the parameters set out in that Standing Order.
  • Are the trustees satisfied that it will be made clear in any surrounding publicity that the event is independent from the Methodist Church and the hirer is simply using your building?
  • Have the trustees considered the extent to which the event could have a detrimental effect on the peace and unity of the Church and its witness and are satisfied it is appropriate for the event to go ahead?

Does the hirer want to use the premises for Christian worship e.g. a one-off service?
  • Please refer to SO 920 and check that the proposed use falls within the parameters set out in SO 920 and Model Trust 14(2A) e.g. the use will not offend the doctrinal standards and the required permissions are in place.
  • Have you checked that your Superintendent is supportive of the proposed use? Do they have any concerns?
  • Do you have the permission of the Connexional Ecumenical Officer under Model Trust 14(2A)? (Please access the Schedule 14a and accompanying guidance on the “Sharing of Buildings” page on the Methodist Church website and see TMCP’s guidance on use of premises by other Christian Churches and congregations and links to the specific worship booking form here.)

Whatever type of hirer you are dealing with, could the booking have a detrimental effect on the peace and unity of the Church and its witness?
  • Is there a risk that use of your premises by the hirer for the event in question could be seen as divisive by members of the wider community?
  • Is the hirer associated with a particular political viewpoint that could cause offence to members of your community even if the event is not overtly political?
  • If you believe the hire is otherwise permitted and on balance should go ahead, is there anything you can do to mitigate the potential detrimental effect?

Is the group a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act 2020 or linked to any proscribed organisations?
  • The Government’s list of proscribed groups is set out in its policy paper: “Proscribed terrorist groups or organisations”. You can access this here. It also provides information on what is meant by proscription. A booking cannot be accepted from a proscribed group.
  • If there are questions surrounding links between a proposed event/hirer and a proscribed organisation, do the trustees feel this could have a detrimental effect on peace and unity?
  • Could accepting the booking risk peace and unity and lead to reputational damage?

Please see: “Where to go for help”.

Is there anything about the event that could lead to potential fall out in terms of reputational damage?
  • The trustees will want to ensure they have all the information they need about a proposed hirer and event to enable them to decide whether they can accept the booking or if they need to discuss the proposed booking with fellow trustees or the wider Methodist Church family. Please see: “Where to go for help”.
  • Is there any potential fall out in terms of reputational damage?
  • Should the booking be accepted?

Is the booking too good to be true e.g. a large booking fee has been offered by a new hirer that is unknown to you?
  • Check the proposed hirer online or by asking other Managing Trustees in your Circuit or District to ensure they do not have a bad reputation which could make accepting the booking or being seen to be involved in an event they are organising not in the best interests of the charity. E.g. have they been involved in any known scams?
  • Have there been any issues with other venues they have booked in the past e.g. damage, unpaid fees or late cancellations?

Whose decision is it anyway?

It is the local Managing Trustees’ decision whether or not to accept a booking/hire but please ensure that those managing bookings are aware of the points discussed in this article and the need to consider these and seek guidance if they are unsure.

If there is fall out from a booking and this results in a reputational risk e.g. negative press involvement, please bear in mind that it may become necessary to file a “Serious Incident Report” to the Charity Commission. As part of its investigation the Charity Commission may ask why the booking went ahead, particularly if this is against the guidance provided to Managing Trustees. (Guidance on serious incident reports is available from the Charity Commission: How to report a serious incident in your charity.)

Next steps

Please ensure those dealing with your bookings double check details about the hirer and intended use before confirming bookings.

If you are happy for the booking to go ahead, please remember that TMCP have a template booking form that you can use: Template Booking Form. There is a specific form for one-off worship events here. 

Where to go for help

Please encourage those responsible for bookings not to be afraid of asking enough questions about the intended use and the organisation itself to satisfy themselves that there are no potential issues.

Let them know who they can go to for help if they are in any doubt e.g. the minister in pastoral charge or their Superintendent.

If there are any governance questions, these can then be directed to the LCP Team. TMCP is also here to help if you are unsure where to go to.

If you have any queries in relation to the guidance in this document please contact TMCP Legal for further assistance.