Terms of Service

Terms of Service for Church Connected

Effective Date:12/30/2024
Last Updated: 12/30/2024

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS OF SERVICE CAREFULLY. BY USING THE SERVICE (AS DEFINED BELOW), YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN (“TERMS OF SERVICE” OR THE “AGREEMENT”). IF YOU ARE ENTERING THIS AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF AN ORGANIZATION, YOU CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO BIND THE ORGANIZATION AND THAT THE ORGANIZATION WILL BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS. THE TERM “YOU” OR “YOUR” SHALL REFER TO YOU AND SUCH ORGANIZATION (IF ANY).

1. Ownership

This service is owned and operated by Church Connected, LLC (referred to as “Church Connected,” “we,” or “us”). By using our services, you acknowledge that Church Connected retains full ownership of its platform, technology, and associated intellectual property.

2. The Service

These Terms of Service govern your use of the platform and services provided by Church Connected (collectively referred to as the “Service”). The Service includes, but is not limited to:

Church Management Tools: Software and applications designed to help organizations manage their operations, communications, and outreach.
Customizable Web Tools: Configuration and maintenance tools to build and host websites, manage digital content, and integrate organizational workflows.
Donations and Giving Platform: Tools and services for managing online giving and contributions securely and efficiently.
Messaging and Communication Features: Systems for enabling real-time or scheduled communication with members or teams.
Streaming Services: Functionality for live streaming and sharing multimedia content with your audience.
Other Services: Additional features and tools as provided in specific agreements or feature updates.

Church Connected reserves the right to modify or enhance the Service at any time to improve functionality, address user needs, or comply with applicable laws.

3. Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for details on how Church Connected collects, uses, and protects personal and non-personal information provided by users. These Terms of Service incorporate by reference the Church Connected Terms of Use, which apply to end-users of any tools, websites, or services provided by Church Connected.

4. Term and Termination

4.1 Subscription Terms and Renewals

a. Term:
Unless otherwise specified in a separate written agreement, the initial term of this Agreement is either one month by month or (1) year, as detailed in your Service Agreement.

b. Automatic Renewal:
Upon the completion of the initial term, this Agreement will automatically renew for successive one-year periods on the renewal date (“Contract Renewal Date”), unless you provide written notice of your intent to terminate at least thirty (30) days before the renewal date. The renewal date will align with the date of your initial subscription signup unless modified by changes to your billing frequency.

c. Mid-Term Changes:

Upgrades: If you upgrade your subscription, add features, or move to a higher service tier during the term, you will be charged a prorated fee to cover the remainder of the billing period.
Downgrades: Reductions in subscription value, such as removing features or moving to a lower service tier, are not permitted mid-term unless explicitly approved by Church Connected in writing. Such requests must be submitted at least thirty (30) days before the renewal date.
Exclusive Agreements: Entering an exclusive agreement during the term, if not already in place, may extend your term by an additional year.

d. Billing Frequency Changes:
You may request to change your billing frequency (e.g., from monthly to annual) or adjust the billing anchor date (the specific date your recurring payment is processed). Such changes will result in:

A reset of your billing anchor date to align with the new frequency.
Alignment of all products and add-ons with current list pricing.
A reset of your Contract Renewal Date to one (1) year from the new billing anchor date.

If an upgrade and billing frequency change occur simultaneously, all terms related to billing, pricing, and renewal will be adjusted accordingly.

e. Early Termination by Customer:
You may terminate this Agreement before the end of the term only as follows:

Standard Term Agreements: If you terminate before completing your contract term, you will be required to pay the lesser of:
- Three (3) months of your subscription fees (inclusive of add-ons), or
- The remainder of your subscription fees for the term.
Promotional Agreements: If you received a promotional discount or special offer (e.g., waived setup fees or reduced rates) and terminate early, the same payment terms as above apply, with adjustments to reflect the promotional terms.

Termination requests must be initiated through a call with your Client Success Manager or representative.

f. Termination by Church Connected Without Cause:
Church Connected may terminate this Agreement without cause by providing written notice. In such cases:

Church Connected will refund a prorated amount of any prepaid subscription fees for unused services.
Upon termination, you may request a copy of your account data or materials. Church Connected will provide access for a period of thirty (30) days after termination.
After this period, Church Connected may delete your data and is under no obligation to retain or archive it.

4.2 Service Fees:
The fees for all services, including setup, onboarding, and additional usage, are outlined in your Service Agreement or at the point of purchase.

a. Setup and Onboarding Fees:
Upon acceptance of your Service Agreement, you authorize Church Connected to bill your provided payment method for any applicable setup and onboarding fees.

b. Additional Usage Fees:
If your use of the Service exceeds the contracted usage limits or includes optional features subject to additional fees, you will be billed accordingly.

c. Taxes:
All payments are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes, unless you provide proof of tax-exempt status. Church Connected is not responsible for late fees or penalties incurred due to nonpayment of taxes by you.

d. Changes to Service Fees:
Church Connected may adjust service fees at its discretion. You will be notified of any changes at least thirty (30) days in advance, during which time you may elect to terminate your subscription before the new rates take effect.

4.3 Recurring Payment Method:
If you elect to pay via a recurring payment method (e.g., credit card or bank transfer), the following apply:

a. Authorization:
You authorize Church Connected to automatically charge your selected payment method for recurring fees on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, as specified in your Service Agreement.

b. Updates to Payment Information:
You are responsible for maintaining accurate payment information. Updates to payment details can be made through your account settings.

c. Invalid Payments:
If a payment fails due to expiration, insufficient funds, or other issues, you remain liable for the outstanding amount.

d. Currency:
All fees and payments must be made in U.S. dollars.

4.4 Termination for Non-Payment:
Failure to pay service fees may result in the suspension or termination of your access to the Service. Prepaid fees are non-refundable. To restore service after termination, all outstanding fees must be paid in full.

5. Account

To access and use the Service provided by Church Connected, you must create an account by completing the required registration process. By creating an account, you agree to the following terms:

a. Account Creation:
You are required to provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process, including a valid email address. This email address will serve as your primary method of communication with Church Connected and as a way to verify your identity for account access.

b. Account Security:
You are solely responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials, including your username, password, and any other authentication details. You agree to:

Keep your password confidential.
Avoid sharing your login information with any unauthorized party.
Take reasonable measures to secure the devices you use to access the Service.

c. Unauthorized Access:
You must notify Church Connected immediately if you suspect any unauthorized access to or use of your account. Church Connected is not liable for any losses or damages resulting from unauthorized access caused by your failure to maintain proper security of your account credentials.

d. Accuracy of Information:
You represent and warrant that all information provided during registration and throughout your use of the Service is accurate, truthful, and complete. Failure to provide accurate information may result in suspension or termination of your account.

e. Non-Transferability:
Account credentials (username, password, etc.) are non-transferable and may only be used by the individual or organization that created the account. You may not assign or transfer your account to any other individual or entity.

f. Prohibited Use of False Information:
If you register using a non-existent email address, an email address that belongs to someone else, or provide any false or fraudulent information, Church Connected reserves the right to terminate your account without prior notice.

g. Account Termination by Church Connected:
Church Connected reserves the right to terminate accounts that violate these Terms of Service, engage in prohibited activities, or fail to comply with the applicable rules and regulations governing use of the Service. In the event of termination, you may lose access to all data, materials, and features associated with the account.

h. Account Recovery:
In the event of account suspension or termination due to unauthorized access or other violations, you may contact Church Connected’s support team for assistance in recovering or reinstating your account. Recovery will be subject to verification of your identity and compliance with these Terms of Service.

6. Giving Platform

6.1 Registration and Use of the Giving Platform:
To utilize Church Connected’s Giving Platform, you must register for the service and provide accurate payment and banking details. By registering, you agree to:
a. Authorize Church Connected to act as your agent in processing donations and managing donor information.
b. Represent and warrant that all provided account information is accurate, truthful, and current.
c. Maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing charitable donations.

6.2 Compliance with Tax-Exempt Status (if applicable):
If your organization is tax-exempt, you represent and warrant that:

Your organization maintains its status as exempt under relevant federal, state, or local tax laws.
All donations received through the Giving Platform will be used in accordance with applicable tax-exempt guidelines and restrictions.
You will notify Church Connected promptly of any changes to your tax-exempt status or inquiries from regulatory authorities.

6.3 Fees and Payment Processing:
a. Service Fees: Church Connected may deduct service fees from donation amounts or charge them separately, as specified in your Service Agreement.
b. Refunds and Chargebacks: You authorize Church Connected to process refunds and manage chargebacks as necessary. Any costs associated with refunds or chargebacks will be your responsibility.
c. Disbursement: Donations will be disbursed to your organization through electronic funds transfer, typically within seven (7) business days of receipt.

6.4 Prohibited Activities:
You may not use the Giving Platform to:

Process cash advances.
Serve as a payment intermediary or aggregator.
Engage in fraudulent or unauthorized transactions.

6.5 Third-Party Integration:
Church Connected partners with trusted third-party providers for payment processing. By using the Giving Platform, you agree to the terms and conditions of these providers, which may include Stripe or other financial service entities.

7. Confidentiality

7.1 Definition of Confidential Information:
Confidential Information includes all non-public information disclosed by Church Connected, including but not limited to:

Proprietary business information, customer data, and service details.
Trade secrets, financial data, marketing strategies, and system architecture.
Any information identified as confidential or reasonably understood to be confidential based on its nature or the circumstances of its disclosure.

7.2 Obligations of Confidentiality:
You agree to:

Hold all Confidential Information in strict confidence and not disclose it to any third party without prior written consent from Church Connected.
Use Confidential Information solely for purposes related to your use of the Service.
Protect Confidential Information with the same level of care used to protect your own sensitive information, but in no event less than reasonable care.

7.3 Permitted Disclosures:
You may disclose Confidential Information:

To employees or agents who require access for authorized purposes, provided they are bound by confidentiality obligations no less restrictive than those in these Terms of Service.
As required by law, provided that you give prior notice to Church Connected and cooperate to limit the scope of disclosure.

7.4 Return or Destruction of Confidential Information:
Upon termination of this Agreement or at the request of Church Connected, you must return or destroy all Confidential Information in your possession.

7.5 Breach and Remedies:
Any unauthorized disclosure or use of Confidential Information may result in immediate and irreparable harm to Church Connected. In such cases, Church Connected may seek injunctive relief or other remedies as deemed appropriate, in addition to any legal rights available under this Agreement.

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Ownership of Service Materials:
Unless otherwise indicated, all content within the Service, including but not limited to trademarks, logos, software, text, graphics, designs, images, data, and other materials (collectively, “Service Materials”), are the sole property of Church Connected and are protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

8.2 License to Use the Service:
Church Connected grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Service solely for your organization’s purposes and in accordance with these Terms of Service. This license does not include or permit:

Resale, rental, or sublicensing of the Service or Service Materials.
Public display or performance of Service Materials, except as expressly permitted.
Modification or creation of derivative works based on the Service or Service Materials.
Use of automated tools (e.g., bots, crawlers, or data mining tools) to access, extract, or collect information from the Service.

8.3 Restrictions:
You are prohibited from:

Circumventing technical limitations of the Service.
Engaging in activities that disrupt or impair the functionality of the Service.
Collecting or harvesting user data without proper authorization.
Using any part of the Service for unlawful purposes.

8.4 Retention of Rights:
All rights, titles, and interests in and to the Service and Service Materials remain with Church Connected. No rights or ownership are transferred to you through your use of the Service.

9. Copyright Policy

Church Connected respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects users of the Service to do the same. If you believe your copyrighted material has been used in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, you must provide a written notice containing the following:

A description of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed.
Identification of the material you believe is infringing and where it is located on the Service.
Your contact information, including your name, address, phone number, and email address.
A statement that you have a good-faith belief that the use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
Your physical or electronic signature.

Notices should be sent to Church Connected’s designated copyright agent at:
Email: Support@gogettergrounds.com

Church Connected reserves the right to remove content that infringes on copyrights without prior notice. Repeat offenders may have their accounts terminated.

10. Limitations on Use of the Service

Your use of the Service is subject to the following restrictions:

10.1 Prohibited Activities:
You may not:

Use the Service in a manner that violates any local, state, national, or international law.
Post or transmit harmful, offensive, or inappropriate content, including but not limited to harassment, hate speech, or explicit material.
Engage in activities that compromise the security or integrity of the Service, such as introducing viruses, malware, or other harmful code.
Use the Service for unauthorized commercial purposes or to promote third-party services without Church Connected’s prior approval.

10.2 User Responsibility:
You are solely responsible for the content you upload, share, or distribute through the Service. Church Connected reserves the right to review, monitor, and remove any content that violates these Terms of Service.

10.3 Compliance with Platform Guidelines:
You agree to comply with any applicable guidelines, terms, or policies of third-party platforms or stores where Church Connected’s tools or applications may be hosted.

11. Use Only by Your Organization and Onward Transfers

11.1 Non-Transferability of Rights:
The rights granted to you under this Agreement are solely for your organization’s use. You may not assign, transfer, or sublicense these rights to any third party without the prior written consent of Church Connected. Any attempt to do so will be considered void and may result in the termination of your access to the Service.

11.2 Distribution and Licensing:
The Service, including any tools, features, or applications, is intended for distribution only through the channels specified by Church Connected. You may not redistribute, rent, lease, or sell the Service to third parties or provide access to the Service in a way that allows others to distribute their materials without prior authorization from Church Connected.

11.3 Compliance with Data Protection Standards:
If your use of the Service involves the collection of personal data from users, you agree to process such data in compliance with applicable data protection laws and regulations. This includes ensuring that any onward transfers of data are limited to purposes for which valid consent has been obtained and providing equivalent protection for such data.

12. Data Feeds and Restrictions on Customer Materials Posted

12.1 Data Feed Requirements:
You are responsible for providing and maintaining any required data feeds or connections necessary for the proper functionality of the Service. Failure to do so may result in disruptions or limitations in the Service’s performance.

12.2 License to Use Customer Materials:
By providing content, data, or materials (“Customer Materials”) for use within the Service, you grant Church Connected a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to:

Use, reproduce, modify, publicly display, and distribute the Customer Materials.
Showcase Customer Materials as examples in marketing or promotional materials unless you explicitly request otherwise.

12.3 Prohibited Customer Materials:
You agree not to include any of the following in the materials you provide:

Content that is illegal, harmful, or promotes violence, harassment, or discrimination.
Content that infringes on intellectual property rights or violates privacy rights.
Viruses, malware, or other harmful components.
Private or confidential information of third parties without their explicit consent.

12.4 Content Monitoring and Removal:
Church Connected reserves the right to review and remove any Customer Materials that it deems inappropriate, harmful, or in violation of these Terms of Service.

13. Right to Upgrade Service

Church Connected reserves the right to upgrade, modify, or improve the Service at any time without prior notice. These changes are intended to enhance functionality, improve security, or align with industry standards. Your continued use of the Service after such upgrades constitutes your acceptance of these changes.

14. Non-Solicitation and Non-Competition

14.1 Non-Solicitation of Vendors and Customers:
During the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years following the termination or expiration of your account, you agree not to solicit or attempt to solicit:

Vendors, partners, or contractors of Church Connected that you engaged with or learned about through your relationship with Church Connected.
Customers of Church Connected for the purpose of diverting their business away from Church Connected.

14.2 Non-Competition:
During the term of this Agreement and for two (2) years following termination or expiration, you agree not to use any Confidential Information obtained through Church Connected to directly compete with Church Connected in the provision of similar services within the United States or Canada.

14.3 Breach of Non-Solicitation or Non-Competition:
Any breach of these provisions may cause significant harm to Church Connected, entitling Church Connected to seek remedies including but not limited to injunctive relief and compensation for damages.

15. Non-Interference with Employees

15.1 Non-Inducement of Employees:
During the term of this Agreement and for two (2) years following the termination or expiration of your account, you agree not to:

Induce or attempt to induce any employee of Church Connected to leave their employment.
Solicit or hire any current or former employee of Church Connected within one (1) year of their departure from Church Connected.

15.2 Engagement of Former Employees:
You agree not to hire or engage any former employee of Church Connected if their employment ended less than one (1) year prior to such hiring or engagement.

15.3 Breach and Remedies:
Violation of this section may cause irreparable harm to Church Connected, entitling Church Connected to seek immediate injunctive relief in addition to other available remedies.

16. Warranty

16.1 Limited Warranty on Service Functionality:
Church Connected makes reasonable efforts to ensure that the Service performs as described. If technical issues arise with the Service due to code errors or platform malfunctions, Church Connected will work promptly to resolve these issues.

16.2 Exclusions from Warranty:
The warranty does not cover issues caused by:

Your misuse of the Service.
Non-compliance with these Terms of Service.
Third-party services or platforms outside the control of Church Connected.

16.3 Acceptance of Responsibility for Content:
You are responsible for ensuring that the content you upload, manage, or distribute through the Service complies with applicable laws and regulations, as well as these Terms of Service.

16.4 No Guarantee of External Approval:
Church Connected does not guarantee acceptance of any tools or applications by third-party platforms (e.g., app stores or content distribution networks). If content or tools are rejected for reasons unrelated to code errors, Church Connected will provide consulting hours (as outlined in your Service Agreement) to assist in making the necessary changes.

17. Patents

One or more patents owned by Church Connected or patent applications submitted by Church Connected may apply to the Service and the features or tools accessible through the Service. Church Connected reserves all rights to enforce its intellectual property rights, including patents, against any unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of its proprietary technology or methods.

18. Accreditation and Promotion

18.1 Acknowledgment of Church Connected:
The tools and services provided by Church Connected may include visual acknowledgments of Church Connected’s role in their development. This may include, but is not limited to:

A credit line such as “Powered by Church Connected” or similar language on web pages, applications, or other digital tools.
Branding or logos as determined by Church Connected in a location, size, and format of its choosing.

18.2 Marketing and Publicity Rights:
Church Connected retains the right to showcase examples of your use of the Service in its marketing materials. This includes:

Static screenshots, videos, or other representations of your website, applications, or services created through Church Connected.
Mentioning your organization’s name and logo in portfolios, case studies, or promotional campaigns, unless you explicitly request otherwise.

18.3 App Store Requirements:
If applicable, apps published through Church Connected may include the keywords “Church Connected” in their metadata and credits. App descriptions and other promotional materials may also include acknowledgment of Church Connected’s role.

19. Modifications to This Agreement

Church Connected reserves the right to update or modify this Agreement at any time.

19.1 Notice of Changes:

Changes to these Terms of Service will be posted on Church Connected’s website or communicated to you via email or through your account.
Church Connected will make reasonable efforts to notify you of significant changes at least thirty (30) days in advance.

19.2 Acceptance of Modifications:

Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the updated Agreement.
In cases where explicit agreement to changes is required, you may be prompted to accept the revised Terms of Service before accessing the Service.

19.3 Termination Due to Changes:
If you do not agree with the changes, you may terminate your subscription prior to the effective date of the new terms. Refunds for prepaid fees will not be issued unless explicitly stated in the updated Agreement.

20. Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with any supplemental documents (e.g., Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, or individual Service Agreements), constitutes the complete and exclusive agreement between you and Church Connected.

20.1 Conflicts Between Documents:

If a conflict arises between these Terms of Service and other agreements (e.g., Service Agreements), the order of precedence shall be:
1. The specific Service Agreement.
2. These Terms of Service.
3. The Terms of Use.

20.2 Supersession of Prior Agreements:
This Agreement supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications, representations, or agreements, whether written or oral, related to the subject matter herein.

20.3 Severability:
If any provision of this Agreement is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

21. Church Connected Live

21.1 Third-Party Integration:
Church Connected Live may integrate with third-party services, such as streaming platforms or content distribution networks. By utilizing these integrations, you also agree to the terms and conditions of the respective third-party service providers. For example, if Church Connected Live uses a platform like YouTube, you must comply with YouTube’s Terms of Service.

21.2 Content Ownership and Responsibility:
You retain ownership of the content you share via Church Connected Live. However, you are solely responsible for ensuring that your content complies with applicable laws, regulations, and these Terms of Service, including prohibitions against:

Copyright infringement.
Defamatory, obscene, or harmful content.
Violations of third-party privacy rights.

21.3 Service Disruptions:
Church Connected is not liable for interruptions, delays, or failures in the streaming service caused by third-party providers, technical errors, or external factors beyond its control.

21.4 Termination of Access:
Church Connected reserves the right to suspend or terminate access to Church Connected Live for users who violate these terms or applicable third-party policies.

22. Entire Agreement

22.1 Complete Agreement:
This Agreement, along with any supplemental documents such as the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, or specific Service Agreements, constitutes the entire agreement between you and Church Connected regarding the use of the Service.

22.2 Order of Precedence:
In the event of a conflict between these Terms of Service and any other agreements, the following order of precedence will apply:

The specific Service Agreement (if applicable).
These Terms of Service.
The Terms of Use.

22.3 Supersession of Prior Agreements:
This Agreement supersedes and replaces all prior or contemporaneous understandings, communications, representations, or agreements, whether written or oral, related to the subject matter herein.

22.4 Severability Clause:
If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. The invalid provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and if modification is not possible, it shall be severed from this Agreement.

22.5 No Waiver:
Failure by Church Connected to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision.

22.6 Amendments:
This Agreement may only be amended or modified in writing, signed by both parties unless otherwise stated herein.