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Privacy Policy

First Baptist Church Barrie
(The Corporation of First Baptist Church Barrie)

Effective Date: September 29, 2025

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1. Introduction

First Baptist Church Barrie (“the Church,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your personal information and handling it with integrity and care. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable Canadian privacy laws.

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2. What is Personal Information?

“Personal information” means any information that identifies you. Examples include, including but not limited to:

  • Name, address, phone number, and email address

  • Family details and program registrations

  • Financial and donation information

  • Photographs, video, or audio recordings where you are identifiable

  • Membership, baptism, or volunteer records

  • Pastoral and prayer-related notes

  • Health and safety details provided for program participation (e.g., allergies, emergency contacts, medical needs)


3. How We Collect Information

We may collect information when you:

  • Contact us by phone, email, or our website

  • Fill out forms for events, children’s or youth programs, or ministries

  • Make donations or request tax receipts

  • Volunteer or serve in ministry roles

  • Are photographed or recorded during church events and worship services

  • Visit our website or watch livestreams/recordings

 

4. Media, Photography, and Video

  • By attending public services or events at First Baptist Barrie, you acknowledge that general photos or video may be taken and used for church communications, livestreams, or promotional purposes.

  • If you prefer not to be included, you may request an opt-out and we will take reasonable steps to respect your wishes.

  • For children and youth, written parental consent is always required before using any photos or video where they are identifiable.

 

5. Use of Personal Information

We use personal information only for purposes consistent with our ministry, including but not limited to:

  • Communicating about programs, events, and services

  • Providing pastoral care, prayer support, and ministry follow-up

  • Administering children’s and youth programs

  • Processing donations and issuing tax receipts

  • Coordinating volunteers and staff

  • Maintaining membership and attendance records

  • Sharing testimonies and church life (with consent where required)

 

6. Sensitive Records (Pastoral Notes, Prayer Requests & Health Information)

  • Pastoral counseling notes, prayer requests, and any health/medical information (such as allergies or emergency contacts) are considered sensitive information.

  • Access is strictly limited to pastors and designated leaders.

  • Prayer requests are generally destroyed after use unless you give explicit consent to retain them for ongoing ministry purposes.

  • Pastoral notes may be retained longer as part of ministry history but remain confidential and restricted.

  • Health information provided for participation in programs (e.g., youth/children’s ministry) is safeguarded and used only for safety and emergency purposes.

 

7. Consent

  • Express consent: when you clearly agree (e.g., signing forms, photo releases).

  • Implied consent: when you voluntarily give information for a specific purpose (e.g., registering for a Bible study implies consent to be contacted about that study).

  • Consent can be withdrawn at any time, subject to legal and practical limits.

 

8. Disclosure of Information

We do not sell or rent personal information. It may be disclosed only when necessary to:

  • Trusted third-party service providers, including but not limited to PayPal, Tithe.ly, Google, and Mailchimp, who process donations, registrations, or communications. These providers operate under their own privacy policies.

  • Comply with Canadian law or legal orders

  • Protect the safety, rights, and property of the Church or its members

Cross-border disclosure: Some services may store or process data outside of Canada, where different laws may apply.

 

9. Website, Live streaming, and Online Tracking

Our website, livestreams, and online platforms may use cookies, analytics tools, and third-party services, including but not limited to Google Analytics, Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and other social media or digital platforms. These may collect information such as IP addresses, browser type, or viewing habits.

  • This data helps us improve services and reach our community online.

  • You may adjust your browser settings to limit cookies if you prefer.

  • We cannot control how these companies use data once collected. Their practices are governed by their own privacy policies.

 

10. Security

We use reasonable safeguards to protect your information, including but not limited to:

  • Locked storage for paper records

  • Passwords, access restrictions, and secure servers for electronic records

  • Encrypted storage for electronic files and access logging to monitor use

  • Confidential handling of financial, children’s, and health data

  • Secure destruction of records no longer required

Breach response: If we become aware of a data breach affecting your personal information, we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and take steps to limit harm.

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11. Retention

We keep personal information only as long as necessary, including but not limited to:

  • Donation records – 7 years (CRA requirement)

  • Volunteer applications/police checks – 2 years after service ends

  • Children’s/youth program forms – 1 year after program completion

  • Prayer requests – destroyed after use, unless you consent to ongoing retention

  • Pastoral notes – retained securely for ministry history, restricted access

  • Health information – retained only for the duration of program participation, then securely destroyed

 

12. Access, Corrections, and Complaints

You may request access to your personal information, ask for corrections, or withdraw consent.

Concerns may be directed to our Privacy Officer (contact details below). If not resolved, you may escalate to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (www.priv.gc.ca).

 

13. Updates

This Policy may be updated to reflect changes in law or church practices. The latest version will always be available through the church office and on our website.

 

14. Contact Information

Privacy Officer
First Baptist Church Barrie
550 Grove Street East
Barrie, ON L4M 5Z5
Email: office@firstbaptistbarrie.ca
Phone: 705-728-5801

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