Being a Pastor's kid and growing up right next to churches, the first approach would be to knock on the parsonage door (the house the pastor lives in) Ask him, or her, what ever the case may be these days who the head of the TRUSTEE COMMITEE is. That is the person that can give you the absolute go ahead. Sometimes the pastor will tell you to go right ahead so it doesn't hurt to ask him first, but make sure that you find out who the trustee chairperson is and talk to him. My father used to kick metal detectorist off of the church property unless they went and asked the head of the Trustees first, they are the ones that are really responsible for the church property. Don't woory, my father likes the passtime just as much as the next guy, but some of the guys out here in western mass. got a little too careless with the digging part. Really, who digs a hole two feet wide and a foot deep when they are using a walmart special with only a six inch coil?