1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Email Addresses: When you subscribe to our newsletter, download resources, or contact us
• Name: When you provide it for personalized communications
• Contact Information: When you reach out for consulting services or speaking engagements
• Assessment Responses: When you complete our Elder Self-Assessment or other evaluation tools
• Comments and Feedback: When you engage with our content or provide testimonials

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on site, referring websites
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, IP address
• Cookies: Small files that help us improve your experience and understand site usage

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information exclusively for ministry purposes and business operations, including:

Ministry Communications

• Sending newsletters with biblical leadership content and resources
• Providing requested materials and assessments
• Responding to your questions and ministry needs
• Sharing relevant updates about church leadership and governance

Service Delivery

• Processing consulting and speaking service requests
• Delivering digital products and courses
• Providing customer support and follow-up
• Improving our resources based on your feedback

Website Improvement

• Analyzing website usage to improve content and user experience
• Understanding which resources are most helpful
• Optimizing our platform for better ministry effectiveness

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We Do NOT Sell Your Information

We will never sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties. Your trust is sacred to us, and we treat your information with the same care we would want for our own.

Limited Sharing

We may share your information only in these specific circumstances:

• Service Providers: With trusted third-party services that help us operate our platform (email services, website hosting, analytics)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect the rights and safety of others
• Business Transfer: In the unlikely event of a business transfer, with proper notice to you
• With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize us to share information

Anonymous Information

We may share aggregated, anonymous information (such as “50% of our readers are lay elders”) for ministry reporting and improvement purposes.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information:

• Secure Transmission: SSL encryption for data transmission
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Regular Updates: Keeping security software and systems current
• Secure Storage: Using reputable, secure hosting and email service providers

However, no internet transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

5. Your Rights and Choices

Email Communications

• Unsubscribe: You may unsubscribe from our emails at any time using the link in every email
• Preferences: You can update your communication preferences by contacting us
• Frequency: We respect your time and send emails thoughtfully, not excessively

Access and Correction

• Access: You may request to see what personal information we have about you
• Correction: You may request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: You may request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)

Cookies

Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. Disabling cookies may limit some website functionality but will not prevent access to our content.

6. Children’s Privacy

Our platform is designed for church leaders and adult church members over the age of eighteen. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected such information, we will promptly delete it.

7. Third-Party Services

Our website may contain links to other websites or use third-party services. This privacy policy applies only to our platform. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

Current Third-Party Services

We may use services such as:

• Email Marketing: For newsletter delivery and communication
• Analytics: To understand website usage and improve our ministry
• Hosting: For secure and reliable website operation
• Payment Processing: For secure transaction processing

8. International Users

Our primary audience is English-speaking church leaders worldwide. If you are accessing our site from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States, where our servers are located.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will:

• Post any changes on this page with a new “Last Updated” date
• Notify you of significant changes via email if you have subscribed to our communications
• Provide reasonable notice before any material changes take effect

10. Contact Information

11. AI and Content Creation Transparency

In the interest of full transparency and biblical integrity, we want you to know that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in creating some of our content, including:

• Writing Assistance: AI tools may help with editing, formatting, and improving clarity of our biblical content
• Content Development: AI may assist in developing outlines, structures, and initial drafts that we then review and refine
• Technical Implementation: AI tools may help create website elements, forms, and technical documentation

Our AI Usage Standards

When we use AI assistance, we maintain these standards:

• Human Oversight: All content is reviewed, edited, and approved by human leadership before publication
• Biblical Accuracy: We verify that all biblical references and theological positions align with our convictions
• Personal Authenticity: Personal experiences, testimonies, and ministry insights remain genuinely human
• Quality Control: We ensure AI-assisted content meets our standards for accuracy and helpfulness

We believe this transparency honors our commitment to integrity while allowing us to serve you more effectively through appropriate use of available tools.

12. Our Biblical Foundation for Privacy

Our approach to privacy is grounded in biblical principles:

• Stewardship: We are stewards of the information you entrust to us (1 Corinthians 4:2)
• Integrity: We operate with honesty and transparency in all our practices (Proverbs 11:3)
• Service: We use your information to serve you better, not for selfish gain (Mark 10:43-44)
• Respect: We honor your time and trust by communicating thoughtfully (Ephesians 4:29)