NSC Management System

Enabling our Mission to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus ...

Kevin Stone

Worship Team Operating Procedure

By

The Worship Director will send you a Planning Center Request to serve, if you are available for the weekend requested, confirm online as soon as possible then begin the following process:

During the Week

Our 3 team values are Connection, Truth, and Excellence.

We live these values out by first pursuing them during the week.

  • Connection -“We lead worship out of the overflow of our connection to God”.
    • We cannot take people where we haven’t gone ourselves. Our worship Sunday morning is a direct reflection of our lifestyle Monday through Saturday. We commit to loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength during the week. And allow our intimate relationship with Him to overflow Sunday morning.
  • Truth -“We Testify to Bible based truths of who God is”.
    • When we play songs like “Great are you Lord”, we don’t just sing words that we agree with. We testify to their truth! “Testify” is defined as: giving evidence as a witness in a law court. We sing and play our instruments from a place of experiential knowledge, where we not only state facts about God, but we witness to their validity through our heart and words.
  • Excellence -”We devote ourselves to excellence which honors God and one another”.
    • Excellence is used in scripture 43 times, 40 of which refer to the excellence of HEART. With our hearts postured to Honor the Lord, we practice diligently to be prepared to lead both musically and spiritually. Our practice also Honors one another, in that Sunday morning is not a time to “figure” songs out, it’s a time to unify. We come practiced and prepared to Honor God and one another.

Sunday Morning

Rehearsal

  1. Be at Church no later than 6:20 am. Park by Church Offices (East). Front door to be unlocked.
    1. Time before prayer is to be used to say good morning / set up gear / warm-up / etc.
  2. Prayer starts promptly at 7:00 am.
  3. Prayer ends at 7:20 am, and rehearsal begins right after.
  4. Rehearsal ends no later than 8:30 am.

Service

  1. Once the 5 minute countdown begins, be on stage ready to go by the time it hits ‘3 minutes’.
  2. Unless a Pastor otherwise alters the service order, each service is to follow this pattern:
    1. Worship team does 3 songs.
    2. Hosting team will come up and pray.
    3. After prayer, the worship team is to exit the stage.
    4. Join the congregation (We encourage you to sit with the congregation for one of the services).

Final Note – Audience of One

In worship, we play for an audience of one, Jesus Christ, striving to lift Him up so that, as promised in John 12:32, “when the Son of Man is lifted up, he will draw all people to himself,” ensuring our music and hearts glorify Him alone. This act of singular devotion not only honors God but also acts as the channel through which His grace reaches others, transforming and encouraging them by His Spirit.

Return to Directory of Operating Procedures

Weddings Operating Procedure

By

Premarital Assessment and Counseling

  • Assessment Tool: Premarital counseling is offered through the SYMBIS online assessment platform. Each pastor may tailor the counseling process to best serve the individual couple.
  • Assessment Fee: Couples are typically responsible for the SYMBIS assessment fee, unless the officiating pastor determines otherwise.
  • Process: Upon pastoral instruction, the secretary will send individual SYMBIS invitations to each partner.
  • The SYMBIS platform provides automated instructions for completion.
  • Once completed, the secretary will download the final results and forward them to the pastor.
  • At that time, the couple will also receive a link to the pastor’s calendar to schedule a follow-up appointment for review and next steps.

Wedding Ceremonies

  • NSC pastors may officiate weddings as part of their ministerial duties, based on availability.
  • No fees are required from the couple or their families for the ceremony.
  • If a family chooses to offer a monetary gift to the pastor, it may be accepted at the pastor’s discretion.

Church Building Use

  • Rental Process: Use of the NSC facility for weddings requires completion and submission of the Member Facility Use Form.
  • Fees:
    • Tech/sound fees are paid directly to the technician.
    • Building rental fees contribute to the cost of additional cleaning staff.
  • Eligibility: Church building rentals for weddings are available exclusively to NSC attenders or members in good standing.

Return to Directory of Operating Procedures

Sexual Harassment Operating Procedure

By

Commitment to a Safe and Respectful Culture

New Song Church (NSC) is committed to cultivating a work and ministry environment grounded in biblical principles—one that reflects dignity, respect, and care for every individual. We strive to maintain a culture free from discrimination, bullying, and sexual harassment. This commitment applies to all staff, volunteers, members, attenders, and children participating in any NSC program or activity.

Definition of Sexual Harassment

For the purposes of this policy, sexual harassment refers to unwelcome conduct or communication of a sexual nature, as defined under Chapter 28A.640 RCW. NSC will rely on these legal definitions when evaluating and responding to potential incidents.

Sexual harassment may occur in various forms, including:

  • Adult-to-adult
  • Adult-to-child
  • Child-to-child
  • Group behavior involving children or adults

NSC strictly prohibits sexual harassment in all contexts and will respond appropriately at every level.

Under Chapter 28A.640 RCW, sexual harassment includes but is not limited to:

  • Unwelcome sexual advances
  • Requests for sexual favors
  • Sexually motivated physical contact
  • Verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature

Such behavior constitutes sexual harassment when:

  1. Submission to the conduct is made—explicitly or implicitly—a condition of employment or educational participation
  2. Submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as a basis for decisions affecting an individual’s employment or education
  3. The conduct substantially interferes with an individual’s work or educational performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment

NSC Response Protocol

If NSC becomes aware of, or reasonably should be aware of, sexual harassment, it will take the following steps:

  • Investigate Promptly: An internal and/or external investigation will be conducted to ensure transparency and impartiality
  • Take Effective Action: Steps will be taken to end the harassment, eliminate any hostile environment, prevent recurrence, and remedy its effects
  • Report Criminal Conduct: Allegations involving criminal behavior or suspected abuse of a minor will be reported immediately to law enforcement or Child Protective Services

A criminal investigation does not relieve NSC of its independent responsibility to respond to sexual harassment within its community.

Engaging in sexual harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action or sanctions for staff, volunteers, members, attenders, or third parties involved in NSC activities.

Retaliation and False Allegations

  • Retaliation Prohibited: Retaliation against anyone who reports or participates in a sexual harassment investigation is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action
  • False Allegations: Knowingly making or corroborating false claims of sexual harassment is a violation of this policy and will be subject to appropriate discipline

Staff Responsibility

All NSC employees who witness or receive a report—whether verbal, informal, or written—about sexual harassment are required to notify NSC pastors and/or elders. Staff must also guide complainants toward the formal complaint process.

Complaint Process

If you witness or suspect sexual harassment, you have a duty to report it. Victims may hesitate to come forward due to fear, so proactive reporting is essential.

  • Report to Leadership: Notify the Lead Pastor or Executive Pastor. If the complaint involves a pastor, report directly to the church elders
  • Investigation Begins: Pastors and/or elders will initiate an investigation in accordance with NSC’s Response SOP
  • Legal Matters: If the issue involves criminal conduct, law enforcement will be contacted. NSC does not determine legal outcomes
  • Non-Legal Matters: For non-criminal issues, NSC will follow its member progressive discipline procedures
  • Notification: The complainant will be informed of actions taken
  • Privacy Considerations: While privacy will be respected, it may be secondary to the safety and well-being of those in NSC’s care

Notice and Training

NSC’s Human Resources team will ensure that all staff and new hires receive clear training on sexual harassment policies and reporting procedures.

Return to Directory of Operating Procedures

Requests for Financial Help Operating Procedure

By

When someone is asking for financial aid – send them the Financial Aid Form.

Once completed, the pastors/elders will review and proceed according to each individual need.

No verbal promises/decisions will be made except for rare emergency situations where the requester falls into Category 1 or 2 below.

Priority shall be given to:

  • Category 1 – NSC Members (or someone an NSC Member knows and recommends)
  • Category 2 – Regular Attenders
  • Category 3 – Outside Requests

Return to Directory of Operating Procedures

Background Checks Operating Procedure

By

Designated Authority

The Executive Assistant serves as NSC’s official designee with the Washington State Patrol and is authorized to process background checks. Background checks may only be conducted with a completed and signed permission form—conducting a check without consent is illegal.

Staff Requirements

  • All staff members must undergo a background check upon hiring
  • Background checks will be renewed every two years thereafter

Volunteer Requirements

Any volunteer serving in the following roles must have a completed background check on file before being scheduled:

  • Children’s Ministry
  • Security Team
  • Ministry Leader (regardless of age)

These background checks are renewed every 24 months.

Recordkeeping and Confidentiality

  • Background checks are tracked in Planning Center
  • Completed permission forms are stored in a secure binder in a locked location
  • Information obtained from background checks may only be viewed and retained by the designated individual registered with the Washington State Patrol

Review and Decision-Making

If a background check reveals concerning or current information, the Executive Assistant may consult with the Lead and Executive Pastors for guidance on next steps.

Zero Tolerance Policy

  • Individuals with a criminal or violent history involving children or vulnerable adults will not be permitted to serve in Children’s Ministry under any circumstances, regardless of when the offense occurred

Other Criminal History

  • Individuals with a criminal history not related to children or vulnerable adults, and occurring five or more years ago, will be considered for ministry service on a case-by-case basis
  • Individuals with a criminal history not related to children or vulnerable adults, and occurring sooner than five years ago, may be considered for ministry service on a case-by-case basis however, not in an area involving a higher level of training such as children’s ministry or security

Return to Directory of Operating Procedures