Privacy Policy

1. PURPOSE

1.1. LifeSource Church is dedicated to being transparent about how we handle the personal information of our church members, attendees, and visitors. Our main objective is to clearly inform you about the methods we employ to collect, use, and safeguard your data. Every piece of personal information provided to us is treated with the utmost care and confidentiality.

1.2. Your privacy is not just important to us—it's paramount. We are unwavering in our commitment to protect your privacy and maintain your trust. To ensure this, our Privacy Policy has been crafted in strict compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles. This policy provides a comprehensive overview of our practices related to the collection, utilisation, disclosure, and storage of your information.

2. WHY WE COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

2.1. LifeSource Church is a non-profit organisation committed to raising up fervent followers of Jesus Christ who will reach out and impact communities, cities and nations for the kingdom of God. To accomplish this, we provide a range of Christian programs and services including our church services, GROW groups, kids and youth programs, community and missions’ projects etc. To participate in certain programs or activities, we need to collect some information from those who want to be involved with our church, enabling us to communicate with them, provide the requested services and satisfy our legal requirements, i.e. Child Protection.

3. WHAT PERSONAL AND SENSITIVE INFORMATION WE COLLECT

3.1. The information that we collect about you will vary depending on the nature of involvement and the activities that you choose to be involved in. We endeavour to only ask you for information that is reasonably necessary for the activities you are seeking to be involved in. You are not required to provide the personal and/or sensitive information that we request, but if you chose not to provide it, it may hinder or prevent your involvement or inclusion in some activities, communications, the degree of pastoral support and care that we can provide you with.

3.2. The information that we collect may include:

    3.2.1. contact details (name, address, telephone numbers, email, etc.);
        3.2.1.1. Collected to facilitate communication regarding church activities and updates.

    3.2.2. personal details (birthdate, marital status, gender, etc.);
        3.2.2.1. Used for demographic analysis and to personalize church services and communications.

    3.2.3. family details (spouse, children, etc.);
        3.2.3.1. Gathered to understand family dynamics for tailored pastoral care and family-oriented activities.

    3.2.4. education qualifications and occupation information (profession, job title, etc.).
        3.2.4.1. Helps in identifying potential volunteer opportunities and professional networking within the church community.

    3.2.5. any criminal records
        3.2.5.1. Collected for ensuring the safety of the church community, particularly in roles involving minors or vulnerable groups.

3.3. Some personal information is considered ‘sensitive information’. At times we collect sensitive information about you, and may include:

    3.3.1. health information;
        3.3.1.1. Used to accommodate health needs during church activities and to provide appropriate care in emergencies.

    3.3.2. religious information (attendance, denominational details, spiritual milestones)
        3.3.2.1. Helps in providing relevant spiritual guidance and in organising specific activities.

    3.3.3. professional and practice information;
        3.3.3.1. Assists in leveraging professional skills for church-related projects and community services.

    3.3.4. credit card details.
        3.3.4.1. Used solely for processing donations and financial transactions related to church activities.

3.4. Staff will also be asked to provide;

    3.4.1. Tax File Number
        3.4.1.1. Required for payroll processing and tax-related purposes for church staff.

    3.4.2. Superannuation Account details
        3.4.2.1. Necessary for managing superannuation contributions and benefits for church employees.

    3.4.3. Bank Account details
        3.4.3.1. Collected for processing salaries and reimbursements to church staff/volunteers.

3.5. Anonymity and Pseudonymity

3.5.1. Where practicable and lawful, we will endeavour to provide you with the option of interacting anonymously or by using a pseudonym. However, this may prevent us from practically and effectively communicating with you.

3.5.2. At LifeSource Church, we respect your right to choose whether to be identified or remain anonymous when engaging with us. Below are our guidelines regarding these options:

    3.5.2.1. Situations Allowing Anonymity or Pseudonymity:
        3.5.2.1.1. You are welcome to attend our public services and events without providing personal details.
        3.5.2.1.2. Our online resources, such as sermons or newsletters, can be accessed anonymously.

    3.5.2.2. Limitations to Anonymity and Pseudonymity:
        3.5.2.2.1. For safety and organizational purposes, registration with personal details is necessary for participating in certain groups or activities.
        3.5.2.2.2. Financial contributions require personal details for processing receipts and tax documentation.

    3.5.2.3. Choosing Anonymity or Pseudonymity:
        3.5.2.3.1. During event sign-ups, you may opt out of providing personal information if it is not mandatory.
        3.5.2.3.2. If permitted, you may use a pseudonym for online interactions, such as in forums or prayer requests.

    3.5.2.4. Implications of Choosing Anonymity or Pseudonymity:
        3.5.2.4.1. Opting for anonymity may limit access to personalized services such as pastoral care.
        3.5.2.4.2. Certain roles or activities requiring identity verification will not be accessible anonymously.

    3.5.2.5. Our Commitment:
        3.5.2.5.1. LifeSource Church is committed to respecting your choices regarding anonymity and pseudonymity. Your decision to remain anonymous will not impact your ability to participate in general church activities.

3.6. Online privacy

3.6.1. We are committed to protect your privacy on our web sites. All access to our public websites is anonymous, except for any areas where you login with your own account or enter your personal information.

3.6.2. When you visit our public websites a record of your visit may be logged and the following data may be supplied by your browser:
    3.6.2.1. The date, time and length of your visit to the website;
    3.6.2.2. Your IP address and/or domain name;
    3.6.2.3. Your operating system (type of browser and platform); and
    3.6.2.4. The pages and resources you accessed and the documents you downloaded.

3.6.3. Cookies are only used to store temporary information about your current visit, and all data stored in them is encrypted.
    3.6.3.1. Our website uses both session and persistent cookies to enhance your browsing experience—session cookies for maintaining your login status and persistent cookies for remembering your preferences.
    3.6.3.2. We may employ third-party tracking technologies, such as Google Analytics, to analyse website usage and improve our services.

3.6.4. Our website may contain links to third party websites, and third-party websites may also have links to our website.
    3.6.4.1. Our privacy policy does not apply to other websites. The operators of other websites may collect your personal information. Therefore, we are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party sites.

3.6.5. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any website you link to from our website.

3.6.6. Managing Cookies and Opt-Out Options:
    3.6.6.1. You can adjust your browser settings to block or limit cookies according to your preference.
    3.6.6.2. For opting out of third-party tracking services, please refer to their respective privacy policies or use available opt-out links.

3.6.7. Our staff and some volunteers and leaders have access to private sections of our public websites which also log the pages and resources that each individual accesses for auditing and security purposes.

4. Data Security

4.1. LifeSource Church is committed to ensuring the security and protection of the personal information that we collect and hold. Below we outline the measures we take to safeguard your data:

    4.1.1. Implementation of Robust Security Measures:
        4.1.1.1. We use encryption technology to protect sensitive data like credit card information during online transactions.
        4.1.1.2. Our servers are secured with advanced configurations and firewalls to prevent unauthorized access.

    4.1.2. Controlled Access to Personal Data:
        4.1.2.1. Access to personal information is strictly limited to authorized church personnel, and is based on a need-to-know principle.
        4.1.2.2. Regular training is provided to our staff on best practices in data privacy and security protocols.

    4.1.3. Regular Security Audits and Updates:
        4.1.3.1. We conduct periodic reviews and updates of our security measures to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
        4.1.3.2. Our security strategies are enhanced through collaborations with cybersecurity experts for regular audits and assessments.

    4.1.4. Proactive Data Breach Response Plan:
        4.1.4.1. In the unlikely event of a data breach, we have a response plan that includes prompt notification to those affected and immediate steps to secure our systems.
        4.1.4.2. We work with external cybersecurity teams to quickly address and mitigate any breaches.

    4.1.5. Physical Security for Data Storage:
        4.1.5.1. Sensitive paper records are kept in locked filing cabinets, accessible only to authorized individuals.
        4.1.5.2. Areas where physical data is stored are secured with controlled access systems, like keycard entries, to prevent unauthorized access.

4.2. LifeSource Church takes the responsibility of protecting your personal information seriously. We are continually refining our security practices to ensure that your data remains safe and secure.

5. HOW WE COLLECT YOUR INFORMATION

5.1. At LifeSource Church, we collect information directly from you in order to serve you and our church community better, unless it is unreasonable or impractical to do so. Where we collect information from third parties and it is not personal information that is contained in a Commonwealth record, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify the information as required by law. This section details the methods we use.

5.2. We collect personal information about partners, attenders, supporters, donors, volunteers, employees, contractors and visitors to our events by:

    5.2.1. Direct Collection Methods:
        5.2.1.1. any of the forms on our website, mobile app, other electronic means, or paper forms (visitors card, decision card, contact information form, event registration, etc.);
        5.2.1.2. face-to-face meetings;
        5.2.1.3. email or social media message or conversation;
        5.2.1.4. phone calls; and
        5.2.1.5. voice or image recording.

    5.2.2. Distinguishing Voluntary and Required Information:
        5.2.2.1. In our forms and registrations, required fields are usually marked with an asterisk (*). Providing additional information is often optional and based on your discretion.

    5.2.3. Collection in Special Circumstances
        5.2.3.1. During church events, we may take photographs or videos for promotional purposes, always ensuring that consent is obtained beforehand.
        5.2.3.2. For youth programs, we collect extra information like parental consent and emergency contacts for the safety and well-being of participants.
        5.2.3.3. Interactions on our social media pages may result in the collection of publicly shared information, which helps us engage and connect with our community.

5.3. We will advise you of the purposes for collecting the information at the point that it is collected, and of any third parties to whom the information is usually disclosed.

5.4. We commit to collecting information responsibly and transparently, respecting your privacy at every step.

6. UNSOLICITED COLLECTION OF PERSONAL OR SENSITIVE INFORMATION

6.1. At times we may discover personal or sensitive information about you from a third party. If it is not personal information that is contained in a Commonwealth record, and if it is not necessary for conducting LifeSource Church activities, or we are unable to advise you, we will take steps to destroy or de-identify the information if it is lawful and reasonable to do so.

7. SECURITY AND HOLDING OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

7.1. We take all reasonable steps to protect the personal and sensitive information we hold from interference, misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

7.2. Our IT systems are password protected and comply with applicable security standards. Only authorised personnel are permitted to access your data. Where we use cloud storage, we take all reasonable steps to ensure that the providers we use have privacy policies in place that comply with Australian privacy regulations and principles. As such, we conduct an IT security audit of our cloud provider to verify that their security complies with the essential 8 security framework and ISO27001 security framework.

7.3. It is our policy to permanently de-identify personal information where reasonable and possible; and destroy personal information once there is no longer a legal or other need for us to retain it. This period is seven (7) years.

8. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

8.1. We only use your personal and sensitive information for the reason we collect it as outlined above and for the purpose(s) for which it was collected and for any other purposes that you consent to, or as otherwise reasonably expected or permitted by law. In this section, we explain how LifeSource Church uses the information we collect to better serve our community and fulfill our mission:

    8.1.1. Communication and Engagement:
        8.1.1.1. We use personal and contact details to inform you about upcoming church events, activities, and important updates. This helps in keeping our community engaged and informed.

    8.1.2. Handling Sensitive Information:
        8.1.2.1. Health information is used to ensure we can provide necessary accommodations during events or respond appropriately in emergencies.
        8.1.2.2. Religious information, like denominational details, aids us in offering tailored spiritual guidance and planning relevant programs.

    8.1.3. Internal Administration:
        8.1.3.1. Your information supports our internal administration tasks, such as membership management, record-keeping, and conducting demographic analyses to enhance our services.
        8.1.3.2. For our staff, details like education and occupation help in resource allocation and in developing internal training and development programs.

    8.1.4. Sharing Information with Third Parties:
        8.1.4.1. We may share your contact details with third-party event organizers, but only for events you have chosen to participate in.
        8.1.4.2. In certain cases, such as for legal or tax purposes, we may be required to share information with governmental bodies.

    8.1.5. Commitment to Ethical Use:
        8.1.5.1. We assure you that all personal information is handled with the utmost care, in compliance with privacy laws and the ethical standards upheld by our church.

8.2. By being transparent about how we use the information we collect, we aim to foster trust and confidence within our church community. Your privacy and the responsible handling of your data are of paramount importance to us.

9. DIRECT MARKETING

9.1. At times we will use your personal information to directly communicate with you about topics which we think you would be interested in, and be of benefit to you, such as church events or courses. These communications will typically be in the form of email or SMS text message. We will always give you the ability to opt-out of these communications, unless the communication is required for involvement in a specific event, ministry or other area in which you have chosen to participate. Should you choose opt out please send an email to operations@lifesourcechurch.org.au stating your name and the contact details you would like removed.

10. ACCESSING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

10.1. You can gain free access to your personal and sensitive information by requesting it from us during office hours via an email request by stating your full name and reason for request. The request is to be sent to operations@lifesourcechurch.org.au In some circumstances, we may need to deny your access request, for example where:
    10.1.1. granting you access would have an unreasonable impact on someone else's privacy;
    10.1.2. any other reason as consistent with the Privacy Act.
    10.1.3. In such a situation we will provide you with an explanation in writing for why access is denied, including information on the process for a complaint regarding the refusal. This communication will be made via email to the email address requesting access.

11. CORRECTING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

11.1. We take all reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we hold and collect is relevant, accurate, complete and up-to-date. We regularly provide Partners and Attenders with the opportunity to update your details via Contact Information Forms available from our Community Pastor.

12. DISCLOSURE OF YOUR INFORMATION

12.1. At times we may make some personal information available to strategic partners that work with us to provide services or assist us in our mission, but only where we have your consent to do so. We also make some personal and sensitive information available to some key LifeSource Church volunteers and leaders, where they have agreed to a confidentiality statement, in order for them to provide pastoral services or manage certain aspects of our ministries. This does not reduce our commitment to your privacy. We work with our partners, leaders and volunteers to ensure that your privacy is respected and secured the same as if a staff member was handling it.

12.2. Any disclosure of your personal information to recipients other than our strategic partners, volunteers or leaders would only occur if we have your permission, or:
    12.2.1. the disclosure is required or authorised by law or court order; and
    12.2.2. doing so does not breach the Australian Privacy Principals; and
    12.2.3. the recipient of the information is subject to a law or binding scheme that has the effect of protecting the information that is substantially similar to the way in which the Australian Privacy Principals protects the information.

12.3. We may sometimes share non-personal, non-sensitive and de-identified information with research organisations.

13. SECURITY CAMERAS

13.1. For the purpose of enhancing the safety and security of our premises and its occupants, we have implemented security cameras in certain public areas of our facility. These cameras are primarily used to deter unauthorised activity, prevent theft, and ensure the wellbeing of our visitors and staff. Video footage is recorded and stored for a limited period of time in a secure environment and is accessed only by authorised personnel. We respect the privacy of our visitors and employees; hence, cameras are not placed in private areas such as restrooms or changing rooms. Any request for footage access by external parties, including law enforcement, will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and our commitment to user privacy. Any concerns or queries about our security camera policy should be directed to our Business Operations Officer via email to operations@lifesourcechurch.org.au

14. PRIVACY QUESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS

14.1. If you have any questions or concerns about our Privacy Policy or if you would like to make a complaint about a possible breach of local privacy laws, please contact us using the feedback link located on our church website https://lifesourcechurch.org.au/

14.2. We read all communications and reply where appropriate as soon as possible. In order to effectively address your complaint, we may request further information from you about it before we address it. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may refer your complaint to the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) on http://www.oaic.gov.au/

15. CONTACT DETAILS

LifeSource Church Office
PO Box 946 Griffith, NSW.
Email: operations@lifesourcechurch.org.au