Privacy Policy
Introduction
Christ Journey Church (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, christjourney.org, and any associated services. By using our website, you consent to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy.
Types of Information Collected
We may collect the following types of personal information:
Name
Email address
Phone number
Mailing address
Payment information (if applicable for donations or event registrations)
Any other information you provide voluntarily
Additionally, non-personal information such as browser type, IP address, and cookies may be collected to enhance your experience on our website.
Method of Information Collection
We collect information through:
Online forms (e.g., event registrations, prayer requests, newsletter sign-ups, donations)
Cookies and tracking technologies
Direct communications (emails, phone calls, or in-person interactions)
Social media interactions
Purpose of Data Collection
We collect personal information for the following purposes:
To provide church-related services and support
To communicate important updates, events, and news
To process donations and other financial transactions securely
To improve our website and services
To comply with legal requirements
Data Security Measures
We take reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse, including:
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption for sensitive transactions
Restricted access to personal data
Regular security audits and updates
Secure storage of collected information
In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected individuals as required by applicable law.
Data Sharing
We do not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties. Information may be shared under the following circumstances:
With related or affiliated entities for church purposes
When required by law, such as in response to a legal request or subpoena
With third-party service providers who assist in website functionality, donations, or communications, provided they adhere to strict data protection policies
Aggregate data may be used for statistical analysis or marketing purposes without including personally identifiable information
User Rights
You have the right to:
Request access to the personal information we hold about you
Update or correct your personal information
Request the deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and operational requirements
Opt-out of receiving non-essential communications
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details provided below.
Information Sharing for SMS Communications
Phone numbers collected for SMS purposes will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies to enhance user experience and track website analytics. You can modify your browser settings to block cookies, but this may affect certain functionalities of our website.
Links to Outside Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We do not control or monitor the content, privacy practices, or security of external sites. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of any linked sites before providing personal information.
Photography & Media Usage
Christ Journey Church may capture photos and videos during events and services. These images may be used on social media, websites, and promotional materials to inspire and share church experiences. If you wish to opt out of appearing in media, please contact us.
AI Chatbot & Automated Communications
Our website includes an artificial intelligence (“AI”) chatbot feature powered by the OpenAI API provided by OpenAI(“OpenAI”). The chatbot is designed to provide automated responses to general informational inquiries about our church and its ministries.
By using the chatbot, you acknowledge and agree to the practices described in this section.
Information Collected Through the Chatbot
When you interact with the chatbot, we may collect and process:
The content of messages you voluntarily submit
Any personal information you choose to include in your messages
Internet Protocol (IP) address
Browser type, device type, and operating system
Date and time of interaction
Technical and diagnostic data related to chatbot performance
You are not required to provide personal information to use the chatbot. However, any information you choose to include in your messages will be processed as described below.
How Chatbot Information Is Used
We use chatbot interaction data to:
Respond to inquiries
Improve chatbot performance and accuracy
Develop and refine our internal knowledge base
Maintain website security and prevent misuse
Diagnose technical issues
We do not sell, rent, or trade chatbot conversation data.
Data Retention
Chatbot interaction logs, including message content and associated technical information (such as IP addresses), are retained for up to ninety (90) days for system improvement, security monitoring, and knowledge base optimization.
After this period, logs are deleted or anonymized unless continued retention is required for legitimate business, security, or legal purposes.
Third-Party Processing
Messages submitted through the chatbot are transmitted to and processed by OpenAI for the purpose of generating automated responses.
We have configured our use of the OpenAI API so that chatbot data submitted through our website is not used to train OpenAI’s artificial intelligence models.
OpenAI processes information in accordance with its own privacy and security policies. We encourage users to review OpenAI’s Privacy Policy to understand how OpenAI handles data.
By using the chatbot, you acknowledge that your communications may be processed by third-party service providers for the purpose of generating responses.
Children’s Privacy
Our website is operated by a church organization and may be accessed by individuals of all ages. However:
The chatbot is intended for general informational purposes only.
We do not knowingly solicit or collect personal information from children under the age of 13.
We do not require account registration or age verification to use the chatbot.
Parents or guardians who believe that a child under the age of 13 has submitted personal information through the chatbot may contact us at info@christjourney.org to request review or deletion of such information.
Users, including minors, are strongly encouraged not to submit sensitive personal information through the chatbot.
Sensitive Information & Confidential Communications
The chatbot is not intended for confidential, pastoral counseling, legal, medical, or emergency communications.
Please do not submit sensitive personal information through the chatbot, including but not limited to:
Social Security numbers
Financial or payment information
Medical or health information
Government-issued identification numbers
Confidential pastoral counseling matters
Information related to abuse, crisis situations, or emergencies
If you require confidential pastoral care or urgent assistance, please contact the church directly through appropriate channels.
Automated Nature of Responses
Chatbot responses are generated by artificial intelligence and may not always be accurate, complete, or appropriate for every situation.
The chatbot:
Does not provide legal, medical, counseling, or professional advice
Does not create a pastoral, counseling, fiduciary, or advisory relationship
Should not be relied upon as the sole source of important information
We make no warranties or representations regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of AI-generated responses.
Assumption of Risk
By using the chatbot, you acknowledge that:
AI-generated content may contain errors or omissions
Communications may be processed by third-party technology providers
You submit information voluntarily and at your own discretion
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim liability arising from reliance on chatbot responses.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or need to update your personal information, please contact us at:
Christ Journey Church
Email: info@christjourney.org
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically, and any changes will be reflected on this page. Your continued use of our website signifies your acceptance of any modifications.
