Privacy Policy

Information you give us

We collect information you choose to share with us, such as when you fill out a connection card, register for an event, sign up to serve, submit a prayer request, give online, or complete a form on our website, Facebook, or Instagram. Depending on the form, this may include your name, phone number, email address, mailing address, birthday, family members' names and ages, and any other details you choose to provide.

Information collected automatically

When you visit our website, we and the services we use may automatically collect information such as your browser type, device, IP address, the pages you visit, and how you arrived at our site. We use cookies and similar tools, including Google Analytics and the Meta Pixel, to understand how our website is used and to show our church's messages to people in our community on Facebook and Instagram. These third parties may collect information about your activity on our website and on other websites over time.

How we use your information

We use your information to carry out the ministry of The Church at The Groves, including to:

• Respond to your questions and requests
• Follow up after a visit or form submission
• Send event reminders, directions, and church updates
• Organize ministries, events, and volunteer teams
• Process and acknowledge gifts
• Pray for you and provide pastoral care
• Keep children and families safe at church events
• Improve our website and communication

We never sell your information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to anyone, for any purpose. Our church directory and donor records are for internal ministry use only.

When information is shared

Your information is used by our church staff and ministry leaders who need it to serve you. We also use trusted service providers to operate, including our church management software (Breeze), our online giving provider, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), and Google. These providers store or process information on our behalf and handle it under their own privacy policies. We may also disclose information when required by law, or when necessary to protect the safety of a person.

Prayer requests and pastoral care

Prayer requests and pastoral care conversations are shared only with our pastoral staff and prayer team unless you ask us to share them more widely.

Online giving

Online gifts are processed securely by our giving provider. We do not store full card or bank account numbers on our systems.

Children's privacy

Our website is not directed to children. Information about children, such as for event or ministry registration, should be provided by a parent or guardian and is used only for safety, communication, and ministry purposes. We do not knowingly collect personal information online directly from children under 13. If we learn that we have, we will delete it.

Text messages and email

If you give us your phone number or email address, you may receive messages related to what you signed up for and other church events. Message and data rates may apply. You can reply STOP to any text to stop receiving texts, or use the unsubscribe link in any email. We will honor your request promptly.

Photos and video

We photograph and record church services and events and may share them on our website and social media. If you prefer not to be photographed, please let a staff member know.

Cookies and your choices

You can block or delete cookies through your browser settings. You can control the ads you see on Facebook and Instagram through your Meta ad preferences, and you can opt out of Google Analytics using Google's browser opt-out add-on.

Do Not Track

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" setting. Because there is no common standard for these signals, our website does not currently respond to them.

Protecting your information

We take reasonable administrative and technical steps to protect your information and limit access to people who need it for ministry. No system is completely secure, but if we learn of a security incident affecting your information, we will notify you as appropriate.

How long we keep information

We keep information only as long as it is needed for ministry, recordkeeping, or legal purposes, and then delete it or keep it securely.

Your choices

You can ask us to review, update, or delete your information at any time by contacting us. We will respond within a reasonable time.

Links to other websites

Our website may link to other websites, such as YouTube or our giving provider. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will post the updated policy on this page and change the effective date above.