CHELSEA CAMPUS TRANSITION
The motion carried from our Sunday, Dec. 15 Business Meeting at Both the Mt Laurel Campus and Chelsea Campus to approve the Chelsea Campus to pursue legal independence. Please see the official motion below.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you would like to confidentially submit a question,
please email: transitionteam@docc.org.
Who initiated the desire for Chelsea to become a legally independent church?
The Double Oak Community Church elder board initiated a plan for Chelsea to achieve legal independence with a future priority of achieving financial independence when feasible.
Who is leading the effort for Chelsea to gain legal independence?
The Transition Team is leading the effort and will ensure guidance, oversight, structure and adequate representation of the congregations at both campuses is represented. The Transition Team is dedicated to the purpose of facilitating and overseeing the process of transitioning the congregation at the Chelsea campus toward financial and legal independence.
Michael Abrams | Chelsea Campus Pastor. Kirk Cuevas | DOCC Elder (In-Active)
Linda Allison | Chelsea Leadership Team. Mike Mantooth | DOCC Elder Chairman
Mark Clayton | Chelsea Leadership Team Adam Robinson | DOCC Senior Pastor
Bob Copper | DOCC Trustee James Sanderson | DOCC Trustee
What is the motion the congregational members will be voting for on December 15th?
The motion reads: “After prayerful consideration and having conducted appropriate due diligence, the Elders recommend that the Chelsea Campus become its own legal and separate entity. To that end, the Elders are seeking approval from the congregation to take the steps necessary to legally establish the Chelsea Campus as its own church as may be required by applicable law and regulation and in a manner consistent with the mission and values of Double Oak Community Church.” If this motion passes, the Transition Team will begin the process to establish Chelsea as an independent entity and church (Estimated Completion by March of 2025)
What does legal independence entail?
Legal independence will establish Chelsea as its own legal entity (separate church) apart from Double Oak Community Church (DOCC). Chelsea will have its own Name (Chelsea Community Church), FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number), Articles of Incorporation (including the current DOCC constitution and by-laws), 501c3 status, etc.
Does the Transition Team have anyone providing legal counsel during this transition?
Yes. The Transition Team has procured legal counsel to provide a roadmap with milestones to help drive decision making, priorities, and ensure the churches can continue to operate as intended without any interruption to ministry, outreach, or exemption status (operating as a church with 501c3 status).
Will Chelsea receive financial support from DOCC moving forward after legal independence is established?
Yes. The Transition Team will meet quarterly to determine what level of financial support is needed for Chelsea to continue providing robust, healthy ministry opportunities for their congregation and community. The Transition Team’s recommendation will be provided to each church’s finance team and elder board for approval.
How long will Chelsea receive financial support from DOCC?
It is currently unknown how long Chelsea will rely on DOCC for financial support. The Transition Team will work diligently to forecast Chelsea’s budget, expenses, liabilities, giving, etc., to balance their budget. Recommendations will be made to Chelsea of ways they can expedite financial stability, but until they reach that state DOCC will continue to support them.
Will Chelsea be added to the mortgage for the property they currently reside on?
Yes. Once Chelsea acquires the necessary status, the trustees will add Chelsea to the current mortgage note of approximately $3.7 million as a co-signer. In the future, once Chelsea is able to take on the mortgage debt, the trustees will initiate transferring the remaining balance and assets to Chelsea per the by-law specifications.
Will DOCC provide any services to Chelsea?
Yes. Certain administrative functions will be provided to Chelsea from DOCC, and those functions will be outlined in a Support Services Agreement. The two main areas that will be provided to Chelsea entail Human Resource Functionality and Administrative Services.
What will the Support Services Agreement entail?
A Support Services Agreement outlines the items the churches anticipate will be needed in this interim period to support Chelsea from and Human Resources and Administrative Services perspective. Items anticipated would include payroll, group insurance plans, benefits management, financial account management, etc. This agreement will be evaluated on a yearly basis to determine the nature and level of support that may be needed for the following year.
How will Chelsea officially adopt the articles of incorporation (constitution and by-laws)?
After Chelsea achieves legal independence, the congregation at Chelsea will vote to adopt the articles of incorporation which include the constitution and by-laws.
When will Chelsea begin to fulfill the requirements of the constitution and by-laws?
Once Chelsea adopts their articles of incorporation, the Senior Pastor will nominate elders, trustees, and other offices to fulfill the requirements outlined in the by-laws.
Will the current congregation of Chelsea need to “re-join” the church after legal independence is established?
No. Current members of Chelsea who have been through the membership process and been presented to the congregation will continue to retain their membership status. Any attenders who would like to become members of Chelsea will still need to go through the Chelsea membership process.
How will Chelsea gaining legal independence change things for DOCC Mt Laurel?
DOCC Mt. Laurel will retain the ability to govern itself without any intervention from the newly independent Chelsea church. This would entail budget creation, congregational voting, constitution and by-law amendments, personnel decisions, etc. Each church will exclusively govern itself. Each church will have its own constitution and by-laws and be responsible for fulfilling them within their congregation.