> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.church.directory/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.church.directory/core-concepts/groups/messaging-policies/communication-use-policy.md).

# Communication Use Policy

### Overview

Church Directory offers the ability to send emails, SMS messages and voice calls to groups created in your congregations' account.

The users added to these groups are **not required** to be **members** of your congregation to be able to send communication using these methods.

A great use case for this is creating a "Former Members" group that you can send occasional emails to, with news and updates about events and things happening with your congregation.

### Known Users Only

However, you **may not** use the group messaging features to:

* send unsolicited communication to anyone
* send messages to users who would not expect to be in your Church Directory account
* send messages to email lists acquired by any means
* send messages to phone number lists acquired by any means
* send messages to people who have requested to not receive messages

The people you send messages to **must** be added by an admin of your congregation, and **must** have or had a **direct and intentional affiliation** with your congregation, to the extent that they would not be surprised to receive **any** type of communication from you.

### Violations

Any congregation found to be adding users based on lists acquired for marketing or outreach purposes risks immediate account closure.  

Church Directory **is not a marketing or advertising tool.**

If you're in need of a marketing tool to send communication to users from lists (email, phone, etc), please reach out to Church Directory support for suggestions on the best way to do this using industry tools built specifically for this purpose.

The reputation of Church Directory is of upmost importance in this regard and there are no exceptions to this rule.