need tips on approaching church authorities for permission..

DiggityDiggity · Oct 2, 2013

I've researched a few churches in my area and I'm just about to work up the courage to ask permission. Should I call or stop in? Would I ask the priest/pastor themselves or the church clerk? I haven't asked permission to dig a private establishment yet and I'm sure I'll be nervous. I don't want to #$%# it up! haha Any tips on getting permission?

Cheers ~ Drewski

littlebear · Oct 2, 2013

First dress nice and stress that u will not leave holes and will not look like anybody has been Looking for anything. and tell them that u will remove any TRASH that you find. And you will respect it as if it was youre own lawn. all they can say is yes or now its also really good to have a couple youve been on there property in case they would like to talk to someone for a referance that will allways make you sound like a profisional and for gods sake make us proud and do what you promice. and if he says no ask if at a later date would it be ok if you came by and talked to him again. Good luck and keep digging dirt

Lady Pirate · Oct 2, 2013

Go in and see the Pastor, be nice, talk to him/her and invite him/her outside and show them what detecting is all about and show him/her the proper way of digging and repairing the hole. Try to "get a grip on that person and get them excited about detecting". Good Luck

dholland02 · Oct 2, 2013

If its a church out of town ans the pastor doesn't live on thw grounds, just hunt it on any day but Sunday.

Mackaydon · Oct 2, 2013

Tell him where you intend to search and offer to give him a demonstration.
Have some suggestion ready on what you will do to benefit the church.
Don...

TerryC · Oct 2, 2013

As mentioned by Lady Pirate, go get them excited too! Try this.... Go to ten other places to ask for permission. Call them "practice". Yes, ten places you have no intentions of hunting.... to work out the jitters and answer any questions that may come up. Since you have no intentions of hunting them, you will not go away disappointed if turned down. Then, to the church with some practice under the belt. And, who knows, the other places may say yes! Now you have other places to add to the list and much more practice at asking. How can you go wrong?! TTC

Maburger · Oct 3, 2013

Many denominations the trustees are designated to make decisions concerning the property, buildings, grounds etc... You might have to ask for permission then wait for a business meeting for a decision to be made. If this is the case, you might want to compose a letter to be read at the meeting. This should insure your wishes and procedures to be relayed correctly.
I too have a piece of property that was an old mill operating in the 1800's that is now owned by the church. After much thought, this is the route I plan to take. Still in the process of composing my letter of intent and plan to leave it with the secretary.
Just my thoughts on the subject...

CoilyGirl · Oct 3, 2013

I would also make sure that you bring a little bag of grass seed with you and tell the powers that be that you will be sure and take care of thir pro pry and sew a little seeds after you're done. We did this a few weeks ago at a historic church and I think they were impressed. You might also offer up making a little shadow box for them if you find something of historical significance. Good luck!

Landlord Jim · Oct 3, 2013

Yes it helps if you are a member of that church or give some donation to the church.

Joe hunter · Oct 3, 2013

CoilyGirl said:
I would also make sure that you bring a little bag of grass seed with you and tell the powers that be that you will be sure and take care of thir pro pry and sew a little seeds after you're done. We did this a few weeks ago at a historic church and I think they were impressed. You might also offer up making a little shadow box for them if you find something of historical significance. Good luck!

Those little jugs of spot seeder from lowes/home depot are awesome

gerryk · Oct 3, 2013

A nice bottle of wine surely wont hurt. Just make it nice wine, not the kind they use at mass

DiggityDiggity · Oct 3, 2013

Wow thanks for the awesome advice! I like the wine and grass seed ideas. Both of which I have plenty in stock...lol

TerryC: haha I want to get them excited but not TOO excited

Btw, so funny you mentioned practicing with 10 houses. I just watched a youtube video last night on a dude that recorded asking permission on 10 sites! Definitely calms my nerves a bit knowing that most (or at least 50%) people respond cordially.

Maybe I'll drink a bottle of vodka before I go in for liquid courage. I'll bring my own puke bucket too so I don't get any on their shoes. That would be disrespectful!

pat-tekker-cat · Oct 3, 2013

LOL! I don't think you wanna be takin any wine to a fundamental or primitive Christian church! LOL!

I passed a rather large church one day, had a nice volleyball court and playground. Wheeled in there, went in the office, saw the secretary and told her, I been around metal detecting parks today and just noticed, they had nice sand areas, would she mind if I detected there, and if I found anything really valuable(rings or such), I would bring them in to the office. I also told her, I like the sand areas, because they are easy and you don't tear up anything, plus I get A LOT of trash, metal, glass, outta sand areas, too.
She said, go right ahead and don't worry about it. I only found a few coins and toy car.

True, they will like if you are trying to help keep up and make nicer the area. Good luck.

metaldetectorguy · Oct 3, 2013

Make a donation and possibly offer up any historical finds that are related to the church. HH

DiggityDiggity · Oct 3, 2013

pat-tekker-cat said:
LOL! I don't think you wanna be takin any wine to a fundamental or primitive Christian church! LOL!

Yeah.. might only work for a few churches. Dem catliks love their wine!

mangum · Oct 3, 2013

Talk to the pastor. Hunting without permission is bad advice. I've got permission to three churches & all were over the phone (granted I already knew 2 of the pastors) One was a cold call. Of course, in person is always better. I sent them the MDing code of ethics & let them know I follow them. I also tell them that if I find anything related to the church (I never have) I will give it to them no questions asked & I would if I did. Just be professional & you should do good. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

jeff of pa · Oct 3, 2013

first off the preacher does not own the church or the property,
he is employed by the church go'ers to preach for them,
and earn $$ to keep the church going. (an entertainer)

However, most preachers think they are in charge unless
told the truth, so yes a Preacher is a good option.

you could also ask the person who mows the grass,

or anyone who is a member of a church women's group as a last choice.,

Beware though Church women can be unpredictable.

From scared to death of you,
to so scary You'll end up scared to death of her :laughing7:

(beware of Carrie's Mom)

but if you approach the right ones you will get a "Yea I don't see no Problem"

others may say you need to attend a meeting, This should be last resort,
the ones with an opinion who will speak up, are the ones who need church Badly
but it doesn't seem to help :laughing7:

simply, it's a crap shoot... good Luck :thumbsup:

justdon · Oct 4, 2013

Just wanted to share this and not take to long to babble about it.Since i read this thread i got up the nerve to go and ask the pastor of this church if i could do some detecting on the church grounds.I saw him outside approached him explained what i wanted to do.He was very nice.I had never thought i would get permission.To make a long story short.He said i could have permission.If he could observe me search and recover some finds to insure that i would not do damage to the area.And the final thing i had to do was find a coin and i had 30 minutes to do so.Didn't find one coin found 5 in about 10 minutes.Got approval just no hunting on sunday and nobody else but me was allowed.I will post a pic of the finds when my camera charges back up.

justdon · Oct 4, 2013

Oh here is the pic of the finds 4 pennies a dime and 2 other little items.I should be kicked in my butt for waiting so long to ask.This church is only a 1/2 a block away from my house.

DiggityDiggity · Oct 4, 2013

justdon said:
Oh here is the pic of the finds 4 pennies a dime and 2 other little items.I should be kicked in my butt for waiting so long to ask.This church is only a 1/2 a block away from my house.

Awesome man! That gives me motivation to go on a permission-asking spree. ^^ Keep updating with more finds if you can. Do you know how old the church is?