Partner Terms of Service

1. Parties and Agreement

These Partner Terms of Service ("Agreement") are entered into between you ("Partner," "you," or "your") and ChurchConnect, LLC ("ChurchConnect," "we," "us," or "our"), a technology marketplace company operating at churchxconnect.com (the "Platform").

By registering, clicking "I agree," or using the Platform, you represent that: (a) you are at least 18 years old; (b) you have the legal capacity to enter this Agreement; (c) you have read and understood this Agreement in its entirety; and (d) you agree to be bound by this Agreement, our Privacy Policy, and the Partner Code of Conduct.

Electronic Signature: By checking the acceptance box during signup, you are providing an electronic signature under the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN Act) and California's Electronic Transactions Act (Civil Code §1633.1 et seq.), which have the same legal force as a handwritten signature.

2. Independent Contractor Status

California ABC Test Acknowledgment (Dynamex / AB5): You expressly acknowledge and agree that you qualify as an independent contractor under California law because, among other factors:

• Free from control: You are free from the control and direction of ChurchConnect in connection with the performance of your services, both under this Agreement and in fact. You determine how, when, and where you perform your services. ChurchConnect does not set your schedule, supervise your methods, require uniforms, or mandate specific processes.
• Outside usual course of business: You perform services outside the usual course of ChurchConnect's business. ChurchConnect is a technology marketplace company — it does not itself perform worship music, production, maintenance, teaching, children's ministry, or any other service offered by Partners. Your services are distinct from ChurchConnect's business of operating a digital platform.
• Independently established business: You are customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as the services you provide through the Platform. You may — and are encouraged to — offer your services to clients outside of ChurchConnect.

You further acknowledge that you have independently verified your classification status and understand its legal and tax implications. ChurchConnect does not guarantee any specific classification outcome and recommends you consult a tax or legal advisor.

• You are solely responsible for all federal, state, and local income taxes, self-employment taxes, and any other tax obligations on earnings from the Platform. ChurchConnect will issue IRS Form 1099-NEC where required by law (generally when annual payments exceed $600).
• You are responsible for your own health insurance, workers' compensation, professional liability insurance, and all other benefits or coverage.
• You may not represent yourself as an employee of ChurchConnect or of any church to any person or government agency.
• Nothing in this Agreement creates an employer-employee relationship. If any provision of this Agreement is found to create such a relationship, the parties agree to renegotiate in good faith.

3. Platform — Marketplace Only

ChurchConnect is a technology platform and marketplace — not a staffing agency, placement firm, or service provider. We facilitate connections between independent contractors and churches but are not a party to any service agreement between you and a church. ChurchConnect does not control the content of your services, the outcome of any engagement, or the conduct of any church. You assume all risk associated with your services.

4. Account Registration and Eligibility

• Partner accounts require a valid ChurchConnect invitation during the beta period.
• You must provide your legal name, accurate contact information, and valid tax identification number (SSN or EIN) as required for payment processing and tax reporting.
• You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account. Notify us immediately at helpcc@churchxconnect.com of any unauthorized use.
• One account per person. You may not transfer your account to any other person.
• ChurchConnect reserves the right to verify your identity, credentials, and qualifications at any time and to suspend unverified accounts.

5. Background Checks — FCRA and ICRAA Disclosure

Certain ministry categories (including Children's Ministry) require a satisfactory background check. By accepting these Terms, you consent in principle; however, ChurchConnect will provide a separate, standalone background check disclosure and authorization form — as required by FCRA and ICRAA — before initiating any background investigation.

Background checks may include: national criminal history; sex offender registry (all 50 states); county criminal records (past 7 years); identity verification. A disqualifying result will trigger an adverse-action notice and a dispute period as required by FCRA. You have the right to dispute inaccurate information directly with the consumer reporting agency.

Background check results are kept confidential. Summary pass/fail status may be shared with requesting churches as necessary.

6. Payment, Platform Fee, and Stripe Connect

Payment flow: When a church confirms a booking, the fee is held in escrow by Stripe. Upon the church marking the booking "Complete" (or automatically after 72 hours with no active dispute), ChurchConnect initiates a transfer to your Stripe Express account. Transfers typically arrive within 2–5 business days. These payments are compensation for independent contractor services — they are not wages and do not trigger California wage and hour laws.

Platform fee: ChurchConnect deducts a platform service fee from each payout, disclosed in the booking confirmation. The fee is subject to change with 30 days' written notice.

Stripe Connect: You must connect a Stripe Express account and complete identity verification to receive payment. You agree to Stripe's Connected Account Agreement. Stripe's risk policies may delay or withhold transfers independent of ChurchConnect's actions.

Chargebacks: If a church successfully disputes a charge, ChurchConnect may reverse the corresponding transfer. You will receive written notice and an opportunity to respond within 5 business days before any reversal is finalized.

7. Platform Integrity — Client Introduction Fee

The identity, contact details, and engagement history of churches on the Platform constitute ChurchConnect's trade secrets and confidential business information under the California Uniform Trade Secrets Act (Civil Code §3426 et seq.).

You agree that if you — without using the Platform — directly engage any church whose contact information you first obtained through ChurchConnect, within 12 months of that introduction, you will pay ChurchConnect a client introduction fee equal to 20% of the gross value of services rendered, with a minimum of $500. This fee compensates ChurchConnect for the value of the introduction and protection of its trade secrets — it does not prohibit you from working in your profession or with any church you already knew before joining the Platform.

You may continue to work freely with any church you had a pre-existing relationship with before your first contact through ChurchConnect, without owing any fee.

8. Your Responsibilities

• Perform all services professionally and consistent with the ChurchConnect Code of Conduct.
• Maintain all required licenses, certifications, permits, and insurance for the services you offer.
• Accurately represent your qualifications, experience, skills, and availability.
• Communicate promptly through the Platform and notify churches of delays or cancellations as early as possible.
• Not subcontract any booking without prior written approval from ChurchConnect and the church.
• Comply with all applicable federal, California, and local laws in performing your services.
• Maintain the confidentiality of non-public church information.

9. Insurance Requirement

You are responsible for obtaining, at your own expense, general commercial liability insurance adequate for the services you perform. We recommend a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate. ChurchConnect does not provide workers' compensation, professional liability, or general liability coverage for Partner activities. Proof of insurance may be required at any time.

10. Prohibited Conduct

• Misrepresenting qualifications, background check status, identity, or credentials.
• Failing to perform a booked service without valid cause and advance notice.
• Harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate conduct of any kind toward church members, staff, or children.
• Soliciting church members for personal business outside the scope of your booking.
• Using the Platform for fraud or any unlawful purpose.
• Circumventing background check requirements.
• Accepting off-platform payment from a church found through ChurchConnect without paying the client introduction fee.

11. Termination

ChurchConnect may suspend or terminate your account immediately for: (a) material breach of this Agreement or the Code of Conduct; (b) a disqualifying background check result; (c) fraudulent activity; (d) conduct harmful to churches, children, or other users; or (e) persistent low ratings. You may close your account at any time by contacting helpcc@churchxconnect.com. Termination does not excuse payment of any outstanding client introduction fees or liability for services already performed.

12. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. ChurchConnect does not guarantee any minimum number of bookings, any level of income, or uninterrupted access to the Platform.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, ChurchConnect's total liability for any claim arising under this Agreement shall not exceed the total fees earned by you through the Platform in the 12 months preceding the claim. This cap applies regardless of the form of action (contract, tort, or otherwise).

In no event shall ChurchConnect be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, including lost profits, lost data, or reputational harm, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

California Civil Code §1668: Nothing in this Agreement limits liability for fraud, willful injury to a person or property, or violation of law where a limitation is prohibited by statute.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless ChurchConnect and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any third-party claims, damages, judgments, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from: (a) your services; (b) your breach of this Agreement; (c) your violation of any applicable law; (d) any personal injury or property damage you cause on church premises; or (e) any claim that your content infringes a third party's intellectual property rights.

California Civil Code §2782.5 Note: This indemnification obligation applies to claims arising from your own acts or omissions and does not require you to indemnify ChurchConnect for ChurchConnect's own negligence.

15. Dispute Resolution and Binding Arbitration

Informal resolution: Before filing any formal claim, you must contact helpcc@churchxconnect.com and allow 30 days for good-faith informal resolution.

Binding arbitration: Any dispute not resolved informally shall be submitted to binding arbitration administered by JAMS under its Streamlined Arbitration Rules, or (at ChurchConnect's election) the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitration shall be conducted in San Francisco County, California, unless the parties agree otherwise. The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA, 9 U.S.C. §1 et seq.) governs this arbitration provision and preempts any conflicting state law. Either party may seek provisional injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction solely to preserve the status quo pending arbitration.

Class action waiver: YOU AND CHURCHCONNECT AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS ACTION OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. This waiver is enforceable under AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, 563 U.S. 333 (2011).

PAGA waiver: To the extent permitted by law, you waive any right to bring a representative action under California's Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA, California Labor Code §2698 et seq.) in connection with your classification as an independent contractor.

16. Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California (without regard to conflict-of-law principles), except that the arbitration provision in Section 15 is governed by the FAA. To the extent any dispute must be litigated in court, both parties consent to exclusive jurisdiction in the state or federal courts located in San Francisco County, California.

17. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including acts of God, natural disasters, pandemic, government action, or power failures ("Force Majeure Events"), provided the affected party promptly notifies the other and uses reasonable efforts to resume performance.

18. Severability, Waiver, and Integration

• Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is found unenforceable by a court or arbitrator, that provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable. All other provisions remain in full force.
• Waiver: ChurchConnect's failure to enforce any right or provision is not a waiver of that right. Any waiver must be in writing signed by an authorized ChurchConnect representative.
• Integration: This Agreement, together with the Privacy Policy and Code of Conduct, constitutes the entire agreement between you and ChurchConnect regarding the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior agreements or representations.
• Assignment: You may not assign this Agreement without ChurchConnect's prior written consent. ChurchConnect may assign this Agreement in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets.

19. Changes to These Terms

ChurchConnect may update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated by email at least 14 days before the effective date. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree to a change, you may close your account before it takes effect.

20. Contact

ChurchConnect, LLC
San Francisco Bay Area, California
Email: helpcc@churchxconnect.com