SMS Terms

Last updated August 24, 2026

Program description

Shepherd’s text messaging program sends reminders and check-in prompts to volunteer small group hosts and helpers who lead a recurring group meeting for their church. Texts go only to leaders who have opted in — Shepherd does not text group members or guests, and it never sends a message to anyone on a leader’s behalf. A typical message links a leader back to their private, per-leader page in Shepherd (for example, a reminder before their meeting or a prompt to check in afterward).

How you opt in

A leader is added to Shepherd by their group’s coordinator or program admin, and then ticks a consent checkbox the first time they open the app, before any message is sent. The exact wording shown, along with the timestamp and IP address, is stored as the consent record. No one is enrolled in text messaging without agreeing.

Message frequency

Two to three messages a week while your group is running — typically a reminder about an hour before your meeting and a check-in prompt afterward. Frequency may vary with your group’s schedule, and drops to zero between programs or after your group ends.

How to stop, get help, or restart

• Reply STOP to any message to opt out immediately. You’ll receive one confirmation text and no further messages after that.
• Reply HELP to any message for assistance, or contact us directly at the contact page.
• Reply START to a number you previously stopped to resume receiving messages, if your leadership role is still active.

Rates and carrier disclosure

Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies as described above. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. Supported carriers include major U.S. carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and others; carrier coverage is not guaranteed, and no carrier is responsible for support of the Shepherd service.

Who we text

Leaders only — hosts and helpers who lead a group and have opted in. Group members and guests never receive text messages from Shepherd. Phone numbers collected for this program are used solely to operate it and are never sold or shared. See Privacy for how we handle your data more broadly.

Contact

Questions about this program can be sent through the contact page.