Introduction
At Our Church, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or interact with our ministry.
As a Christian community, we value transparency and want you to feel confident about how we handle your personal data in accordance with biblical principles of stewardship and care.
Information We Collect
Personal Information
- Contact information (name, email, phone number, address)
- Family information for ministry purposes
- Prayer requests and spiritual care information
- Donation and giving records
- Event registration details
- Volunteer application information
- Membership and baptism records
Automatically Collected Information
- Website usage data through cookies and analytics
- IP address and browser information
- Pages visited and time spent on our site
How We Use Your Information
We use your information solely for ministry purposes, including:
- Providing pastoral care and spiritual support
- Communicating church events, services, and updates
- Processing donations and providing tax receipts
- Coordinating volunteer activities and ministry teams
- Managing event registrations and participation
- Maintaining membership records
- Improving our website and online services
- Sending prayer chain notifications (with consent)
Information Sharing
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:
- With church staff and ministry leaders for pastoral care purposes
- With prayer team members (prayer requests are shared confidentially)
- With service providers who assist our ministry (under strict confidentiality agreements)
- When required by law or to protect the safety of our community
Note: Sensitive prayer requests are shared only with designated prayer team members and are treated with the utmost confidentiality.
Data Security
We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information, including:
- Secure servers and encrypted data storage
- Limited access to personal information based on ministry need
- Regular security assessments and updates
- Training for staff and volunteers on data protection
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request corrections to inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your personal information (where appropriate)
- Opt-out of certain communications
- Request restrictions on how we use your information
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.
Children’s Privacy
We are committed to protecting the privacy of children. Our children’s and youth ministries collect minimal information necessary for safe participation. Parental consent is required for children under 13, and we comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Cookies and Tracking
Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and help us understand how people use our site. These cookies do not collect personal information and can be disabled through your browser settings.
We use Google Analytics to understand website traffic patterns, but this data is anonymized and cannot be traced back to individual users.
Third-Party Services
We may use trusted third-party services for specific functions, such as:
- Payment processing for online donations
- Email communication platforms
- Event registration systems
- Church management software
These services have their own privacy policies, and we ensure they meet our standards for data protection.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a new “Last Updated” date.