The Electronic Communication and Social Media Policy (POL-DIGITAL) establishes standards for responsible, appropriate, and accountable digital communication connected to the ministries of 1st Free Will Baptist Church of Park Hills.

This policy applies to pastors, employees, ministry leaders, volunteers, teachers, mentors, and others communicating on behalf of or in connection with church ministry.

The policy addresses text messaging, email, social media, group messaging, video calls, photographs, livestreaming, official church accounts, communication with minors, confidentiality, and reporting inappropriate digital conduct.

Policy Code: POL-DIGITAL

General Board Approved: May 31, 2026

Document Status: Official Church Policy

Important Information #

All electronic communication connected to church ministry should be appropriate, accountable, respectful, and consistent with the church’s Christian faith and testimony.

Adult ministry workers should avoid private, one-on-one electronic communication with minors. Appropriate safeguards include involving parents or guardians, using group messaging, including another approved adult, and communicating through official church channels.

Photographs and videos involving minors must be handled responsibly, with attention to privacy, safety, and parental concerns. Parents or guardians may request that images of their children not be used in public church communications.

Official church websites, social media accounts, and communication platforms must be administered by authorized individuals, with appropriate protection of passwords and administrative access.

Sensitive information involving counseling, abuse reports, personnel matters, or confidential church business should not be handled carelessly through electronic communication.

Concerns involving inappropriate, manipulative, threatening, harassing, or otherwise prohibited communication should be reported according to the church’s Abuse, Misconduct, and Incident Reporting Policy.

This policy is part of the church’s Policies & Best Practices Manual and is subject to the church’s Constitution and Bylaws.