Family Promises

Host Congregations
Three to four times per year, for one week at a time, Host Congregations provide overnight lodging, meals (supper, breakfast, and brownbag lunch), and hospitality. Housing rotates among the member Host Congregations (no less than thirteen) for three families (up to fourteen people) from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 A.M. the next morning.

FAQ about becoming a host site.

What facilities do host congregations need to have for guests? Facilities must include a lounge area (with sofa, chairs, tables, TV), a dining area, a kitchen, bathrooms, and sleeping accommodations. Ideally, congregations provide a separate room, such as a classroom, for each family. If that isn’t possible, a fellowship hall or other large room can be divided by partitions to provide privacy.

Our building is in use almost all the time. How will we find the space? Churches and synagogues are busy places with many demands on their space. Rarely does a perfect space exist. Hosting almost always means making some scheduling adjustments for activities and meetings. For example, four or five times a year, AA or the Bible Study Group may need to move their Tuesday night meeting to another room.

What are the insurance implications of participating in the Network? Does the congregation have to amend its policy? Each local Network must carry general liability insurance. Congregations are usually covered by their own property and liability policies because IHN is considered to be an outreach ministry, a regular activity of the church like a youth sleepover or Friday night supper. Most congregations find they do not need extra insurance to be hosts. To be certain, each congregation must contact its insurance agent.

Other FAQ, click here.