Be Part of Heights Digital Church Directory

Digital Church Directory Policy

Purpose:

This policy establishes guidelines for the inclusion and removal of individuals from Heights Baptist Church’s digital church directory. The directory is intended to facilitate fellowship and communication among active members of our church community.

I. Inclusion in the Directory:

• Eligibility:

• Individuals must have attended regular worship services and/or participated in church activities at Heights Baptist Church for a minimum of three (3) consecutive months.

• They must have provided their express consent to be included in the directory and to share the information requested (e.g., name, contact information, etc.).

• Inclusion in the directory is at the discretion of the Church Clerk and the Church Board.

• Process:

• Upon meeting the eligibility criteria, individuals may request inclusion in the directory by contacting the church office.

• The church office will be responsible for inviting people to the digital directory once the Church office or designated person/committee.

II. Removal from the Directory:

• Reasons for Removal:

• Consistent Absence: If an individual has not regularly attended worship services or participated in church activities for a period of three (3) consecutive months without providing notification of temporary absence (e.g., travel, illness), their entry may be reviewed for removal.

• Formal Withdrawal of Membership: Upon formal notification of withdrawal of membership from Heights Baptist Church.

• Request by Individual: Upon request from the individual to be removed from the directory.

• Disciplinary Action: In cases of disciplinary action by the church leadership, as determined by the church's bylaws.

• Death: Upon notification of the death of a directory individual.

• Misuse of the Directory: This includes, but is not limited to:

• Using the directory to promote personal businesses or sales.

• Using the directory to spread gossip, create division, or engage in any other behavior deemed harmful to the church community.

• Sharing the directory outside of the church community.

• Any other use of the directory that violates the intended purpose of fostering fellowship and communication within Heights Baptist Church.

• Process:

• Review of Attendance: The church office or designated person/committee will periodically review attendance records and participation in church activities.

• Notification: Before removal due to consistent absence, a reasonable attempt will be made to contact the individual to inquire about their status. This could be done via email, text or phone call.

• Removal: If no response is received within 15 days, or if the individual confirms they are no longer attending, their entry will be removed from the directory.

• Immediate Removal: In cases of formal withdrawal, individual request, disciplinary action, misuse of the directory or death, removal will be implemented as soon as practicable.

• Access Revocation: Upon removal from the directory, the individual's access to the digital directory and any related online resources will be revoked.

• Record Keeping: The church office will maintain a record of all removals, including the reason for removal and the date of removal.

III. Data Privacy and Security:

• Heights Baptist Church is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the information contained in the digital directory.

• Access to the directory will be restricted to regular church attenders only.

• Information will not be shared with third parties without the individual's explicit consent, except as required by law.

• Directory users are expected to maintain the confidentiality of the information contained within the directory.

IV. Policy Review:

• This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary.