Terms of Service for Newnan First SDA Church

Effective Date: January 26, 2026

Please read these Terms of Service (“Terms”) carefully before using the Newnan First Seventh-day Adventist Church (“Newnan First SDA Church”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) website or any of our online services. By accessing our website or using our digital services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our site or services.

1. Applicability and User Eligibility

These Terms apply to all users of our online platforms, including but not limited to website visitors, church members, volunteers, donors, and anyone who interacts with Newnan First SDA Church’s digital services. This includes use of our website, mobile or web applications, email newsletters, SMS/text message services, online forms, event registrations, online donations, and any other content or communications we provide (collectively, the “Services”).

By using our Services, you represent that you are at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor, or if you are under 18, that you have the consent of a parent or legal guardian to use the Services. Our website and Services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent, in compliance with U.S. law. If you are under 13, please do not use our Services.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and to any additional guidelines, policies, or rules that we post (such as our Privacy Policy, which is hereby incorporated by reference). These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Newnan First SDA Church. If you are using the Services on behalf of an organization or another person, you represent that you have authority to accept these Terms on their behalf.

We reserve the right to refuse access to the Services to anyone for any reason, particularly for any violation of these Terms.

3. Use of the Services – Acceptable Use and Prohibited Conduct

We grant you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive license to access and use our website and Services for your personal, non-commercial use, in accordance with these Terms. You agree to use our Services only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not infringe the rights of or restrict or inhibit the use and enjoyment of the Services by any other person. When using our site or any online service provided by the Church, you must not:

Engage in Illegal or Harmful Activities: Upload, post, transmit, or otherwise make available any content that is unlawful, threatening, harassing, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, violent, hateful, or otherwise objectionable (as determined in our sole discretion). You may not use the Services to encourage any conduct that would constitute a criminal offense or give rise to civil liability, or that violates any local, state, national, or international law or regulation.
Infringe on Rights: Post or transmit any content that infringes or violates the intellectual property rights, privacy rights, publicity rights, or other rights of any person or entity. This includes unauthorized sharing of copyrighted sermons, music, devotionals, images or other protected content.
Target Minors Inappropriately: Post or transmit any content that exploits or harms minors, or collect personal information from minors without appropriate consent.
Impersonation and Misrepresentation: Impersonate any person or entity (including church staff or representatives), or falsely state or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity.
Spam or Unwanted Solicitation: Use the Services to send unauthorized or unsolicited advertising, promotional materials, “junk mail,” “spam,” chain letters, pyramid schemes, or any other form of solicitation. You also agree not to harvest or collect information about others (such as email addresses) from our Services without their consent.
Disclose Personal or Sensitive Information: Post personal information of another individual (e.g., phone number, address, Social Security number, financial information) without that person’s consent. In particular, you must not post anyone’s sensitive personal data or any child’s personal information without appropriate permission from a parent/guardian.
Introduce Malicious Code: Transmit any software viruses, worms, Trojan horses, or other harmful or destructive code via our Services. You must not do anything that could disable, overburden, damage, or impair the proper working or security of our website or servers, including engaging in denial-of-service attacks or uploading corrupted data.
Interfere with Others’ Use: Attempt to interfere with any other user’s ability to use and enjoy the Services. This includes not engaging in any behavior that harasses or harms others, and not attempting to circumvent any content filtering techniques or security measures we employ.
Unauthorized Access: Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion or feature of our systems, accounts, computer systems, or networks connected to our Services, through hacking, password mining, or any other means. You may not use any automated means (such as scripts, bots, or scrapers) to access, monitor, or copy any part of our site without prior written permission.
Data Mining and Scraping: You may not systematically retrieve data or other content from our site to create a collection, compilation, database, or directory without our written consent. Also, framing our site within another website, or mirroring our content on another server, without permission is prohibited.

We reserve the right (but do not assume the obligation) to monitor any user’s use of the Services and any content posted or transmitted through the Services. We may remove or edit any user-submitted content or disable any user accounts that, in our sole judgment, violate these Terms or that may be offensive, illegal, or that may violate the rights, harm, or threaten the safety of others. Violation of any of the above rules may result in immediate suspension or termination of your access to the Services (see Termination below), and if necessary, we may report you to law enforcement authorities.

4. Intellectual Property and Content Ownership

Ownership of Content: Unless otherwise noted, all content and materials available on our website or through our Services are the property of Newnan First SDA Church or our content providers/licensors and are protected by United States and international intellectual property laws. This includes (but is not limited to) the text, graphics, logos, photographs, audio and video recordings (such as sermon recordings), articles, devotionals, artwork, compilations, and the overall “look and feel” of the site. All trademarks, service marks, and logos displayed on the site are the registered or unregistered marks of Newnan First SDA Church, or of third parties who have authorized their use, and are protected by trademark laws. All rights not expressly granted to you in these Terms are reserved by the Church and/or its licensors.

Permitted Use: You may access and use content from our Services for your personal, non-commercial purposes (for example, reading articles, watching sermons, or using devotional materials for your own spiritual growth). You may also share links to our content. However, you must not:

Reproduce, distribute, modify, retransmit, or publicly display any part of our website content without our prior written permission (except for brief quotations in reviews or other fair use circumstances). For example, you may not post our sermon videos or written devotionals on another website or platform without authorization.
Remove or alter any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices contained in the content.
Use our logos, name, or trademarks in any way that suggests endorsement or affiliation without explicit written consent.

If you wish to use any content from our site beyond what is allowed by these Terms or by law, please contact us for permission. Unauthorized use of our content may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws.

Church Materials and Third-Party Content: Some content on our site may be provided by third parties (for example, a licensed devotional or an article by a guest author) or may link to third-party sites. We do not claim ownership of third-party content, and all such content remains the property of its respective owners. Any third-party trademarks, logos, or service marks on our site are used for identification purposes only and remain the property of their owners.

User Submissions: If you submit or provide any content to us through our website or other digital means (for example, by emailing a testimony, posting a comment on a forum or social media page we host, submitting a photo, or any other submission), you represent and warrant that you have the right to share that content and to grant the license below. By submitting content, you grant Newnan First SDA Church a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, distribute, and display that content (in whole or part) for the purpose of operating, promoting, or improving our ministries and Services. For example, if you share a testimony or a question, we may display it (with your permission) in church communications or respond publicly if appropriate. You retain ownership of your content; this license is simply to allow us to use it. We will handle any personal information provided in submissions in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You agree that any feedback, suggestions, or ideas you provide to us (for instance, suggestions on improving our website or ministries) are entirely voluntary and we are free to use them as we see fit, without any obligation to you.

5. Donations and Online Giving

We are grateful for your donations and support of Newnan First SDA Church’s mission. By donating through our website or any online giving platform we provide, you agree to the following terms:

Authority to Donate: If you donate, you represent that you are authorized to use the payment method (e.g., credit card, debit card, bank account) you provide for the transaction and that the information you provide is true and complete.
Use of Donations: Newnan First SDA Church retains full discretion and control over the use of all donations to further its religious and charitable mission. This means that your donation will be used in furtherance of our mission and charitable purposes, and while we will endeavor to honor any designated contributions (e.g., a particular ministry or project if we offer that option), all donations are treated as charitable gifts and become the property of the Church for use at its discretion in accordance with its mission and applicable laws.
All Donations Final: All donations are final and non-refundable. Because donations are charitable contributions, we typically cannot provide refunds. Exception: If you believe a mistake has occurred (such as an input error resulting in an incorrect amount or duplicate transaction), please contact us as soon as possible at prayer@newnanfirstsda.org, and we will review the situation. Refunds for mistakes or exceptional circumstances may be granted at our sole discretion.
Tax Deductibility: Newnan First SDA Church is a nonprofit organization, and donations are generally tax-deductible to the extent allowed by U.S. law. We will provide a receipt or acknowledgment for your donation. However, we do not provide tax or legal advice. Information on our site regarding giving is for informational purposes and should not be relied upon for tax planning. Consult your personal tax advisor for questions about the tax implications of your donations.
Fees: When making an online donation, there may be third-party processing fees or service fees associated with the transaction (for example, credit card processing fees). Any such fee, if applicable, will be disclosed to you before you confirm your donation. You may have the option to add an extra amount to cover processing fees, but that is voluntary. The full amount of your donation (minus any required processing fees) will be allocated to the Church; any processing fees are retained by the payment processor.
Recurring Donations: If you choose to set up a recurring donation (e.g., monthly giving), you authorize Newnan First SDA Church or its third-party payment processor to automatically charge your provided payment method at the interval you select. You can cancel a recurring donation at any time by contacting us or through any online donor portal if provided. Cancellation will stop future charges but will not retroactively refund donations already processed.
Third-Party Payment Processors: We use reputable third-party payment processing services to handle online donations (such as payment gateways or merchant services). By making a donation online, you may also be subject to the terms and privacy policies of those third-party providers. While we strive to use secure and reputable services, Newnan First SDA Church is not responsible for errors or security breaches by these third parties, except to the extent required by law. Please review the payment processor’s terms if you have concerns. We do not store your full payment account details on our servers; such information is typically handled by the third-party processor.

6. Electronic Communications and Consent

By providing us with your contact information (such as an email address or telephone number) and using our Services, you consent to receive electronic communications from us. These communications may include email newsletters, SMS/text messages, phone calls (including pre-recorded or auto-dialed calls or texts), or other messages relating to church news, events, spiritual content, or administrative messages (such as donation confirmations or responses to your inquiries).

Email Communications: We strive to send emails only to those who wish to receive them. By subscribing to our newsletters or providing your email in online forms, you consent to receive emails from Newnan First SDA Church. All our mass email communications will comply with the U.S. CAN-SPAM Act. This means, among other requirements, that our emails will clearly identify the sender, not use deceptive subject lines, and will include a clear unsubscribe link or instructions. You may opt out of marketing or newsletter emails at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in the email or by contacting us with a request to be removed. Please note that even if you opt out of promotional emails, we may still send you transactional or relationship messages (for example, a response to a direct inquiry you sent, or a receipt for a donation) as permitted by law.

SMS/Text Message Communications: If you provide your mobile phone number and opt in to receive SMS updates or alerts from us, you consent to receive text messages from Newnan First SDA Church at that number. We will only send text messages if you have given explicit consent (opted in), in compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and other applicable laws. For example, this may occur by you signing up via a web form, sending a keyword to our short code, or giving written consent on a paper form for receiving text alerts. Message frequency may vary (we will inform you of expected frequency when you sign up, e.g., weekly devotionals or occasional event reminders). Standard message and data rates may apply to any SMS we send or you receive, as imposed by your mobile carrier; Newnan First SDA Church is not responsible for these charges.

Our text messages will include instructions on how to stop receiving messages. You can opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying with the word “STOP” to any message we send, or by contacting us to request removal. After texting “STOP,” you may receive one final confirmation message and then no further texts. If you need assistance or have questions, you can reply “HELP” to any of our messages or contact us at prayer@newnanfirstsda.org. We abide by industry best practices and guidelines (such as those from CTIA) for SMS communications: for instance, we will not send marketing texts at inappropriate hours (generally not before 8am or after 9pm local time) and we will honor all opt-out requests promptly.

Privacy of Communications: We value your privacy. Any personal information we collect through your communication subscriptions (email or phone number) will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy. We will not sell or share your contact information with third parties for their marketing purposes without your explicit consent. We also will not charge you for our communications, but you are responsible for any fees from your own service providers (internet or mobile data/call charges).

CAN-SPAM and TCPA Compliance: We are committed to complying with relevant U.S. laws regarding communications. This includes the CAN-SPAM Act for email communications and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) for phone/SMS communications. By agreeing to these Terms and opting into our communications, you consent to receive such communications as described above, and we likewise commit to honoring your communication preferences and rights under these laws (such as your right to opt out).

7. Third-Party Services and Links

In the course of using our website and Services, you may encounter links or references to third-party websites, services, or content that are not owned or controlled by Newnan First SDA Church. This can include, for example, links to Bible study tools, Christian resources, social media platforms (such as an embedded YouTube video of a sermon, or our church’s Facebook page), event registration platforms, or online giving/payment processors as mentioned above.

Third-Party Websites: If you follow a link to any third-party website or service, be aware that those external sites have their own terms of use and privacy policies. We do not have control over and are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or terms of any third-party websites or services. The inclusion of any link on our site does not imply endorsement by Newnan First SDA Church. You access and use third-party sites or services at your own risk. We encourage you to review the terms and policies of any third-party site you visit.

Third-Party Service Providers: We also use certain third-party service providers to facilitate our Services (for example, a scheduling platform for event sign-ups, or a payment processing service for donations). Where our Services rely on third-party providers, those providers may have terms and conditions that apply to you. For instance, if we use a third-party payment gateway, your use of that payment interface may be governed by that provider’s terms of service. We will try to make you aware when a third-party’s terms apply (for example, on a donation page we may identify the payment processor and link to their terms). However, generally, we are not liable for the acts or omissions of third-party service providers. Any disputes or issues arising from your use of a third-party service integrated with our Services should be addressed with that third party, though we welcome you to notify us of any concerns since we value the experience of our community.

Content from Third Parties: Our website might occasionally display content provided by third parties (for example, an RSS feed of denominational news, or a guest article). Such content is the responsibility of the party that makes it available. While we expect any content on our site to align with our values, we do not guarantee the accuracy, integrity, or quality of third-party content. You agree that Newnan First SDA Church will not be liable for any errors or omissions in that content, nor for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of your use of any third-party content on our site.

If you believe we have linked to or are using a third-party service or content that is inappropriate or violates any laws or rights, please notify us so we can review it.

8. Disclaimers

No Professional Advice: The content and information provided by Newnan First SDA Church through the Services (such as sermons, devotionals, articles, or counseling resources) are for informational and spiritual purposes only. This content does not constitute professional advice (such as legal, financial, medical, or counseling advice) and should not be relied upon as such. Always seek the advice of qualified professionals regarding any questions you may have in those subject areas. For example, while our pastoral team may offer spiritual guidance, you should consult a licensed counselor or therapist for mental health issues, a doctor for medical issues, or an attorney for legal issues.

“As-Is” and “As-Available” Basis: Our website and all Services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without warranty of any kind. Newnan First SDA Church (and its officers, employees, volunteers, and agents) make no representations or warranties, express or implied, about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of our content or Services, or about the results to be obtained from using our Services. We cannot guarantee that the website or any content is error-free, always available, or free of viruses or other harmful components.

Specifically, to the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and any warranties arising from course of dealing or usage of trade. We do not warrant that the Services will meet your requirements or expectations, or that any defects or errors will be corrected.

No Guarantee of Ministry Outcomes: We also do not guarantee any specific spiritual or personal outcomes from using our resources or attending our events. Participation in church activities or use of online content is at your own initiative and risk.

Technical Disclaimer: You are responsible for implementing sufficient procedures and checkpoints to satisfy your requirements for data backup and security. If you download any materials (for example, a sermon MP3 or a PDF study guide) or use online forms, you do so at your own discretion and risk. You will be solely responsible for any damage to your computer system or loss of data that results from such activities.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent allowed by law, in no event will Newnan First SDA Church or its affiliated organizations, or any of their pastors, officers, board members, employees, volunteers, agents, or suppliers be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages arising out of or in connection with your use of (or inability to use) our Services. This includes, without limitation, any loss of profits, loss of donation revenue, loss of data, business interruption, or other tangible or intangible losses arising from the use of or inability to use the website or Services, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

In particular, we shall not be liable for:

The cost of procurement of substitute goods or services;
Any inaccuracies or errors in content;
Any unauthorized access to or use of our servers and/or any personal information stored therein;
Any interruption or cessation of transmission to or from our Services;
Any bugs, viruses, trojan horses, or the like that may be transmitted to or through our site by any third party; or
Any errors or omissions in any content or for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any content posted, emailed, transmitted, or otherwise made available via the Services.

Total Liability Cap: To the extent any liability is found despite the above limitations, **the total cumulative liability of Newnan First SDA Church (and its affiliates and agents) to you for any claims arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Services, regardless of the form of action, will not exceed the amount (if any) that you have paid to us for the use of the Services in the six (6) months immediately prior to the claim (e.g., donations are voluntary and not fees for services, so in most cases this will be $0), or one hundred U.S. dollars (USD $100) – whichever is greater. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations or exclusions of liability, so some of the above may not apply to you. In such jurisdictions, liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Essential Purpose: You acknowledge that the limitations of liability above are agreed allocations of risk and are reflected in any services or donations fees (if any), and that without these limitations, we would not be able to provide you with the Services.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Newnan First SDA Church, its parent organizations or affiliated church entities (such as regional conferences or the denomination, if applicable), and its and their respective pastors, officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and agents (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs) that arise out of or relate to any claim or demand by a third party due to or arising from: (a) your use of the Services; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) any content you submit, post, or transmit through the Services; (d) your infringement or violation of any rights of another person or entity (including intellectual property rights or privacy rights); or (e) any negligence or willful misconduct by you. This indemnification obligation will survive the termination of these Terms and your use of the Services.

We reserve the right, at our own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you. In that case, you agree to cooperate with our defense of such claim and you may not settle any claim without our prior written consent.

11. Termination of Access

These Terms are effective unless and until terminated by either you or us. You may discontinue use of our Services at any time by simply not accessing them or by deleting any account credentials you have (if accounts are provided), and ceasing any further use of the site.

Suspension or Termination by Us: We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to all or part of our website or Services at any time, with or without notice, for any reason at our sole discretion. This includes, without limitation, termination if we believe you have violated any provision of these Terms, if we are requested by law enforcement or other government agencies, due to technical or security issues or problems, or if we discontinue the Service. We also reserve the right to remove or disable any content you have contributed if it violates these Terms or for any other lawful reason.

In the event of termination (by you or us), the following sections of these Terms will survive and remain in effect: Intellectual Property and Content Ownership (Section 4), Donations (to the extent of any outstanding obligations, Section 5), Disclaimers (Section 8), Limitation of Liability (Section 9), Indemnification (Section 10), Governing Law & Disputes (Section 12), and any other provisions which by their nature should survive termination.

Termination of your access or account is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other legal or equitable remedies available to us.

12. Modifications to Terms

Newnan First SDA Church may modify or update these Terms of Service from time to time to reflect changes in our Services, legal requirements, or for any other reason. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we do so, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the bottom of this document. In some cases, we may provide additional notice of significant changes, such as by posting a notice on our website’s homepage or sending an email notification to subscribers.

It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically for any changes. Updated Terms will be effective as of the “Last Updated” date listed (or the effective date specified in the notice, if different). By continuing to use the Services after we have posted modified Terms, you are agreeing to the updated terms. If you do not agree with any changes to the Terms, you must stop using the Services.

13. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms and your use of the Services are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, USA, without regard to its conflict of law principles, and applicable federal United States laws. We make no representation that the content or Services are appropriate or available for use in other locations, and accessing them from territories where they are illegal is prohibited. If you access the Services from outside the United States, you do so on your own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws.

Jurisdiction and Venue: You agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the use of our Services shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in Georgia, USA, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts. Notwithstanding this, Newnan First SDA Church retains the right to bring legal action in any jurisdiction where we believe that breach of these Terms is taking place or originating.

Remedies: You acknowledge that any actual or threatened breach of certain sections of these Terms (such as Intellectual Property rights) may cause us irreparable harm that money damages alone would not adequately address. Accordingly, in such cases, we may seek injunctive or other equitable relief (in addition to any other remedies available) without posting a bond or proving actual damages.

14. Additional Provisions

Entire Agreement: These Terms (along with any other policies or guidelines we reference, such as our Privacy Policy or any specific terms for particular programs or services) constitute the entire agreement between you and Newnan First SDA Church regarding your use of our Services, and supersede any prior agreements on the subject matter. Any additional or different terms in any communication from you (e.g., emails or messages suggesting additional terms) are void, unless expressly agreed in writing by an authorized representative of Newnan First SDA Church.

Severability: If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remaining provisions of the Terms will remain in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be deemed modified to the least degree necessary to remedy the invalidity or unenforceability, while preserving the original intent of the parties.

Waiver: Our failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver of any provision of these Terms will be effective only if in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Newnan First SDA Church.

Assignment: You may not assign or transfer any rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations to any successor organization (for example, if the church is restructured or merges) or to any entity we delegate to operate the Services.

Headings: Section headings in these Terms are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.

No Partnership: These Terms do not create any partnership, joint venture, employment, or agency relationship between you and us. You do not have any authority to bind Newnan First SDA Church in any respect.

15. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about these Terms or our Services, please feel free to contact us:

Newnan First SDA Church
Email: prayer@newnanfirstsda.org

(Please include “Terms of Service” in the subject line of your email if your inquiry is about these Terms.)

We will do our best to respond to your inquiry in a timely manner.