1. Information We Collect
We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:
- Name
- Mobile phone number
- Email address
- Mailing address
- Household or family information
- Information submitted through church connection, registration, volunteer, ministry, or event forms
- Prayer requests or other information you choose to share with the Church
- Communication preferences
We collect only information reasonably necessary to communicate with you, provide church and ministry services, coordinate programs and events, and support our congregation and community.
2. How We Use Your Information
The Church may use the information you provide to:
- Communicate information about worship services, church programs, ministries, and events
- Provide schedule changes, reminders, and important church announcements
- Respond to questions, prayer requests, ministry needs, or requests for assistance
- Coordinate volunteers and ministry participants
- Follow up with visitors, members, and individuals who have requested contact from the Church
- Maintain church membership, attendance, and ministry records
- Improve our communication and ministry services
- Fulfill legal, administrative, or organizational requirements
We do not use personal information for purposes unrelated to the ministry and operations of the Church without appropriate authorization.
3. SMS/Text Messaging
The Church uses SMS messaging to communicate with congregation members, visitors, ministry participants, volunteers, and other individuals who have consented to receive text messages from us.
SMS messages may include:
- Worship service reminders
- Church event and program announcements
- Schedule or location changes
- Ministry updates
- Prayer-related communications
- Pastoral or ministry follow-up
- Volunteer coordination
- Important church notices
- Other church-related communications
Consent
We obtain consent before enrolling individuals in our SMS communications. Consent may be provided through an online or paper form, in person, over the telephone, or through another clearly communicated opt-in process.
Providing a mobile phone number does not automatically constitute consent to receive SMS messages unless SMS consent is clearly requested and given.
Consent to receive text messages is voluntary and is not a condition of attending worship services, participating in church activities, receiving ministry services, making a donation, or otherwise interacting with the Church.
Message Frequency
Message frequency may vary depending on church activities, events, ministry involvement, and communication needs.
Message and Data Rates
Message and data rates may apply according to the recipient's mobile carrier and wireless service plan.
Opting Out
You may opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to a message received from the Church.
After opting out, you may receive a final confirmation message indicating that you have been unsubscribed. We will then stop sending SMS messages to that number unless you subsequently provide consent to receive them again.
Help
For assistance regarding our SMS communications, reply HELP to a text message or contact the Church using the contact information provided below.
4. SMS Privacy and Information Sharing
The Church does not sell, rent, or distribute personal information to third parties for marketing or promotional purposes.
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent information will not be sold, rented, or shared with third parties for their marketing or promotional purposes.
We may use technology providers and other service providers solely as necessary to operate our communications, websites, databases, and ministry systems. These providers may process information on our behalf only for purposes related to providing those services and are not authorized by the Church to use SMS consent information for their own marketing or promotional purposes.
5. Other Information Sharing
We may disclose personal information when reasonably necessary:
- To service providers assisting us in operating church systems or services
- To comply with applicable laws, regulations, court orders, or lawful government requests
- To protect the rights, property, safety, or security of the Church, our congregation, or others
- With your authorization or at your direction
We do not sell personal information.
6. Data Security
We take reasonable administrative, organizational, and technical measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.
However, no electronic transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
7. Information You Submit Through Church Forms
When you submit information through a church connection card, registration form, event form, ministry form, or similar resource, we use that information for the purposes identified on the form and for appropriate church communication and follow-up.
Where SMS communication is offered, SMS consent will be presented separately and will not be required in order to submit the underlying form or participate in church activities.
8. Your Choices
You may contact the Church to:
- Ask what personal information we have about you
- Request corrections to your information
- Update your communication preferences
- Request that we stop certain communications
- Withdraw SMS consent by replying STOP
- Ask questions about this Privacy Policy
Certain information may be retained where reasonably necessary for legitimate church administrative, financial, legal, or recordkeeping purposes.
9. Third-Party Websites and Services
Our websites or communications may contain links to third-party websites or services. The Church is not responsible for the privacy practices of websites or services that we do not operate.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of third-party services before providing personal information to them.
10. Children's Information
Church ministries may involve children and minors. When personal information about a minor is collected for ministry participation, registration, safety, or communication purposes, we seek to handle that information appropriately and, where required, obtain information or authorization from a parent or legal guardian.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
The Church may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, ministry operations, or applicable requirements.
When changes are made, the revised policy will be posted publicly and the “Last Updated” date will be updated.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, our SMS practices, or the personal information we maintain, please contact:
Mont Carmel International Christian Center
3901 The Plaza RdCharlotte, NC 28205