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Our Policies

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a simple, secure, reliable, and affordable way to message others. We use it to interact with members and visitors of Benoni Baptist Church. We want you to have a good experience with us on WhatsApp. We will follow policy when using WhatsApp and ask that you would too.

Our Behaviour on WhatsApp

  • We will only send messages to you if you have contacted us or have requested we contact you. For example, if you visit us and provide details at a Sunday morning service we will contact you during the week.
  • We will get permission from you before adding you to a group. And, if you ask us to stop messaging you, we will remove you from our address book.
  • We will only message you in ways you would expect. For example, we will pass on information relevant to the worship team on the worship team group.
  • We will use admin-only message settings for some of our groups to reduce the number of messages you receive. The bigger the group the more likely it will be admin-only messaging.
  • We will get permission from parents before adding minors to groups. And we will vet adult group admins on groups (see our child protection policy).
  • We will ask our group admins to vet members before they add them to WhatsApp groups.
  • We reserve the right to remove you from a group if you violate our group rules.
  • We will create a WhatsApp community, and all of our WhatsApp groups will exist in it.

Your Behaviour on WhatsApp

  • Don’t self-promote. For example, encourage people to buy things from you or use your services.
  • Do use regular hours for message posting (8:00am-8:00pm). Don’t post in any group between 8:00pm-8:00am. WhatsApp a group admin in case of an emergency.
  • Do keep to the purpose of the group stated in the group description. Don’t share off-topic messages, memes, adverts or deals.
  • Do give some thought to the message that you post. DON’T WRITE IN ALL CAPS.
  • Do think twice before forwarding messages. Don’t share confidential information without permission.
  • Do politely excuse yourself before you leave a group. Don’t be offended if others leave.
  • Do post your message in one single chunk of text. Don’t post every word or sentence in a new message.
  • Do switch to private messages for one-on-one conversations. Don’t have long one-on-one conversations in a group.
  • Don’t use our groups as a political platform, for rumourmongering, to spread inflammatory or fake news.
  • Do address personal issues one-on-one. Don’t use our groups to berate someone else or air grievances.
  • Don’t send data-insensitive messages. For example, large videos.
  • Don’t use offensive language. Don’t post offensive images.
  • Don’t post links to external sources unless you’ve got a thumbs up from the group admin first.
AI

AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think, learn, and solve problems. It includes technologies like machine learning, natural language processing, and neural networks, which enable machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, and making decisions.

How we may use AI

  • We will not use AI as the source of our content.
  • We may use AI as a useful shortcut.
Wall of Remembrance

The wall of remembrance has been established for use by the members of the Benoni Baptist Church under the following conditions:

The wall of remembrance

  • Due to space limitations, the erection of a plaque us reserved solely for Benoni Baptist Church members and regular adherents and also for their immediate family.
  • The procedure for the erection of the plaque is as follows:
    • The wording of the plaque should include the full names of the deceased, the dates of birth and death, and a short inscription of not more than 20 words.
    • These details should be written out and handed with payment to the church office (office@benonibaptistchurch.co.za).
    • This information will be passed on to Rand Signs who will in turn email a proof of the plaque to the church office.
    • This proof is then checked by a family member, signed and returned to the church office.
    • The delivery period id two to three weeks.
    • The fixing of the plaque will be done only by the Benoni Baptist Church. The plaque is of aluminum with engraving in black and measures approximately 120 x 55mm.

Scattering of ashes

  • The Benoni Baptist Church grounds may be used for the scattering of ashes (in accordance with municipal by-laws) but this is not necessary in order to have a plaque on the wall of remembrance.
  • The scattering or burying of the ashes may be done just by the family and friends, with the assistance of one of the pastors.
  • Arrangements should be made with that pastor.
  • It should be noted that the scattering of the ashes is not a funeral service.
  • If the ashes are buried on the church property, the church will not be held responsible for keeping record of the site.

Do not hesitate to contact the church office if you have any queries.