Privacy Policy
Effective date: November 8, 2025
This Privacy Policy explains how Living Waters Church ("Living Waters," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects information when you visit our websites, mobile pages, and online properties we control (collectively, the "Sites"), interact with us in person, or use our online forms, giving tools, livestreams, podcasts, and other ministries (collectively, the "Services").
If you have questions, contact us at [insert contact email] or by mail at [insert mailing address].
1) Who we are
Living Waters Church is a nonprofit church. Our primary purpose is to help people follow Jesus, gather in community, and serve others. We process personal information to operate our ministries, communicate with you, and steward donations.
2) Scope
This Policy applies to information we collect:
Through our Sites (including any pages we host on church platforms such as Church Center / Planning Center Publishing);
Through online forms (e.g., prayer requests, event registrations, volunteer sign‑ups, contact forms);
Through giving and donations;
Through livestreams, sermon videos, and podcasts we publish or embed;
Through email, SMS, phone, or in‑person interactions related to our ministries.
This Policy does not cover third‑party websites, apps, or services that we do not control. These third parties have their own privacy policies.
3) Information we collect
We collect information in three ways: (a) you provide it; (b) we collect it automatically; (c) we receive it from third parties.
A. Information you provide
Contact details (name, email, phone, address).
Prayer requests & pastoral care submissions (which may include sensitive information you choose to share). You decide what to submit.
Event registrations & volunteer sign‑ups (household information, availability, interests, shirt sizes, emergency contacts, etc.).
Giving & pledges (gift amounts, designations, and limited payment details as handled by our payment processor; we do not store full card or bank numbers on our servers).
Children & youth ministry data provided by a parent or legal guardian (child’s name, age/grade, allergies, authorized pick‑ups, etc.).
Media you submit (testimonies, photos, audio/video) with your consent for ministry use.
B. Information collected automatically (online)
Usage data (pages visited, links clicked, time on page, referring URL, approximate location from IP, device/browser type).
Cookies & similar technologies used for site functionality, preferences, analytics, and embedded media.
C. Information from third parties
Planning Center / Church Center (forms, registrations, check‑ins, giving records we are authorized to access as the account holder).
Payment processors (transaction confirmations; no full card data to us).
Media platforms we embed (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo, Spotify, SoundCloud) may collect data according to their own policies when you play embedded content.
4) How we use information
We use information to:
Provide and improve our ministries, Sites, and Services;
Communicate about gatherings, announcements, prayer updates, volunteer needs, and programs you request;
Process gifts and provide giving statements;
Care for congregants through pastoral follow‑up and prayer;
Maintain safety and child check‑in processes;
Operate livestreams, sermon videos, podcasts, and related feeds;
Comply with legal, accounting, and safeguarding requirements.
We do not sell your personal information.
5) Legal bases (EEA/UK visitors)
Where GDPR applies, we process personal data based on: consent, legitimate interests (ministry operations, communications you expect, site security), contract (when you register for events), and legal obligations (tax/charity records). You may withdraw consent at any time.
6) How we share information
We may share information with:
Service providers under contract who help us run the church (e.g., Planning Center/Church Center, email providers, text messaging services, website hosts, analytics, payment processors such as Stripe/PayPal). They may only use data to provide services to us and must protect it.
Media & distribution platforms when we embed or publish content (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo, Spotify, SoundCloud, podcast directories). When you interact with embedded players, those platforms may receive data directly from your device.
Leaders & volunteers with a legitimate ministry need‑to‑know (e.g., small‑group leaders receiving sign‑ups, prayer team receiving requests you submit to be shared).
Legal & safety compliance when required by law or to protect individuals and property.
We do not rent or sell your information.
7) Giving & payments
Online donations are processed through third‑party payment processors. We receive confirmation details needed for receipting and stewardship. We do not store full payment card or bank account numbers on our servers. Your use of giving tools is also subject to the payment processor’s privacy and security policies.
8) Prayer requests & sensitive information
Prayer requests may contain sensitive personal information. By submitting a request, you consent to our processing of that information for prayer and pastoral care. You can choose whether a request is private (seen by staff/pastoral team) or shareable (e.g., prayer chain or service). You may contact us to update or remove a request.
9) Children’s privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. Parents/guardians provide and manage children’s information for check‑in, classes, and events. If you believe we have collected information from a child without consent, contact us and we will take appropriate steps.
10) Your choices and rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict certain uses of your personal information, and to opt out of certain communications.
Email: use the unsubscribe link or contact us.
SMS: reply STOP to opt out of text messages.
Cookies/analytics: manage preferences via your browser settings and any cookie banner we provide.
Access/Deletion: email us at [insert contact email] and we will verify your request and respond consistent with applicable law.
Residents of certain U.S. states (e.g., CA, CO, CT, UT, VA) may have additional rights. We will honor verified requests as required by law.
11) Cookies and tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies to run our Sites, remember preferences, and analyze usage. You can set your browser to block or delete cookies; the Site may not function correctly without certain essential cookies. Some embedded media use their own cookies—see their policies for details.
12) Data retention
We retain information only as long as necessary for ministry purposes and legal/accounting needs (e.g., donation records must be kept for statutory periods). When data is no longer needed, we will delete or de‑identify it in a reasonable time.
13) Security
We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the nature of the information we process (e.g., access controls, encrypted transport, limited access on a need‑to‑know basis). No system is 100% secure; please use care when sending information online.
14) International transfers
If you access our Sites from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the U.S. and other countries where our service providers operate. These countries may have different data‑protection laws than your country of residence.
15) Third‑party services we commonly use
For transparency, our Sites or Services may use or embed one or more of the following:
Planning Center / Church Center (forms, events, check‑ins, giving pages)
YouTube / Vimeo (sermon video, livestream)
Spotify / SoundCloud / Apple Podcasts (audio and podcast players)
Google services (Analytics, Maps, reCAPTCHA)
Email & SMS providers (newsletter, alerts)
Each provider’s use of data is governed by its own policy when you use their features.
16) Changes to this Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. The "Effective date" at the top shows when it was last revised. Material changes will be posted on this page and, when appropriate, communicated through the channels we normally use to reach the church.
17) Contact us
For privacy questions or requests, contact:
Living Waters Church
Attn: Privacy