Privacy
Effective Date: September 28, 2026
Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church ("Divine Shepherd," "DSLC," "we," "us," or "our") respects the privacy of our members, visitors, volunteers, employees, families, and others who interact with our church and ministries.
This Privacy Policy describes how we may collect, use, protect, and disclose information obtained through our website, online services, forms, communications, and related church activities.
Information We Collect
Depending upon how you interact with Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, we may collect information such as:
- Name;
- Mailing address;
- Email address;
- Telephone or mobile telephone number;
- Information submitted through contact, registration, volunteer, ministry, or event forms;
- Communication preferences;
- Records of consent to receive communications;
- Ministry, volunteer, event, or program participation information;
- Information necessary to provide requested church or ministry services; and
- Technical information associated with use of our website, such as browser, device, or website usage information.
Additional information may be collected when necessary for specific programs or services.
How We Use Information
Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church may use information we collect to:
- Respond to questions and requests;
- Communicate with members, visitors, families, volunteers, staff, and program participants;
- Provide information regarding worship services, ministries, events, and programs;
- Coordinate volunteers and church activities;
- Process registrations or requests;
- Provide safety, security, weather, facility, or emergency-related communications;
- Operate and improve our website and technology systems;
- Maintain appropriate church and administrative records;
- Fulfill legal, regulatory, safety, or administrative obligations; and
- Provide other services requested by individuals interacting with Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Email and Communications
If you provide an email address, we may use it to respond to your requests or provide communications associated with your relationship with Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Where appropriate, individuals may unsubscribe from optional email communications using the unsubscribe mechanism provided in those communications or by contacting us.
SMS/Text Messaging Privacy
Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church may collect mobile telephone numbers and SMS consent information from individuals who choose to receive text messages from us.
SMS consent is obtained before an individual is enrolled in our SMS messaging program.
We may maintain records documenting SMS consent, including information such as the individual's name, mobile telephone number, date of consent, and method by which consent was provided.
Mobile Information and SMS Consent
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
Information may be provided to service providers that assist Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in delivering communications or operating our systems when reasonably necessary to provide those services. These providers may only use the information as necessary to perform services on our behalf and are not authorized by us to use SMS opt-in information for their own marketing or promotional purposes.
Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church does not sell SMS opt-in data or consent information.
Individuals may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to an SMS message from Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church.
For assistance, recipients may reply HELP or contact Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church directly.
Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.
Additional information regarding our SMS messaging program is available in our Terms & Conditions.
How We Share Information
Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church does not sell personal information.
We may disclose information when reasonably necessary to:
- Service providers assisting with website hosting, communications, church management, registration, payment processing, technology, or other operational functions;
- Governmental or regulatory authorities when required by law;
- Law enforcement or emergency personnel when reasonably necessary to address an emergency, safety concern, or legal obligation; or
- Other parties when authorized or requested by the individual to whom the information relates.
Service providers are expected to use information only as necessary to provide services on our behalf and subject to applicable contractual and legal requirements.
Regardless of the foregoing, mobile information and SMS opt-in data and consent will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes.
Online Giving and Payments
Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church may use third-party payment processors or giving platforms to process donations, registrations, fees, or other transactions.
Payment information may be collected and processed directly by those providers. Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church may not directly receive or store complete payment card information processed by an independent payment provider.
The privacy and security practices of those providers are also governed by their respective policies.
Cookies and Website Technology
Our website and third-party services used by our website may use cookies or similar technologies to operate website functionality, understand website usage, improve services, or remember user preferences.
Your browser may provide controls that allow you to limit or disable cookies. Some website functionality may not operate properly if cookies are disabled.
Third-Party Websites and Services
Our website may contain links to websites or services operated by other organizations.
Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church is not responsible for the privacy practices of independently operated third-party websites. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of third-party services before providing personal information.
Children's Information
Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church provides ministries, programs, preschool, childcare, and other activities involving children.
Information concerning children may be collected when provided by a parent, legal guardian, or other authorized individual in connection with participation in these programs.
We use such information for legitimate ministry, program, childcare, administrative, safety, and communication purposes and take reasonable measures to protect it.
Parents or legal guardians with questions regarding information maintained about their children should contact Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Information Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
However, no website, electronic communication, or information system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Data Retention
We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, provide church or ministry services, maintain appropriate records, satisfy legal or administrative requirements, and protect the legitimate interests of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church and the individuals we serve.
Your Choices
You may contact Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church to request that we update or correct certain personal information or change your communication preferences.
You may opt out of SMS messages by replying STOP.
Requests concerning personal information may be subject to recordkeeping, legal, security, or other legitimate requirements.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may periodically update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, services, technology, or applicable requirements.
When changes are made, we will update the effective date at the top of this page.
Contact Us
Questions regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices may be directed to:
Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church
15005 Q Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68137
Phone: 402-895-1500