WhatsApp policy

Laois Bible Church, as a local church family of believers, is passionate about community and fellowship.
In order to facilitate this further, we have put in place a number of “WhatsApp” groups.

1 – Known as ‘Church Noticeboard’ being specifically, as the name would suggest, for notifying the church of church events and relevant church news etc.

  • Information can only be added to this group by the administrators of the group.

2 – Kwnown as ‘Church Chat’ being more general in nature with the purpose of staying connected as a church family on a more regular basis rather than just when we are at a church event in person.

  • Information can be added to this group by all those who form part of the group.
    The information put up on the Church Chat should, whether personal or more general, be helpful,
    positive, supportive, and uplifting, leading to encouragement and a building of faith. However, it is also important that, all concerned are there for each other in times of need, whether requesting assistance, practical help or otherwise and prayer is being sought.

3 – Others known by the distinct group which they serve such as ‘The Ladies Prayer Group’ or ‘Service Prep Group’ and others yet to be formed.

  • Information on any such groups will be appropriate to the group and added by those authorised to do so
  • With the above in mind, the Eldership of LBC, ask that the following ‘Guidelines’ be adhered to when communicating via any of the Church WhatsApp groups.

Please feel free to share:

Personal matters

  • As outlined above – experiences etc which are helpful, positive, supportive, and uplifting, leading to encouragement
    and a building of faith.
  • As outlined above – It may be requesting help, assistance and/or prayer in times of need etc.
  • However, keep in mind that, once something is shared on this forum, you may have no control over it after that and how others may share it further afield.
  • If the information is about someone else, whether family or not, permission should be sought
    from that individual to share the information as you intend.

General matters

  • We sometimes come across News articles, Videos, Bible verses etc which may be worth sharing with the group
  • Please be sure that sharing such complies with copyright law and meets the above positive elements leading to encouragement, while also adhering to the things to be avoided as outlined below.

Questions / Advice

  • It is reasonable to ask questions, seek and give answers or advice on many matters whether serious or trivial. However, be aware that if such causes debate it will be better to end the discussion on the WhatsApp and take it up on a face-to-face basis as appropriate. See below.

Please Avoid:

Debates

  • Refrain from debating matters in the group. This is not the forum for debating. Debates in such forums can leave much misunderstanding and cause much unintended offence. There will be plenty of opportunity to debate on a one-to-one basis or in a physical meeting as appropriate.

Correction / Rebuke

  • There may be times where correction or rebuke regarding something or someone in the church context is necessary, but this forum is not the place to engage with such. If you have concerns etc, please raise such with the individual/s concerned in a Biblical manner. In addition, if you have concerns regarding something which has been shared on the group, please, again, raise it with the individual concerned or with the Eldership as may be appropriate.

Preaching / Teaching

  • While sharing Bible verses / passages is to be encouraged, this is not the forum to be preaching or teaching or using God’s Word to support a personal idea. Again, there are plenty of other opportunities where such preaching and teaching is practiced and encouraged.
    If you wish to become more involved in preaching or teaching, speak with the Elders.
  • If sharing something from another source, please be sure that both the source and the content are appropriate and/or acceptable. If you have any doubts, please do not post without first checking with the Eldership.

Lack of Compliance:


Consequences

  • If there are any breaches of the above, the Eldership will be notified and action will be taken with the removal of the offending material and potential removal of the individual/s concerned as deemed necessary.