Terms of Service

Effective as from 23 February 2014.

Acceptance of the Terms of Service

Welcome to ChurchSpring (a.k.a. "we" or "us" or the "Company"). We are excited to have you as a member of the community. The following terms and conditions (collectively, these "Terms of Service") apply to your use of ChurchSpring including any content, functionality and services offered on or via ChurchSpring (the "Website"). The Terms of Service also include our Privacy Policy, that you can review here: https://churchspring.com/privacy. We want to keep our relationship with you as lean and informal as possible, but please read the Terms of Service carefully before you start using ChurchSpring, because by using the Website you accept and agree to be bound and abide by these Terms of Service. Should you disagree with any of the provisions herein, you must leave the Website, but please let us know at  https://churchspring.com/privacy-policy/  of any comments and suggestions you may have.

Changes to the Terms of Service and the Website

ChurchSpring reserves the right to update the Website and these Terms of Service from time to time, at our sole discretion and without notice. Any changes shall become effective immediately. Nevertheless, this document is public on ChurchSpring, and you will be able to track the changes for any new version. Your continued use of the Website following the publishing of updated Terms of Service means that you accept and agree to the changes.

Accessing the Website, Security and Privacy

We work hard to improve ChurchSpring, but we can't guarantee that the Website will be up and running 24/7. We also reserve the right to suspend or restrict access to some features to users. In any case, we will not be liable if for any reason all or any part of the Website is unavailable at any time or for any period, nor for any data loss. To access certain features of the Website you have to register by entering your email and choosing a password as part of our security procedures. You must treat such information as confidential, not disclosing it to any third party. There is a password reset procedure in case you forget your password, but please notify us of any breach of security. We highly recommend you choose a strong password (e.g. “itslongWITHCAPSand99numbers!!”) and you log out from your account at the end of every session. It is a condition of your use of the Website that all the information you provide on the Website is correct, current and complete. In the future, you may be asked to provide certain registration details or other information. As custom for internet websites, we reserve the right to disable any user account, at any time in our sole discretion for any or no reason, including, if in our opinion you have failed to comply with any provision of these Terms of Service. We use SSL encrypted browsing for all logged-in users, but we cannot guarantee that all use will be secure. We also do not guarantee that the Website or any content provided on the Website is error free. We manage your personal data according to our Privacy Policy, that you can review in detail here:  https://churchspring.com/privacy-policy/.

Purchase of the ChurchSpring Service

If you agree to pay the fee for access to the applicable ChurchSpring Service, such fee will be charged by the company designated by ChurchSpring in accordance with the payment method you have chosen for your purchase. If you are paying by credit or debit card, by designating a card to be billed, you confirm that you are authorized to make such purchase and that you are the holder of such card (i.e. that the card is issued in your name). All prices stated on the ChurchSpring Websites are inclusive of any applicable sales taxes and fees. ChurchSpring accepts a variety of different payment methods, so please check the ChurchSpring Websites for the best way for you to pay.

Prices

ChurchSpring may change the price for the ChurchSpring Paid Service from time to time. In respect of the ChurchSpring Paid Service, such changed price will take effect after the expiry of the then current paid for period (i.e. the term that you have already paid for). Any price change will be communicated to you at least 14 days in advance so that you have an opportunity to elect to not renew. If you do not wish to be bound by such changed price relating to your ChurchSpring Paid Service you may terminate your subscription of your ChurchSpring Paid Service in accordance with the Section “Term and Termination”. Your continued use of the ChurchSpring Paid Service after the communication of such price change to you constitutes an acceptance of such new price.

Automatic subscription renewal

Your subscription to the ChurchSpring Paid Service will automatically renew at the end of each subscription term unless you terminate your subscription prior to the end of such subscription term in accordance with the Section “Term and Termination”. At the time of renewal the payment method you have designated to be charged for the purchase of the ChurchSpring Paid Service will automatically be charged our then current fees for the applicable subscription.

Disclaimer of Warranties, Limitations of Liability and Indemnification.

Your use of ChurchSpring is at your sole risk. The service is provided “as is” and “as available”. We cannot and do not guarantee or warrant that the Website will be free of viruses or other destructive files. We are not liable for any loss or damage caused by any virus or other technologically destructive materials that may occur as a result of your use of the Website.  To the fullest extent allowed by law, we disclaim all warranties of any kind, express or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. We are not liable for damages, direct or consequential, resulting from your use of the Website, and you agree to defend, indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims, losses, liability costs and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees) arising from your violation of any third-party’s rights or arising from your use of the Website. You acknowledge that you have only a limited, non-exclusive, nontransferable license to use the Website. Because the Website is not error or bug free, you agree that you will use it carefully and avoid using it in a way which might result in any loss of your or any third party’s property or information.

Term and termination

This Agreement will become effective in relation to you when you create a ChurchSpring account or when you start using the ChurchSpring Service and will remain effective until terminated by you or ChurchSpring. You may cancel your subscription of the ChurchSpring Paid Service at any time by visiting your website settings area and following the cancellation instructions.  Termination will be in effect at the conclusion of your termination call. ChurchSpring will not refund any remaining portion of subscription fees you have already paid for. ChurchSpring reserves the right to terminate this Agreement or suspend your ChurchSpring account at any time in case of unauthorized, or suspected unauthorized use of the ChurchSpring Service whether in contravention of this Agreement or otherwise. If ChurchSpring terminates this Agreement, or suspends your ChurchSpring account for any of the reasons set out in this section, ChurchSpring shall have no liability or responsibility to you, and ChurchSpring will not refund any amounts that you have previously paid.

Intellectual property

ChurchSpring respects intellectual property rights, and expects you to do the same. The ChurchSpring Service and the content provided through the ChurchSpring Service is the property of ChurchSpring or ChurchSpring’s licensors and protected by intellectual property rights (including but not limited to copyright and trademark law), and you do not have a right to use the ChurchSpring Service (including but not limited to its content) in any manner not covered by the Agreement. Additionally, the term ChurchSpring and all related names, logos, products, service names, designs, and slogans are trademarks of the Company and may not be used without the express consent from the Company. Furthermore, you must not infringe any third party's intellectual property rights in using the ChurchSpring Service. Further, you may not remove or alter any copyright, trademark or other intellectual property notices contained on or provided through the ChurchSpring Service. Any unauthorized use of this Website is a breach of these Terms of Use and may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws.

Copyright infringement and take down

If you are a copyright holder who believes that any of the products, services or content which are directly available via the ChurchSpring Websites are infringing copies of your work, please let us know. Pursuant to The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 17 United States Code 512(c)(3), a notice of alleged copyright infringement should be sent to ChurchSpring's designated copyright agent at the following address: ChurchSpring Attn: Legal Department, Copyright Agent, 106 S. Carroll St. Rock Rapids, Iowa 51246, legal@churchspring.com. A notification of claimed copyright infringement must be addressed to ChurchSpring's copyright agent listed above and include the following: A physical or electronic signature of the owner (or person authorized to act on behalf of the owner) of the copyright that is allegedly infringed; Specific identification of each copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed; A description of where the material believed to be infringed is located on ChurchSpring Service or the ChurchSpring Websites (please be as detailed as possible and provide a URL to help us locate the material you are reporting); Contact information for the complaining party, such as a complete name, address, telephone number, and email address; A statement that the complaining party has a good faith belief that use of the work(s) in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and A statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

Technology limitations and modifications

ChurchSpring will make reasonable efforts to keep the ChurchSpring Service operational. However, certain technical difficulties or maintenance may, from time to time, result in temporary interruptions. ChurchSpring reserves the right at any time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, functions and features of the ChurchSpring Service with or without notice.

Assignment

ChurchSpring may assign this Agreement or any part of it without restrictions. You shall not assign this Agreement or any part of it to any third party.

Entire agreement

This Agreement together with the ChurchSpring Privacy Policy, (the Agreements) constitutes all the terms and conditions agreed upon between you and ChurchSpring and supersedes any prior agreements in relation to the subject matter of these Agreements, whether written or oral. Any additional or different terms or conditions in relation to the subject matter of these Agreements in any written or oral communication from you to ChurchSpring are void. You agree and accept that you have not accepted the terms and conditions of this Agreement in reliance of or to any oral or written representations made by ChurchSpring not contained in this Agreement.

Severability

Should for any reason or to any extent any provision of this Agreement be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or enforceability shall not in any manner affect or render invalid or unenforceable the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the application of that provision shall be enforced to the extent permitted by law.

Mandatory arbitration; exceptions to mandatory arbitration, waiver of class action rights; limitations period; venue and choice of law

i. You and ChurchSpring agree that any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating in any way to the ChurchSpring Service or your use thereof, including our Agreement, shall be determined by mandatory binding arbitration. You agree that the U.S. Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of this provision, and that you and ChurchSpring are each waiving the right to a trial by jury and the right to participate in a class or multi-party action. This arbitration provision shall survive termination of this Agreement and the termination of your ChurchSpring subscription. The arbitration will be governed by the Commercial Arbitration Rules and the Supplementary Procedures for Consumer Related Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA Rules"), as modified by this Agreement, and as administered by the AAA. ii. You and ChurchSpring agree that (a) any claims seeking to enforce, protect, or determine the validity or ownership of any intellectual property rights, and (b) any claims related to allegations of theft, piracy or unauthorized use of the ChurchSpring Service are NOT subject to mandatory arbitration. Instead, you and ChurchSpring agree that the preceding claims (including but not limited to claims for injunctive or equitable relief) shall be exclusively decided by Courts of competent jurisdiction in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and that applicable Iowa and/or Federal law shall govern, without regard to choice of law principals. iii. YOU AND CHURCHSPRING AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A CLASS MEMBER OR IN ANY REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY OR PROCEEDING. Further, the arbitrator shall not consolidate any other person's claims with your claims, and may not otherwise preside over any form of a multi-party or class proceeding. If this specific provision is found to be unenforceable in any way, then the entirety of this arbitration section shall be null and void. The arbitrator may not award declaratory or injunctive relief. iv. Any arbitration must be commenced by filing a demand for arbitration with the AAA within ONE (1) YEAR after the date the party asserting the claim first knows or reasonably should know of the act, omission or default giving rise to the claim; and there shall be no right to any remedy for any claim not asserted within that time period. If applicable law prohibits a one-year limitations period for asserting claims, any claim must be asserted within the shortest time period permitted by applicable law. Your arbitration fees and your share of arbitrator compensation will be limited to those fees set forth in the AAA's Consumer Rules with the remainder paid by ChurchSpring. Any arbitration costs or fees deemed "excessive" will be paid by ChurchSpring. v. You and ChurchSpring agree that this Agreement involves interstate commerce and is subject to the Federal Arbitration Act. You and ChurchSpring further agree that applicable laws of the State of Iowa shall exclusively govern any dispute without regard to choice or conflicts of law rules. The sole and exclusive venue for the resolution of any dispute, whether or not subject to mandatory arbitration as described above, shall lie in Rock Rapids, Iowa.

English version prevails

In the event that this Agreement is translated into other languages and there is a discrepancy between the two language versions, the English language version shall prevail to the extent that such discrepancy is the result of an error in translation. Copyright © 2014 ChurchSpring and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

ChurchSpring
106 S. Carroll St.
Rock Rapids, IA 51246
USA

Last updated 3 April 2023

Statement of Faith

Bible

We believe that the Bible, both the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament, is supernaturally inspired by the Holy Spirit so that it is inerrant in the original manuscripts. It is preserved by God so that it will always remain the supreme, authoritative standard in all matters of faith and conduct. On its sure foundation, we affirm these additional essentials of our faith:

God

We believe in one, and only one, living and true God. He is the sovereign Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Ruler of all things. He is infinitely perfect and eternally reveals Himself as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, yet without division of nature, essence or being. To Him be all honor, glory, and praise forever!

The Father

The Father eternally reigns with providential care over all life and history, according to the purpose of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father to those who become His children through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Son

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation, Jesus was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Being fully God and fully man, He perfectly carried out the will of God, identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He provided salvation through His atoning death in our place and by His bodily resurrection. On the third day, He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He intercedes for all believers and dwells in them as their ever-present Lord. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and consummate His redemptive mission.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, has come to glorify Christ, apply His saving work to our hearts, and seal us for the day of redemption. He convicts individuals of their sinfulness and of the righteousness of Christ, draws them to the Savior, and bears witness to their new birth. Indwelling each believer, He empowers, guides, teaches, fills, sanctifies, and produces the fruit of Christlikeness in all who yield to Him, to the glory of the Father. He leads each believer to glorify God by exalting Christ, equipping believers and evangelizing sinners.

Man

We believe that man is the special creation of God, made in His own image to have fellowship with Himself and to be steward over His creation. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. Through the temptation of Satan, Adam chose to disobey God, fell from his original innocence which this brought sin and death to the human race and suffering to all creation. Therefore, everyone is born with a sinful nature, under the condemnation of their sin, and in need of being reconciled to God.

Marriage

Throughout the Bible, God defines marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:2-9). This framework is the only means in which a man and a woman should experience intimate companionship and procreation. The New Testament uses this definition of marriage as a way of describing the union of Christ and the Church. The Bible calls Jesus the “Bridegroom” and the Church his “Bride” (John 3:29). Any alterations of this definition of marriage are unnatural, dishonoring, and unfruitful perversions of God’s intended design for marriage.

Sin

God’s mandate to Adam and Eve was to be fruitful and multiply in order that the earth would be filled with the praise of his glorious image. But Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden and the result of their sin was a distortion of that image. They no longer reflected the light of life, love, faithfulness and purity of God. They now reflected the darkness of death, destruction, and impurities of selfish ambition. Since God, who is light, cannot fellowship with darkness, he cast them out of the garden (Genesis 3:23-24, 2 Corinthians 6:14). This was the just penalty for their sin. Not only was it a physical separation from God, but physical death entered the picture as well. And their physical death and separation were an outward display of the their spiritual death and separation from God.

Now that the image of God had been marred, Adam and Eve were only capable of multiplying an impure image. Through their physical multiplication, all of mankind is now born into sin.

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.
” Romans 5:12

The earth is now filled with a people that are desperately wicked and spiritually dead in their sins. They are separated from God, and at the point of their physical death, that separation becomes eternal.

Salvation

We believe that salvation is a free gift of God, by His grace, that is to be received through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, apart from our work. There is no salvation apart from faith in Jesus Christ. Through faith in Christ, a believer is justified and brought into a new relationship of peace with God.

The Church

We believe the true Church is comprised of all persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, are united together in the body of Christ. The Church finds her visible expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its purity and the sacraments (or ordinances) are administered in their integrity; where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving fellowship is maintained. For her perfecting, the Church awaits the return of her Lord.

The Lord's Day

We believe Jesus Christ will come again to the earth— personally, visibly, and bodily—to judge the living and the dead and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).