Our Story

In 1996, a small group of people were sent out from Chartwell Baptist Church in Oakville to plant a Chartwell congregation in the city of Mississauga.

Using Isaiah 61 as a guiding passage for the way we approached ministry and outreach the group set a few guiding principles that still impact our relationships today. These include:

• strong lay leadership
• a commitment to prayer
• excellence in biblical teaching
• an emphasis on deepening relationships
• the inclusion of women in leadership
• the pursuit of social justice and compassion ministries
• an openness to the work of the Holy Spirit
• the encouragement of grassroots initiative
• the desire to partner together with other churches and ministries

From our beginnings meeting in a school gymnasium to our move into the current church property in Clarkson Village, Clarkson Community Church has been a church focused on seeing God’s kingdom come throughout the world, and especially within the city of Mississauga and the neigbourhoods, schools, and workplaces where God has placed us.

In the ongoing development of our reason for existing as a church, 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 has become an inspiring and formational passage for church community. “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” As followers of Jesus, we want to be a community of faith, love and hope as we interact with those God has placed in our paths.

Statement of Faith

As Christians, we affirm the historic Apostle’s and Nicene creeds and we affirm our spiritual friendship with all those who seek to exalt and serve Jesus Christ.

We affirm the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of scripture. We proclaim the message of a personal faith in the crucified Messiah and a transformed life in the Spirit. We seek to serve the global church in all its cultural diversity. We embrace the biblical call to seek justice and peace and to serve the poor, the vulnerable and oppressed.

We believe that:

There is one true living God who exists eternally in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God alone is the Creator, Sustainer and Lord of all things visible and invisible, at work in the world to redeem creation.

The eternal Son of God, incarnate in Jesus of Nazareth, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He declared God’s kingdom and embodied that reign in his life, teaching, ministry, death and resurrection. Having lived a life of perfect human obedience to the Father, he died on the cross as a vicarious and victorious atonement for sin. In his atoning death and resurrection, Christ opened the way of rescue from sin and death, and offered forgiveness and healing, in reconciling the world to God. Exalted as Lord, he continues to intercede for his people.

Holy Scripture, both Old and New Testaments together, is the authoritative written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, truthful and trustworthy in all that it teaches.

Human beings alone, both male and female, are created in the image of God. All people are created to enjoy relationship with God, with one another and with creation over which we are called to be stewards. Humankind’s sinful rebellion resulted in God’s just judgement, bringing sin and guilt upon all humanity.

God in mercy and grace redeems all who repent of their sin and trust Jesus Christ alone for their salvation, justifying them through faith, restoring their relationship with God, giving them new life by the Spirit, and forming them into the image of Jesus.

The one holy, catholic and apostolic church occurs in local communities of believers all over the world. The sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are central to Christian worship and discipleship. We affirm the baptism of believers by immersion on profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead. He will establish his kingdom of peace and he will reign forever.

Privacy Policy

Approved by the Board: November 10, 2019

1. Purpose

The Privacy Policy of Clarkson Community Church (hereafter “Clarkson”) is a formal statement of principles and guidelines concerning the requirements for the protection of personal information provided to Clarkson by its volunteers, program participants, and staff. The objective of the Clarkson Privacy Policy is to promote responsible and transparent practices in the management of personal information, in accordance with the provisions of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Clarkson recognizes that privacy is a key component of its relationship of trust.

2. Policy

Clarkson’s Privacy Policy incorporates the provisions of Part 1 of PIPEDA and includes the ten principles of the Canadian Standards Association Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information (CAN/CSA-Q830-96), which was published in March 1996 as a National Standard of Canada. These 10 principles form the basis of our privacy policy.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

Clarkson’s Board is responsible for personal information within its control and will promote the personal information protection principles.

The Lead Pastor, as the Chief Privacy Officer, is responsible for establishing and implementing practices and guidelines that reflect the personal information protection principles.

The Chief Privacy Officer is designated to ensure that Clarkson is in compliance with the Personal Information Protection Guidelines.

All Clarkson employees and the Board have a duty to protect the personal information that is used, collected, retained or disclosed in the course of conducting Clarkson activities.

4. Our Privacy Standards

4.1. Accountability

Clarkson is responsible for all personal information under its custody or control. Personal information includes, but is not limited to, donor information.  Clarkson shall designate an individual or individuals as the Chief Privacy Officer (See Section 3) who shall be accountable for compliance with the following principles.

4.2. Identifying Purposes

Clarkson collects and uses personal information only for the following purposes:

• To process donations and provide income tax receipts;
• To keep our members and adherents informed about the activities of the church;
• To ask individuals and organizations for their support for programs and special projects (e.g. Building Campaign).
• To meet policy requirements such as child protection.

The only circumstance under which personal information may be disclosed to third parties is for the fulfillment of any purposes identified above, or as required by law.  Where personal information is disclosed to third parties for the fulfillment of any purpose identified above, Clarkson will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that the third party has appropriate security procedures in place for the protection of the information being transferred.

If personal information is to be used for a purpose not previously identified, Clarkson will identify this purpose prior to use and provide individuals with an opportunity to opt-out of this activity.

Business contact information and certain publicly available information, such as names, addresses and telephone numbers as published in telephone directories, are not considered personal information.

4.3. Consent

The knowledge and consent of the individual are required for the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, except where inappropriate.

In certain circumstances, personal information can be collected, used or disclosed without the knowledge and consent of the individual, including the following situations:

• The investigation of a breach of an agreement or a contravention of a federal or provincial law;
• The case of an emergency where the life, health or security of an individual is threatened;
• To comply with a subpoena, warrant or court order; or
• As may otherwise be required or authorized by law.

Generally, Clarkson shall seek consent to use and disclose personal information at the same time it collects personal information. However, Clarkson may seek consent to use and disclose personal information after it has been collected, but before it has been used or disclosed for a new purpose.

In determining the appropriate form of consent, Clarkson shall take into account the sensitivity of the personal information and the reasonable expectations of an individual.

In general, the receipt of a donation by Clarkson constitutes implied consent for Clarkson to collect, use and disclose personal information for all identified purposes.

A donor may withdraw consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice. Donors may contact Clarkson for more information regarding the implications of withdrawing consent. If consent is withdrawn, Clarkson will comply with this request.

4.4. Limiting Collection

The collection of personal information will be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by Clarkson. Clarkson will collect information by fair and lawful means.

4.5. Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention

Personal information will not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law. Clarkson shall retain personal information only as long as necessary for the fulfillment of those purposes, unless the law requires that the information be retained for an extended period of time.

4.6. Accuracy

Personal information will be as accurate, complete and up-to-date as is necessary for the identified purposes for which it is to be used.

4.7. Safeguards

Clarkson shall protect personal information by security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.

Clarkson shall protect personal information against such risks as loss or theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use modification or destruction through appropriate security measures. Clarkson shall protect the information regardless of the format in which it is held.

Clarkson shall protect personal information disclosed to third parties by contractual agreements stipulating the confidentiality of the information and the purposes for which it is to be used.

All of Clarkson’s employees or volunteers with access to personal information shall be required to respect the confidentiality of that information by signing a confidentiality agreement and implementing methods of protection that include:

1. Physical measures: for example, locked filing cabinets and restricted access to offices.
2. Organizational measures: for example, limited access on a “need-to-know” basis
3. Technological measures: For example, may include the use of passwords, encryption and audits.

4.8. Openness

Clarkson will make readily available to individuals specific information about its policies and practices related to the management of personal information. This information will be made available in multiple formats.

4.9. Individual Access

Clarkson shall inform an individual of the existence, use and disclosure of his or her personal information upon request and shall give the individual access to that information. An individual whose information has been recorded by Clarkson shall be able to challenge the accuracy and completeness of the information and have it amended as appropriate.

In certain situations, Clarkson may not be able to provide access to all the personal information it holds about an individual. Exceptions to the access requirement will be limited and specific. Exceptions may include information that is prohibitively costly to provide, information that contains certain references to other individuals, information that cannot be disclosed for legal, or security reasons.  If access cannot be provided, Clarkson will notify the individual, in writing, of the reasons for refusal.

4.10. Challenging Compliance

Clarkson shall maintain procedures for addressing and responding to all inquiries or complaints from its donors about Clarkson’s handling of personal information.  The Chief Privacy Officer is accountable for overseeing Clarkson’s timely implementation of the procedures.

Clarkson shall investigate all complaints concerning compliance with the Privacy Policy. If a complaint is found to be justified, appropriate measures will be taken, including amending policies and procedures where required. The individual shall be informed of the outcome of the investigation regarding his or her complaint

5. Revisions to this policy

The development of Clarkson’s Privacy Policy is an ongoing process.  Due to changes in technology and legal requirements, Clarkson may revise this policy from time to time.  Please refer to the current version of the Privacy Policy posted on our website at www.clarksonchurch.ca

Inquiries

Complaints regarding compliance with the principles contained in this policy should be directed to:

Chief Privacy Officer: Lead Pastor

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Phone: 1-905-844-2801

e-mail: jamie@clarksonchurch.ca