Terms of Service
Effective July 21, 2026 · Version terms-2026-07-21
Using Shepherd
Shepherd provides church administration, pastoral-care, member communication, and related software. You must provide accurate information, protect your account, use the service only for lawful church purposes, and follow the permissions and safeguards configured for your church.
Church and user responsibilities
Each participating church controls its church records and decides who may access them. Church administrators are responsible for role assignments, member notices, consent collection, message content, record accuracy, and compliance with the laws and policies that apply to their ministry. Users may access only the churches, people, and features they are authorized to use.
Youth and sensitive information
Youth information and pastoral-care records require heightened care. Users must not bypass guardian-consent, safeguarding, tenant-boundary, audit, or approval controls. Shepherd is not an emergency service. If someone may be in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or an appropriate safeguarding authority.
Communications
Text-message consent is separate from accepting these terms. Message frequency varies, carrier charges may apply, and recipients may reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help. A church must not send a message unless it has the authority and consent required for that recipient and message.
Availability and changes
The service may change, experience interruptions, or require maintenance. We may suspend access needed to protect users, churches, or the service. Material updates to these terms will use a new document version and may require renewed acceptance.
Contact and governing agreement
Questions about a church record or invitation should first go to that church. Questions about Shepherd may be sent through the support channel provided in the application. Any signed customer agreement with a participating church controls if it conflicts with these public terms.