Privacy Policy | Palominas Chapel

PART 1: TERMS OF USE

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing this website, you agree to these Terms of Use. If you do not agree, do not use this site.

2. Religious Organization and Constitutional Protections

Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc. is a religious organization protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 2, Section 12 of the Arizona Constitution. The church has the absolute right to determine its own faith, doctrine, governance, membership standards, discipline, and internal affairs free from government interference.

All matters relating to faith, doctrine, church governance, membership qualifications, ministerial standards, spiritual discipline, and ecclesiastical decisions are exclusively ecclesiastical matters beyond the jurisdiction of civil courts under the doctrine of ecclesiastical abstention. The church's religious standards, as set forth in its Statement of Faith, Code of Conduct, and Bylaws, reflect sincerely held religious beliefs and govern all church activities and relationships.

3. Private Religious Association - Access and Intended Users

Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc. is a private religious association operating exclusively for the spiritual benefit of its members through invitation-based fellowship. The Corporation does not operate as a public accommodation and does not provide services to the general public.

Informational Content: Portions of this website are accessible for informational and educational purposes to help visitors understand our beliefs, doctrines, and practices. Viewing informational content does not constitute an invitation to membership, does not grant membership privileges, and does not make our congregation a public accommodation.

Restricted Members-Only Areas: Certain features of this website, including the member directory, restricted content, and members-only communications, require membership in good standing or explicit authorization. Unauthorized access to or distribution of restricted content is prohibited.

Services Limited to Members: All ministerial services—including weddings, baptisms, funerals, counseling, and pastoral care—are religious functions restricted to members in good standing and their invited guests, conducted according to our Statement of Faith and bylaws. We do not provide services to the general public.

Intended Audience: This website is intended for members, prospective members who have been invited by pastoral leadership or members, and individuals seeking to learn about our faith. By accessing this website, you acknowledge our status as a private religious association.

Users must be 18 years or older, or have parental consent to access this website.

4. User Conduct

Users agree to:

Respect our Statement of Faith, Code of Conduct, and church policies
Use the site lawfully and appropriately
Not misuse, damage, or interfere with the site
Not share login credentials or access restricted areas without authorization

5. Membership and Directory

Access to certain features (member directory, restricted content) requires membership or explicit consent. Unauthorized use or distribution of member information is prohibited.

6. Donations

All donations are voluntary and processed through third-party payment processors. Donations, refunds, and financial matters are governed by the church's separate Donation and Refund Policy. Contact the church for questions.

7. Third-Party Services

This site uses third-party service providers for website hosting, church management software, background check screening and safety training, payment processing, email communications, and other operational purposes. These service providers have their own terms and privacy policies. We are not responsible for third-party practices.

7a. Unofficial Social Media and Fan Sites

Disclaimer: Third parties may post church content or create unofficial social media pages, accounts, channels, or websites referencing Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc. The church does not maintain official social media accounts and is not responsible for content posted by third parties on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, or other social media sites.

Unofficial "fan" pages, channels, or accounts are not endorsed, authorized, controlled, or monitored by the church. The church is not liable for any content, statements, or activities on such third-party platforms. If you encounter unofficial content claiming to represent the church, use the contact form on this website to report it.

8. Content and Intellectual Property

Content on this site, including sermons, teachings, and materials, is protected by copyright owned by its respective creators in accordance with Article 14 of the church bylaws. Pastor Nathan Harding retains all intellectual property rights to his creative works. Users may not reproduce, distribute, or use content without permission from the copyright owner.

9. User-Generated Content

Users may submit content to the website (prayer requests, comments, testimonials, photos, or other materials) subject to moderation and approval by church leadership.

By submitting content, you:

Grant the church a perpetual, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and distribute your submitted content for church ministry purposes
Represent that you own the content or have permission to submit it
Agree that submitted content does not violate any third party's rights
Understand that the church has sole discretion to accept, reject, or remove any submitted content at any time

Prohibited Content: Users may not submit content that is unlawful, defamatory, obscene, threatening, infringing on intellectual property rights, or contrary to the church's religious standards and doctrines.

The church reserves the right to remove any user-generated content at any time without notice and may terminate access for users who violate these terms.

10. Copyright Compliance

Users may not submit copyrighted material to this website unless they own all rights to the material or have explicit written permission from the copyright owner. By submitting any content, you represent and warrant that you own all necessary rights or have obtained all required permissions.

Prohibited: Posting copyrighted images, videos, music, text, or other materials without authorization. Violations may result in content removal and termination of website access.

Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc.
Use the contact form on this website or mail written notice to:
10881 E Javelina Trl, Hereford, AZ 85615

Your notice should include: (1) identification of the copyrighted work, (2) identification of the allegedly infringing material, (3) your contact information, (4) a statement of good faith belief that use is not authorized, and (5) a statement under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.

11. Photo, Video, and Recording Consent

By attending church services, events, camps, or other church activities, you consent to being photographed, videotaped, or recorded. The church may use such images, video, or audio recordings in church communications, websites, social media, promotional materials, and broadcasts without compensation.

If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please contact church leadership through the website contact form or in person. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your request, though we cannot guarantee that you will not appear in group photos or background footage.

Services and events may be livestreamed, broadcast, or recorded for later distribution. By attending, you acknowledge and consent to potential appearance in such recordings.

12. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE WEBSITE AND ALL CONTENT, MATERIALS, INFORMATION, AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc. does not warrant that:

The website will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free
The results obtained from use of the website will be accurate or reliable
The quality of any information, products, or services obtained through the website will meet your expectations
Any errors in the website will be corrected

You acknowledge that your use of the website is at your sole risk.

13. Dispute Resolution

Church Internal Matters: Any disputes between members concerning spiritual matters, church governance, membership, discipline, or ministry issues shall be resolved through biblical dispute resolution as established in the church bylaws. The pastor's determination in spiritual and ecclesiastical matters is final and binding and may not be reviewed by any court or arbitrator.

Legal and Civil Matters: Legal claims and civil disputes are governed by Arizona law and subject to resolution in Arizona state or federal courts with proper jurisdiction and venue, unless the parties mutually agree to arbitration as described below.

Voluntary Arbitration Option: Parties may mutually agree in writing to submit legal or civil claims to binding Christian arbitration instead of court proceedings. Such arbitration is entirely voluntary and requires written consent of all parties. Parties may select a pastoral tribunal, Peacemaker Ministries, Institute for Christian Conciliation, or any other Christian arbitration service mutually agreed upon. Arbitration agreements must specify the rules, procedures, arbitrator selection method, and location within Arizona.

Ecclesiastical Matters Excluded: Spiritual and ecclesiastical matters may not be arbitrated and remain under pastoral authority.

14. Choice of Law and Venue

These Terms of Use shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of Arizona. Any dispute arising from or related to these Terms, the Privacy Policy, use of this website, or any congregational matter that is not resolved through biblical dispute resolution as required herein shall be resolved in Arizona state or federal courts with proper jurisdiction and venue. By using this website, you consent to personal jurisdiction in Arizona courts. Class Action Waiver: All disputes must be brought individually; class actions are prohibited.

15. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc., its pastors, officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising from:

Your use of this website
Participation in church activities
Reliance on information provided
Any interruption or errors in website service
Any unauthorized access to or alteration of your data

This limitation applies whether the alleged liability is based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or any other basis, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

16. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc., and its pastors, officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

Your violation of these Terms of Use
Your violation of any applicable law or regulation
Your violation of any third party's rights
Content you post or transmit through the website
Your misuse of church data, directory information, or member information
Claims by third parties arising from your conduct or actions

17. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the site constitutes acceptance of updated Terms.

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms of Use is found to be unenforceable, invalid, or illegal by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these Terms shall otherwise remain in full force and effect and enforceable. The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.

19. Entire Agreement and Bylaw Supremacy

These Terms of Use and Privacy Policy constitute the entire agreement between you and Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc. regarding use of this website and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, or representations regarding website use, whether written or oral.

However, these Terms are subject to and shall be interpreted consistently with the church's Bylaws, Statement of Faith, Code of Conduct, and other governing church documents. In the event of any conflict between these Terms and the church's governing documents, the church's governing documents shall control. Church membership, governance, discipline, and spiritual matters are governed exclusively by the church's Bylaws and doctrinal standards, not by these website Terms.

19a. Website Content as Informational Summary

All content on this website, including FAQs, policy summaries, membership information, and doctrinal summaries, is provided for informational purposes only and is intended to reflect the official governing documents of Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc. However, website content does not replace, modify, or supersede the official Bylaws and governing documents. In the event of any discrepancy, misprint, error, or inconsistency between website content and the official Bylaws or governing documents, the Bylaws and governing documents shall control in all cases. Website content is subject to updates and corrections to maintain alignment with official governing documents. Official governing documents include the church's Bylaws, Statement of Faith (as contained in Article 2 of the Bylaws), and formally adopted policies. Only these official documents govern membership, doctrine, discipline, and church operations.

20. No Waiver

The failure of Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc. to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. No waiver of any provision shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such provision or any other provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the church.

21. Force Majeure

Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc. shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance of this website or church services due to causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, fires, floods, earthquakes, war, terrorism, riots, civil unrest, government actions, public health emergencies, pandemics, internet service failures, utility failures, equipment failures, or other similar events beyond the church's control.

22. Assignment

You may not assign, transfer, or delegate these Terms or any rights or obligations hereunder, whether by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc. Any attempted assignment without such consent shall be null and void. The church may assign, transfer, or delegate these Terms and any rights or obligations hereunder at any time without notice or consent, including to any successor entity, affiliate, or third party acquirer.

23. Electronic Communications Consent

By using this website or providing your contact information to the church, you consent to receive electronic communications from Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc. These communications may include notices, agreements, disclosures, legal notifications, donation receipts, tax documents, membership communications, policy updates, or other information concerning your relationship with the church.

You agree that any notices, agreements, disclosures, or other communications that we send to you electronically (via email, website posting, or other electronic means) will satisfy any legal communication requirements, including requirements that such communications be in writing, pursuant to the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN Act).

The church retains the right to deliver communications through any method it chooses, including electronic delivery, postal mail, or hand delivery, at its sole discretion.

PART 2: PRIVACY POLICY

1. Introduction

Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc. ("we," "us," "our") collects and uses personal information through our website and church ministry activities. This Privacy Policy explains our data practices.

All information collected by the church is used exclusively for internal church ministry purposes in accordance with our religious mission, Statement of Faith, Code of Conduct, and Bylaws. We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information. We do not use your information for commercial purposes or share it with third parties except as described in this policy for legitimate church operations.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect the following information when you attend services, register for events, use our website, contact us, or participate in church activities. This list is not exhaustive:

Directly From You (including but not limited to):

Name, email address, phone number, mailing address
Contact forms, newsletter signups, and other communications
Prayer requests and personal information you share
Donation and payment information - donation records are reviewed by church leadership for membership evaluation purposes
Volunteer information and background check data (with your consent)
Directory information (with your consent)
Event registration information
For youth participants: age and parental/guardian contact information
Children's information for camps, travel, or events (with parental consent)
Any other information you voluntarily provide to the church

Automatically (including but not limited to):

Website usage data, browsing behavior, and technical information
IP addresses, device information, browser type, operating system
Cookies and similar tracking technologies
Log files and analytics data
Pages visited, time spent, click patterns, referral sources

2a. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies: Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit our website. We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve website functionality, analyze usage patterns, and enhance user experience.

Types of Cookies We Use:

Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality
Analytics Cookies: Track website usage and visitor behavior
Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
Social Media Cookies: Enable social media sharing functionality

Third-Party Tracking: We use third-party analytics and tracking services that may collect information about your online activities over time and across different websites. These services include website analytics tools, social media plugins, and share buttons.

Managing Cookies: Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through settings. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. However, if you disable cookies, some website features may not function properly.

For more information about managing cookies:

Chrome: chrome://settings/content/cookies
Firefox: about:preferences#privacy
Safari: Preferences > Privacy
Edge: edge://settings/privacy

3. How We Use Your Information

All information is used exclusively for internal church ministry and operational purposes in alignment with our religious mission, Statement of Faith, Code of Conduct, and Bylaws.

Legitimate church ministry purposes include, but are not limited to:

Worship service and event notifications
Youth group and children's ministry communications
Pastoral care, prayer support, and spiritual counsel
Ministry updates, fellowship announcements, and church communications
Church administrative and operational purposes
Respond to inquiries, prayer requests, and information requests
Process donations and manage financial records
Send newsletters and regular communications
Manage membership, church directory, and contact lists
Evaluate faithful stewardship for membership requirements
Conduct background checks for volunteer screening (with consent)
Organize and coordinate events, camps, travel, or ministry activities
Maintain church records and historical documentation
Any other legitimate church ministry or operational purpose

4. Children's Privacy and Communications

Children Under 13 (COPPA Compliance): We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. For camps, travel, or children's programs, we obtain explicit parental consent before collecting any child's information.

Minors Under 18: When a minor (under 18) provides contact information or initiates communication with us:

By providing contact information, minors represent that they have parental or guardian permission to do so
Youth communications are monitored by multiple adults for accountability and safety
Communications may be archived for accountability and legal compliance purposes
If you are under 18, you must have your parent or guardian's permission before providing your contact information to our church

Parental Rights (COPPA Required): Parents/guardians of children under 13 may use the website contact form to:

Review communications with their child
Request their child be removed from our contact lists
Review, update, or request deletion of their child's information

5. Third-Party Services

We use third-party service providers that may collect and process your data under their own privacy policies, including but not limited to:

Website hosting and content management services
Church management and database software
Background check screening and safety training platforms
Payment processing and donation management services
Email and communication platforms
Analytics and website performance tools
Social media sharing plugins and buttons
Messaging platforms for church communications
Other operational and ministry support services

Social Media Integration: Our website includes social media sharing buttons. When you interact with these features, the social media provider may collect information about your visit to our site. We do not control these third-party plugins or their data collection practices.

Future Communications Platforms: We may use secure messaging platforms for church communications, ministry coordination, or emergency notifications. If we implement these services, your contact information may be shared with these platforms in accordance with their privacy policies.

We are not responsible for these third parties' data practices. You should review their privacy policies separately.

We do not sell, share, or distribute your information to third parties for marketing purposes.

6. Photo, Video, and Broadcast Use

Event Photography and Recording: The church may photograph, video record, or audio record church services, events, camps, retreats, and other activities. These images, videos, and recordings may be used for:

Church website and promotional materials
Social media posts (if applicable in the future)
Internal church communications and archives
Ministry presentations and reports
Livestreaming or broadcasting of services (potential future use)

Livestreaming and Broadcasting: Church services and events may be livestreamed, broadcast, or recorded for later distribution through online platforms. By attending in-person events, you acknowledge that you may appear in such recordings.

Opting Out: If you do not wish to be photographed, recorded, or appear in broadcasts, please contact church leadership through the website contact form or notify us in person at events. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your request, though we cannot guarantee removal from all group photos or background footage.

7. Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We do not share your information for commercial purposes or with third parties for their marketing use. All data sharing is limited to legitimate church ministry and operational purposes aligned with our religious mission and governing documents.

We may share your information only as follows:

With your consent (e.g., church directory, ministry teams)
With third-party service providers as described above, solely to support church operations
With legal advisors, attorneys, accountants, or religious freedom law firms for legal guidance, tax compliance, and church protection (within attorney-client privilege and applicable law)
With church leadership for membership evaluation purposes, including review of donation records to assess faithful stewardship as part of membership requirements
With other churches or ministries for legitimate ministry purposes (with appropriate consent)
As required by law, legal process, or to protect church interests
In connection with any merger, sale, or transfer of church assets (subject to confidentiality requirements)

8. Data Security

We use reasonable security measures to protect your information. However, no system is completely secure. Background check data and sensitive information are handled with heightened security.

Contact information is accessible only to authorized pastoral staff and church leadership.

9. Data Retention

We retain information as long as necessary for church purposes, legal requirements, or as specified in our records retention policies. The church has sole discretion to determine retention periods.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy. Changes will be posted with a new "Last Updated" date.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions about these Terms or Privacy Policy:

c/o Legal Designee
Palominas Chapel Church of God, Inc.

Use the contact form on this website or mail written correspondence to the address on the contact page.

Your Consent: By using our website, you consent to these Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Last Updated: February 7, 2026