Preamble
Church of Spirits™ (EIN: 92-2327982), located in Destin, Florida, is a tax-exempt, faith-rooted community operating as a Church, Bar & Restaurant, and Gift Shop. We are dedicated to fostering daily fellowship, good food, real talk, meaningful spiritual connections, personal transformation, sobriety support, and community in a safe, non-judgmental "third space." Open to everyone—regardless of beliefs, background, or journey—we reject shame, pressure, exclusion, or rigid dogma.
Authority flows from our shared commitment to love, respect, integrity, and Divine guidance (understood personally by each individual). It is exercised humbly, transparently, and restoratively to protect and nurture the community, ensuring uninterrupted spiritual exploration through casual discussions on faith, recovery, relationships, and life—including Bible study, prayer, affirmations, reflection, and supportive gatherings.
Core Values Guiding Authority
- Integrity: Truthfulness, ethical conduct, accountability, and alignment between words and actions in all leadership, finances, fellowship, and spiritual guidance.
- Inclusion and Respect: Welcoming all with dignity—no judgment, no shame.
- Safety, Confidentiality, and Protection: A secure space where trust, privacy, and personal sharing are safeguarded.
- Responsible Fellowship: Encouraging mindful choices (e.g., BYOB responsibly; no alcohol served or sold on premises).
- Transformation and Growth: Supporting renewal through real talk, spiritual connections, and community uplift.
- Stewardship: Responsible use of voluntary donations, menu/Gift Shop proceeds, and resources to fund outreach, events, retreats, and spiritual programs.
1. Ultimate Authority
Ultimate spiritual and moral authority rests in the Divine Source/Infinite Intelligence/God, revealed through personal experience, Scripture (where applicable), community discernment, prayer, and inner guidance. Human authority is servant-oriented, provisional, and accountable to these principles, the community, and applicable laws protecting religious exercise.
2. Leadership Structure and Roles
- Founder/CEO & Lead Spiritual Director: Raymond M. Lahti - Maria R. Lahti provides vision, pastoral care, teaching, and oversight of operations (fellowship, Bar & Restaurant, Gift Shop), events, retreats, spiritual activities, and mission alignment. Leadership serves with integrity and humility.
- Council of Stewards/Elders: Trusted advisory group (appointed initially by the Lead Director, later affirmed by community) offering counsel on spiritual direction, governance, conflicts, finances, events, and decisions. They model integrity and service.
- Ministry & Operations Team Leads: Coordinators for fellowship sessions, spiritual activities (Bible study, prayer, recovery discussions), retreats, events, Bar & Restaurant operations, Gift Shop, and outreach. They report to leadership and prioritize practical, ethical service.
- Community Participation: Open to all; active participants may provide input through real talk sessions, feedback, or discernment.
3. Decision-Making Process
- Day-to-day (fellowship hours, menu, snacks, Gift Shop, casual spiritual talks): Managed flexibly by leadership/teams with participant feedback and integrity.
- Major decisions (events, retreats, expenditures, leadership changes): Collaborative—discernment by leadership/Council, community input (meetings/surveys/real talk), consensus preferred (or Council/active participant affirmation if needed).
- Transparency: Regular updates on finances (donations/proceeds fund mission), events, and decisions to maintain trust.
4. Accountability, Discipline, Integrity, and Protections
- Leaders, teams, and participants uphold integrity, respect, safety, and confidentiality.
- Concerns (misconduct, breaches, financial issues) addressed restoratively: Private resolution first, then Council involvement if needed. Serious matters may lead to restrictions/removal, with appeal. Emphasis on grace, healing, and restoration.
- Privacy & Confidentiality: Personal sharing in fellowship, recovery discussions, or spiritual connections is treated as sacred and confidential (except where legally required to report harm).
- Liability & Personal Responsibility: Participation is voluntary; individuals assume responsibility for their choices (e.g., BYOB responsibly). Church of Spirits™ disclaims liability for personal actions, health outcomes, or spiritual experiences.
- Legal & Religious Protections: Our religious exercise—including fellowship, prayer, reflection, worship, and spiritual discussions—is protected under the U.S. First Amendment, Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA, 42 U.S.C. § 2000bb et seq.), Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), Church Arson Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. § 247), Conspiracy Against Rights (18 U.S.C. § 241), Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act, 18 U.S.C. § 248), and Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act (F.S. § 761.01 et seq.). We affirm these safeguards to ensure our non-traditional place of worship remains free from interference or undue burden.
5. Church in Session™ – Ongoing Declaration of Sacred Fellowship
"Church in Session™" is our living declaration that sacred fellowship, prayer, reflection, worship, and spiritual connection are actively happening—continuously, inclusively, and without interruption. It reminds members, visitors, and passersby that faith is always in motion, whether in our harbor venue over shared meals and real talk, on retreats (e.g., Crab Island), in personal devotion, or wherever the spirit moves.
- Usage for Members & Community: Members and participants invoke "Church in Session™" to affirm active spiritual engagement, foster respect, and gently deter interference. It supports our inclusive, judgment-free space: "Come as you are. Stay as long as the spirit moves you." Members may display "Church in Session™" items (e.g., bumper stickers) to declare uninterrupted worship and support the community (proceeds aid outreach).
- Protective Role: This declaration reinforces that our religious activities are protected under the laws listed above, ensuring our safe space for transformation, recovery support, and spiritual growth remains secure and respected.
6. Spiritual Oversight and Activities
We embrace an open, eclectic, non-denominational approach: casual Bible study, prayer, affirmations, visualizations, reflection circles, recovery discussions, and uplifting conversations—no mandated creeds. Activities include daily fellowship with complimentary donated snacks/appetizers (menu available for purchase), real talk on life's challenges, retreats, events, and spiritual connections. Teachings align with our values; changes proposed/reviewed collaboratively.
7. Amendments
Amendments proposed by Lead Director or Council, followed by prayerful discernment and community input/approval.