Do congregations need permission from their Planning and Zoning board to become a host congregation?
None of the 500 participating Family Promise host congregations has had to receive permission from its town zoning board. The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not only to worship but also to provide hospitality, which includes sheltering within the church or synagogue. Because of this, the Network does not come under shelter regulations, since it is housed in the church and thus is considered a mission of the church. A few churches have sought approval and have run into red tape and delays, only to find out that they didn’t need to seek approval.
