LCANZ’s Privacy Policy and related guidelines
This month I want to highlight the LCANZ’s Privacy Policy and related guidelines.
Caring for our people and protecting their privacy demonstrates our love “coming to life.”
There are many ways in which congregations need to manage privacy including:
- Appropriate collection, storage and distribution of information in congregational directories
- Permission for prayer
- Confidential information shared during pastoral care
- Appropriate use of social media, especially if images are shared
- Collecting contact details of visitors
- How to correctly dispose of personal data which is no longer required
- Use of online platforms to share worship and ministry activities
Australia is governed by the “Australian Privacy Principles” and these apply to every congregation. Church Councils are responsible for ensuring the principles are met.
There are a number of LCANZ documents which provide useful guidelines for our congregations, and I heartily recommend them, especially the Privacy Guidelines. In fact, I suggest that Church Councils review them annually.
- LCANZ Privacy Policy https://www.lca.org.au/policies/
- LCANZ Privacy Guidelines for Agencies https://www.lca.org.au/policies/
- Privacy Guidelines Appendix A – Photo Consent Adult https://www.lca.org.au/policies/
- Privacy Guidelines Appendix A – Phot Consent Child https://www.lca.org.au/policies/
- Online Worship and Ministry Guidelines https://www.lca.org.au/online-worship-ministry/
Please contact me if you require assistance in managing privacy and in locating these resources.
