Community Guidelines
Building a safe, respectful, and edifying community where believers from all traditions can connect, grow, and serve together in Christ.
Our Core Principles
These principles guide every interaction on ChurchGate and reflect our commitment to honoring Christ in our global community.
Love
We interact with love, kindness, and compassion, reflecting Christ's love for His church and for all people.
Unity
We celebrate our diversity while maintaining unity in Christ, honoring different traditions without compromising truth.
Respect
We treat all members with dignity and respect, valuing each person as created in God's image and loved by Christ.
Truth
We speak truth in love, grounding our discussions in Scripture and maintaining integrity in all our communications.
Expected Behavior
As members of the ChurchGate community, we commit to these standards of Christian conduct and mutual respect.
We Encourage
Respectful Dialogue
Engage in thoughtful, respectful conversations even when discussing differences
Encouraging Words
Build up fellow believers with words of encouragement and support
Authentic Sharing
Share your faith journey, struggles, and victories honestly and appropriately
Prayer and Support
Offer prayer, practical help, and emotional support to those in need
Learning from Others
Approach different traditions with curiosity and humility
Constructive Feedback
Provide helpful, loving correction when appropriate and necessary
Mission Focus
Collaborate on kingdom work and evangelistic efforts
Grace and Forgiveness
Extend grace to others and seek reconciliation when conflicts arise
We Prohibit
Harassment or Abuse
Any form of bullying, harassment, threats, or abusive language
Hate Speech
Content that promotes hatred based on race, ethnicity, gender, or other characteristics
False Information
Spreading misinformation, false testimonies, or deceptive content
Inappropriate Content
Sexual content, profanity, violence, or other material inappropriate for a Christian community
Spam or Self-Promotion
Excessive self-promotion, spam, or commercial activities without permission
Divisive Arguments
Deliberately stirring up controversy or engaging in destructive theological debates
Non-Christian Promotion
Promoting other religions, cults, or anti-Christian ideologies
Privacy Violations
Sharing private information about others without consent
Theological Discussions
We welcome respectful theological dialogue while maintaining unity in Christ. Here's how we approach differences in our diverse community.
Discussion Guidelines
Focus on Scripture
Ground discussions in biblical truth rather than personal opinions or traditions alone
Speak with Humility
Acknowledge that we all see through a glass darkly and can learn from each other
Seek Understanding
Try to understand others' perspectives before seeking to be understood
Maintain Unity
Remember that our unity in Christ is more important than winning arguments
Healthy Boundaries
Core Beliefs
We affirm essential Christian doctrines: Trinity, salvation through Christ, biblical authority
Secondary Issues
We allow respectful discussion on denominational differences and non-essential matters
Forbidden Topics
We don't allow promotion of non-Christian religions, cults, or heretical teachings
Moderation
Discussions that become divisive or harmful will be moderated or closed
Reporting and Moderation
We maintain a safe community through active moderation and user reporting. Here's how our system works to protect all members.
How to Report
If you encounter inappropriate content or behavior:
- Use the "Report" button on posts or profiles
- Contact moderators directly
- Email support@churchgate.org
- Provide specific details about the issue
All reports are reviewed promptly and confidentially.
Moderation Process
Our moderation team:
- Reviews all reports within 24 hours
- Represents various Christian traditions
- Follows consistent guidelines
- Seeks restoration over punishment
- Provides clear communication
We aim for fair, consistent, and redemptive moderation.
Consequences
Violations may result in:
- Warning and education
- Content removal
- Temporary restrictions
- Account suspension
- Permanent ban (severe cases)
We always seek restoration and reconciliation when possible.
Appeal Process
If you believe a moderation decision was made in error, you can appeal by:
- Contacting our appeals team at appeals@churchgate.org
- Providing your account information and the specific decision
- Explaining why you believe the decision was incorrect
- Waiting for our review (typically 3-5 business days)
All appeals are reviewed by a different moderator than the one who made the original decision, ensuring fairness and objectivity in our process.
Our Commitment to You
ChurchGate is committed to maintaining a community that honors Christ, builds up believers, and welcomes all who seek to follow Jesus. We will:
- Apply guidelines fairly and consistently
- Respond to reports promptly and thoroughly
- Communicate clearly about our decisions
- Continuously improve our processes
- Protect the safety and dignity of all members
- Foster healthy theological dialogue
- Seek restoration and reconciliation
- Maintain transparency in our operations
Together, we can build a community that reflects the beauty, diversity, and unity of Christ's global church.
Contact Our Community Team